What should be done regarding PSU replacement?
What should be done regarding PSU replacement?
Hello,
I have the following setup:
Gigabyte H170-D3HP motherboard
Dell U2722DE monitor
Antec Three Hundred Two case
ASUS Strix GeForce GTX 970 graphics card
750W Be Quiet Dark Power Pro PSU
16 GB DDR4 RAM
Intel Core i5 6500 processor
1 TB WD Black (WD1003FZEX)
Samsung SH-118BB DVD-ROM
Windows 10 Home 22H2
I might add an SSD later.
It seems the PSU is likely the oldest part I own, and the fan is getting a bit loud, so I’d like to replace it.
Most of the calculators I’ve checked suggest a 550W PSU would be enough, while others recommend 650W.
It’s proving tricky to find some of the PSUs suggested by Tom from Hardware in this price range here in the UK.
I’d appreciate any advice on a reliable PSU suitable for my situation. I’ve used Scan and checked Amazon, but I’m open to other options. I don’t have a strict budget limit, just not wanting to overspend. I’m hoping there might be good deals around Black Friday.
Also, if I replace the PSU, should I keep all the cables in place or should I use new ones?
What budgeting approach have you chosen for the PSU acquisition? Which location do you favor for purchasing it? Regarding replacements, is it acceptable to keep the existing cables and connect them directly to the new PSU, or should fresh cables be used? No, that’s not advisable. Each PSU has different pin configurations, so using old cables could damage components if they’re transferred between units. Here are some options:
https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/products/pow...00&e=6,5,4
https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/product/xfV2...mag-a650gl
Are you thinking your PSU might be facing problems?
If not, I wouldn’t rush to replace it.
Avoid reusing your previous PSU cables.
The power needed mainly depends on your graphics card and the number of 6/8 pin connections.
Your 750 PSU should be more than enough for a powerful graphics card.
A PSU only consumes the power it needs, not its maximum capacity.
850W could work if you upgrade to a high-end graphics card later.
It seems your PSU options are top quality with a 10-year warranty.
In short, the first thing I’d invest in today would be swapping your HDD for an SSD.
Your PC’s speed will be noticeable and easy to achieve.
Just follow these steps:
Purchase a Samsung 870 EVO 2.5" SSD (2TB for around £120)
Use the Samsung SSD migration tool to transfer your C drive to the SSD
Find detailed instructions here:
Tool & Software Download | Samsung Semiconductor Global
Visit: semiconductor.samsung.com
Once done, swap in the new SSD and consider using the HDD for external backup.
Thank you for your response. I’ve been using the same PSU since 2009, which is quite a while! The fan has gotten a bit louder sometimes (especially when turning it on and off), and I’m worried it might stop working soon.
I know swapping the HDD for an SSD would speed things up, but I’ve been putting it off for a long time because of time constraints. I’m planning to tackle it soon, but right now I’m a bit more anxious about the PSU (maybe it’s overreacting).
I recommended samsung due to their outstanding migration app.
Sometimes, older motherboards struggle to identify a m.2 device.
Even specialists can't distinguish between sata and slower or faster pcie devices.
Regarding adata, there could be some problems.
For instance:
Reddit - Dive into anything
www.reddit.com
Puget has a 2021 report on hardware reliability.
With more than 1000 sold Samsung 870 EVO units, there were no failures.