Powersupply Question

[tigz1218]

My Dell has a 350 Watt PS , i was gonna buy a 7600GS (I know it aint a great card but i have an old x300 so this would be a big jump for me) to hold me over for a few months. It requires a 350 minimum PS. Is it ok that I meet the minimum req. or am going to be at risk of damaging my system. Thank you.

 

[AmphibSailor]

A P/S that meets the minimum requirements would most likely make your system flaky. Random reboots, etc. If you did not have any other upgrades, then it may be ok for a little while. Bad thing about Dells is that an ordinary ATX P/S will not necessarily fit. Dell uses proprietary P/S', IIRC.

 

[tigz1218]

 

[tigz1218]

Thank you for the help. I will make sure i get the right one now.

 

[bruceb]

Look at this web site .. they are a respected brand and have many units that will fit a Dell

http://www.pcpowercooling.com/home/

In some cases, if the power pack has an ON / OFF Rocker switch, you may need to make
a small opening in the Dell Case to make room for the switch .. otherwise, in most Dells,
it will just plug in .. website will tell you if you can just "plug it in" to the Dell wiring

 

[John]

Not all Dell's use proprietary psu's anymore, but on some cases the back plate covers the opening to the side of the fan where you insert the power cord. This is why you'll see the additional disclaimer like bruceb pointed out. I will take some tin snips and a dremel to the case so that I can use any standard ATX psu as long as it fits in the chassis.

tigz1218, Dell is conservative on their psu labels so chances are your rig can run a 7600GS without a problem.

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

Many Dell PSUs are built by Delta and as such are rated honestly.
Delta uses three different UL numbers, E131881...E217431 or E313881. If your unit sports
any of these three numbers it is a good'en.

It is crappolaPSUs that are over rated on the lable. Like rating them at 25C

Post your Dell model number and someone will tell you if it's PSU is proprietary or not.

Another source http://www.power-on.com/

 

[AmphibSailor]

Originally posted by: John
Not all Dell's use proprietary psu's anymore, but on some cases the back plate covers the opening to the side of the fan where you insert the power cord. This is why you'll see the additional disclaimer like bruceb pointed out. I will take some tin snips and a dremel to the case so that I can use any standard ATX psu as long as it fits in the chassis.

tigz1218, Dell is conservative on their psu labels so chances are your rig can run a 7600GS without a problem.

IIRC the only time that I tried to use a non-Dell P/S, the power cord opening was covered, like you said. I was replacing a P/S in a business atmosphere...No case cutting for me....We were simply trying to save some time but it ended up being a lesson learned...

 

[tigz1218]

Originally posted by: GalvanizedYankee
...Post your Dell model number and someone will tell you if it's PSU is proprietary or not.
[/L]

I have a dell Dimension 8400 I bought it back in August of 2004. I really appreciate all of the help from everyone never realized forums could be this useful. Thanks Again!

 

[John]

The 8400 doesn't use a proprietary psu, but you will have to cut the back of the case (as mentioned above) to make "most" aftermarket psu's fit. Otherwise IIRC the oem psu is roughly $60 direct from Dell spare parts.

 

[tigz1218]

Thanks for the info again. I concluded since I am not the most experienced person installing hardware a Compusa by my house said they would install a new psu for 30$ in my Dell. 30$ to ensure it gets installed properly I feel is a 30$ well spent. Thanks for the info again. Cheers.