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9526
July 31st, 2008 12:00
Adding Second IDE Controller to Dell Dimension 5000
We have a Dell Dimension 5000 which has proved to be a very capable workhorse.
Since buying it we've replaced the DVD writer with a faster/beefier one, added an IDE hard drive, and added a second SATA hard drive.
We'd now like to add another DVD writer and/or another IDE hard drive - either way we're going to need more IDE connections.
Can we simply add another IDE controller in one of the free PCI slots?
Will any make/model do or does anyone have any recommendations?
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Ryanh6178
670 Posts
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July 31st, 2008 13:00
Hi Ambriel,
I don't think you can physically run 2 x IDE, 2 x SATA & 2 x Opticals in the platform. Not to mention the power requirements.
Most of the systems that handle 4 x hard drives at a time have a 650W power supply or better.
You could certainly try it, but don't be surprised if the system doesn't power on with all the devices connected at a time.
Yes, you could add a PCI card to run the addt'l IDE hard drive.
ambriel
27 Posts
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July 31st, 2008 13:00
Thanks Ryan, I hadn't given any thought to the power requirements.
We've had the 5000 for a couple of years now so it might make more sense to rotate it out and replace it with something more beefy.
Cheers
A.
ambriel
27 Posts
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August 23rd, 2008 18:00
Coming back to this subject after a couple of weeks, I pulled the side off the PC and had a look at the standard PSU it has fitted. Max power output 150W, plus another 30W on the 12V rail. Hardly bursting with energy, eh? It's a wonder it boots at all!
I've now ordered a 700W replacement and a second hard drive controller so it'll be interesting to see how the old girl performs when the PSU isn't flogging itself to death. I should be able to put the beefed-up video controller back in as well.
Cheers
A.
ambriel
27 Posts
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August 27th, 2008 06:00
OK I fitted the new PSU yesterday. I also installed another SATA/PATA controller card in the PCI-E x1 slot and connected this to a second CD/DVD writer, and fitted a GeForce 8400gs video card. Fired it up and it's all running fine.
I left it running overnight and everything is still working without a hitch.
For anyone interested the power supply is an iCute Dual VGA modular PSU. The cabling system is modular, so you only need to fit the wires you need, keeping the inside of the PC a little neater, and it comes with lots of different cables. It fits diretly in place of the std. PSU - all the screw holes line up - but it slightly longer so the metal clip that is suppose to support one end of it doesn't. It isn't a problem though. (Pt.No.A61HG)
The controller card is a dual ESATA/SATA mini card that supports two internal or external SATA drives plus it has an IDE socket for connecting PATA devices. (Pt.No.A53HH)
Both were sourced from Maplin.