PSU loading, prolonging life

[Shinanigans]

Hello, i'm sure this question has probably been asked in one way or another, a million times... but here we go again...

Say for example my PC draws 250w at idle, and 400w under full load.

If i were to buy a high quality 1000w PSU, would it last longer than a high quality 500w PSU?

I realise that heat is the major (only?) cause of short life spans, but where does that curve start to really bend?


Regards,
Adam.

[signmeuptoo]

Well, no need to go too overboard. I am not the expert that some of the guys here are, but consider how hard you drive a supply as part of an entire matrix of considerations. Another consideration of equal importance is the temperature rating of the supply. Lower cost units are qualified at 25 degrees C, better units at 40 degrees C, and serious, top end, mission critical units are rated at 50 degrees C. There might even be higher temp ratings, but I don't know of any. I would put the temperature rating on a similar footing to how hard you drive a supply 24/7.

The guys have recommended to me to keep around 50% of its max load (not the max temporary, but max nominal 24/7 rating).

YMMV depending on brand and model unit, as well. A server or gamer class supply will be made of higher quality components and last better.