Dell Dimension E521 Upgrade or not?....

[markothegreat]

I have a Dell Dimension E521 running an AMD 4200+ processor in it. I just purchased a ATI Radeon HD4850 graphics card I am going to install in it this week. I have a few questions related to this...


1. The current Dell power supply is 305W, will that handle the extra power the video card will be pulling, or do I need to upgrade the power supply?

2. If I need to upgrade the power supply, can someone recommend a power supply that will work with the Dell Dimension E521 and power the extra power from the video card? (I would prefer to purchase a new power supply from NewEgg is they carry one that will work.)

3. If the current power supply MIGHT handle the extra power being pulled by the video card, is there a danger in 'testing' it to see if it will work? In other words, what actually happens if the power supply isn't able to provide enough power to the computer? (Hoping for it just doesn't work, rather than burning up in flames.

Also, if the current power supply works, does it have the proper power connectors on it?

Thanks!

 

[mpilchfamily]

There is no doubt that you will need a new PSU. Problem is i don't know if that case hold a standard ATX sized PSU. You may have to settle with a Dell replacement PSU rather then a nice new one form the Egg.

Your last question wories me. Your planning to upgrade the video card yet you havn't even opened the system to see what connections you have. Do you even know if it has an open PCI-e slot. Fortunatly for you it does have a single PCI-e slot and the best that i can tell form online pictures you should be able to mount a standard ATX PSU in there.

As for the PSu i would go with either the Antec EA 480 or any of the Corsair PSUs.