XPS 8950, upgrade PSU from 450W?

I think machine is too new to get replies to this question, however ... you might get lucky.

The 750w power-supply is just too easy to add. Was it not showing as "Dell Recommended" or was this a pre-built/fast-ship XPS-8950?

In my opinion, if this was a custom-config ... this config should have thrown a "config error" (and asked you to select the 750w one). If you push that machine hard, you are going to be running your 450w power-supply near 90% utilization. 

My best recommendation would be to first download and examine the XPS-8950 Service Manual PDF. If this looks to be beyond your skill-set, get some professional (or at least knowledgeable) help.

Order the Dell-OEM 750w power-supply (that comes pre-installed in the XPS-8950) from Dell Spare Parts. Be sure it also comes with all required wiring-harnesses. 

Thanks for the response!

There is an option to move to a 750W PSU, but my issue with that is it then REQUIRES purchasing an optical drive which seems like a complete waste:
https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/cty/pdp/spd/xps-8950-desktop/xd8950adl30h?configurationid=692b6e9c-439e-4690-9a43-2d06715ccd62

Maybe its just a website configurator issue - not sure why swapping a PSU suddenly requires an optical drive? And agreed, I won't purchase the rig until I know I can swap out the PSU - I wouldn't even turn it on with a 450W. But nope, no recommendation for upgrading the PSU on the site, I guess maybe because it is so new. The value for all the other components put together in this box seems amazing, but this PSU thing is really throwing me.

I hadn't even thought to look for/at a service manual - great suggestion, thanks! I've built rigs from  before, so I have no issue taking things apart as long as they aren't intentionally preventing me from doing so (which Dell used to do - but the last time I bought a system from Dell was probably 15 years ago).

@bdpope  You might be able to use Dell's XPS 12% discount coupon on the XPS 8950 you want, which could pay for the ODD and/or for the upgrade to the larger PSU. Note: Being able to use the coupon likely depends on exactly which PC config you order...

And if you join Dell Rewards first and get the Rewards membership confirmation before you order, you could get up to 3% of the PC's cash purchase price as credit toward purchase of some accessory(s) from Dell. (IIRC, the Rewards credit expires after 90 days if not used.)

You CAN run a RTX 3070 with 460Watt PSU.  I'm doing it right now.

I found the only i5 XPS 8950 which allowed me to upgrade to i9-9900k with no vid card, smallest 256GB SSD, 1 stick of 8GB of ram (Bought another 3 on ebay, exact same spec as people upgraded, but I have 32GB now (8GBx4) for $90).  I did upgrade to a water CPU cooler. 

Out the door for about $1240.

Then I had my Asus RTX 3070.  I bought a 6 to 8 pin adaptor and it fired right up.

I play flight simulator at mostly all max settings, and it runs at 80-100% load, cpu runs around 20% while playing.

I also edited 900 RAW images via lightroom, which doesn't use much GPU, but CPU was 100% for 20 mins straight using about 20GB of RAM.

Ok the real test... I used Adobe RUSH (basic video editor) to edit all the videos of my 3 yr old son in 2019, then another vid for 2020, 2021, and a year to date 2022.  4 large videos, video card maxed, 100% and CPU hits around 30-80% depending on what video format I'm editing.  

The 460 watt PSU works perfectly.  
I'm now running 3 SSDs (1TB for OS, 2TB for storage, 1TB HDD for temp storage).
Several usb stuff as well.  

All this pulls power and it's fine.

Looking back, I should have upgraded the PSU to 750 watts, along with CPU and water cooler. 

Dave from Michigan

I could be wrong but I think you are describing an XPS 8930, which was a different breed.  You could upgrade the PSU for 8930 to match your power needs as it used a standard ATX.

On the other hand, the 8950 is the newer model and a factory PSU upgrade is the better choice as many users have had expressed their regret not doing it.  

I agree with you on this, the 8950 XPS with 450Watts PSU with and I7 is under power. When I config my system online I was given only 1 choice the 450 Watts PSU. So since you can’t upgrade motherboard or the PSU I have chosen not to ever go with Dell again, since they make a system that you can’t upgrade at all… so I’m going with Digital Storm you get the best with them, or I’ll build my own system .

Oh, I know about this, and it bugs me as well. There's not much use for discs these days, so why does Dell require a $50 optical drive with certain configurations? And while I'm on the topic, how can Dell sell a computer with a higher-end graphics card and not offer anything better than 'standard' cooling? Sorry, I'm just blowing off steam.

Just to close the loop on this I ended up just building my own rig again. More expensive that this option (unfortunately) but I could customize it to my liking and can easily swap out / upgrade components in the future if needed.

Thanks all for the replies.

I have a XPS 8950 and the 460W power supply failed while under warranty and when I called Dell and told them the power supply had failed, they insisted it was the motherboard, consequently they sent a tech out with just a motherboard.  Needless to say, it did not fix it.  Dell still maintained it was the motherboard and sent the same tech out again with another motherboard.  They finally relented and sent the same tech out again this time with a power supply and it fixed it, imagine that.  However, although I asked them to let me pay the difference and put a larger power supply in, they refused.

I researched the Dell website and it indicated the Dell part 5TVR6 was the appropriate 750W power supply for the XPS 8950, with no mention of any additional parts needed.  Dell never actually had them in stock, so I got one off EBay.  When I opened the case and tried to install the new power supply I realized the power connections from the power supply to the CPU1 and CPU2 motherboard plugs were not long enough to get anywhere near the plugs.  They were almost 19 inches too short.  I  chatted with Dell and they were useless.  I did some hunting around and found Amazon had a pack of 2, 24 inch extensions that sounded like they would do the job.  I ordered them, I labeled each one at each end CPU1 and CPU2 respectably and installed them and the new power supply.  SUCCESS!!!  Here is the link for Amazon.

ATX CPU 4 Pin Female to Male Motherboard Extension Cable 12V for Power Supply 24 Inches (2 Pack)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08N575KCR?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title  

@Chris Zu​ 

Thank you for the link.  I purchased the 750W power supply from Dell and ran into exactly the same issue.  The technical support stated that an extension might lead to problems with overheating.  Have you run into any problems since using this cable?  I'm planning to order them if you are not having any problem.

@curious d​ 

It has been 4 months of 8 hours a day use and I have not noticed any problems.  It seems silly what Dell is telling you because the 450W power supply had longer leads and all these do is increase the length of the leads on the 750W.  I am no engineer but I looked at the reviews on the Amazon web page for these extensions and many were very happy with their experience using them for the same purpose I did.

I could not find another way to  utilize this power supply that Dell says will work, without them.

Good Luck

Yes, I looked at the reviews as well. And your experience gives me some reassurances. I wonder if the lack of support is more of a liability coverage issue. Yesterday, a tech could not tell me if the part number T82PH (which I received from Dell) was the same or equivalent as STVR6. It seems to be the same or equivalent from the items being sold on eBay with part number T82PH. Once I get these cables, I’ll find out.

Has anyone used a 1000w dell PSU CPX-RD0G0 in this case? I'm wondering if the cables are long enough or do I need the extensions.