Dell 850W Precision PSU in Dell Optiplex 7010 Minitower?

[1405]

I am wondering if the Optiplex 7010 will physically accept the 850W PSU from the Dell precision workstation. I can't seem to find any dimensions for the stock PSU in the Optiplex, and the Optiplex has that latch that snaps in front of the PSU.

I don't have the 7010 yet to check.

 

[10tacle]

All standard ATX form cases (meaning non-micro or "slim") will fit an ATX form power supply. The issue would be the depth IF both are standard desktop tower sized cases. Their minitower is still full sized ATX. All four screw holes and width would line up correctly. Your only issue would be depth clearance meaning intruding into the front of the PC, but I think it would be fine. .

 

[1405]

Yeah, the length is fine. I'm just concerned it will be too long to utilize the "latch" that helps hold it in place.

 

[10tacle]

Yeah, the length is fine. I'm just concerned it will be too long to utilize the "latch" that helps hold it in place.

Oh when you said "latch" I was interpreting that as meaning the typical side tab to keep the PSU snug up against the back wall to line up with the rear mount screws. One thing about working with OEM PCs like from Dell, Lenovo, and HP is that they are all proprietary and have their own case designs.

Even though they may meet the official ATX specification, that doesn't mean they won't have some screwy BS "safety" gadget to snafu you up. If you don't put that case in a four wheel drive truck and go hill jumping, tear that tab out. The four screws will hold it in just fine. That's ASSUMING it has four screws in the back. I would hope so.

 

[william p]

You can take a screwdriver and pry the latch back down into the top of the case. On some of the workstations I've had to cut the side of the latch slot back with a hacksaw blade, but in the Opti I've never had to do that. There is also a tab that slides into the top of the PSU that needs to be folded in.
The problem with dell PSUs is that the cables are made just for the system they were installed in. The bigger ones are modular but it will depend on what harness you get with it whether the cables will reach wher you need them to. Also Dell would use proprietry connections for Dual CPUs, FBDIMM memory, water cooling ETC. They have multi rail designs, so the power from unused connectors won't be available to power other devices. In other words the 850 PSU might be cabled to power dual CPU, and not 8 pin PCIe. There aren't enough slots and bays in an Optiplex to ever require an 850W PSU anyway. A good 600W PSU will power wnything you can connect to that MB. There's a lot more to the question than will it fit.

 

[1405]

...They have multi rail designs, so the power from unused connectors won't be available to power other devices. In other words the 850 PSU might be cabled to power dual CPU, and not 8 pin PCIe. There aren't enough slots and bays in an Optiplex to ever require an 850W PSU anyway. A good 600W PSU will power wnything you can connect to that MB. There's a lot more to the question than will it fit.

So, on the PSU label it shows 5 x 18A rails rated for 825W. There are 2 x 6-pin PCIe cables and 2x 8-pin CPU cables in the harness. Can I assume each of those cables is on its own 18A rail? The 5th rail dedicated to the 24-pin and peripheral pwr. connectors?

Picture of nameplate


Btw, I took your advice and ordered a 500W PSU. But I might have another use for the Dell 825W PSU.

 

[william p]

You can't even assume the 8 pin connector is for a GPU. it might be for Dual CPUs depending on what computer it was wired for. If an Alienware them probably yes. Each rail will have it's own color code. Yellow, and White are both 12V. and then colored traces (often Blue) are added to allow more. You need to look at each connector to see which rail feeds what. The harness will be built to fit and power only the options Dell offered on the specific computer it came in.
The 24 pin wiring can be only a few inches long on some of these. Especially the BTX based workstations.

 

[1405]

You can't even assume the 8 pin connector is for a GPU. it might be for Dual CPUs depending on what computer it was wired for. If an Alienware them probably yes. Each rail will have it's own color code. Yellow, and White are both 12V. and then colored traces (often Blue) are added to allow more. You need to look at each connector to see which rail feeds what. The harness will be built to fit and power only the options Dell offered on the specific computer it came in.
The 24 pin wiring can be only a few inches long on some of these. Especially the BTX based workstations.

I know the 8-pin was for dual CPUs. Its an 850W Dell PSU from a Precision workstation as I stated above. T3500, I believe. I also said there were a pair of 6+2 pin cables, so obviously I didn't think the 8-pin was for the GPU. Besides, the GPU and CPU +12V cables are wired in reverse polarity from each other and have different connectors. And yes, I know the harness is lengthed specifically for the models they go in. I have the PSU in front of me.

 

[william p]

T3500 is single CPU.It could be from that anyway or more likely a T5xxx, or T7xxx machine, or Alienware system. You're now misquoting yourself. Nowhere do I see a mention of 2- 6+2 cables. Anyway you have the information to map out the rails for whatever it was intended for. On an aftermarket PSU you can assume 150W input on a 6 pin PCIe cable and use an 8 pin adapter upt o the PSUs limit. On multirail there might be just 75W there. Some people get comfused by this becuase they run a GTX1060 with an 8 pin adapter, but the 1060 only draws 75W from the cable so it works OK. Dell does this so a failure on one rail won't take down the whole system. Since they control the configuration options it works well for them.

 

[william p]

BTW look at the 5V rating of the Dell PSU you're replacing and make sure your new one has enough power there. Some brands fall short there. EVGA is usually good about this.

 

[1405]

...You're now misquoting yourself. Nowhere do I see a mention of 2- 6+2 cables...

I stated it in my first reply to you, the one I posted the link to the nameplate in. Scroll up a few. And yes, it may have been from a T5xxx, not a T3500. I wasn't 100% positive on that one. I will find another use for the 850W Dell PSU. Seems like a lot of wattage just going to waste if I don't.
But fair enough. I think I have a pretty good idea now of the capacity of the PSU and its possible shortcomings now. Thanks.

Back to the +5v rail... look at the nameplate pic. Seems like a huge capacity for it and the 3.3V rails, doesn't it?

 

[william p]

Yes Dell uses 5V more than newer systems and I've answered problems due to that. I have no idea what they do with it but older computers worked that way and dell seems to have stayed with it.