PSU and video card

tazny1

The Inspiron 530 Mini Tower's power supply, can be upgraded.

Most generic standard ATX power supply units can be installed, with either a 24-pin or 20+4-pin main motherboard power connector, with or without the on/off switch.

You should be able to buy a compatible power supply from either a local or online computer store.

Note: A power supply with four SATA power connectors, is required. 

The power supply replacement procedure is HERE

Check out the Corsair and Antec lines of power supplies.

Bev.

tazny1

Basically there is no limit, because computers will only take from the power supply the wattage it requires, at any given moment.

Bev.

What would be the highest Wattage I can add without causing problems. (not that I need the highest :emotion-2: ) but good to know.

Thanks

Thanks for your help Bev. I am still wondering why Dell said it couldnt be upgraded.

tazny1

I really have no idea, but I think it's because Dell will not recommend anything, unless they have tested the upgrade first.

I have a Inspiron 530mt and will be soon installing 500w Antec PSU and another PCIe x16 graphics card, have already upgraded the processor to a Core 2 Duo E8400.

Bev.  

Bev

Mind if I ask you what you paid for the Antec PSE? Also what is the difference between the inspiron 530 and the 530mt?

Thanks

Tazny1

I have an Inspiron 530 that came with a 300W PSU, I wanted to upgrade my video card but most of them require 400W PSU or above. Dell support told me that I could not upgrade it. I dont believe this is true but need to make sure. I have an 8600 gt and wanted to upgrade to a better video cared. I have an Inter Core 2 duo CPU and was told I could not upgrade that either. Is this correct? or are they givin me a lot of bull. Thank you

A quick check showed that ATI 5670-based cards will coexist quite nicely with your 300-watt power supply. (225-watts total system draw at load in one test.) And the 5670 is a lot quicker than the 8600GT.

Bev Mind if I ask you what you paid for the Antec PSE? Also what is the difference between the inspiron 530 and the 530mt? Thanks Tazny1

tazny1

There are two versions of the Inspiron 530, the Mini Tower and the 530 Slimline version.

THIS is the Mini Tower version and THIS is the 530s Slimline.

I paid about $60 for the Antec Earthwatts power supply, it was on special.

Bev.