Power Supply Upgrade

Is it possible for me to upgrade the psu in my current computer with an aftermarket product?

I'm currently using a Dell XPS420 with L375P-00 power supply, aka. the Dell 375 watt power supply.

I want to upgrade my power supply to one with at least 500+ watts in order to have the required power to support more powerful graphics cards, since I use the computer for avid gaming.

I've been looking at name brand PSUs with alot of power like this one:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] sair%20750

Unfortunately, I'm not able to figure out what psus would be compatible with my setup and fit correctly in the case. I have heard something about certain dell model's being proprietary so that you can only use their psus?

i have looked on the web and it says that a standard powersupply will fit in your case-

check the measurements though as dells are fussy on size

some are, some are not

the xps does user a normal atx 24pin / 4 cpu pin psu

There are certain Dell PIII/P4 systems that use proprietary PSUs, but anything modern is ATX standard.

Then I guess PCP&C listing the XPS420 as compatible with its Dell-format psu is a mistake?

Really? They sell one line of Dell replacement psu's. They are either wired for Dell, or they are not.

Which is it?

Dell got away from using "special" PSUs when the P4 came out. Their current lineup all use standard ATX PSUs, at least electrically. I'm not sure if they still use some none standard form factors.

The Dell 375W is a rather powerful PSU. It has 30A on the two 12V rails. What are you trying to run that takes more power? You probably can't run the GTX cards, but the GTS and lower should all work. (You'd be cutting it close with the GTS250/9800GTX+)

The 4770 of course will run in there with ease. I can't remember at the moment if the 4850/4870 need more then 30A. Even if they need 30A, you have exactly 30A available, so you should upgrade. Find a normal ATX PSU and make sure it fits, and watch out for those longer ATX PSUs. I think the longer ones are primarily 1kW and above, so you probably won't see any in the 500-650W range.

^+1... Oh dear, another user finding out that Dell didn't want you to do anything to your PC when its time to upgrade, they want you to buy another one!
Of the few Dells i've seen inside all are a pain in the a$$. They mount their stupid proprietory mobos with non-standard panel connectors on the other side of the case - I was helping a mate fit a new GFX card to his Dimension and we had to take the 2 slot backplate off the card and saw it in half so we could get it in!! Their PSUs have odd length cables to fit their wonderful custom cases, you'd probably be ok putting a std PSU in, but you'll probably have to drill new holes to screw it in and the PCIE power for example probably wouldn't be long enough to go round the way Dell wanted it too!
It can be done, although as a hater of Dells I'd be tempted to get a new case and mobo and throw the Dell stuff away!
*Don't buy Dell!*

You're right on some of it, but there's no need to drill any holes.

Sounds more like he fit a dual slot card into a mBTX system.

This is why I always ask people to qualify better. Free AVG is better then paid Kaspersky as it costs less. See, its better. If you mean better as in virus detection and removal, that belongs to Kaspersky. You can't just say better.

Thanks again to everyone who provided me with information, tips, warnings, and advice in general with my issue. I wanted to dig this thread back up to let you know that I was successfully able to install the corsair tx750w power supply into my dell xps 420 without picking up a drill.

The only con I can think of is that I didn't purchase modular, and have 3-4 cables that I am not using at all cluttering up the case, but I wanted to save some cash.

After measuring my own psu and seeing the mechanical drawing of the 750
I though that it would fit, but might be slightly longer in the case (which is a nonissue).
The holes where the previous psu were screwed lined up properly, and everything worked out.

Thanks again for helping a noob out.

[i][/i] Ok everyone here is the deal i have a dell xps 420 also its about a year old i have a masters in computer tech and a masters in computer programing if u have a intel quad core or a intel quad core exstram in your xps tower the tower can take up to a 1200 watt power supply my xps 420 has a newly installed Antec Truepower Quattro 1000 watt power supply my tower works great dell has there heads up there ass you can go as high as a 1200 watt power supply make sure the power supply u buy has a 24 pin main power connector and a 4 pin back connector and it wont hert the tower or motherboard dell told me same thing about only being able to take up to 470 watt power supply but a computer tech knows more then a buntch of ppl at a corperation that is based out of india. so also if u want info on video cards a intel quad core 2.40 gh board can handle 2 2gb video cards a intel quad core extream can handle up to 4 2gb video cards with crossfire support. hope that helps you all

*** ing *** ing talking your ***