Power Supply - compatibility considerations?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Colleyville Alan
  • Start date Start date
C

Colleyville Alan

My computer was acting flaky the other day, the Windows Explorer was taking
5 or 6 seconds to display the files in a folder. Then, withouth any reason,
the time was reduced to less than 1/2 of a second. I asked about this on a
WinXP site and someone suggested that I might have a hardware issue and that
the first place to look is the power supply.

My coputer is a Dell Dimension XPS B-series purchased in July of 2000. I
tried to see if I could check the temp and fan speed of the system with some
software, but apparently monitor chips were not part of that motherboard.
Since the power supply is 4 1/2 years old, I thought it might be a good idea
to replace it as all of the software and other tweaks did not fix my
performance problem and the fact that it mysteriously fixed itself unnerves
me.

Anyhow, I saw on this group that people recommended Antec, FSP, PC Power &
Cooling and a few other brands and I went to the PC Power and Cooling site
to have a look. It had a way to search by computer manufacturer and said I
should buy the "Silencer 360 Dell" model.

I looked at the specs and see that for the M/B Connectors it lists "Dell
20-pin, 6-pin". Other power supplies from this company mention different
pin configurations and when they list which pcs are compatible with the
particular power supply, not all of the Dell models fit into each category.
This suggests to me that if I bought some other model from them that I might
have difficulty installing it for one reason or another. Yet when I visit
sites for Antec, FSP, and others, there is no mention that a unit which fits
one computer might not work without modification on another computer.

So, my question is, what is really important when it comes to the physical
installation and connections? Assuming that the power output of an Antec or
an FSP are identical to the P&C unit, is there something I need to check for
so that I do not end up with a unit that needs to be returned?

Thanks.
Alan
 
The big problem with Dells, especially the XPS line, is that they are quite
proprietary in nature. In many cases, the power supplies and mobos are wired
to only work with each other. Sometimes they mount in a non-standard method.

If you can get ahold of a generic, standard ATX power supply, check to make
sure it can mount properly, or at least securely. Also make sure that the
connections will match up. Powering on may or may not work, but try it
anyway.


My computer was acting flaky the other day, the Windows Explorer was taking
5 or 6 seconds to display the files in a folder. Then, withouth any reason,
the time was reduced to less than 1/2 of a second. I asked about this on a
WinXP site and someone suggested that I might have a hardware issue and that
the first place to look is the power supply.

My coputer is a Dell Dimension XPS B-series purchased in July of 2000. I
tried to see if I could check the temp and fan speed of the system with some
software, but apparently monitor chips were not part of that motherboard.
Since the power supply is 4 1/2 years old, I thought it might be a good idea
to replace it as all of the software and other tweaks did not fix my
performance problem and the fact that it mysteriously fixed itself unnerves
me.

Anyhow, I saw on this group that people recommended Antec, FSP, PC Power &
Cooling and a few other brands and I went to the PC Power and Cooling site
to have a look. It had a way to search by computer manufacturer and said I
should buy the "Silencer 360 Dell" model.

I looked at the specs and see that for the M/B Connectors it lists "Dell
20-pin, 6-pin". Other power supplies from this company mention different
pin configurations and when they list which pcs are compatible with the
particular power supply, not all of the Dell models fit into each category.
This suggests to me that if I bought some other model from them that I might
have difficulty installing it for one reason or another. Yet when I visit
sites for Antec, FSP, and others, there is no mention that a unit which fits
one computer might not work without modification on another computer.

So, my question is, what is really important when it comes to the physical
installation and connections? Assuming that the power output of an Antec or
an FSP are identical to the P&C unit, is there something I need to check for
so that I do not end up with a unit that needs to be returned?

Thanks.
Alan
 
Erick said:
The big problem with Dells, especially the XPS line, is that they are
quite
proprietary in nature. In many cases, the power supplies and mobos are
wired
to only work with each other. Sometimes they mount in a non-standard
method.

If you can get ahold of a generic, standard ATX power supply, check to
make
sure it can mount properly, or at least securely. Also make sure that the
connections will match up. Powering on may or may not work, but try it
anyway.
Click to expand...

Ah, as I suspected! Thanks for the reply. I will probably go for the Power
and Cooling model since it is compatible and has good press. Its not that
expensive at $80 - no need to save $20 and have something that needs to be
returned, my time is worth more than that.

Thanks again.
Alan
 
Colleyville said:
I looked at the specs and see that for the M/B Connectors it lists "Dell
20-pin, 6-pin". Other power supplies from this company mention different
pin configurations and when they list which pcs are compatible with the
particular power supply, not all of the Dell models fit into each category.
This suggests to me that if I bought some other model from them that I might
have difficulty installing it for one reason or another. Yet when I visit
sites for Antec, FSP, and others, there is no mention that a unit which fits
one computer might not work without modification on another computer.

So, my question is, what is really important when it comes to the physical
installation and connections? Assuming that the power output of an Antec or
an FSP are identical to the P&C unit, is there something I need to check for
so that I do not end up with a unit that needs to be returned?
Click to expand...

