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Can I put aftermarket PSU in a Dell system?

M

masshass81

Senior member
My friend got his Dell about a year ago and now the PSU is dead.. Here are the system specs.

P4 2.4B 533mhz fsb
2x256 PC-2700
Radeon 9800Pro
SB Live! Sound Card
Ethernet Card
80Gb HD
CD-RW Drive
DVD-Rom Drive

I was wondering if I could just slap in an aftermarket PSU. I heard that the Dell PSUs and motherboard connectors are proprietary, but I look inside the case and I see the standard 20-pin and 4-pin connector. Are Dell's 20 and 4 pin connectors different from standard ATX PSU power connectors? His warranty is over so I told him it would be cheaper to get an aftermarket PSU instead of shipping it to Dell and having them repair it. But not 100% sure if this can be done w/o screwing up the system.
 
I haven't heard of dell using special psu's, the only special feature I have heard of them using is special form factors. If it looks like ATX form then you could most likely fit it in. But I haven't had much Dell experience.
 
It depends on the model. And it's VERY important you figure out first. Plug a standard PSu into a Dell proprietary motherboard and very bad things could happen. (I say could because I haven't actually investigated the layout of dells proprietary plugs, the differences could be as innocuous as simply not powering on, or as dangerous as frying the board and everything plugged directly into it, as well as possibly killing the PSU and (very unlikely) everything plugged into it.)
 
I`m from ireland so this might be different for you.

Over here electricty runs at 220-240 volts
(I think its 115 volts in USA, correct me if i`m wrong).

So our PSU`s runs at 240 volts but Dell PSU`s run at 115 volts.
So if i put a Dell PSU into my computer or a non-Dell PSU into
a Dell, things start blowing up.

It could be different for ye in the USA
 
The US has two systems. All of our basic electronics run on 110+/- while some things like dryers, washing machines run on 240 +/-

But no, shouldn't affect him.
 
To LifeStealer:

I`m taking it that your PSU`s work at 240 volts.
If so, don`t put a 240 volt PSU in that Dell, masshass81

(unless you like fireworks)
 
No our PSU's work on 110-120. However most new ones have a switch to allow for 240. PSU's don't really suck up alot of power...
 
Some Dell systems are set up such that a non Dell-wired PSU will fry it. But I think they stopped doing that recently.
 
Essentially they switch some of the voltages around. Put the 12 where the 3.3 should be stuff like that... and somethimes use proprietary colors as well. But as most have said it is a hit and miss occurrence. You may have one that does you may have one that doesn't. The only safe way to check would be to (if the Dell PSU has any life left at all) plug in the Dell and test the voltages on the 20 pin connector and then compare those voltages to a wire diagram for a standard 20 pin ATX.
 
What model number is this Dell? Is it still under warranty? What caused the PSU failure in the first place, overload or lightning strike or what?
 
Well, actually i had teh same problem with my dell. Dells are crap btw. My 250W psu was too low of a wattage to run my two harddrives and my 9800 pro. I tried calling dell for a higher wattage psu and continually they were like, "250W should be enough, what do you do that require you to need a higher psu." Those tech support guys dont know shit. Oh well, but i just got a new mobo and case. Moved all the parts over and i am fine. If you arnt looking into that option and just want ot buy a psu.

PC power and cooling makes dell psu. YOU CANNOT PUT AFTERMARKET PSU IN A DELL unless your system was built after 1998. couple options:

dell conversion from standard atx to dell proprietary psu connector http://www.endpcnoise.com/cgi-bin/e/dellconverter.html

pc power and cooling http://www.pcpowercooling.com/home.htm even tho they arnt that popular in the market they make relaly good psu

or you replace case and mobo
 
Originally posted by: mechBgon
What model number is this Dell? Is it still under warranty? What caused the PSU failure in the first place, overload or lightning strike or what?
Click to expand...

I think the model number is the Dimension 4600. I think since the 3000 doesnt come with an AGP slot and I know its not the 8400 since his system is in a minitower. But I'll call him later to verify.

