Vista - Power Supply

I have a dell insp. 531s with a 250W power supply. Dell support says upgrading to anything over (like 400W) would potentially fry my components, is this true? Is it safe to upgrade to a higher wattage?

On Fri, 12 Dec 2008 16:16:54 -0600, Vista_32bit
<guest@xxxxxx-email.com> wrote:
Sounds fishy. That said, if you haven't replaced any components with
power-hungry new components or added any of the latter, you don't need
any more power than what was originally supplied.

PJ White

I'm upgrading my graphics card, it requires 400W.

The Dell rep is totally wrong a power supply only supplies the power that
is required by the components and no more. It would be like saying that if
you increase the available bandwidth of your computer's network connection
that it would destroy your computer
"Vista_32bit" <guest@xxxxxx-email.com> wrote in message
news:9945640e2aadfd3369b829fd28cc8051@xxxxxx-gateway.com...

1. Dell likely does not have one of their customized power supplies of
higher wattage that fits the mounting methodology used in your computer.

2. They would rather you buy a new computer anyway.

If you can find an after market P/S that fits the mounting configuration
used by Dell (which is done so that you "must" go back to them for parts)
then by all means - purchase it. You will not damage your computer by going
to a higher wattage supply.

--

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP
Windows Desktop Experience


"Vista_32bit" <guest@xxxxxx-email.com> wrote in message
news:9945640e2aadfd3369b829fd28cc8051@xxxxxx-gateway.com...

"Vista_32bit" <guest@xxxxxx-email.com> wrote in message
news:9945640e2aadfd3369b829fd28cc8051@xxxxxx-gateway.com...What Dell Support told you is total BS, but what's *not* BS about Dell's
proprietary components is that generic replacements often *do not*
fit/connect the same way and thus cannot be used with the Dell hardware. So,
before you order a replacement PSU, I'd take the unit to a trustworthy local
shop and spend a few bucks extra to have them fit a new PSU. If they look at
it and tell you they can't do it, you'll know you're in the situation
described above.

That is a total BS. Dell probably does not have this PS. Find one and install it or
have it installed. Output to MOBO is all the same be it 200W or 400W. The only
difference that there is , is the amount of peripherals that it can connect to and
safely keep it fed with steady stream of power without starving the rest of the
hardware.



--
Peter

Please Reply to Newsgroup for the benefit of others
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"Vista_32bit" <guest@xxxxxx-email.com> wrote in message
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"Vista_32bit" <guest@xxxxxx-email.com> wrote in message
news:9945640e2aadfd3369b829fd28cc8051@xxxxxx-gateway.com...
They say that because they supply specific power supplies for each model,
and there is no provision..

Two possible obstacles. There may not be a 400w PS available in the physical
size fitted to your machine.. you will have to take out the 250w and
compare..

Also, Dell used to customize the order of wires which go into the
motherboard plug. I don't think that they do this anymore, but it would be
wise to check first..


--
Mike Hall - MVP
How to construct a good post..
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How to use the Microsoft Product Support Newsgroups..
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http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/default.aspx

If the OP's PS does have non standard wiring connections then a new PS wired
by the normal standard certainly could cause damage if the 12 volts out of
the supply was connected to the pin(s) normally used for 5 volts on his
MOBO.
"Mike Hall - MVP" <mikehall@xxxxxx_mvps.com> wrote in message
news:%23l3LBOTXJHA.556@xxxxxx

In addition to everyone else's good comments, it might be that there isn't
enough cooling in your enclosure for 400W of power dissipation. Adding the
higher-rated power supply doesn't change the power dissipation, but the new
graphic card will. Maybe that's what Dell support meant about frying
components.

"Curious" <mailmenot@xxxxxx> wrote in message
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