Computer question

DarthBlight · Post by **DarthBlight** » 2003-05-04 11:56am

I have a hardware question for anyone that can answer it.

I'm looking at getting a new video card for my computer. The newer ones require a direct plug into the power supply and recommend 300 watt power supplies. I currently have a 250 watter and have found a 400 watter at a decent price. My problem is whether the motherboard would have a problem with the extra power. One of my techie friends says it shouldn't be a problem, but I asked my computer tech support and they said it couldn't take it. Now I'm rather confused.

My computer is a Dell Dimension 4500, P4 2.0 GHz CPU with a 250 watt power supply if that helps. I've had this machine for nine months.

Crayz9000 · Post by **Crayz9000** » 2003-05-04 12:19pm

Dell put a 250 watt PS on a Pentium 4???

Go with the 400. And if you've been having random crashes, it might fix them.

Einhander Sn0m4n · Post by **Einhander Sn0m4n** » 2003-05-04 12:35pm

A 250W power core on a Pentium 4!!???!

No wonder the bloody thing's crashing, it's starved for power!!!

Add a couple cooling fans to the case tho.

phongn · Post by **phongn** » 2003-05-04 01:25pm

WAIT!

Dell often uses a slightly different power lead with two wires swapped, IIRC. Make sure that if you replace your PSU that the pinouts are correct. If they are not, some companies sell adapters for this.

Enigma · Post by **Enigma** » 2003-05-04 01:34pm

phongn wrote:WAIT!

Dell often uses a slightly different power lead with two wires swapped, IIRC. Make sure that if you replace your PSU that the pinouts are correct. If they are not, some companies sell adapters for this.

*muffles Phong*

Ignore Phong

Just do it! Do it! Do it! Do it!

aerius · Post by **aerius** » 2003-05-04 01:34pm

DarthBlight wrote:I'm looking at getting a new video card for my computer. The newer ones require a direct plug into the power supply and recommend 300 watt power supplies. I currently have a 250 watter and have found a 400 watter at a decent price. My problem is whether the motherboard would have a problem with the extra power. One of my techie friends says it shouldn't be a problem, but I asked my computer tech support and they said it couldn't take it. Now I'm rather confused.

The tech support guy is full of shit. The only difference between the 250 and 400W power supplies is how much current they'll put out before they drop out of regulation and/or overheat and fry. All power supply units (PSU) will put out the same standard +-12V and all the other voltages that a computer needs to run. Power (measured in Watts) is voltage X current, since the voltages are the same the only difference is that the 400W PSU will put out more current IF the computer requires it. You could hook up a 400W PSU to a PII-300 and not do any harm to it, it'll just put out a lot less current and it won't be putting out it's rated maximum power of 400W.

DarthBlight · Post by **DarthBlight** » 2003-05-04 01:48pm

I never said anything about crashes, but that might explain why Morrowind has such a problem when I run at 1078 resolution . . .

Einhander Sn0m4n · Post by **Einhander Sn0m4n** » 2003-05-04 02:03pm

xtreme wrote:
phongn wrote:WAIT!

Dell often uses a slightly different power lead with two wires swapped, IIRC. Make sure that if you replace your PSU that the pinouts are correct. If they are not, some companies sell adapters for this.
*muffles Phong*

Ignore Phong Just do it! Do it! Do it! Do it!

*rails Xtreme*

Let the T3ch G0d speak.

Thanks, Phong.

Enigma · Post by **Enigma** » 2003-05-04 02:09pm

Einhander Sn0m4n wrote:*rails Xtreme*

Let the T3ch G0d speak.

Thanks, Phong.

*regenerates a new body from his ass and proceeds to gnaw off Ein's balls.*

Einhander Sn0m4n · Post by **Einhander Sn0m4n** » 2003-05-04 02:13pm

xtreme wrote:
Einhander Sn0m4n wrote:*rails Xtreme*

Let the T3ch G0d speak.

Thanks, Phong.
*regenerates a new body from his ass and proceeds to gnaw off Ein's balls.*

*kicks Xtreme off his crotch, casts Regen, casts Prismatic Sphere, then charges an energy bolt*

Try to guess what's next. You're right!!!

HADOKEN!!!

I learn from the best. Thanks, Alyrium.

Enigma · Post by **Enigma** » 2003-05-04 02:17pm

Einhander Sn0m4n wrote:*kicks Xtreme off his crotch, casts Regen, casts Prismatic Sphere, then charges an energy bolt*

Try to guess what's next. You're right!!!

HADOKEN!!!

I learn from the best. Thanks, Alyrium.

