Two questions

[Fardor]

1) can you switch out a Dell desktop's PSU and put a new one in without any problems?

2) if a PSU doesn't have enough power for all the parts in a computer, does it bottleneck everything or does it simply not work?

I'm pretty sure I'm going to get an XPS420 (Q6600, 8800GT, 3GB, 500GB, Blu-ray disk combo for around $1000, check it out in Hot Deals) and I think it comes with a 425W power supply. That's why I'm wondering.

 

[MarcVenice]

The dell PSU's are pretty beefy PSU's, it will be able to handle that rig just fine. But if you want to switch it, I don't think it would be a problem, technically seen, but I'm not sure if just any regular PSU is going to fit ? As for question #2, if your rig wants more power, and the PSU can't give it, the PC will become unstable and/or crash.

 

[Fardor]

thanks. glad to hear that Dell PSU's are good! very glad, actually.