Power Supply Advice

Vostokone · 10 Apr 2010 at 10:09

Hello All!

I recently purchased a Dell Inpsiron 580 MT and would like to upgrade up to around 550 watts from the default 300 watt power supply. The problem is, power supplies are an area where my knowledge is as close to zero as possible. What considerations do I need to make when choosing one?

My main reason for looking to upgrade is wanting to use my xfx 9800gt in the machine, which requires a 6 pin connector and a minimum of 400 watts.

Regards,
Vostokone

Ast3r · 10 Apr 2010 at 10:39

This will power your PC just fine.http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-017-CS&tool=3

But if you want to have more headroom for future upgrades you could get something like this.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-031-OC&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat=

Vostokone · 10 Apr 2010 at 15:30

Thanks for the tip! Do you know if this will fit in the 580 minitower case?

RJC · 10 Apr 2010 at 15:38

Hmm, hard to say - Measurement below of the Corsair PSU:

Standard ATX PS/2 size: 5.9"(W) x 3.4"(H) X 5.5"(L); 150mm(W) x 86mm(H) x 140mm(L)

Vostokone · 10 Apr 2010 at 16:30

RJC said:
Hmm, hard to say - Measurement below of the Corsair PSU:

I'll try to call dell and get the specs of the stock PSU, I suppose. I'd heard they stopped using proprietary PSUs and MBs, but I'm wary.

Vostokone · 10 Apr 2010 at 16:50

What a joke they are, haha.

I called up and explained my question, he put me on hold for 10 minutes, came back and said that it is an ATX but that anything more than 300w would "fry the motherboard". I pushed him and said that doesn't sound right, 10 more minutes on hold, he comes back and says "Ok, it will support more than 300w".

The question is, are all ATX the same size? Sorry for being an utter noob.