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Upgrade the PSU for Inspiron 3910
Hi there,
I am thinking about purchasing an Inspiron 3910 and upgrade it for gaming on my own. Most parts such as memory and video card are standard. However, I have a question about the PSU. I know that Dell's OEM PSUs are "slim" or Mini ITX (blue box) and they are not powerful enough. I want to replace with standard ATX PSUs (over 500w). Is this doable? I do see that there is space (red box). Thank you.
redxps630
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September 24th, 2022 14:00
Dimensions of an ATX power supply are 150 mm width, 86 mm height, and typically 140 mm depth, although the depth can vary from brand to brand.
Dell has not published the dimensions of its proprietary psu (8 pin) for 3910. Dell uses psu of same 8 pin for optiplex 3000/5000/7000. It also uses same psu in XPS 8950, for which there is option to upgrade to 750/1000w. the higher power oem psu are of same height as the 180w psu, but are wider.
vendor published data of 750w (10 pin) psu is 185*150*62mm. It is 150 mm wide and 62 mm tall (and 185 mm deep).
therefore, it is a low profile psu, only 62 mm tall. A standard 86 mm tall psu would not fit in the space between chassis floor and motherboard.
The real problem of using ATX psu however is that we still do not have a verified pinout of the Dell 8 pin (a subset of 10 pin for Intel 12th gen oem mobo). so a standard psu 24 pin has no adapter for the Dell motherboard.
for now your option is to use the top 300w oem psu for 3910 which is still good for many gaming video cards. Those 460w/500w psu for 8950/7000 may not be compatible with 3910 because they have two 4 pin.
zhxw82
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September 25th, 2022 14:00
Thank you very much for your detailed explanation. I think I will just purchase all the parts on my own.
Lancer205
5 Posts
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February 7th, 2023 22:00
Do you think this psu (H460EGM-00) works for 3910? Does all Dell PSU use the same pinout?
redxps630
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February 8th, 2023 07:00
This psu DP/N 4FWF7 has 6+4+4 pin, which is not compatible with 8 pin socket of 3910 motherboard.
3910 psu uses Dell proprietary 8+4 pin.
Dell is supposed to have a 460w psu for Inspiron 3020 that works for 3910. The part number and model number of that psu is unknown now.
Dell has a number of proprietary psu pinout:
Optiplex 3020/7020/9020/7040: 8 pin
Optiplex 7050/7060/7070/7080/7090, Inspiron 3668, 3880, 3881, 3891: 6 pin
Optiplex 7000/Inspiron 3910/3020: new 8 pin
Lancer205
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February 8th, 2023 12:00
Thank you your reply. Do you mean. Even within Dell product line, the PSU pinout can be different?
Also, I am a bit confused. You said
-3910 psu needs Dell proprietary 6+4 pin
-8 pin socket of 3910 motherboard
So which pinout we need for 3910. I am sorry for asking dumb questions
redxps630
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February 8th, 2023 15:00
Yes within Dell desktop line the psu pinout changes.
3910 uses new proprietary 8 pin for motherboard. the pinout is still unknown.
3910 uses proprietary Dell 8+4 pin psu.
F3J97 (180w)
not only is pinout proprietary, also form factor of psu. A standard form factor psu would not fit 3910 case.
3910
redxps630
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February 18th, 2023 16:00
In theory yes but in practice cumbersome and not elegant. You would need a separate logic circuit to turn on the auxiliary gpu. I suggest wait on retail availability of Dell 460w psu (6+4 pin) for Inspiron 3020. Alternatively you can test the 500w psu for Optiplex 7000 which has 8+4+4 pin. No user has validated this off the label use and there is 50/50 chance 3910 motherboard may not post because one of the two 4 pin of 500w psu is not plugged in anywhere, but recent user reported 500w psu of 6+4+4 pin works perfectly on Dell motherboard having 6+4 pin, so you never know until you test one yourself. If you are US based and want to test such psu, make sure seller accept return in case it does not work out.
PS which gpu do you plan to install in 3910?
Lancer205
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February 18th, 2023 16:00
Do you think I can add another normal ATX PSU to power the graphics or other components? And leave the original Dell PSU to power the CPU and motherboard only?
Lancer205
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February 20th, 2023 21:00
I am thinking of adding a 30x0 GPU.
"You would need a separate logic circuit to turn on the auxiliary gpu. "
Do you mean I need to do something on the 2nd PSU to trigger power supply to GPU?
redxps630
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February 21st, 2023 06:00
second psu needs a signal to turn on. typically a motherboard power switch sends a PS_ON signal to the psu. again it is not a good idea to connect two psu to one pc. you probably should not do it. I would investigate whether the Dell 460w or 500w psu w 8+4+4 pin (for XPS 8950/Optiplex 7000) could work with 3910 that has 8+4 pin. If seller accepts return in case such psu does not work out, it may be worth a test.
Surphrr
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March 1st, 2023 12:00
The Precision Model T3660 has a 500w power supply option that is compatible with the Inspiron 3910. Part number: TPX56.
redxps630
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March 1st, 2023 12:00
interesting. has anyone verified this psu in 3910? from its pic it has 8+4+4 pin (white) for motherboard which is c/w optiplex 7000.
Surphrr
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March 1st, 2023 13:00
when it comes to a 4+4 you never have to plug in both if the board doesn't have the second plug. I can also say with confirmation (because I've tested it), that the 10 pin plug PSU for the XPS and Alienwares will electrically work with the 3910 even though it won't fit in the case.
Surphrr
3 Posts
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March 8th, 2023 16:00
I can now verify that the 500w Precision T3660 power supply is compatible with the Inspiron 3910. I Installed it in the case and it's an exact match to the size of the 300w supply the 3910 came with. (The system was a bit unstable running an RTX 3060 but runs flawless on an RX 6650XT). I'm pretty sure this comes down to the amount of power being pulled through the PCIE slot.
Lancer205
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April 18th, 2023 14:00
Great news. Thanks.
Do you have a photo of the PSU label? Just want to make sure I get the right one