Is this PSU a smoking deal?

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Adroid

Adroid

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Newegg has a seasonic 650w semi modular GOLD PSU for 59$ after rebate. Is there any reason to wait for a better PSU or price?

I have always been a single GPU dude. Currently running a 3570k at 4.3 ghz with a gtx260. My PSU is a corsair vx550 that has been an amazing unit running strong for 7 years through my overclocked Q6600 days and back again.

I want to buy a gtx770 soon and I'm afraid the vx550 might eventually take a crap, although the MTBF is 100,000.

Although on the other hand it might be fun to try and run the vx550 into the ground.... I'm just mildly concerned of what other parts might go with it.

Thoughts?
 
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that looks like a pretty good deal, but when you do get around to buying a 770, you would probably find a similar deal. So you might as well wait until you upgrade your gpu
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Adroid

Adroid

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Thanks, I really appreciate you feedback. And think you are 100% right on.

Any PSU experts lurking around out there? Could someone give me a educated response to if I should upgrade the vx550 when I buy a gtx770 other than "it's old buy a new one". I really curious how long this thing might survive, but I don't want that lesson to come in the form of a 500$ cloud of smoke, tears, and computer parts
 
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The VX 550 was a decent unit but has been discontinued for quite a while now. And they only ever made 2 VX units the 450w made by Seasonic and the CWT made 550w version.

The Seasonc G 650 for $59 is a great deal and roughly $40 off normal retail price. It's worth upgrading in my opinion. I don't trust any power supply more than ( coincidentally ) about 7 years. The Seasonic steps you up to 80 Plus Gold efficiency and is semi modular so it will have less clutter.
 
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Adroid

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100,000 hours is 11 years. I have 7 years on it, not including days and weeks my computer has been powered off. Do I not understand MTBF properly? Is a PSU likely to degrade before it's projected lifespan?
 
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oczdude8

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What happens with PSU is the internals slowly degrade, reducing the amount of wattage they can provide. In your case, I would estimate your psu can only deliver about ~500W now. You would definitely need to upgrade for a new gtx 770. The extra strain will surely kill of your old psu in a matter of days.

plus lets also look at what Nvidia says: http://www.geforce.com/hardware/desktop-gpus/geforce-gtx-770/specifications
NVidia's minimum requirement is 600W, so even if your 550W psu was new, it would still be subpar.

another point is your psu only has 41A on the 12v rail as a result of it being an older design(new 550W's have ~44A). the 770 needs 42A.
 
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Capacitor aging is mostly a nonissue with modern high quality units with all solid caps. Even if the unit had been used 24/7 for the last 7 years it would still put out over 500 watts and he turns his computer off. Also being deficient by a single amp will certainly not kill the unit 'in a matter of days' although it might over time. It's not like a GPU pulls max power unless you stress it with something like Furmark.
 
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oczdude8

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well considering its a 7 year old power supply, its pretty much near the end of its life anyway. Any extra strain will only speed things up.

and I brought up the amperage to say that it is still under minimum recommended requirements, not only in terms of wattage, but also amperage.

Im just saying, always better to be safe then sorry, especially when the odds are stacked against you.
 
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