Upgrading my Dell desktop PSU

[enfant]

ok my Dell XPS 9100 has a 525 Watt PSU but i wanna upgrade my graphics card from Radeon 5870 to GTX 770.

Calculated my power requirements and the minimum that i can use is a 540 Watt PSU.

I called Dell and asked them if they have any upgrades but was told my model is already discontinued and they don't do upgrades for it anymore (bought it in 2010)

i don't wanna change my rig since my specs are still good, 3.2 quad core and 6MB ddr3 ram, 72GB hard disk which i don't even use half.

if i get a new tower, gotta spend on casing, mobo, processor and even buy o/s. don't know if the dell's installed win 7 o/s is compatible with a DIY desktop.

what other options do i have? i read online that the DELL psu cannot be swopped out with an aftermarket one, it wouldn't work but theoretically, it should.

don't know how really.

any ideas? i wanna use this tower for at least another 2 years.

 

[tamjinhang]

ok my Dell XPS 9100 has a 525 Watt PSU but i wanna upgrade my graphics card from Radeon 5870 to GTX 770.

Calculated my power requirements and the minimum that i can use is a 540 Watt PSU.

I called Dell and asked them if they have any upgrades but was told my model is already discontinued and they don't do upgrades for it anymore (bought it in 2010)

i don't wanna change my rig since my specs are still good, 3.2 quad core and 6MB ddr3 ram, 72GB hard disk which i don't even use half.

if i get a new tower, gotta spend on casing, mobo, processor and even buy o/s. don't know if the dell's installed win 7 o/s is compatible with a DIY desktop.

what other options do i have? i read online that the DELL psu cannot be swopped out with an aftermarket one, it wouldn't work but theoretically, it should.

don't know how really.

any ideas? i wanna use this tower for at least another 2 years.

U can sustain a gtx 770 on 500w. Should have no problems. If u're still worried, go get a go PSU like the seasonic g-550 or superflower hx500

 

[silencer13]

...
i don't wanna change my rig since my specs are still good, 3.2 quad core and 6MB ddr3 ram, 72GB hard disk which i don't even use half.
...

6MB RAM?
72GB Hard Disk?

Seriously?

 

[enfant]

6MB RAM?
72GB Hard Disk?

Seriously?

problem?

6GB ram, typo.

yes my hd is 72 gb and i only use half. have 7 games on my hd.

 

[soufigo]

Well, the newer games can use up as much as 20gb per game. So yes, u might not have problems now but in future u might.

 

[enfant]

U can sustain a gtx 770 on 500w. Should have no problems. If u're still worried, go get a go PSU like the seasonic g-550 or superflower hx500

where to get these hardware? SLS got sell

i want to ask ah.. these psu and other brands got any difference?

Well, the newer games can use up as much as 20gb per game. So yes, u might not have problems now but in future u might.

uninstall old one lor

 

[slashGNR]

where to get these hardware? SLS got sell

i want to ask ah.. these psu and other brands got any difference?




uninstall old one lor

Better confirm with vendors at sls before buying, in case d new psu can't fit in. Best take pic or bring along to check if u can....

 

[deepblue_82]

is it a real 525w?
or a rated 525w
or a on paper 525w psu?
some only bs its 525w.. act only 400 or less w..

 

[chrisvin]

u need to make sure your DELL motherboard can use aftermarket PSU, not all DELL can.

1 thing abt DELL PSU, they normally "underate" it meaning yours likely more is a 550 or 600 PSU.

 

[muddle]

If they use proprietary psu (either dimension or cable notch wise), you can say goodbye to replacing the psu. The only thing you can do is replace the graphic card. If it's not proprietary unit too.

 

[enfant]

is it a real 525w?
or a rated 525w
or a on paper 525w psu?
some only bs its 525w.. act only 400 or less w..

on paper 525W, gotta check the unit personally when i get home. the print very small on it.

u need to make sure your DELL motherboard can use aftermarket PSU, not all DELL can.

1 thing abt DELL PSU, they normally "underate" it meaning yours likely more is a 550 or 600 PSU.

i renewed the warranty for 1 more year so they can replace the card. spend $200 better than buying new card and trying to find a psu that fits.

 

[haroldg]

i changed psu on my dell desktop (xps 8000) and made a mistake of buying a bigger size (superflower gk). so I swapped it with the psu from my other pc which has the same size as dell's oem psu (liteon). so better check the size to make sure the new psu will fit.

 

[dante-z]

i suspect your hard drive is 750gb

 

[enfant]

i suspect your hard drive is 750gb

you are right LOL i keep thinking about my older rig with the 72GB HD

my studio xps now has 752 GB, damn blur sia

 

[enfant]

i changed psu on my dell desktop (xps 8000) and made a mistake of buying a bigger size (superflower gk). so I swapped it with the psu from my other pc which has the same size as dell's oem psu (liteon). so better check the size to make sure the new psu will fit.

didn't change the psu. there's nothing written on my psu leh, only the QC sticker. that's the frustrating part. maybe 2 years time when i upgrade then take it out go sim lim to find a matching sized one lor. does aftermarket psu work with the dell mobo? read some online feedback they say aftermarket got incompatible leads compared to the dell one so must check properly before buying a replacement.

 

[haroldg]

does aftermarket psu work with the dell mobo? read some online feedback they say aftermarket got incompatible leads compared to the dell one so must check properly before buying a replacement.

yes it does. been using it for a year, no problems so far. google your mobo to confirm.

 

[commach]

didn't change the psu. there's nothing written on my psu leh, only the QC sticker. that's the frustrating part. maybe 2 years time when i upgrade then take it out go sim lim to find a matching sized one lor. does aftermarket psu work with the dell mobo? read some online feedback they say aftermarket got incompatible leads compared to the dell one so must check properly before buying a replacement.

You can replace the Dell XPS9100 PSU with off the shelve PSU, just stay within the 15cm length will do. PSU longer than 15cm will encounter problem trying to fit into the PSU's compartment of the XPS9100.

Generic entry/mid level PSUs almost all comes with 14cm length, so you need to double check the length when shopping for a replacement PSU for this Dell machine.

 

[haroldg]

just to add, the dell xps casing has a slot to fit exactly 14cm psu. anything longer and the psu won't sit properly.