Older Dell XPS models had their connectors wired in a non standard
manner. Everything looks the same as a standard ATX PSU, but the wiring
is different. PCP&C wires their "Dell" units as does Dell.
 
Colleyville said:
My computer was acting flaky the other day, the Windows Explorer was taking
5 or 6 seconds to display the files in a folder. Then, withouth any reason,
the time was reduced to less than 1/2 of a second. I asked about this on a
WinXP site and someone suggested that I might have a hardware issue and that
the first place to look is the power supply.

My coputer is a Dell Dimension XPS B-series purchased in July of 2000.
Click to expand...
Since the power supply is 4 1/2 years old, I thought it might be a good idea
to replace it as all of the software and other tweaks did not fix my
performance problem and the fact that it mysteriously fixed itself unnerves
me.
Click to expand...

Check for loose or dirty connections. Disk drive connectors are
especially known to loosen but can be tightened by wedging a tiny
screwdriver betwen the metal sockets and the plastic surrounding them.
Connectors can often be cleaned sufficiently by dipping them in alcohol
and then plugging and unplugging them several times while the AC power
cord is removed. Allow the connectors to dry at least 30 minutes
before applying power. Do not sand connectors or even apply a pencil
eraser to them as that removes the plating or worsens contact.
I looked at the specs and see that for the M/B Connectors it lists "Dell
20-pin, 6-pin". Other power supplies from this company mention different
pin configurations and when they list which pcs are compatible with the
particular power supply, not all of the Dell models fit into each category.
This suggests to me that if I bought some other model from them that I might
have difficulty installing it for one reason or another.
Click to expand...

You'll have no problems with the fit because a standard ATX power
supply will fit both the case and the 20-pin motherboard connector
perfectly, which is too bad since the wires are arranged almost
completely differently for those Dells and will destroy the
motherboard.. $80 is a decent price for a Dell-proprietary power
supply, especially those as good as PC Power & Cooling's, but first
verify that you actually have a power supply problem by taking
measurements with a digital meter, as shown in this guide:

www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=403837

The +3.3V lines a Dell-proprietary supplies are not on the orange wires
but the blue-white wires found on the 6-pin auxillary connector, and
the only orange wire on those Dell-only supplies is for the Power_Good
signal, which ranges from 0-5V.. All measurements must be taken with
the motherboard attached and running (but no need to boot to Windows);
otherwise the supply may not be loaded sufficiently to let it regulate
the voltages correctly (or even run). Voltages can be off by 5%, but
3% is better for the +3.3V and +5V lines.
 
Colleyville said:
My computer was acting flaky the other day, the Windows Explorer was taking
5 or 6 seconds to display the files in a folder. Then, withouth any reason,
the time was reduced to less than 1/2 of a second. I asked about this on a
WinXP site and someone suggested that I might have a hardware issue and that
the first place to look is the power supply.

My coputer is a Dell Dimension XPS B-series purchased in July of 2000.
Click to expand...
Since the power supply is 4 1/2 years old, I thought it might be a good idea
to replace it as all of the software and other tweaks did not fix my
performance problem and the fact that it mysteriously fixed itself unnerves
me.
Click to expand...

Check for loose or dirty connections. Disk drive connectors are
especially known to loosen but can be tightened by wedging a tiny
screwdriver betwen the metal sockets and the plastic surrounding them.
Connectors can often be cleaned sufficiently by dipping them in alcohol
and then plugging and unplugging them several times while the AC power
cord is removed. Allow the connectors to dry at least 30 minutes
before applying power. Do not sand connectors or even apply a pencil
eraser to them as that removes the plating or worsens contact.
I looked at the specs and see that for the M/B Connectors it lists "Dell
20-pin, 6-pin". Other power supplies from this company mention different
pin configurations and when they list which pcs are compatible with the
particular power supply, not all of the Dell models fit into each category.
This suggests to me that if I bought some other model from them that I might
have difficulty installing it for one reason or another.
Click to expand...

You'll have no problems with the fit because a standard ATX power
supply will fit both the case and the 20-pin motherboard connector
perfectly, which is too bad since the wires are arranged almost
completely differently for those Dells and will destroy the
motherboard.. $80 is a decent price for a Dell-proprietary power
supply, especially those as good as PC Power & Cooling's, but first
verify that you actually have a power supply problem by taking
measurements with a digital meter, as shown in this guide:

www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=403837

The +3.3V lines a Dell-proprietary supplies are not on the orange wires
but the blue-white wires found on the 6-pin auxillary connector, and
the only orange wire on those Dell-only supplies is for the Power_Good
signal, which ranges from 0-5V.. All measurements must be taken with
the motherboard attached and running (but no need to boot to Windows);
otherwise the supply may not be loaded sufficiently to let it regulate
the voltages correctly (or even run). Voltages can be off by 5%, but
3% is better for the +3.3V and +5V lines.
 
Back
Top