I am so scared of changing my Dell Dimension PSU?

Question

I need to upgrade my 220W PSU with a 500+W PSU. I don't know the size or how to change it. I know what a MOBO is though and how they connect (those white things that just slip in the components?

Are the PSU wires colour coded / MOBO's coded?

Please help?

Answer 1

The power supply is not difficult at all to change. As I recall, once you get it in place, it's just a matter of plugging in all of the components which need power, including the motherboard. In terms of size, you might want to ask a sales rep to be safe.

Answer 2

First of all, is your PC out of its warranty? If you fit any component yourself while it's still in warranty, you risk voiding the warranty.

Okay, All PSU come with a standard size and standard plugs.

It really is a direct swap.

Switch off your PC, leave it overnight if possible and then remove the case panel or case using a cross head screwdriver.

There are usually 4 screws holding the PSU onto the case.

All of the cables end in plugs that go into the hard drives, CD/DVD drives, floppy drive or media reader and the MOBO.

You need to feel the mobo connector for the side with the release on it. give a light press and wriggle it slowly. Repeat this for all of the connectors. Use a digital camera to take pics of where the connectors go as it is easy to miss one.

Remove the plugs from the drives. Carefully lift the cables clear of the mobo. You should have a long tail of wires with no connections to the mobo.

Now remove the four screws securing the PSU.

Carefully lift it out.

Noting the orientation of the PSU, introduce the new 500W PSU and use the same four screws to secure it inside the case. Refit the connectors from earlier taking care to wriggle them home. There should be little resistance.

When you have checked your record of the connector locations and are satisfied that you have them connected correctly and securely, you may replace the cover and plug the PC into the mains again and switch on.

You may also wish to invest in additional fans for your case. Going from 220W to 500W is a big step and as such it will generate more heat. The PSU fans (there should be two) will be fine but if you can get a case fan fitted to the front, it will help in the flow of cooler air into the PC case.

Good Luck!

Answer 3

Did you get a compatible power supply for your motherboard? They've changed quite a bit. If so then use the masking tape method. Look for a cable from you old power supply see where it goes and label the mobo/drive area with a piece of masking tape. Put a number on it. No go to your new psu and find an identical cable and put a piece of tape on it with the same number. Do the same for all connections. Remove the old psu and install the new one. Hook up all your labeled connections and yer done. You may have some extra drive connections, not to worry.

Big thing here is make sure the new psu is compatible with your mobo...

Answer 4

Careful, many PSU's are a con because they maybe rated at peak or continuous. I have seen many PSU's rated at 500w that were really a 200w continuous and a 200w that was actually a 300w downgraded just because the label was remarked for 240v.
In any case the only reason to replace the PSU is if it either becomes over hot or quit. When that happens they just stop working.
Normally you will have no problems changing it, only that of physically fixing it in.
Have fun. MOBO's? oh wotdo you mean mthrbd,

Answer 5

Can you provide the service tag of your PC? (It's on a sticker on the case somewhere.) Depending on the model of the Dimension, this might not be even possible. Dell uses their own custom-designed hardware for many of their models so you may not be able to find a third-party supply that will fit correctly.

Can I ask why you need to upgrade your power supply as such? New video card?

The wires are color coded, but you don't even need to worry about that. The connectors are such that they can only be plugged into the correct places and will not fit anywhere else.

Answer 6

first of all its a Dell, i would make sure they are using a standard ATX power supply and not a propriatary one as they have been known to do. If it is propriatary and you put a standard power supply in you run the risk of burning the system up.

Otherwise changing a power supply out is rather easy. and you dont get a 500w power supply for $30 I like the Antec power supplys myself but they run upwards of $75 for a good one.

Answer 7

Good grief!
Take it to PC World, and they will put it in for you!
Or just note what plugs in where, and just reconnect like for like!