How good are OEM Dell PSUs?

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blokewhoknowsnothingabouttech

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Feb 19, 2016
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Hi, I'm thinking of getting myself a Dell optiplex 790 and adding a Nvidia GTX 960 to create a cabable little gaming rig. However, although with a full PC to work with, I already have some RAM, a mobo and a case to play with ontop of the CPU I'd have with said PC. This means I won't have to dismantle my other PC's for parts, the thing is, with the new GPU I'm planning to add to the dell I'm not sure if I'd get away with the stock dell PSU or it'd go bang and fry it's guts and then I'd have to use my EVGA 420w PSU which I'm not keen on doing for 2 reasons - 1. It'd mean putting another rig out of action before shelling out for a new PSU. 2. I'm not sure 420w would be enough for the dell.

So, to clarify, would I get away with the dell PSU (this is answer I'm hoping for as it'd be a bonus) or would I have to use my EVGA power supply in the dell rig?
 
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clarkjd

clarkjd

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That depends on the PSU that comes with the Dell. Most of their PSUs are sized to power the components installed at the factory, unless you opted for a more powerful PSU at order time. The OEM Dell PSUs are designed to operate the PC trouble-free over its life(It cost them money to replace a PSU under warranty).

Without knowing the specs of the Dell PSU, we have no way to tell if it has enough headroom to run the 960, or if it has the correct power connections for it.
 
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blokewhoknowsnothingabouttech

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As far as I know the dell one is about 500w. Nvidia recomends 400w for the GTX 960 but I dunno I the dell psu would be high quality enough to do that. Most cheap PSUs that say 500w only have about half that.
 
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clarkjd

clarkjd

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If, indeed, it is a 500W PSU, then you should be good to go. I wouldn't hesitate about putting the 960 in. If you can, verify that it is a 500w unit.

 
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Barty1884

Barty1884

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It's been said, but Dell PSUs can vary in quality, but generally decent enough. Their workstation PSUs are usually good quality (but lower wattage, they're not powering substantial GPUs).

Their 'standard' PSU can usually reliably output it's listed wattage/amps as per the side of the PSU - at the very least, there should be sufficient protection that it wont' 'kill' any components if it dies.

If the listed wattage is sufficient for a 960 (I'd be surprised as they're usually 250-300W units) and has the necessary PCIe power connectors, then I wouldn't have any issues in running it.
 
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