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Can i upgrade the psu in a dell?

A

andrewbabcock

Senior member
I may end up getting a dell though i know building is better and faster because dell doesn't use AMD. But the Dell i may get only comes with a 275 watt psu...I would like to upgrade that obviously and i was wondering if its hard or possible to do on a dell? The reason i want a bigger psu is to put in a 6800 GT, Ultra, or maybe a 7800 since it has a PCI-e x16 slot. Link to model in question

I am thinking no since it is a micro atx of some kind...
 
I think dell makes special PSU's for their systems if i'm not mistakened. never looked into it though, I dont see why you couldnt replace it with a regular psu.
 
If you plan on doing any upgrading DO NOT GET A DELL!!

I have a DELL 4700 and EVERYTHING is proprietary!

Heres a list of stuff you can't upgrade on my dell 4700:

1. PSU- actually now you can buy adaptors for them, but it still sucks
2. CPU heatsink- the heatsink mount holes are not standard
3. Motherboard- the mounting holes are not standard ATX
4. Case- read #4

Just build your own, I finally did and I love it - I don't even touch my DELL anymore
 
Welcome to the mad housr andrew. Your first post.

Many modders here. I would guess, yes, but i've never been inside a DELL.

The PSU should mount the same but there maybe 1or2 propritary(sp) connections
that DELL uses, these might have to be addapted or wires cut and soldered.

The operative words are, maybe & might.

A firm answer should come in at least a day.


Galvanized
 
I would say if you are going to get a DELL........then you already know you most likelycannot upgrade anything on the DELL!

After all think about it.....
Dell is a company that sells computers.
If you purchase a computer from them and it works great.
Then you are apt to get another Dell.
But if you buy a computer from them that is upgradeable you are likely to NOT buy another computer from them as long as you can upgrade!

lolol......
 
Originally posted by: andrewbabcock
I may end up getting a dell though i know building is better and faster because dell doesn't use AMD. But the Dell i may get only comes with a 275 watt psu...I would like to upgrade that obviously and i was wondering if its hard or possible to do on a dell? The reason i want a bigger psu is to put in a 6800 GT, Ultra, or maybe a 7800 since it has a PCI-e x16 slot. Link to model in question

I am thinking no since it is a micro atx of some kind...
Click to expand...

"Dude, you bought a Dell"

Try http://www.pcpowercooling.com/products/power_supplies/dell/ You can call them at 800-722-6555 to make sure it will fit.

With Dell you are pooched, as they want you to buy only Dell stuff for your Dell PC.
 
Thanks i will try that. I doubt it will any of those will fit the new XPS models but its worth a shot. PPC is the best suppossedly for psus...
 
I checked the link that you posted with the specs of the system. If you read carefully, where it says it has a PCI-e x16 slot, it also says "half-height". The case looks slim, so it makes sense that it would only be a half-height slot. All the newest high-performance cards are full height. That means that you wouldn't be able to fit a 6800 GT, Ultra, or a 7800 in there anyways. The highest performance half-height card I've seen in a while is a Geforce MX4000. So, in other words, don't buy that computer if you intend to upgrade the video card.
 
Unfortunately no... I will see if I can find a pic of a half-height card, so you can tell what to look for... Will post soon!

*Edit: Here is a link to a pic of a half-height card: http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/2kfire/275_l.jpg

Notice that the actual PCB of the card only rises to half the height of the metal bracket. These cards usually come with a smaller bracket, so you can either use the large bracket in full-size ATX cases, or the smaller one in slim-style cases.
 
Seems like a good choice. Personally, I think it would still be better to build your own. True, dell has tech support, but you have the AT forums, which beats the Dell support hands down!!! 😉 In any case, the second computer you picked would let you upgrade to the video cards you mentioned, and the more powerful supply should be able to handle it.
 
Well i have seen a few DELL computers from inside - from 2400 through 4700/5100 to XPS600 and i can assure you that its not possible to upgrade the PSU without using some special mounting or having it on top of the case.
 
Originally posted by: andrewbabcock
I think i will build after all. Thanks for all your help!
Click to expand...

GOOD CHOICE ANDREW... if any problem occurs just ask someone here - as i do here and there.

 
Originally posted by: grimlykindo
4. Case- read #4
Click to expand...

ACK! INFINITE LOOP!!!!!! 😉 haha

Yeah, building a computer isn't hard at all if you have general knowledge of how it works. Many motherboard manuals will provide you with step by step directions and lord knows there are hundreds of online resources to help.
 
PC Power and Cooling is the answer. They make a line of Dell upgrade PSUs. I believe they are the only place you can get PSUs that will go inside the Dell Dimension line. And no, you can't make a stock ATX PSU fit.
 
Hey, my grandmother was polish!

And like she used to say: sometimes a turd is all you got.
 
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