*xtreme's ass reforms and a new body comes out.*

Nyeah Nyeah! *drops pants and fires multi megaton projectile nuclear turds at Ein*

DarthBlight · Post by **DarthBlight** » 2003-05-04 02:18pm

ok, you two, cool it. So what I've got from here is:

1. Go for it b/c the processor can use the extra power certainly

2. Get a couple cooling fans just in case. Not sure where they will fit, but I'll see what I can do.

3. Check the plugs for any crossed wires.

Einhander Sn0m4n · Post by **Einhander Sn0m4n** » 2003-05-04 02:22pm

DarthBlight wrote:ok, you two, cool it. So what I've got from here is:

1. Go for it b/c the processor can use the extra power certainly

2. Get a couple cooling fans just in case. Not sure where they will fit, but I'll see what I can do.

3. Check the plugs for any crossed wires.

Okay, Blight

xtreme wrote:*xtreme's ass reforms and a new body comes out.*

Nyeah Nyeah! *drops pants and fires multi megaton projectile nuclear turds at Ein*

*simply stops counterattacking and sits there, watching the pretty lightshow bounce off his prismatic sphere. Xtreme then takes himself out in the firestorm*

My work here is finished. TGOD over.

Back on subject. What's the biggest computer power supply they make, btw?

Post by **Alyrium Denryle** » 2003-05-04 02:29pm

curse you

*contingency goes off, releasing the pells to take down the sphere*

Einhander Sn0m4n · Post by **Einhander Sn0m4n** » 2003-05-04 02:32pm

Alyrium Denryle wrote:curse you

*contingency goes off, releasing the pells to take down the sphere*

<TGOD>I didn't need it anymore.

</TGOD>

I also wanna know what's the best GeForce card I can put in a Pentium 2 ship.

Enigma · Post by **Enigma** » 2003-05-04 02:55pm

Einhander Sn0m4n wrote:
Alyrium Denryle wrote:curse you

*contingency goes off, releasing the pells to take down the sphere*
<TGOD>I didn't need it anymore. </TGOD>

I also wanna know what's the best GeForce card I can put in a Pentium 2 ship.

I still live. My ass has mysterious powers.

As for the Geforce card. I'm doing fine with my Geforce 2MX.

Crayz9000 · Post by **Crayz9000** » 2003-05-04 06:11pm

DarthBlight wrote:ok, you two, cool it. So what I've got from here is:

1. Go for it b/c the processor can use the extra power certainly

2. Get a couple cooling fans just in case. Not sure where they will fit, but I'll see what I can do.

3. Check the plugs for any crossed wires.

Basically, yes.

I think most Dells have extra cooling fans already built into them, so only get extras if you need them. Muffin fans are pretty cheap, though, so it's not like getting them will kill your wallet.

And I think I'll go with Phong on this one. It's better to make sure that you have the proper wiring rather than fry your motherboard and CPU.

Vertigo1 · Post by **Vertigo1** » 2003-05-05 02:12pm

I guarantee that it has a proprietary wiring setup. They've been doing this for nearly two years now. They only switched a couple wires, but its enough to fry anything non-compiant to their 'standard' that you connect it to. I'd go into more detail, but I'm about to get nailed again by bad weather.

DarthBlight · Post by **DarthBlight** » 2003-05-05 07:59pm

Well, I did some digging and it looks like Dell's been making a proprietary ATX power supply for several of their models since 1998. However, looking at my documentation and technical overview, there doesn't seem to be any evidence of this extra socket or plug that is there in the proprietary wiring. These are only illustrations, mind, and I wouldn't trust it 100%. I have also seen some conflicting evidence on my partticular model (a 4500) and I won't know for certain until I actually pop it open and look. I haven't committed to anything until I
1. Get a job that lets me buy what I need. I can't just drop $300 whenever I want.
2. Actually open my machine and look at it. If I see a proprietary set up, I know where to find an adapter. If I don't, I get a techie to sign off on it and get the power supply I want.

Vertigo1 · Post by **Vertigo1** » 2003-05-05 08:04pm

If its proprietary, then it would only be a matter of a little rewiring. The ATX connector itself is the same, only the wiring layout is slightly different.

Shinova · Post by **Shinova** » 2003-05-05 08:11pm

Custom-built comps are the way to go.

Just to put in my two cents, I've got a P4 3.06 GHz with 420 Watts PSU. There's the power supply fan, and my case has one side fan.

Someone here said two case fans, but I think just one case fan should be enough--it's been enough for me.

phongn · Post by **phongn** » 2003-05-05 08:13pm

If you're really paranoid, get a multimeter and check the voltages for yourself. You're better safe than sorry here.

DarthBlight · Post by **DarthBlight** » 2003-05-05 08:19pm

I think I found it, but I need someone to tell me if I'm right.

My tech overview gives the 18th connector of the main plug as a +5 VDC. The specs for an ATX power supply at formfactors.org give it as a -5 VDC.

phongn · Post by **phongn** » 2003-05-05 09:10pm

Yeah, but I think there's more differences than that. Check around.

Vertigo1 · Post by **Vertigo1** » 2003-05-05 09:28pm

From what I recall, there are some switched 5V and Ground wires. (Anyone thats messed with solid-state equipment knows that is VERY bad.)

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