Dell Graphics Card Upgrade - PSU?

[ray_gillespie]

Hi guys,

My bro has got a Dell Dimension 8400 Series with 512MB RAM and a P4 3Ghz CPU. I'm going to get him some more RAM for his birthday, which should just be another pair of 256MB sticks. However, he's put his birthday money towards a new graphics card*, and isn't sure if his PSU will take it. What do you reckon? The only PCI card he has in there at the moment is wireless network card. I don't even know what kind of PSU Dell puts in these things so I haven't a clue about this.

Any help would be much appreciated, and reps will be sent out as usual

*Probably a Geforce 7900GS or similar

 

[rotjong]

Knowing Dell the PSU is probably 350 watts. I don't know how much the vid card will need.

rotjong

 

[LordOfLA]

If dell desktops are anything like dell servers, the psu's will be wired differently or use custom plugs. Check with Dell before changing anything.

 

[Shamus MacNoob]

There the same except for one major problem you need to cut away the back of the case to allow for the ATX power supply's switch on/off to be housed, Dell PSU's more likley 250watts never seen a 350 in a dell yet.

 

[ray_gillespie]

This page seems to confirm the fact that it's a 350W PSU, so that might be enough. I'll try that "what psu do you need?" page if I can find the link!

 

[Shamus MacNoob]

Good if it is 350watt then dont worry about it a good 350 and their power supplies are good will handle the 7900gs .

 

[ray_gillespie]

Cool I suppose if it's not enough for any reason, we'll have to cross that bridge when we get to it! I suppose the 12V rail might have something to say about this.

Cheers for the advice.

 

[David_L6]

What kind of card does it have now, an X300 SE?

A previous poster noted that the case doesn't take standard PSU's and he's correct. You'll have to cut the back of the case or find a PSU without an on/off switch. PC Power&Cooling makes PSU's for Dells but they jack up the price for leaving off the switch.

Here are a few examples and links:

360 ATX ($65): http://www.pcpowercooling.com/products/viewproduct.php?show=S36ATX

360 Dell ($79): http://www.pcpowercooling.com/products/viewproduct.php?show=S36D

470 ATX ($99): http://www.pcpowercooling.com/products/viewproduct.php?show=S47ATX

470 Dell ($149): http://www.pcpowercooling.com/products/viewproduct.php?show=S47D

PC P&C's Dell PSU selector page: http://www.pcpowercooling.com/products/power_supplies/selector/dell.htm

The wiring on Dell's (newer model) Dimension desktops is standard. No worries there.

The 8400's that I've been into had a 350 watt PSU.
FWIW, the 4700's have either a 250 watt or a 305 watt PSU's, the 8300's had 250 watt PSU's. The 4700 will take a standard ATX PSU such as the 470 ATX above. It's been too long since I've seen any of the previous versions.

 

[ray_gillespie]

That's right, it's an X300SE which is in desperate need of replacement!

Thanks for those links, they may come in handy if I need to replace the PSU, though fingers crossed I won't

 

[Lazer]

8400 specs.

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim8400/SM/specs.htm#wp1052308


A 7900GS will probably be OK. You are only going to have 22 - 24 amps total on both +12V lines combined on that Dell power supply.

 

[ray_gillespie]

Cool link, cheers!

 

[LeeJend]

You need to pull the PSU and check the +12V rating. Most 350W PSUs are 15-17A, especially if it is an older one.

Spec's on the 7900 GS- with a Dell the 350W may be ok IF it has +12V@20A. That 3 gig P4 hits the +12V hard as well as the card.

• Minimum of a 400 Watt power supply. (Minimum recommended power supply with +12 Volt current rating of 20 Amp Amps.)
• Minimum 500 Watt for SLI mode system. (Minimum recommended power supply with +12 Volt current rating of 28 Amp Amps.)
• An available 6 pin PCI-E power connector (hard drive power dongle to PCI-E 6 pin adapter included with card)