Dell Power Suppy problem

[econodude]

Hi I have a Dell Optiplex GX270 the current power supply is max 210 watts.
I would like to upgrade my graphic card to a 3D 256 MB card to run Vista aero,
problem is that most of these cards request 250watt Power supply. So seeing it isnt enough i was curious to know if my power supply can be modified to output 250 watts. I'm not up to speed on electrical stuff so if it seems like a laugh thats why. I tried searching for one but couldnt find one. The tower model GX270 has a 250 ATX power supply but it doesn't fit my model. The small form factor model is only 160watts output. If it cannot be done is it possible to transfer my existing hardware -power supply straight into a Dell GX270 tower case ?

Thanks

econodude

[Galvanized]

Re: Dell Power Suppy problem

I think the pin-outs are all ATX standard, atleast they are for the full sized GX270. An ATX PSU is 150X140X86mm, Micro ATX is 130X125X63.5mm. So measure to be sure.

http://www.power-on.com/ has one ATX listed for Dell GX270 plus several Micro ATX that might work and are up to 300W.

http://www.pcpower.com/home/ has a good listing of Dell replacement PSUs but shows none for a GX270 that takes a Micro.

Newegg has a long list of Micro units. Happy hunting there

In the last year Aux PSUs that fit a 5.5" bay and only support a graphics card are on offer. They do use small fans (40mm) and are not to be considered quiet.

Welcome to badcaps

[econodude]

Re: Dell Power Suppy problem

Thanks for the reply & welcome I have provided a pic below of the unit as it isn't the conventional ATX style box. An original replacement with the same 210watt output was the only supply on offer, this is why I am asking can I increase the wattage output on this model PS.



Small Desktop systems. Five output unit with remote on/off, UL, CSA, CE, TUV approvals. Proprietary shape 11.125"L x 4.125"W x 1.625"H with standard ATX and P4 main board connectors. Dell part number W5184, also replaces Dell part numbers U5425, N1238 and Hipro model HP-U2106F3.

Thanks econodude

[willawake]

Re: Dell Power Suppy problem

looks like some rackmount server psu but with the fan at the front?????

[econodude]

Re: Dell Power Suppy problem

looks like some rackmount server psu but with the fan at the front?????

Yeh who are the designers at Dell who thought this was a good design

but can I increase the wattage of this power supply .......

the answer still alludes me

Thanks,

econodude

[willawake]

Re: Dell Power Suppy problem

cant you have a normal atx outside of the case or is there some proprietary connections and stuff?

[Galvanized]

Re: Dell Power Suppy problem

At best the current limiters could be bumped a bit by that's silly. So, no, you can not adjust this PSU for 350W.

The Thermaltake 5.25" bay PSU costs $80+ and a good 400W ATX PSU costs < $60. My rec. is to buy an ATX case and PSU or use an ATX PSU outside this present case.
You should be able to find a decent 350W PSU for $40.

The regular GX270 does not use proprietary pinouts, PCP&C and power-on lead me to believe that. Make sure this unit is not proprietary before buying a standard ATX PSU.

[econodude]

Re: Dell Power Suppy problem

cant you have a normal atx outside of the case or is there some proprietary connections and stuff?

To be honest i don't know but HERE is a link that might give you the info you asked about.

If i can modify it without concern of it being unstable I would prefer to do so.

Thanks,

econodude

[willawake]

Re: Dell Power Suppy problem

well there is not the pinout there but it mentions

Proprietary shape 11.125"L x 4.125"W x 1.625"H with standard ATX and P4 main board connectors.

sounds optimistic. do a search to see if anyone is doing the same thing

[econodude]

Re: Dell Power Suppy problem

At best the current limiters could be bumped a bit by that's silly. So, no, you can not adjust this PSU for 350W.

The Thermaltake 5.25" bay PSU costs $80+ and a good 400W ATX PSU costs < $60. My rec. is to buy an ATX case and PSU or use an ATX PSU outside this present case.
You should be able to find a decent 350W PSU for $40.

The regular GX270 does not use proprietary pinouts, PCP&C and power-on lead me to believe that. Make sure this unit is not proprietary before buying a standard ATX PSU.

The current wattage maximum is 210 I would require 250 watts to 275 maximum
I would be happy with 250 watts constant..... is that still silly

Cheers,

econodude

[Galvanized]

Re: Dell Power Suppy problem

Your PSU can not be modified for more wattage.....PERIOD!

See if your current PSU can carry the load of the new graphics card.
If it can not, use a new ATX unit outside the case.

You MUST check the pinouts of your current PSU because they might be proprietary.
pinouts can be found at http://www.formfactors.org/

[Galvanized]

Re: Dell Power Suppy problem

Here is a color coded pinout http://www.motherboards.org/articles/guides/1487_4.html

willawake said it looked promising but it is wise to double check, particularly with Dell.

[econodude]

Dell Power Supply problem

Thanks for your help and guideance on the matter....by the time i purchase a videocard and a power supply it might be more sensible to sell this pc and by a new one that is Vista Premium ready. For around $500 AUS I can get a NEC 2.66GHz dual core 256MB graphics card,DVD Burner,512MB DDR2 ram, 350 watt power supply, card reader, etc,etc with a free upgrade to Vista Home Premium and manufacturers warranty.

Thanks again,

econodude

[Per Hansson]

Re: Dell Power Suppy problem

Well, here is my take on it. That is probably a very good powersupply, and it can most likley sustand the load it has been built for

I mean people go and swap out their powersupplies for the cheapest shit they can find, ohh now I got a "550w PSU" yea sure, a Deer branded PSU that you'd be lucky if it pushes 150-200w without blowing up...

If I where you I would try that powersupply with the GFX card, it might work just fine...

Oh, and 512mb RAM wont cut it for Vista, 1GB is borderline, I tried with 1GB but it's no fun with the Vista Aero Glass interface if you fire up a few applications (my system used 700-800mb when it had started) 2GB is atleast my recommended minimum if you want to be as productive in Vista as in XP

[willawake]

Re: Dell Power Suppy problem

2GB is atleast my recommended minimum

barf. its just nuts. so what is recommended ram for a photoshop workstation that would happily use 2gb with xp?

[Rainbow]

Re: Dell Power Suppy problem

barf. its just nuts. so what is recommended ram for a photoshop workstation that would happily use 2gb with xp?

I recommend to not use vista