Dell PSU questions

I know this guy, and he has a 933mhz Dell (i think it's 933 but its definitely a Pentium 3, Socket 370).

He has 2 optical drives (I think), one hard drive, and a Zip drive in there. and a 200w PSU.

He wants to add another hard drive in there but I don't think the PSU is powerful enough to handle another one.

1) Will the PSU handle it, even if it's just barely making it?
2) My real question is this..he has a spare 300w PSU..but Dells have a proprietary connector..can the computer operate without this connector?

Thanks.

Hmm proprietary connector... thats getto...
the 200w probably won't handle the task.. but you can try.
This connector what's it plug into.. who makes the mobo?
I don't often take dell machines apart.. most dell users go to dell for that stuff :)

[quote]Originally posted by ScottieM3:
<strong>Hmm proprietary connector... thats getto...
the 200w probably won't handle the task.. but you can try.
This connector what's it plug into.. who makes the mobo?
I don't often take dell machines apart.. most dell users go to dell for that stuff :) </strong><hr></blockquote>

I don't know, I'm not at his computer now...

j/w if it would work or not with the regular 300w PSU without the connector, I recall seeing a post once in which someone didn't know what the connector was for and it worked, but not sure if that was a rare case or not..

Yeah, unfortunatly you need that stupid little connector that goes to the mb. The Pentium 4 power supplies that we have been getting have the connector on them, however I have not tried it out on a Dell mb. Guy screwed himself with the Dell. My guess it is also running Rimms instead of Dimms. I would sell him a new mb and get away from the proprietary crap. With all of that junk tied up in the mid-tower with the Rimms you are going to develop a little heat. I guess it depends on how serious this guy is on having a good functional system. Anyhow the ps is Aopen fsp300-60bt and is a 300w ps. :p

[quote]Originally posted by PurpleDoc:
<strong>Yeah, unfortunatly you need that stupid little connector that goes to the mb. The Pentium 4 power supplies that we have been getting have the connector on them, however I have not tried it out on a Dell mb. Guy screwed himself with the Dell. My guess it is also running Rimms instead of Dimms. I would sell him a new mb and get away from the proprietary crap. With all of that junk tied up in the mid-tower with the Rimms you are going to develop a little heat. I guess it depends on how serious this guy is on having a good functional system. Anyhow the ps is Aopen fsp300-60bt and is a 300w ps. :p </strong><hr></blockquote>

It's got DIMMs. I know, he is in love with Dell for some reason :rolleyes:

Worst part is, not even Dell sells 300w Dell PSUs they only go up to 200w.

Can anyone else verify that P4-compatible PSUs have this connector he needs?

.

This place has a 300 watt for a dell, and I hear there products are top notch. worth a shot anyway.

<a href="http://www.pcpowercooling.com/products/power_supplies/highperformance/turbocools/index_hp_atx.htm" target="_blank">PC Power and Cooling</a>

I find that the need for big power supplies is overstated. OEM power supplies are generally much better quality and can handle more load than the cheap aftermarket replacements.

Is there a specific reason that you think it won't work? I run a whole lot more stuff than he does with only a 230W PSU.

Personally I think he won't have any problems, but if he does, THEN you can spring for the bigger PSU.

Agree with MacGyver.
Did You check REAL power consumption of that system block (without monitor)?
Should be something about 90-100 watts... Some of us did that measure before, and I do believe it's true. Check it by Your own,if You don't believe.
Right now I'm running Athlon 800 ,GeForce MX2,CDROM,network card etc. with only 200wt PSU, and that PSU isn't running hot...
All depends on how that particular PSU is made, how big heatsinks for transistors/diodes are.
Dell's PSUs usually well made...

[quote]Originally posted by Ruslan:
<strong>Agree with MacGyver.
Did You check REAL power consumption of that system block (without monitor)?
Should be something about 90-100 watts... Some of us did that measure before, and I do believe it's true. Check it by Your own,if You don't believe.
Right now I'm running Athlon 800 ,GeForce MX2,CDROM,network card etc. with only 200wt PSU, and that PSU isn't running hot...
All depends on how that particular PSU is made, how big heatsinks for transistors/diodes are.
Dell's PSUs usually well made...</strong><hr></blockquote>

How can I check the usage? I'd like to do this on my own system, for curiosity. I have always been told 300w is bare minimum, and 400w is recommended for comfort.

I have used p4-ready PSUs, with stable results in some Dell boxes like what you are describing. Antec of course. Crazy thing was they were celeron procs (800Mhz if memory serves).

Dude, yer gettin' a Dell!! And proprietary headaches as well, DUDE!!

[quote]Originally posted by Stanley_Kubrick:
<strong>I have used p4-ready PSUs, with stable results in some Dell boxes like what you are describing. Antec of course. Crazy thing was they were celeron procs (800Mhz if memory serves).

Dude, yer gettin' a Dell!! And proprietary headaches as well, DUDE!!</strong><hr></blockquote>

LOL, agree with your quote, steve sucks ;)

I think CompUSA carries Antec PSUs..and p4-ready ones...so I'll tell him to pick up a 300w just to try it out...

is it possible that if it doesn't work, it will damage the board?

[quote]Originally posted by JungleMan:
<strong>

How can I check the usage? I'd like to do this on my own system, for curiosity. I have always been told 300w is bare minimum, and 400w is recommended for comfort.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Using appropriate ampermeter(good multimeter) in AC mode,of course. You know exactly,what the voltage value in outlet (110 or 230), and after measuring AC consumption current You can calculate power consuption (approximately,of course,but that's enough).

By the way,I have even posted special topic regarding PSU problems <a href="http://forums.windrivers.com/cgi-bin/forum3/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=17&t=003983&p=" target="_blank">here at Windrivers forums.</a>

[quote]Originally posted by Ruslan:
<strong>

Using appropriate ampermeter(good multimeter) in AC mode,of course. You know exactly,what the voltage value in outlet (110 or 230), and after measuring AC consumption current You can calculate power consuption (approximately,of course,but that's enough).

By the way,I have even posted special topic regarding PSU problems <a href="http://forums.windrivers.com/cgi-bin/forum3/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=17&t=003983&p=" target="_blank">here at Windrivers forums.</a></strong><hr></blockquote>

Where can I get one of those?

Just after switching on PSU last experiencing power consumption's surge (about twice over usual consumption). That effect caused by charging high-voltage capasitors at first moment and takes only one second or so... If PSU has no input EMF (electromagnetic filters) soldered (cheap Chinese PSUs :mad: ),that surge will be at least twice bigger as addition to usual power surge...
If input rectifier diodes (or bridge) are not powerfull enough, that can cause their damage,and,as result,whole PSU (and sometimes even motherboard!) can be damaged.

What's why many of suppliers recommend You 300Wt or even more powerfull PSUs for new PCs - just for insurance from possible problems,caused by fake 230-250Wt PSUs - I've seen a lot of them personally. :rolleyes: I could post here a long list of those "manufacturers", but here is not right place for flaming. :)