Replacing PSU on DELL comp

Rebrabuk

I was thinking of getting a graphics card from BFG. The stated power req is 400w(heres the card) its overclocked so i assume thats the reason for the high power req.

I have a DELL dimension 5150 which only has a 305w PSU and was wondering if anyone could help me in finding out what would be a suitable PSU to upgrade to or at least if DELL has any limitations on what i can get due to the case design.Heres the overview of the board and connectors.

Also does anyone know if ill have problems putting in the card? It says it needs a PCI Express x16 slot which i have but it also mentions it needs a vacant PCi express next to the x16 slot. This is a bit confusing as it doesnt state whether the vacant slot has to be a x16 slot, particularly as this is an SLI card which makes me wonder if even if im not going to use SLI will i need 2 x16 slots just for the one card.

It could just be referring to the x1 express slot and im only getting confused with my lack of experience with mobos but still id like to be sure, nothing worse than spending a few hundred euros and finding out the mobo wont even accept the card.

PogMoThoin

Connections on most newer Dell psu's are now standard. Just replace it with an ATX2.0 sli psu. Go for a good brand OCZ, Seasonic etc. Get 500w or more to allow you for future upgrades hd's etc. There is a direct connection from psu (6pin Sli connection) to gpu because gpu cannot get enough power from the pci-e slot.
As for gpu, it only occupies 1 PCI-E slot. its fatter than normal cards so it covers the adjacent slot.
Hope this clears it up. Good luck.

Rebrabuk

Ah ok thanks. I had heard that Dell used non standard boards but that info was pretty old.

PogMoThoin

Rebrabuk wrote:

Ah ok thanks. I had heard that Dell used non standard boards but that info was pretty old.

:rolleyes: They do, but you only got 2 connections from psu to board and these are standard. changing the case is a different story.

The 5000 and 5150 have a BTX case. Here's a pic of the connection, it doesn't look right to me but maybe it is?

PogMoThoin

Same 24 pin connection as ATX. Standard on psu's.
Most cases are changable to BTX with an adaptor plate. To change case you gotta figure out which connection is which on board for front of case...hd led, pwr sw, firewire , usb etc. Dell use their own connection.

Thanks, to me it just looked wider than normal for some reason.