Replacing a Dell Power Supply

[nub]

Dell, what a fantastic company. They sell me a computer, claiming it's "very expandable", yet they put in a piece of shit power supply that was technically not good enough for the graphics card it came with.


So anyway, I upgraded to a GTS 250 from a 7900 GS back in July. Naturally, this crappy 375 watt PSU with only 18 amperes simply isn't good enough. I can't play demanding games without blue screening every now and then. Hell, Crysis is unplayable at certain points because of this issue. So now it's time I upgraded.

But wait...proprietary hardware. I'm fairly certain it's ATX (if I recall, AT psu's have two plugs that go in to the mobo, while ATX has a single 20-pin plug). Well, this power supply has a 24-pin plug, and the motherboard's port equals said plug. So...could I just buy any generic ATX psu with a 20-pin plug and just plug it in so that 4 of the pins aren't used? I've seen something like this before, although I've been told it's not wise, and that something like this is recommended.


If I must, I will try and get a couple of pictures to show you what it looks like. I've checked the label on this thing and there's no info. Fuck Dell's support, and I'd rather not have to lug this tin can to some shop to have a dude check it out for me.



That being said, any info is appreciated. Request pictures if you require them.

[xoqolatl]

Pics of the plugs, please. Current ATX standard has a 24-pin connector, but Dell is known for having proprietary pinout from time to time.

[Woe Kitten]

Yeah they use a unique one on lots of models. There are non-official adapters available on the web, I've never used one though and wouldn't guarantee the safety of such a thing. One option is to buy a new mobo and install everything into that.

[nub]

Alright.

I really hope I don't have to get a new motherboard. I'm not sure if a new one would fit in this case the way the current one does. The case has a vent duct that comes out in the front panel, and it's linked to the CPU cooler (and there's a big-ass fan that circulates the air). I'd really like to keep that since it's very beneficial to the CPU.

[Psy]

Proprietary connectors? Eww. D:

[MayheM]

I would get a juicebox. I just got one and put it in my Dell XPS 730 and I have my video card hooked up to it and it runs great.
I got mine at NewEgg. It is made by Epower...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817101044&cm_re=epower-_-17-101-044-_-Product

They are an inexpensive way to power your video card and work GREAT!!!

[Liske]

Well dell didnt screw u over that much when I went to upgrade my G card I relised the motherboard was on the wrong side, stupid Dell motherboards which meant i had to customize (Rip and hacksaw shit off the G card) to fit it in.

[nub]

There's the female plug on the mobo. The power supply's male plug fits perfectly in it. I did take a picture of it, but this camera is so shitty that it only saves like 2/5 of the pictures it takes. Not to mention it's pretty crappy quality.

[fry_]

A lot of PSUs have a 20+4 connector. In fact, I think most power supplies that are actually worth a damn have them.

I bought this a couple of months ago, loving it so far.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005&cm_re=corsair-_-17-139-005-_-Product

Output: +3.3V@24A,+5V@30A,+12V@52A,-12V@0.8A,+5VSB@3.0A

Should be plenty powerful enough for a 250.

[MayheM]

Don't worry about upgrading the power supply, just get the juicebox... if you already bought the PS just return it. As long as you have an open drive bay the 450w juicebox i posted the link for above will do exactly what you want it to do. You can actually run two of your cards from the one juicebox if you chose to upgrade to SLI.

[nub]

Sent you that PM, Mayhem. It meets the requirements of my GTS 250, but I don't know if that's the way to go.

A lot of PSUs have a 20+4 connector. In fact, I think most power supplies that are actually worth a damn have them.

I bought this a couple of months ago, loving it so far.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005&cm_re=corsair-_-17-139-005-_-Product

Output: +3.3V@24A,+5V@30A,+12V@52A,-12V@0.8A,+5VSB@3.0A

Should be plenty powerful enough for a 250.

Someone previously stated that Dell has been known to use proprietary plugs. There may be 24 pins, but the shapes could vary or something. My guess this isn't the case, but I want to be absolutely sure.

[MayheM]

Trust me man, If it does not work. I will buy the juicebox from you. It will work. I am 100% sure and it is totally the best way to do this. It is super stable and it takes all the trouble out of what you are trying to do.

[mbombz]

Nub. I do not see anywhere in your posts what model of Dell computer you have? Can you tell me what it is?

The Juicebox is the way to go. Period. I have ONE juicebox powering two GTX280s in a Tri-SLI config. The third card is powered off the system 1KW psu in my Dell XPS 730x.

The max power draw of your card is 150w. The juicebox is way more than you need for the card you have.

[nub]

Nub. I do not see anywhere in your posts what model of Dell computer you have? Can you tell me what it is?

The Juicebox is the way to go. Period. I have ONE juicebox powering two GTX280s in a Tri-SLI config. The third card is powered off the system 1KW psu in my Dell XPS 730x.

The max power draw of your card is 150w. The juicebox is way more than you need for the card you have.

I have a Dell XPS 410. They don't sell it anymore (it was bought back in 2005). Original specs came with 1gb of RAM (which I upgraded to 3gb within the first week of ownership, seeing as it had Vista installed) and a Geforce 7900 GS. CPU is a Core2Duo E6400 2.13 GHZ. It's a relatively old system, but it's still kicking, which I'm happy about.

[mbombz]

I am very familiar with nearly every Dell model post 1994. Especially the 9100/9200 chassis which is used for your XPS 410. As a matter of fact I have four of them sitting here on a rack next to me.

Get the Juice box and it will solve your woes. It is the most economical solution, it will fit easily into your case and there is plenty of room to wire it. they even run very cool. It will require one 4 pin molex from your system PSU to trigger power on and it has its own power plug that feeds out the back through one PCI slot.

Once you have your video power issue solved you can buy a Q6600 CPU and drop that in. It will become a beast (although your current CPU is pretty good).