Question PSU upgrade for my Dell desktop PC ?

[typhoonwaves11]

Hi everyone, I have a Dell XPS 8700 with these components:

Intel Core i7-4790
PNY Geforce GTX 970
16 GB DDR3 RAM
PNY CS900 120 GB SSD
Western Digital WD10EZEX-75M2NA0 - 1TB HDD
Dell D460AM-02 PSU

I'm not knowledgeable in computer hardware and I was looking for a GPU upgrade (for gaming), mostly in the RTX 30 cards (mainly 3060ti), and realized that many of these are not compatible with my current PSU (stock Dell D460AM-02, 460W).

I saw a lot of factors like 80+ ratings, voltage rails, pins connectors, size, modules, total system usage, and they have made me more doubtful about my current list: Corsair AX760, Corsair TX750, Thermaltake Smart 700W. (I'm planning on buying them used)

Will these PSUs work? And are there any other better and budget-friendly (I'm already spending a lot of my GPU) options?

 

[Lafong]

I think the TX and possibly the AX as well were highly rated when introduced......over 10 years ago? Don't know about the Thermaltake.

What matters with used ones is whether or not they have been abused. I suppose you have no real way of knowing that for a fact.

Your current video card is rated at around 150 watts, so your current PSU is certainly adequate for it.

I think the 3060ti is rated at around 200 watts, so your current PSU might still be adequate if it's in good shape. Who knows? Age can be a factor. Current PSU may be outright incompatible with new video cards.....I don't know.

A decent new 550 watt or higher PSU is probably in the 90 dollar and up range in the USA unless you find a sale?

 

[--SID--]

Corsair AX760, Corsair TX750

I don't recommand to buy a used PSU that's 10 years old.

Thermaltake Smart 700W

This is never a good PSU to begin with, even when it was new.

In what country do you buy your PSU?

 

[typhoonwaves11]

I don't recommand to buy a used PSU that's 10 years old.


This is never a good PSU to begin with, even when it was new.

In what country do you buy your PSU?

USA

 

[typhoonwaves11]

I think the 3060ti is rated at around 200 watts, so your current PSU might still be adequate if it's in good shape. Who knows? Age can be a factor. Current PSU may be outright incompatible with new video cards.....I don't know.

A decent new 550 watt or higher PSU is probably in the 90 dollar and up range in the USA unless you find a sale?

I can remember seeing a few comments regarding my current PSU that it gives inconsistent and not great results with the RTX 2060, so I'm not sure if it would work with the 30 series.

Is there anything else regarding the PSUs I should look for except for wattage? (I already know my size constraints)

 

[Lafong]

Is there anything else regarding the PSUs I should look for except for wattage? (I already know my size constraints)

That is certainly possible.

PSU internal design has changed in the last 10 years or so. I think cabling and connectors have also.

It may be that none of those 3 supplies you mention even have the right cabling for a 3060ti. What would be your next move then? You might be forced to a newer design even if that meant buying a "not so good" power supply.

I don't use video cards, so I have no reason to keep up on what a 3060ti might require.

Plenty of people here would frown at you using a 10 year old PSU even if it was perfectly compatible, but ultimately you control the budget.

 

[Lafong]

I should have added this:

You are dealing with a Dell motherboard.

Dell is known for using proprietary hardware, rather than industry-standard stuff.

That may be a major roadblock for you. I have NO IDEA if an industry-standard part like those Corsair power supplies is compatible with a Dell motherboard. They may be totally useless for your purposes.

You might be able to get some insight on that from Dell forums or Dell users here, but I can't help.

 

[DSzymborski]

Dell PCs tend to vary; some will have ATX PSUs, some will have proprietary ones. You'll basically need to check to see if there's a 24-pin motherboard connector and 4 or 8-pin CPU connector(s).

The tier lists tend to be pretty good.

Article - [psucultists] PSU tier list rev. 14.8 (Final Update Jul '21)

PSU Tier List 4.0 rev. 14.8 (outdated) Last Update: 12-07-2021 Legend : Gray - EoL/obsolete and/or otherwise not recommended for purchase. Green - small form-factor (gold and blue colors are disregarded due to scarcity of SFX PSUs) Gold - best units in the tier (includes requirements for blue...

forums.tomshardware.com

PSU Tier List rev. 17.0g - Cultists Network

PSU Tier List will help you to choose the best PSU out of hundreds of models on the market. From budget to the highest end Power Supplies.

cultists.network

Downgrade anything by a tier if you must buy used. This is safety equipment and you don't know its true condition.

 

[typhoonwaves11]

Alright, thank you guys for all your help! I'll keep all of these in mind and maybe stay away from buying old used PSUs, I appreciate you all for helping me.

 

[USAFRet]

Alright, thank you guys for all your help! I'll keep all of these in mind and maybe stay away from buying old used PSUs, I appreciate you all for helping me.

Not "maybe"....Don't