Power Supply Output and Motherboard Power Requirements in Aging Systems

akedm · 09-12-2008, 01:36 PM

I read on here that as the power supply gets older it outputs less power, and as the motherboard gets older it requires more power. I personally like to purchase systems that I keep for 5 or 6 years. I understand that as things age things degrade. And I also understand that computers generally are scrapped after 5 years or so. So I have a few questions :

Is there a calculation estimate on this relationship? (avg loss of x% per year for PS, for example. avg increased need of x% per year for MB, for example)
Should I be looking at my 5 year old system with the 5 year old motherboard and 5 year old power supply with caution?
How do I know when to change out the power supply or MB? (besides the obvious smoking-case clue)
Where can I get more information on this relationship?
Should the expected lifetime of the system also be a consideration for power supply requirements? I ask because I know there's an efficiency rating (I think it's called) on power supplies, and I often read here that you should calculate your power requirements + 30% or so due to this rating. But should calculations also include additional percentage points for the expected lifetime of the system to account for PS output degradation?
How long should power supplies last? 5 years?

Thank you.

Tumbleweed36 · 09-12-2008, 02:32 PM

I think the best place to start for you would be to read the power supply sticky (over 65,500 members have read it so far) information and then if you have further questions, we can help you:

Power Supply Information and Selection

In addition, if you tell us what you want to build, then any of our excellent techs, mentors, or moderators can assist you for the short and long term power supply issues. Anyone with the Hardware Team Banner in their signature is very well versed on your present and near future needs. Feel comfortable if they tell you what you need that they know what they are talking about from years of experience in the field.

The normal power supply warranty is three years, but some of the better known names now offer a five year warranty, so that kind of tells you what to expect in a power supply lifetime. I have had some that have gone for seven years and never missed a beat, and then I have had some that I needed to RMA for a replacement on the short term. However, with one of the ones listed below, the probability of it not lasting is pretty remote. These are quality supplies that will last for a long time and are backed up by good warranties. Here is a list of excellent supplies:

Seasonic – Any Model
Corsair – Any Model
PC Power & Cooling – Any Model
Thermaltake – “Toughpower” Series Only
Coolermaster – “Real Power Pro” Series Only
Silverstone – Any Model

Stu_computer · 09-12-2008, 10:49 PM

Hi akedm.
A well designed and well kept system will last many years. The main culprit in any electronics device is the electrolytic capacitors, as they tend to dry out over time (quality caps have about a 10 year lifespan).

That doesn't mean it will fail in ten years though, I have laptops that old, and older, that work just fine. Come to think of it I have a 30 year old portable tv that still works okay too-never had to fix it.

That's the key, quality parts and well looked after.

akedm · 09-13-2008, 03:47 AM

Thank you both. I'll just make sure to buy a quality supply and spray some 409 in there every so often to keep it clean.

Just kidding, but I'm sure air dusting it out will help.

Thanks again.

09-12-2008, 01:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
akedm Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Anchorage, Alaska, USA Posts: 336 OS: Win XP Media Center SP2	Power Supply Output and Motherboard Power Requirements in Aging Systems I read on here that as the power supply gets older it outputs less power, and as the motherboard gets older it requires more power. I personally like to purchase systems that I keep for 5 or 6 years. I understand that as things age things degrade. And I also understand that computers generally are scrapped after 5 years or so. So I have a few questions : Is there a calculation estimate on this relationship? (avg loss of x% per year for PS, for example. avg increased need of x% per year for MB, for example) Should I be looking at my 5 year old system with the 5 year old motherboard and 5 year old power supply with caution? How do I know when to change out the power supply or MB? (besides the obvious smoking-case clue) Where can I get more information on this relationship? Should the expected lifetime of the system also be a consideration for power supply requirements? I ask because I know there's an efficiency rating (I think it's called) on power supplies, and I often read here that you should calculate your power requirements + 30% or so due to this rating. But should calculations also include additional percentage points for the expected lifetime of the system to account for PS output degradation? How long should power supplies last? 5 years? Thank you. Last edited by akedm; 09-12-2008 at 01:44 PM.

09-12-2008, 02:32 PM	#2 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 19,632 OS: XP Professional	Re: Power Supply Output and Motherboard Power Requirements in Aging Systems I think the best place to start for you would be to read the power supply sticky (over 65,500 members have read it so far) information and then if you have further questions, we can help you: Power Supply Information and Selection In addition, if you tell us what you want to build, then any of our excellent techs, mentors, or moderators can assist you for the short and long term power supply issues. Anyone with the Hardware Team Banner in their signature is very well versed on your present and near future needs. Feel comfortable if they tell you what you need that they know what they are talking about from years of experience in the field. The normal power supply warranty is three years, but some of the better known names now offer a five year warranty, so that kind of tells you what to expect in a power supply lifetime. I have had some that have gone for seven years and never missed a beat, and then I have had some that I needed to RMA for a replacement on the short term. However, with one of the ones listed below, the probability of it not lasting is pretty remote. These are quality supplies that will last for a long time and are backed up by good warranties. Here is a list of excellent supplies: Seasonic – Any Model Corsair – Any Model PC Power & Cooling – Any Model Thermaltake – “Toughpower” Series Only Coolermaster – “Real Power Pro” Series Only Silverstone – Any Model __________________ ---------- I don't receive email notifications of replies to subscribed threads. (Internet provider policy) Therefore, if I don't respond to your post within 24 hours, please send me a reminder PM and include the link to your thread. Last edited by Tumbleweed36; 09-12-2008 at 02:34 PM.

09-12-2008, 10:49 PM	#3 (permalink)
Stu_computer Tech Hardware Team Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,459 OS: Windows	Re: Power Supply Output and Motherboard Power Requirements in Aging Systems Hi akedm. A well designed and well kept system will last many years. The main culprit in any electronics device is the electrolytic capacitors, as they tend to dry out over time (quality caps have about a 10 year lifespan). That doesn't mean it will fail in ten years though, I have laptops that old, and older, that work just fine. Come to think of it I have a 30 year old portable tv that still works okay too-never had to fix it. That's the key, quality parts and well looked after. __________________

09-13-2008, 03:47 AM	#4 (permalink)
akedm Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Anchorage, Alaska, USA Posts: 336 OS: Win XP Media Center SP2	Re: Power Supply Output and Motherboard Power Requirements in Aging Systems Thank you both. I'll just make sure to buy a quality supply and spray some 409 in there every so often to keep it clean. Just kidding, but I'm sure air dusting it out will help. Thanks again.