4600 Power Supply?

The 4600 ships with a 250W PSU.

Dell once stated that their PSU is rated for average load of 250W, but the peak power is closer to 340W.  Since not all components in your computer are drawing power at the same time, they feel that the 250W PSU is adequate as it will meet the average load and be able to handle to occasional peaks.  This has been an ongoing debate in these forums for quite some time. 

One group holds that the Dell 250W PSU is capable of handling the higher loads required by the ATI9800 series (which states it requires 300W).  I'm yet to see anyone who upgraded to this card have a problem caused by a failed PSU. 

The other group points out that while the PSU may be able to meet the load, it is forcing the PSU to work harder than it should.  This results in more heat, which both wears out the PSU faster and forces the fans to run more often which is a noise issue.

If you do replace the PSU, take note that while it is ATX, it is not a standard form factor (ie: you can't drop in a standard ATX PSU unless you modify the case by cutting some of the metal on the back).  You can get a PSU that will be a direct fit (no modification required) from pcpowerand cooling.com; but it will cost more than a standard ATX (partly for the higher quality, partly for the custom form factor).

Message Edited by Jason98036 on 02-04-2004 03:25 PM

When I went to that website and used the power supply selector, they recommended me a standard ATX 400 when I said that my computer was a Dimension 4600.  So I'm assuming that any ATX will work?  I mean, they had specific PSUs for Dell, but they just recommended the Silencer 400 watt ATX PSU.  I'd rather not spend $135 on a 400 W when I can get one for about $40.

The difference is that the Dell 400 uses a special wiring harness for older model Dell Dimensions.

The ATX 400 has the wiring harness for the current generation (almost ATX standard, close enough that ATX will work).  Also the Silencer ATX 400 does not have a power switch on the back, while most PSU's that you purchase will have a power switch on the back.  This is the case modification that I mentioned.  To get a standard PSU to fit, you just need to cut an openning in the metal back to allow room for the switch.  Some people are okay with this, some are not.

 

Oh, I also looked at the diagrams of both the Dell Silencer 275 and the Silencer 400 ATX and the measurements are EXACTLY the same.

Okay, I'm willing to cut a hole in my case for the switch, no big deal.  However, I have read that since Dell's PSU and Motherboards are proprietary, damage could be caused to the motherboard once you apply power if you don't use a specific PSU.  Is this still true, or could I use the regular ATX?

I have heard that the 4600 p/s has a standard plug-in with no changed wiring.I haven't confirmed this. I have a 4600 board i put in a after market case, but i haven't hooked up the p/s yet until i can confirm that it will work.Maybe someone on here knows for sure?

In older systems (Dim 8100), Dell used a proprietary power connector, so you needed a special wiring harness to attach a new PSU.  Currently, the only model that I'm aware using a proprietary connector is the XPS.

If I remember right, the only difference between the current Dell pin-out and standard ATX in a pin which Dell does not use, but ATX powers (I think it was pin 18).  Since Dell doesn't use it, the power on that pin shouldn't cause a problem.  At least, no one has ever reported it here.

You can check the Dell pin-out here and compare it to a standard ATX:

http://docs.us.dell.com/docs/systems/dim4600/en/4600/sm/techov.htm#1105652

Also, I believe the front power button and the front HD light may also be proprietary, so would either require customizing, or not be used.

Any one knows the size of the fan in 4600 power supply? Just interested in it right now. I guess I can measure it when I get home. Having had 4600 for over a week and it's not a quiet machine. Hard disk noise is minimum. Only power supply and case fan are the noise makers. I probably will replace them with quieter fans. I bought a Compaq Presario for someone. It stayed at my home for a while and it's much quiet even it needs better heat dissipating because of the AMD processor.

Correct about the 8100.  The power supply is the one area where I would have to be careful should I need to replace it.  Fortunately, mine came with a conservatively rated 330W unit.  It has no trouble powering a lot more hardware than it came with, including 6 drives (3 HD, 3 optical) and an nVidia GF3 FX 5900.

Max output power should be 250W.  http://docs.us.dell.com/docs/systems/dim4600/en/4600i/sm/specs.htm#1105974

In my opinion, you'd be wasting your money on a new power supply, btw.

 

I'm in the same boat in wanting a better power supply. Mostly because I'm concerned about under powering my components and burning them out early. Why do you say it's a waste of time?

That's B.S. The motherboard has no extra load to handle. The big power goes directly to the peripherals that use it, including video cards these days (through molex plugs). What you do need to be careful with is the pinout of the motherboard plug. I don't know what Dell is doing these days, but my Dimension 8100 uses a standard plug with a nonstandard pinout. Plug in standard PSU = fried mobo. I would need an adapter wiring harness.