Dell PSU Upgrade?

[carolinacooter]

I have a Dell Dimension 4600 with the standard 250 watt PSU. I want to upgrade. What do you recommend.<BR>ps: does Dell use standard ATX connector pin configuration?

[Joe]

welcome to pcstats carolinacooter <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> <BR><BR><BR>as for the psu. yes dell does use the standard 20pin molex connection ... however, dell likes to be a bunch of idiots and switch wires around from the standard layout on pretty much all dells that i have ever seen or worked on. so i beleive they probaly do this on all of their machines. <BR><BR>so the answer is (i am 95% sure) .. that no .. you can not upgrade it. ... BUT! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif" border="0"> ... if you want to you could write down the pin layout (or wire colors in order ) and i can compare them with one of my spare psus laying around the house for you. ... a picture would work as well ... actually it would be better. <BR><BR>i will also check out dells site and see if they have any reference sheets and compare them for you. if they dont then i will need you to get the pin layout for me.

[Joe]

i just took a look at the pin layout for your computer .. and well .. no it will not be possible unless you want to do some modifications to your new power supply. <BR><BR>the problem is your computer uses a couple non standard power connectors to the motherboard. ... so if you are not prepared to cut and splice some wires .. then no you cant do it. <BR><BR>however because this will surely void your warranty and could risk damage to your computer I personally do not recommend it. however i would do it. but only becuase i have a great deal of experiance with electrical wiring.

[Joe]

here is the link to your power supply layout if you want to look at it. <a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://docs.us.dell.com/docs/systems/dim4600/en/4600i/sm/techov.htm#1138947">http://docs.us.dell.com/docs/systems/dim4600/en/4600i/sm/techov.htm#1138947</a><BR><BR><BR>the two non standard connections are the P4 and P7 connections. .. i didnt even look to see if the 20pin molex has the same layout as a standard psu does. .. but my guess is no it doesnt <BR><BR>*edit*<BR><BR>i was looking at the reference sheets on dells site ..a nd they talk about replacing the power supply .. but dont go into any great detail. <BR><BR>if could ... look at your motherboard and tell me how many power connections are running into it. .. from the looks of the power supply ... it looks like there are four connections. .. but the motherboard diagram only shows 2 connections.

[carolinacooter]

Thanks for your response Joe. The connections are as followes: P1-MB ,P2- MB ,P3-HD ,P4-open,<BR>P5-open, P6-open, P7-floppy, P8-open, P9-CD-R/W.<BR><BR>Mike<BR>

[Joe]

oh ok .. the p7 didnt look like a floppy connector to me last night for some odd reason lol. <BR><BR>i just looked at the pin layout and everything matches up except for pin 18. .. there should be a white wire there .. but according to dells site there it is a no connection. (which means the white wire probaly is there ... it just doesnt do anything lol. ) <BR><BR>so check and see if pin 18 has a white wire. if it does .. then you should be good to go to upgrade to any psu without any modifications. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> <BR><BR>