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#1
Crunchy409

Crunchy409

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Hi all-

I am a college and student and 2 years ago discovered the whole Dell 'special' power supply, etc. when I tried to upgrade my videocard, and the new card could not draw enough power. My warranty runs out in a couple months and I had some questions regarding upgrading:

MY ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS IS THIS: I simply want to upgrade my video card, but due to the reasons below, I cannot simply just do that.
I am happy with everything I have (monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers, 2 hard drives, sound card, Intel Pentium 4 CPU 2.53GHz, all the basics) except my video card and maybe my memory (512mb)

THUS- What is the most economical way to get a computer (or modify mine) that has my specs (pentium 4, 2.53 ghz, radeon 9200se) or better with a better video card?

Some other ponderings...
1. Has anyone upgraded a gx260's power supply? Has anyone seen how to do this?
2. If the power supply is upgraded, will that risk burning out the motherboard? Should I also purchase a new motherboard?

Any input would be greatly appreciated! thank you kindly!!!!
~Matt
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#2
Doby

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Hi,

Is that a dell dimension and what model, I could not find any info on a gx260.

It seems strange to me that the card could not draw enough power could you explain more.

I can't comment to much on changing the psu till I look at the manual on dell's website(thats why I need model & number)

This I can answer, it will not hurt the mobo or anything else for that matter if you upgrade the psu.

Rick
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#3
Crunchy409

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Rick-

thank you very much for the reply.

My model is actually an Optiplex Gx260. It's a business model computer- it just happens to be what my university sells through their book store at a discounted rate- I didn't know I would have power issues at the time of buying it!

From what I've read the power supply is a 250w supply, and supposedly this isn't enough to run some of the mid-high range cards that are produced today.

I know pcpowercooling makes a power supply specifically for dell computers, but it's rather pricey.

thanks for your help!
~Matt
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#4
Doby

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Yea that why I could not find anything on dell's site, I did then do a google and found some info but no manual so its hard for me to recomend a psu but I would say any name brand P4 psu should work as long as the mounting holes for the case line up, without seeing it its hard to tell.

Rick
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#5
Crunchy409

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That's a bit complicated as well, due to the fact that the dell tower has a sheet of metal across the back, making it necessary to find a psu without a power switch.. either that or cut a hole or something!
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