The warranty is over (just passed 1 year)

PSU failure was most likely cause by overload, since it would become unstable and reset during games and he left it on for a month and a half during the summer (thats what caused it to die and not turn on anymore)... Could this also have caused any damage to the CPU?

As for the power connectors, I did not unplug the 20-pin connector and look at the pin-outs. What am I looking for when I unplug it?
 
Originally posted by: nOObBooB
Well, actually i had teh same problem with my dell. Dells are crap btw. My 250W psu was too low of a wattage to run my two harddrives and my 9800 pro. I tried calling dell for a higher wattage psu and continually they were like, "250W should be enough, what do you do that require you to need a higher psu." Those tech support guys dont know shit. Oh well, but i just got a new mobo and case. Moved all the parts over and i am fine. If you arnt looking into that option and just want ot buy a psu.

PC power and cooling makes dell psu. YOU CANNOT PUT AFTERMARKET PSU IN A DELL unless your system was built after 1998. couple options:

dell conversion from standard atx to dell proprietary psu connector http://www.endpcnoise.com/cgi-bin/e/dellconverter.html

pc power and cooling http://www.pcpowercooling.com/home.htm even tho they arnt that popular in the market they make relaly good psu

or you replace case and mobo
Click to expand...





The Dell techs were right. I've run 2 optical drives, a 7200rpm Hard disk, a 3.2ghz p4C, A 6800Ultra and two gigs of ram off their 250watt PSU. It's a damn fine PSU. I'd put it above most 400-500watts out today.
 
When you unplug the ATX connector from the mobo one side should have three pins marked. The far left pin will have 1 raised line above it, the next in to the right will have 2 and the third, 3. Move one more pin to the right and insert a paperclip (unsheathed, a regular one will do) then looking at the female contacts head on: from your the fourth pin, move down and 1 to the right. Insert the other end of the paper clip into that. Do the same thing on a non-dell PSU, on an average PSU, the colors should be green and black.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
0 0 0 X 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 X 0 0 0 0 0

Connect the Xs and then using a mulitmeter (make sure it is set to VOlts DC), insert the black lead into a black port on the ATX and then test the colored ones one by one. Mark down the colors, the position, and its respective voltages... they should be (correct me if I'm wrong anyone0
Black: Ground
Red: +5 Volts
Yellow: +12 Volts
White: -12 Volts
Blue: -5 Volts
Orange: 3.3 Volts
There is one more I think, but I can't remember what it shwas.

That should take care of it. If you can get a non-Dell PSU that would be better, although their's are very good and ultra-silent and very consistent, they are expensive as hell. Around $80 for a new 250 Watt. Of course I tested a 150W Dell and the 5 Volt leg was 5.06V and the 12 Volt leg was 11.9 so they are reliable. (except when they burn out, but that happens to everyone)
 
Thanks all, but I've decided to just get a new mobo/case/psu. Even though the Dell psu uses a standard 20-pin connector, almost all aftermarket PSUs wont even fit in the case. Although the PC Power & Cooling PSUs would be compatible, those cost over $100.. just about as much as a new mobo/case/psu.
 
Heh, I just posted regarding this in another thread:
There may be some good news for you, you can probably put a normal ATX power supply into the case. I just did that earlier this week with a similar Dell. A normal ATX power supply worked just fine except I had to trim the case to allow for the power supply because the Dell case covers the entire power supply, with just a hole for the power outlet and a SECOND grill covering the fan grill punched into the power supply. I just cut out a hole so that it looked like the opening of a normal case. All four screw holes were there and in the proper place. The original power supply only had two screws holding it in, plus a spring clip that latches into a notch in the power supply. Since the aftermarket unit didn't have the notch, I just bent back the clip and used all four mounting screws.
Click to expand...
It was a Dimension 4600, IIRC. The power supply I installed was a normal 300W ATX unit that cost $35.
 
Well i must have had a defective psu, but when i added that second hard drive and a sound card, i ran into problems wiht booting. It would say either the hard drives did load or my 9800 psu is not connected. Ever since i replaced the psu and a new mobo, i have never had a problem. so..... i dont know
 
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