Need Help with CPU Power Supply

**cyhiphopp** · 04-19-2011, 12:42 PM

I've determined that I need a new power supply for my Dell tower.

My question is, if I buy a replacement PSU with a higher wattage than the original (350) will that cause any problems?

Thanks in advance.

**alarson** · 04-19-2011, 12:43 PM

It shouldnt, the components will draw off the power they need.

**CyLoboClone** · 04-19-2011, 12:50 PM

if you get a bigger power supply, like I did, you might have to cut your case and attach a 4 inch fan to keep the box cool. Just beware about the amount heat you generate.

**edr247** · 04-19-2011, 01:01 PM

Originally Posted by CyLoboClone

if you get a bigger power supply, like I did, you might have to cut your case and attach a 4 inch fan to keep the box cool. Just beware about the amount heat you generate.

Yes, I think the issues regarding higher wattage have more to do with size and heat than frying your components because they draw too much power.

**cyhiphopp** · 04-19-2011, 01:03 PM

Thanks guys. I am not planning on getting one that is too much higher wattage so hopefully heat should be fine and I am trying to find the same size too.

**jdoggivjc** · 04-19-2011, 01:12 PM

Over Christmas I replaced the 250W(?) that originally came with my HP tower with something similar to this (upgraded my video card for gaming purposes that required a larger power supply than my system came with):

Amazon.com: Corsair CMPSU-750TX 750-Watt TX Series 80 Plus Certified Power Supply compatible with Intel Core i7 and Core i5: Computer & Accessories

I believe how it works is 750W is the capacity, not what it's always pumping out. It will only provide the power the computer needs in order to conserve energy and heat, and then will ratchet up the power if and when the computer needs it. Therefore, if your computer only needs 250W, it's only going to provide 250W. So no, I don't think you're going to fry your components by putting a larger power supply in your computer than you already had.

**3TrueFans** · 04-19-2011, 01:23 PM

More wattage won't hurt anything, just make sure you get the right type. There are several types of power supply, ATX, BTX, Micro ATX, that's what determines the size and whether it'll fit into your case or not, not the wattage.

The wattage is what the power supply is capable of producing, your components will just draw what they need. You might need to make sure it has the proper connectors that your components require.

**jbhtexas** · 04-19-2011, 01:33 PM

Originally Posted by cyhiphopp

I've determined that I need a new power supply for my Dell tower.

My question is, if I buy a replacement PSU with a higher wattage than the original (350) will that cause any problems?

Thanks in advance.

I bought a higher wattage power supply at the local Fry's for one of my Dell towers, but I had to mod the back of the case a little bit. The factory cutout pattern on the back of the case interfered with the AC power connector socket on the new power supply.

I found a couple of websites out there that have higher wattage supplies for Dell PCs that are guaranteed to fit without modification to the case. However, the PC was down, and I didn't want to wait around.

**cyhiphopp** · 04-19-2011, 01:44 PM

Originally Posted by jbhtexas

I bought a higher wattage power supply at the local Fry's for one of my Dell towers, but I had to mod the back of the case a little bit. The factory cutout pattern on the back of the case interfered with the AC power connector socket on the new power supply.

I found a couple of websites out there that have higher wattage supplies for Dell PCs that are guaranteed to fit without modification to the case. However, the PC was down, and I didn't want to wait around.

Yeah, Im kind of in the same boat. I don't want to wait for/pay for shipping. Luckily I know exactly what kind of PSU I need, I just have to find a decent price and a comparable wattage.

I made sure to find out. I need an ATX 24 pin (or 20+4 pin) with 4 SATA Power Connectors.

**aauummm** · 04-19-2011, 01:44 PM

Originally Posted by cyhiphopp

I've determined that I need a new power supply for my Dell tower.

My question is, if I buy a replacement PSU with a higher wattage than the original (350) will that cause any problems?

Thanks in advance.

Certain past years of Dell desktops had inferior power supply units. It was a problem with an overseas supplier. My power supply went out and it then crashed the hard drive. I replaced it with a 450 watt heavy duty power supply unit that was made specifically as a replacement for the Dell unit. It has it's own built-in cooling fan. I have had no problems since then and that was 5 years ago.

**cyhiphopp** · 04-19-2011, 01:45 PM

Originally Posted by aauummm

Certain past years of Dell desktops had inferior power supply units. It was a problem with an overseas supplier. My power supply went out and it then crashed the hard drive. I replaced it with a 450 watt heavy duty power supply unit that was made specifically as a replacement for the Dell unit. It has it's own built-in cooling fan. I have had no problems since then and that was 5 years ago.

Yeah, this ones only 1 year and 3 months old, so it died just after the waranty ran out.

**Rickybaby** · 04-19-2011, 01:46 PM

If your PS is old, chances are if you buy a decent one the efficiency is probably a lot better than the old one. Doesn't waste as much power and the new ones generate far less heat.

**aauummm** · 04-19-2011, 01:50 PM

Originally Posted by cyhiphopp

Yeah, this ones only 1 year and 3 months old, so it died just after the waranty ran out.

dang!

**Agkistrodon** · 04-19-2011, 02:56 PM

One thing that might be worthwhile checking is the company PC Power and Cooling. They make replacement power supplies specifically for some models of Dell computers, and the build quality is much higher than that of the OEM Dell parts. They cost a little extra, but it may be worth it depending on cost if you don't want to have to mod your case. Also, depending on the age of the Dell they may have switched around a few pins on the motherboard power connector - I know that was the case with an old (built ~2004) Dell Optiplex that I had. I think they have stopped doing this in recent years, but it might not hurt to look into this for your model to be on the safe side.

**aauummm** · 04-19-2011, 03:12 PM

Originally Posted by Agkistrodon

One thing that might be worthwhile checking is the company PC Power and Cooling. They make replacement power supplies specifically for some models of Dell computers, and the build quality is much higher than that of the OEM Dell parts. They cost a little extra, but it may be worth it depending on cost if you don't want to have to mod your case. Also, depending on the age of the Dell they may have switched around a few pins on the motherboard power connector - I know that was the case with an old (built ~2004) Dell Optiplex that I had. I think they have stopped doing this in recent years, but it might not hurt to look into this for your model to be on the safe side.

That's where I got mine. Got the Silencer 450 Dell-2. Not sure if those specific models are still available but they have other good models as replacements.

Dell Dimension 4600 PCPower.com Selector