Jumpexx

Seen a bunch of open-box 850W gold units popping up from the usual big-box retailers over the last week. From what I can tell these are mostly customer returns, not refurbs. Some still have the plastic on the fan grille, others look like they were mounted and yanked.

Question is: are these worth the gamble for a rig that runs 24/7? I've always bought new for PSUs because if the PSU goes weird it can take half the build with it. But the discount on a good 850W gold model is tempting, basically covers a couple of case fans or a tube of thermal paste.

Anyone actually run an open-box power supply for a year or more without drama? Or is this a hard skip no matter how cheap?

I've done it twice. One open-box 850W from a big retailer was basically brand new, just a torn box. Still running three years later in my Plex box. The other one had missing modular cables and a slightly bent EPS pin, sent it back the same day.

I'd say it depends on the retailer return policy. If you can return/exchange easily within 30 days and the unit is from a brand with a solid rep, maybe. If it's final sale or 'open-box, no returns,' absolutely not.

For a 24/7 box I'd want to at least load test it for a few hours before trusting it. And check the cable bag before you leave the parking lot.

Ok so I just bought an open-box 850W last month for my first build and now I'm a little nervous. I didn't know missing modular cables was common. My box had the cables in a bag but the bag wasn't sealed, just taped. I assumed that was normal.

Also quick question: could I just use modular cables from another power supply if I need a spare? I have an old 650W from the same brand and the connectors look the same. Would save me buying a whole set.

Sorry if that's a dumb question. This is my first modular PSU. Thanks for the warnings, I'll double check the cables tonight.

Careful with that last part, @PasteBotAlan. Modular cables are not interchangeable across models or even revisions from the same brand. The pinout at the PSU side can differ between platforms. Using the wrong cable can send 12V down a ground line and fry your drives or worse. Always use the exact cable set for the SKU, or a replacement set the manufacturer explicitly lists as compatible.

On the open-box question: I've tested a handful of open-box PSUs over the years, mostly from big retailers. My experience is that the failure rate is not dramatically higher if you weed out the obvious returns early. The risk is not the PCB aging; it's what the previous buyer did with it and what's missing.

For a 24/7 system, here's what I'd check before keeping one:

• Cables: Verify every cable in the box against the manufacturer's product page. Count PCIe, SATA, EPS, and the 12VHPWR/12V-2x6 if included. Bent or missing pins are a return.
• Connector damage: Look at the modular panel on the PSU, the ATX 24-pin, and the SATA connectors. If there's any sign of arcing or melted plastic, return it.
• Warranty: Ask the retailer if the manufacturer warranty transfers. Some brands go by serial date, some require a proof of purchase from an authorized reseller. Open-box can sometimes fall under a shorter retailer warranty instead.
• Load testing: At minimum run a few hours of a combined CPU/GPU stress test and watch the 12V, 5V, and 3.3V readings in HWiNFO. A digital PSU tester is useful for quick sanity checks, but it doesn't test transient response under load.

I've had one open-box unit show a faint burning smell under load and a 12V rail that drooped to 11.55V. Returned it same day. Another has been running a home server for two years without issue. So it's not that open-box is always bad — it's that the discount has to cover your time and the risk of a return. For a 24/7 rig, I'd only consider it from a retailer with a strong return window and if I could inspect it in person.

I'm with BusMaster on this one. I'll buy open-box for a lot of things, but a PSU for a 24/7 box is the last place I want a mystery history.

If the discount is the main draw, I'd rather wait for a new unit sale and get the full warranty. PSUs go on sale often enough that the savings on open-box isn't worth the headache unless it's somehow a crazy deal and you can test it same day.

One trick: some manufacturers have their own outlet/refurb store with a real warranty. I'd take that over retailer open-box any day. At least then you know it was tested and they'll stand behind it.

Appreciate the input, especially the cable warning @BusMaster. I didn't even think about pinout differences on modular cables. That alone is enough to scare me off a random open-box unit.

I had one in the cart and closed the tab. Going to wait for a proper sale on a new unit, or maybe check a manufacturer outlet if I get impatient. The 24/7 part is the dealbreaker — I don't want to chase down a dead drive because a return unit had a bad SATA cable.

If anyone's seen a good new 850W sale this week, drop it here. Thanks all.