Whoever told you that a higher power capability power supply will not work is wrong. The power supply wattage rating is the maxiumum that can be drawn from the supply but the PC's hardware will only use what it needs. For example if the motherboard draws 100 watts total of power that is all it will draw from the power supply no matter what the rating of the power supply. Same way with other components such as a Video Card, hard disk drive, etc. Many have upgraded the power supply and other components such as video without problems. It is "upgradable", just that you have run into problems.
There are two motherboard power connections, the 24 pin and a 4 Pin Molex connection (12 v). We have seen users inadvertantly miss the 4 pin connector. Also, some newer power supplies have 4 pin Molex, some have a 6 pin and some have an 8 pin Molex and on the 6 or 8 pin you need to make sure you are using the correct plug connections.
Whether a non-Dell motherboard will fit and work is questionable. Dell uses proprietary front panel connections on many models and the rear I/O panel will not match up with a non-Dell motherboard's I/O panel (on many models this is not interchangeable like a standard ATX case is). Most that want to use a non-Dell motherboard also buy a standard ATX case to avoid all the potential hassles of trying to install a standard ATX motherboard in a Dell case.
I bought the computer with full intention of upgrading the cideo card down the road. I called Dell to make sure I could and they said it was upgradable (the point of getting a desktop)
I believe it is horrile business practice to sell a desktop to someone FULLY KNOWING that it cannot be upgraded.
Final thoughts: Dell screwed me over. They have lost my respect and my business, I just need a new motherboard now to handle my current rig.
It's upgradeable, but the power supply may have an issue. Also, have you upgraded the BIOS to the latest version?
I have a 540s and have used several video cards with it, none of them purchased from Dell.
I did not miss any of the connectors on the power supply, the motherboard has a 4 pin and a 24 pin that need to be plugged into, neither of which were missed.
I tried the power supply on my friends dell (cannot remember specs but it is a studio) and it worked fine, booted the video card also.
Yes the BIOS has been updated to the latest version and the power supply does not have an issue (it has been tried in another computer).
I did not miss any of the connectors on the power supply, the motherboard has a 4 pin and a 24 pin that need to be plugged into, neither of which were missed.
I tried the power supply on my friends dell (cannot remember specs but it is a studio) and it worked fine, booted the video card also.
Yes the BIOS has been updated to the latest version and the power supply does not have an issue (it has been tried in another computer).
I've had problems like that; in one case, my Antec Earthwatts 380 wouldn't work properly with a damaged CPU. I replaced the CPU and all was fine.
I'm not sure what else to suggest. Regarding a new mainboard, a standard socket 775 micro-ATX may work, if my 540s is any guidance. The 540s uses a TFX power supply, so I haven't tried the board with a higher wattage unit.
fireberd
9 Legend
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33.4K Posts
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April 14th, 2011 09:00
Whoever told you that a higher power capability power supply will not work is wrong. The power supply wattage rating is the maxiumum that can be drawn from the supply but the PC's hardware will only use what it needs. For example if the motherboard draws 100 watts total of power that is all it will draw from the power supply no matter what the rating of the power supply. Same way with other components such as a Video Card, hard disk drive, etc. Many have upgraded the power supply and other components such as video without problems. It is "upgradable", just that you have run into problems.
There are two motherboard power connections, the 24 pin and a 4 Pin Molex connection (12 v). We have seen users inadvertantly miss the 4 pin connector. Also, some newer power supplies have 4 pin Molex, some have a 6 pin and some have an 8 pin Molex and on the 6 or 8 pin you need to make sure you are using the correct plug connections.
Whether a non-Dell motherboard will fit and work is questionable. Dell uses proprietary front panel connections on many models and the rear I/O panel will not match up with a non-Dell motherboard's I/O panel (on many models this is not interchangeable like a standard ATX case is). Most that want to use a non-Dell motherboard also buy a standard ATX case to avoid all the potential hassles of trying to install a standard ATX motherboard in a Dell case.
rdunnill
6 Professor
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8.8K Posts
0
April 14th, 2011 18:00
I have a 540s and have used several video cards with it, none of them purchased from Dell.
Rogue Penx
2 Posts
0
April 15th, 2011 12:00
I did not miss any of the connectors on the power supply, the motherboard has a 4 pin and a 24 pin that need to be plugged into, neither of which were missed.
I tried the power supply on my friends dell (cannot remember specs but it is a studio) and it worked fine, booted the video card also.
Yes the BIOS has been updated to the latest version and the power supply does not have an issue (it has been tried in another computer).
rdunnill
6 Professor
•
8.8K Posts
0
April 15th, 2011 19:00
I've had problems like that; in one case, my Antec Earthwatts 380 wouldn't work properly with a damaged CPU. I replaced the CPU and all was fine.
I'm not sure what else to suggest. Regarding a new mainboard, a standard socket 775 micro-ATX may work, if my 540s is any guidance. The 540s uses a TFX power supply, so I haven't tried the board with a higher wattage unit.