- Jun 26, 2016
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- 1,510
I'm a layperson and would appreciate someone's help in determining whether and how I can upgrade the power supply on my Dell Inspiron 3847 desktop with an i5 4460 CPU. I've read many, many forum threads on various sites saying it's possible, including the Dell community forum, but have gotten conflicting information from Dell support, who say it can't be done with the motherboard that's in there and I'd have to stick with a graphics card with a recommended 360 watt power supply.
The current power supply is 300w:
I'd like to upgrade the graphics capability beyond what the current PSU can handle. This wasn't my intention when I bought the system, but have been bitten by the gaming bug. I paid $300 for it and figure if I can get away with upgrading for $200 more, I'd be ok with that.
I would like to install an EVGA 210-GQ-0650-V1 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Power Supply that I found at a good price at newegg.com. It's 6.5" long versus the current 5.5" long PSU and goes past a retaining clip, but I am pretty confident I can get it in place and keep it there.
The motherboard is a Dell 088DT1. I pulled the current PSU connections to the motherbaord. They are 24 and 4 pin connectors. From what I've read, this indicates it's a standard "ATX" motherboard.
Per one Dell chat support person, I'd have to change out the motherboard and chassis to upgrade the PSU. I called customer service and was told that I'd have to change out the motherboard because I would burn out the current motherboard if I used a higher wattage PSU. The person added it was because of the higher voltage, which I don't understand since it seems like it's the amperage that is higher while the voltage is the same across the old and new PSUs. I asked what the current motherboard's "voltage" capacity was. After being placed on hold, I was told that the information wasn't available. Throughout the conversation, it seemed the person didn't really have much knowledge or understanding and I suspect the "can't upgrade" response really reflects the fact that Dell doesn't stock an upgrade, but I do wonder whether the higher amps of an upgraded PSU might fry the motherboard somehow.
The current power supply is 300w:
I'd like to upgrade the graphics capability beyond what the current PSU can handle. This wasn't my intention when I bought the system, but have been bitten by the gaming bug. I paid $300 for it and figure if I can get away with upgrading for $200 more, I'd be ok with that.
I would like to install an EVGA 210-GQ-0650-V1 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Power Supply that I found at a good price at newegg.com. It's 6.5" long versus the current 5.5" long PSU and goes past a retaining clip, but I am pretty confident I can get it in place and keep it there.
The motherboard is a Dell 088DT1. I pulled the current PSU connections to the motherbaord. They are 24 and 4 pin connectors. From what I've read, this indicates it's a standard "ATX" motherboard.
Per one Dell chat support person, I'd have to change out the motherboard and chassis to upgrade the PSU. I called customer service and was told that I'd have to change out the motherboard because I would burn out the current motherboard if I used a higher wattage PSU. The person added it was because of the higher voltage, which I don't understand since it seems like it's the amperage that is higher while the voltage is the same across the old and new PSUs. I asked what the current motherboard's "voltage" capacity was. After being placed on hold, I was told that the information wasn't available. Throughout the conversation, it seemed the person didn't really have much knowledge or understanding and I suspect the "can't upgrade" response really reflects the fact that Dell doesn't stock an upgrade, but I do wonder whether the higher amps of an upgraded PSU might fry the motherboard somehow.
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