Need to upgrade PSU on my Dell Dimension 9200? What are my options?

[Xpred]

Hi everyone. I recently upgraded my Dell computer's video card to a brand new one. Before , the computer had a 128MB GeForce 8300 GS. However, the minimum requirements of the NEW card (GeForce 8600 GTS) state that I need a 400W PSU. I double checked my PSU, and it seems that it is only a 375W PSU! I have 2 HD's, a wireless PCI card, and probably several USB connections being connected to the computer. I am not sure if this is enough power for optimal performance settings. So far, I have only played WC3: TFT on max settings with no problems, but I have not played any truly graphic intensive games yet.

I wanted to upgrade the PSU just to be on the safe side. However, I have heard that upgrading Dell PSUs are a pain as they seem to be custom-made with the connectors & size styles? So, what would be my options? Anyone know? Here are my specs:


Dell Dimension 9200/XPS 410 (circa August 2007)
Windows Vista Home Basic
Intel core 2 Duo E4400
EVGA 256MB PCI-e GeForce 8600 GTS (new video card installed - $50 on NewEgg)
2GB PC2-5300 (333 mhz) RAM
2 SATA HDs: 160GB & 400GB
a bunch of USB connections (probably 7 total in all) like mouse/keyboard/webcam/printer/etc

I double checked my EVGA graphics card box. It stated this: "400 watt power supply with a minimum of 26 amps on the +12 volt rail." I checked my Dell computer's PSU, and it showed:

Dell Model L375P-00 w/ DC output 375W
Combined power on +3.3V and +5V Rails not exceed 150W
Combined power on +12VA and -12VB Rails not exceed 350W
Max continuous total DC power shall not exceed 375W
12VA = 18A max & 12VB = 18A max

Thus, my PSU 12V rail has 36A max and the requirements are met, I assume? Thanks!

 

[alkalinetaupehat]

I have a fairly strong belief that the power supply req's from video card boxes are loosely rooted in reality. That, and they don't account for multi-rail power supplies.

The only power supplies of decent quality which deliver the amperage and wattage your box states as "required" are single rail power supplies. What I mean by that is that most power supplies are being done up like yours, where the supply has two outputs on it (sometimes more, like 4-6 or something) which deliver 12v power to components. This effectively splits the power supply's amperage it delivers across two outputs instead of one. I say "effectively" so as not to be slaughtered by more technically-oriented people on this forum, in a way as denoted by my sig.

As a quick note, the two devices that draw most heavily on the 12v rails are the CPU and video card, especially if there are multiples of each in a system. Progressing from this, the 6-pin connector you should have connected to your video card is most likely driven by one of the two 12v rails and probably that rail has few other devices on it. This leads me to say that you're fine with your PC and nothing needs to be upgraded.


As a courtesy though, there are two power supplies I would recommend. I am a fan of single rails because everything draws from one large source and thus you can't overload a rail and damage your power supply as easily as with a multi-rail. Don't freak out and worry about that though unless you're going to start upgrading to like 4+ HDDs, a quad core, SLi, or something like that. Pick the Corsair if you want a very quiet quality PS, the PC Power & Cooling if you'd like the extra wattage and 2 amps on the 12v. The Power & Cooling is a bit louder, enough that you'll notice it with your Dell.

Corsair
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817139003

PC P&C
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817703015


I presume this is your video card:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...2bGeForce%2b8600%2bGTS


Is this what your case looks like?

http://www.colindiponio.com/wp...s/2007/06/DSCF8354.jpg

That's what a quick search yielded, and is what I'm basing my thoughts off of so far.

 

[Xpred]

Yup. That is my video card, and that is exactly what the case inside looks like. The 6-pin connector is connected separately into the video card. I wasn't sure if this was enough power or not because the specs can always be misleading. The only game I have is WC3: TFT, and that I played with max settings for a few hours--with no problems. So, I think I may be good to go. I was just a little bit paranoid to be on the safe side, hehe.

But thanks a lot for the PSU suggestions. I will save this thread for possible future upgrades to my PSU or computer altogether (which will probably be likely). Thanks again!