Power supply upgrade
I am considering buying a new Dell Demension E310 P4 processor 521 w/HT 2.8 GHz, 800 FSB. The power supply on this system from the specs list is Power
Input voltage: 90 to 135V and 180 to 265 V at 50/60 Hz
Output wattage: 230 Watts maximum continuous
Output voltage: 3.3V, 5V, and 12V
Heat dissipation: 434.6 BTU/hour
Power management: APM
Backup battery: 3-V CR2032 lithium coin cell
My question is wouldn't a 350 w power supply be better than the one in the specs? Are Dells known for power supply problems? I have read several in the questions section. Can I request a larger power supply by Dell? How do you know whats enough with all of the periferals to add on. Would Dell laugh at me for asking to upgrade the power supply?
Thanks
Input voltage: 90 to 135V and 180 to 265 V at 50/60 Hz
Output wattage: 230 Watts maximum continuous
Output voltage: 3.3V, 5V, and 12V
Heat dissipation: 434.6 BTU/hour
Power management: APM
Backup battery: 3-V CR2032 lithium coin cell
My question is wouldn't a 350 w power supply be better than the one in the specs? Are Dells known for power supply problems? I have read several in the questions section. Can I request a larger power supply by Dell? How do you know whats enough with all of the periferals to add on. Would Dell laugh at me for asking to upgrade the power supply?
Thanks
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jamietoner
The only issue si have seen with dell power supplies being to small is when alot of extra 3rd party componets are added (usually bigger video cards) and it hard to upgrade a dell psu because they use a proprietary power connection to the motherboard it may look like a standard 20 pin connector but if you look closly some of the wires have been switched. So as long as you dont add alot of stuff that you cant configure it with the 230 watt should be ample, and they are good psu's my buddy has an 8300 with a 305 watt and it will run a vid card that requires a 350watt min just fine (but he also only has 1 hdd and 1 cdrom).
>> How do you know whats enough with all of the periferals to add on. << calculate the power you need here :
http://www.jscustompcs.com/power_supply/
>> Would Dell laugh at me for asking to upgrade the power supply? << That would not be professional
but a 230W power supply seems very limited for this system
http://www.jscustompcs.com/power_supply/
>> Would Dell laugh at me for asking to upgrade the power supply? << That would not be professional
but a 230W power supply seems very limited for this system
I agree with all the previous comments.
As long as you don't add anything the Dell PSU is fine.
If you upgrade later (more drives, more demanding video card) you may run into problems.
Just an FYI:
Most companies give the peak power (surge) as the PSU's capacity but other's give the nominal (continuous).
The peak number is much higher than the nominal for a given PSU.
As you can see in the specs Dell is calling out the nominal.
.
As long as you don't add anything the Dell PSU is fine.
If you upgrade later (more drives, more demanding video card) you may run into problems.
Just an FYI:
Most companies give the peak power (surge) as the PSU's capacity but other's give the nominal (continuous).
The peak number is much higher than the nominal for a given PSU.
As you can see in the specs Dell is calling out the nominal.
.
ASKER
I would like to thank all of you for your input. I really like this site. I am not the most tech savvy guy but by scanning this site I pick up lots of info and when I have a problem you guys are there to help me solve them
Thanks again everyone for you quick responces.
Thanks again everyone for you quick responces.