GabrielT Posted February 15, 2015 Posted February 15, 2015 (edited) I have this old BFG GS-550 power supply I pulled from an older build that needs a fan. The fan isn't locked up but it is very stiff and takes a few minutes to get moving on its own after switched on. It has seen about 8 years of service. I visually inspected it and I see no signs of capacitor bulging or aging and it seems to power on and work fine. Is there anything I should check for before I purchase a new 140mm fan for it? Should I check volts with my multimeter and if I did would I just look for stable readings on the 3.3v, 5v, and 12v rails respectively? Thanks in advance guys. Edited February 15, 2015 by GabrielTessin Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpikeSoprano Posted February 15, 2015 Posted February 15, 2015 The best way to check a psu is under some type of load, with nothing hooked up it might show all good voltages, but with a load on it the volts could drop, after 8 years it would have some voltage drop but still may be quite good. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GabrielT Posted February 15, 2015 Posted February 15, 2015 The best way to check a psu is under some type of load, with nothing hooked up it might show all good voltages, but with a load on it the volts could drop, after 8 years it would have some voltage drop but still may be quite good. What kind of load would you suggest? Just swap it into a built rig and run a OCCT full stystem load test and measure the voltage? Johnny Guru gave it a great review back in the day so I am guessing if any PSU had a chance of lasting 8+ years it would be one of these. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpikeSoprano Posted February 15, 2015 Posted February 15, 2015 That would work, also I've taken many a fan out of a psu, cleaned it up, put 1 drop of oil on the bearing and they quiet down and run great. If that works it won't cost you anything. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulktreg Posted February 15, 2015 Posted February 15, 2015 The BFG GS-550 has a MTBF of 80,000hrs or 9 years so unless you've run it continuously for 8 years I'm sure it'll be fine. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IVIYTH0S Posted February 15, 2015 Posted February 15, 2015 Man you have a collector's item!! I miss BFG... Anyway, yeah I'd throw it under load with a computer and check its voltages Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RHKCommander959 Posted February 16, 2015 Posted February 16, 2015 I was using a thermaltake toughpower almost daily for 8 years before it got too wore out for my i7 system. Now I'm using an older 1KW OCZ/FSP design. Capacitors age and components wear, but it isn't so bad as you might think... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black64 Posted February 16, 2015 Posted February 16, 2015 I trust PSUs until they die. They are among my most loyal PC components. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GabrielT Posted February 17, 2015 Posted February 17, 2015 Man you have a collector's item!! I miss BFG... Anyway, yeah I'd throw it under load with a computer and check its voltages Yeah, they were a cool company, who else would plate a PSU in Black Nickle? I know a place in town that has a BFG 9800GT new in box. If they didn't want a fortune for it I think it would have sold by now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccokeman Posted February 17, 2015 Posted February 17, 2015 I trust PSUs until they die. They are among my most loyal PC components. Same here. I have only had one fail on me and it was running 24/7 365 for 6 years at a load higher than it was rated for so I really cannot complain that it died. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dr_bowtie Posted February 17, 2015 Posted February 17, 2015 I've had PSUs die from just sitting. I've got an old Raidmax PSU and a OCZ 600w unit that worked on last fire up but sat 2 years on the bench and now dead. no bulging caps or anything. I had an older Thermaltake that was in a rig that worked fine but was real dusty.... i blew it out real good and it never worked after that.... I'll run them until they either make a noise or they die. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ir_cow Posted February 18, 2015 Posted February 18, 2015 Yeah the good PSUs will just not turn off, verus cheap ones the blow out your system to. So I buy good brands and trust they have some quailty fail safes. I wouldn't worry really if it was rated good. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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