dell power supply

[schneiderguy]

Originally posted by: Bozo Galora

I wouldnt run a system today (with a 7950GT for sure) with less than a 600W highly respected name PSU
different strokes for different folks - whatever floats your boat

the 7950gt doesnt take much power compared to most high end video cards.

 

[RebateMonger]

Everything that I've seen points to Dell (historically, at least) selling reliable and UNDERRATED power supplies. I've seen tests showing a Dell 350W power supply putting out more usable power than a third-party 500 W supply.

Over the years, Dell components have moved towards industry standards. Five or six years ago, Dell was using both non-standard power supplies and non-standard power connections. Dells are now using standard power supply connections, but the last ones I looked at used non-standard holes and mounting on the rear of the cases. Hopefully, that's changed.

Regarding power supplies in general, PSU quality is more important than the actual power rating. There's no standard way to rate power supplies, and there's always been lots of over-rated junk PSUs out there.

 

[Brainonska511]

Originally posted by: RebateMonger
Over the years, Dell components have moved towards industry standards. Five or six years ago, Dell was using both non-standard power supplies and non-standard power connections. Dells are now using standard power supply connections, but the last ones I looked at used non-standard holes and mounting on the rear of the cases. Hopefully, that's changed.

Dell PSUs are still underrated (IIRC, they tend to be rated more along mean output, so they can peak much higher). As for standards, any Dell with an open back where the PSU goes can use a 3rd party PSU (the Dim. 4600 saw this as well as the XPS 5xx series and now the XPS 710) and when the open back started to be used, they had already switched to the standard power connectors on the motherboard.

 

[kile22]

an el-cheapo sound card wouldn't cause any problems, power wise, would it?

 

[deathwalker]

John/Bozo..plz...less Testosterone!! What about a resonable compromise. Get the system with the default power supply..if it works ok no problem..if it doesnt...just replace it... Geeze. If I have learned anything at all in my nearly 60 yrs..it's that some things just are not worth arguing over..and this is certainly one of those things.

 

[olmer]

Your integrated 7.1 sigmatel is el-cheapo. If you have ?Integrated Sound Blaster® Audigy? ADVANCED HD software? one (6 sockets instead of 5 @ the back) it is pretty okayish and beaten only by >£50 cards. What are your speakers/headphones? ? it is wiser to spend some on those instead - if you have Dell?s stereo usb-powered crap or even their 2.1 ?beepers?.

Anyway you can install any PCI sound card with your 7950gt, 2 hdds, 2 opticals etc. and it will run okay.

 

[kile22]

my speakers are altec lansing 4.1's I think, not expensive but not crap either.

 

[Nocturnal]

Originally posted by: Bozo Galora
You know, I have watched you post on Anandtech for a long long time - I joined a few weeks after you.in 1999
During that time I have noted to myself that you are so full of yourself, I almost gag on it.
Every post of yours is like someone giving the sermon on the mount.
In your mind you really think you are Einstein.
In other words you are an usufferable blowhard.
The point of this forum is dif peeps giving dif opinions, opinions that dont have to pass your test of reliability.
Its up to the OP to sort things out for himself, not to pass the "John Test".
At 32,000 posts, you are on his forum way too much, its too important a part of your life.
Its just cyberspace, and nobody knows you, or prob wants to know you - it's just bits and bytes in the ether, so you dont have to stink up every thread you reply in as "Mr. Know-It-All".
And, if you work fixing Dell's as some part of your living - that means you are a loser in life.

Finally, to repeat, the Dell powersupplies I have pulled over the years are rinky dink garbage that I wouldn't use to power the cigarrette lighter in my car.

I don't mean to barge in but I just want to say that since joining here and reading a lot of John's posts I have not felt the same way you do. I feel the exact opposite. I've found John to be helpful in all areas. I've sent PMs to John and he's always sent helpful responses that lead me in the right direction. I think he's very valuable to this forum.

Now I will gracefully bow out of this thread.

 

[bamacre]

Forget opinions, let me tell of my experiences. 😀

John is absolutley correct.

I have used both the 7950 GT and X1950 Pro in a number of E521's and E520's. They run flawlessly with the original PSU. What you cannot do is put a dual slot video card in these two models. They won't fit.

I have also used an 8800 GTS in both the Dim 9200/XPS 410 and the Precision 390 with zero problems.

 

[lescen]

Hello! Like the OP I also just bought a 7950GT and have the exact same question, but have an HP Pavillion a1630n.

Thanks!

 

[WobbleWobble]

Originally posted by: Bozo Galora
I wouldnt run a system today (with a 7950GT for sure) with less than a 600W highly respected name PSU
different strokes for different folks - whatever floats your boat

With all due respect, Bozo Galora. I'm going to have to side with John on this one. Power supply requirements are grossly overstated. I would highly encourage you to buy a Killawatt or a Seasonic Power Angel and measure the power draw from your system.

Here is one example with power draw numbers from a few AT members.

 

[kile22]

I got my video card today, it is a 7950GT OC does this make a difference? It a thing that plugs into the back for power, 1 that splits into 2. Will a dell have 2 extra power cables for this?

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: kile22
I got my video card today, it is a 7950GT OC does this make a difference? It a thing that plugs into the back for power, 1 that splits into 2. Will a dell have 2 extra power cables for this?

There is very likely to be one free 4pin connector, located close to the rear of the optical drive.

You just need to get an adaptor...
http://tinyurl.com/yj6y7z

Use that along with the adapter that came with the video card.