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Bard Jameson · 09-15-2008, 10:20 PM

Hope someone can spend a minute to set me straight:

I have a 3-year-old Dell XPS 400 that has worked fine for SL etc for me. It had a 256M nVidia GeForce 6800 that suddenly went dark on me this week. I ran some hardware diagnostics that confirmed that the system could no longer write/read to video memory.

So I ran to Best Buy and grabbed myself an upgrade - a GeForce 9600 GT OC with 512M of video memory. Hey, I'm upgrading - woot!

Once home, I discover (my bad) that it requires a minimum 400w power supply - and mine is 375w.

Before I even break the plastic on the box - should I get that 400w power supply? Will I cause damage to the card or anything if I try to run it on a 375w?

Let me know if this is enough info or if more is needed to advise - and thanks in advance!

Malachi · 09-16-2008, 12:15 AM

The most likely result would be that your motherboard would sense under-voltage and just shut the machine down.

Since that's the least expensive outcome, assume that won't be your outcome. Over-drawing a power supply can cause shorts in the supply or could cause other output lines to spike. Both of these could let the magic smoke out of your box.

Also, 375W doesn't always mean 375W but I don't want to go through the description of root mean squares unless you request. Dell is known for shipping boxes that have just enough power for the machine as factory configured and are not known for stellar power supplies. Unfortunately, many Dell machines have power supply slots that don't have enough space to upgrade. You may reflect on this on your upon this on your third trip to the computer store.

I'd go with a 600W supply (and probably new case) if the wallet can support it.

Bard Jameson · 09-16-2008, 12:22 AM

Many, many thanks Malachi. While the wallet can support a 600w, it seems the question is, can my proprietary Dell box accept what I can afford? I'll check the Dell site tomorrow and pay the tithe if I need to. I'll buck up the power before I even try to run this card - I'm past warranty anyway, it's not like I've popped this box's cherry or anything

Malachi · 09-16-2008, 12:47 AM

Fortunately, Most Dell motherboards do conform to the ATX specification which makes them compatible with almost any third party case vendor. If memory serves, $60 will get you a good case, add more if you want it to have neon and look like it just landed on your floor from outer space. Avoid mini-cases unless you live in a shoebox (they are just a pain to work with).

If you've never done a mobo swap, it is probably best to have a buddy looking over your shoulder. I used to design ultra-high speed networking devices and I still had a friend for moral support when I last did such brain surgery. And for Bacon's sake, always, always, always shed spare electrons from yourself by touching the case before reaching in.

Quote:

You can check your anatomy all you want, and even though there may be normal variation, when you get right down to it, this far inside the head it all looks the same. No, no, no, no. Don't tug on that. You never know what it might be attached to.

Anya Ristow · 09-16-2008, 08:43 AM

I'm running a 9600 on a 250W PSU. Video card PSU requirements tend to be ridiculously conservative, and you're only 25W "under spec". Your PSU would have to be total shite to not work with a 9600.

Bard Jameson · 09-16-2008, 12:05 PM

Thanks, Anya - I read something exactly like this on the Dell site discussion boards - Someone wanted to swap the psu on my exact model for the same reason, and Dell says you can't. Several folks advised that a video card that "requires" 400w would work fine on the stock 375w.

Malachi - I've built a few boxes in my time but I don't want to do so now. I just want to get my machine running, so I may try this with the existing supply or see if I can find one that bolts into this case. I'll try the latter first.

Thanks to both of you for taking the time!

Brave Republic · 09-16-2008, 01:25 PM

I have a dimesion 5150 and just added a new Corsair 750 w power supply Its a tad bit longer and has many cables--but fits and is an awesome PSU and with $30 rebate deal at buy.com is about $90 I added an Nvidia 8800GT also available with rebate and highly rated.

If your case is same as dimension 5150 then you can do this

09-15-2008, 10:20 PM	#1 (permalink)
Bard Jameson Situationally Obtuse Skidding like a cat on a tile floor Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 3,190 SL Join Date: 1/27/2008 Business: Lady Atia's Keep My Mood: Awards: 1	Help? Video Card and Power Supply Question Hope someone can spend a minute to set me straight: I have a 3-year-old Dell XPS 400 that has worked fine for SL etc for me. It had a 256M nVidia GeForce 6800 that suddenly went dark on me this week. I ran some hardware diagnostics that confirmed that the system could no longer write/read to video memory. So I ran to Best Buy and grabbed myself an upgrade - a GeForce 9600 GT OC with 512M of video memory. Hey, I'm upgrading - woot! Once home, I discover (my bad) that it requires a minimum 400w power supply - and mine is 375w. Before I even break the plastic on the box - should I get that 400w power supply? Will I cause damage to the card or anything if I try to run it on a 375w? Let me know if this is enough info or if more is needed to advise - and thanks in advance! __________________ Second Couple - Yet another SL® blog. But chock full of Atia™, an essential vitamin

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09-16-2008, 12:15 AM	#2 (permalink)
Malachi the bathwater & the baby fish are inherently sarcastic Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 2,472	The most likely result would be that your motherboard would sense under-voltage and just shut the machine down. Since that's the least expensive outcome, assume that won't be your outcome. Over-drawing a power supply can cause shorts in the supply or could cause other output lines to spike. Both of these could let the magic smoke out of your box. Also, 375W doesn't always mean 375W but I don't want to go through the description of root mean squares unless you request. Dell is known for shipping boxes that have just enough power for the machine as factory configured and are not known for stellar power supplies. Unfortunately, many Dell machines have power supply slots that don't have enough space to upgrade. You may reflect on this on your upon this on your third trip to the computer store. I'd go with a 600W supply (and probably new case) if the wallet can support it.

09-16-2008, 12:22 AM	#3 (permalink)
Bard Jameson Situationally Obtuse Skidding like a cat on a tile floor Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 3,190 SL Join Date: 1/27/2008 Business: Lady Atia's Keep My Mood: Awards: 1	Many, many thanks Malachi. While the wallet can support a 600w, it seems the question is, can my proprietary Dell box accept what I can afford? I'll check the Dell site tomorrow and pay the tithe if I need to. I'll buck up the power before I even try to run this card - I'm past warranty anyway, it's not like I've popped this box's cherry or anything

09-16-2008, 08:43 AM	#5 (permalink)
Anya Ristow Vengeance Demon Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: USA Posts: 83 SL Join Date: September 2006 Business: Vengeance Studio SLShopper Ads: 2	I'm running a 9600 on a 250W PSU. Video card PSU requirements tend to be ridiculously conservative, and you're only 25W "under spec". Your PSU would have to be total shite to not work with a 9600.

09-16-2008, 12:05 PM	#6 (permalink)
Bard Jameson Situationally Obtuse Skidding like a cat on a tile floor Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 3,190 SL Join Date: 1/27/2008 Business: Lady Atia's Keep My Mood: Awards: 1	Thanks, Anya - I read something exactly like this on the Dell site discussion boards - Someone wanted to swap the psu on my exact model for the same reason, and Dell says you can't. Several folks advised that a video card that "requires" 400w would work fine on the stock 375w. Malachi - I've built a few boxes in my time but I don't want to do so now. I just want to get my machine running, so I may try this with the existing supply or see if I can find one that bolts into this case. I'll try the latter first. Thanks to both of you for taking the time!