dell dimension 3000 Power supply Upgrade help?

Discussion in 'Building a new PC' started by NINVIN21, Oct 22, 2009.

  1. NINVIN21

    NINVIN21 Regular member

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  2. dailun

    dailun Active member

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    Here's a tip on researching the answer:

    Existing power supply dimensions are:

    5.5" x 5.8" x 3.4" (L x W x H)

    New power supply is ATX form factor

    Google "ATX Form Factor"

    140mm x 150mm x 86mm or

    5.5" x 5.9" x 3.4"

    So the answer is YES it will fit.

    The connectorization is the same, so there is a 99.99% chance that this will work in your Dell.

     
  3. sammorris

    sammorris Senior member

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    You want an Apevia PSU? The Dell one is better, by miles. The maximum output of the Dell 300W PSU is about 300-320W, and if you were to exceed it, it would shut down or blow an internal fuse, causing nothing other than needing to replace the PSU.
    The maximum output of the Apevia PSU is about 80-90W, and were you to exceed it, it will catch fire and the output will surge, potentially destroying several of your PC's components.
    Apevia PSUs are death in a box.
    Here's what you actually want:
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139008

    before you comment on the 400W rating, 400W is enough to run a quad core CPU overclocked with two top-end graphics cards.
    PCs don't use as much power as you might think :)
     
  4. NINVIN21

    NINVIN21 Regular member

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    Thanks guys I'm spent a couple hours learning about power supply's and still don't know much.

    The internet said my power supply is an ATX witch I had a hard time believing because my case is a Micro and my motherboard is a Micro ATX and I kept reading that Dell has compatibility problems with hardware.
    I was confused because I didn't know ATX power supplies vary in size.

    The majority of micro ATX components seem to be backwards compatible with ATX But was unsure if a couple mm mattered.

    Thanks sammorris I seen your name around this site for years
    So I'll take you word for it.
    Thanks for the info but you kinda just ruined my day.
    This pc is basically just for looks and learning OS x etc.
    hhmmmm decisions decisions.

    Thanks again guys
     
    Last edited: Oct 23, 2009
  5. dailun

    dailun Active member

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    ATX is a physical form factor specification. It has limited use in determining electrical compatibility.

    I was specifically addressing whether or not the power supply would physically fit.

    Dell shifted to using "off the shelf" components in the later years.

    It is a good bet that any ATX power supply would fit and work in that case.

    motherboard = microATX is irrelevant since this is a form factor spec.

     
  6. sammorris

    sammorris Senior member

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    NINVIN: ATX and MicroATX are two sizes, that aren't mutually exclusive for cases & PSUs. You can have a microATX case with a full ATX power supply. The reverse is rare, but not impossible.
    Dell PCs are often difficult to upgrade as they use proprietary components. To be honest, a 300W PSU powers a lot, unless you're trying to turn the PC into a gaming rig, you don't need a new PSU at all (unless of course the old ones has failed, in which case try and track down an identical replacement)
     

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