Dell Power Supplies

[vkeks05]

OK, specifically I have a Dell Dimension 4400 . The manual states I have a 250W power supply, I have heard once or twice that this value is actually understated but I haven't heard any fact on this. So far my system is chugging along fine with 1 5400rpm HD, 1 7200rpm HD, 2 optical drives, P4 1.6 . Can anybody shed some light onto this?

 

[nick1985]

ummm.....it is 250 watts??? what do you want us to tell you?

 

[Mallow]

Under normal circumstances 250w would be defficient for your system but I'm sure dell has spec'ed everything... just don't add to much ^_^

 

[Jhhnn]

You're fine. Dell uses decent power supplies. The need for high current supplies is often overstated, the need for quality often ignored.

 

[vkeks05]

Originally posted by: nick1985
ummm.....it is 250 watts??? what do you want us to tell you?

If you'd read my post, I wanted to know if the rumors that their power supplies were understated, were just that, rumors or not.

 

[nick1985]

quality over quantity speaks volumes when talking about PSU's

 

[vkeks05]

OK, thanks.

 

[bozo1]

You can't really compare Dell's 250-watt supplies to off the shelf ones.

Dell's supplies are manufactured to certain specifications - namely being able to pump more juice on the 12-volt line which is where the P4 and your hard/optical drives pull most of their juice. If you compare the rating on the Dell 12-volt line, you'd find it at or higher than most name-brand 300-350 watt supplies. Dell doesn't waste the juice on the 3.3 & 5-volt lines cause they don't sell AMD (which needs it).

 

[AtomicAlien]

Dell's PSUs are VERY high on the 12 and 5v rail. Post the specs...