Dell 8200 Upgrading Power Supply

Hi I have a Dell 8200 which I recently upgraded the original video card to a NVidia 6600 (256MB). Unlike my prior card- this one has a power supply connection. When I boot up I get a "NVidia card operating on low power" advisory.

After doing some research with Dell. I confirmed I have a 250W power supply, and that given the new video card, it may not be enough juice.. I ran everest and listed below is what I have... Would a 400W power supply be enough? Are there any good websites that match old power supply size to the new ones to make sure I buy the right one? Or is it as I've seen where I have to measure and hope I find one that fits?

--------[ EVEREST Home Edition (c) 2003-2005 Lavalys, Inc. ]---------------

Version EVEREST v2.20.405
Homepage http://www.lavalys.com/
Report Type Report Wizard
Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition 5.1.2600 (WinXP Retail)

Date 2006-09-19
Time 19:13


--------[ Summary ]-------------------------------------------------------

Computer:
Operating System Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
OS Service Pack Service Pack 2
DirectX 4.09.00.0904 (DirectX 9.0c)
Computer Name XXXXXXXXXX
User Name XXXXXXXX

Motherboard:
CPU Type Intel Pentium 4, 2250 MHz (17 x 132)
Motherboard Name Dell Dimension 8200
Motherboard Chipset Intel Tehama i850(E)
System Memory 512 MB (PC800 RDRAM)
BIOS Type Phoenix (09/13/02)
Communication Port Communications Port (COM1)
Communication Port ECP Printer Port (LPT1)

Display:
Video Adapter NVIDIA GeForce 6600 (256 MB)
3D Accelerator nVIDIA GeForce 6600 AGP
Monitor 1702FP (Digital) [17" LCD] (8G152267AYZ9)

Multimedia:
Audio Adapter: Turtle Beach Santa Cruz / VideoLogic SonicFury Audio Accelerator

Storage:
IDE Controller Intel(r) 82801BA Bus Master IDE Controller
Floppy Drive Floppy disk drive
Disk Drive ST380011A (80 GB, 7200 RPM, Ultra-ATA/100)
Optical Drive _NEC CD-RW NR-9100A (40x/10x/40x CD-RW)
Optical Drive LITEON DVD-ROM LTD163 (16x/48x DVD-ROM)
SMART Hard Disks Status OK

Partitions:
C: (NTFS) 76285 MB (38470 MB free)

Input:
Keyboard Dell Enhanced Performance USB
Mouse PS/2 Compatible Mouse

Network:
Network Adapter 3Com EtherLink XL 10/100 PCI For Complete PC Management NIC (3C905C-TX) (XXX,XXX,Xx,XXX)
Modem Lucent Win Modem

Peripherals:
Printer hp deskjet 960c series
USB1 Controller Intel 82801BA ICH2 - USB Controller 1 [B-4]
USB1 Controller Intel 82801BA ICH2 - USB Controller 2 [B-4]
USB Device Dell USB Composite Device
USB Device Dell USB HID Collection
USB Device Dell USB Keyboard HID Support
USB Device Dell USB Keyboard Hub
USB Device Generic USB Hub
USB Device Logitech Microphone (Pro 4000)
USB Device Logitech QuickCam Pro 4000 #2
USB Device Logitech USB Camera (Pro 4000)

 

As far as I know Dell uses Proprietary PSU's , the wiring is different than standard PSUs

 

im not so sure that's true any more, the only proprietary thing i know of on dell mobos is it's special connection for the front panel items (usb, mic, headphone, etc. and led, power, and reset buttons.) The power connection for the mobo should be the same as any other

 

PC Power and Cooling makes PSUs that are compatible with Dells: http://www.pcpowercooling.com/products/power_supplies/dell/

 

Ok- this is confusing...

Dell tech support says I can upgrade to 350W...

However, Dell Sales says the max wattage allowable for my computer is
250W?

I actually took out the power supply and found this information on it:

Model: HP-P2507F3
AC Input: 110V- 6a

5V/22A
12V/14A
3.3V/18A
12V/1A
5V/2A

(I could be missing a decimal- the numbers are small on the sticker)

There's note that the 5V/22A, 3.3V/18A & 5V/12A are not to exceed 150W

I'll check out that site you posted.. I also will check Tiger Direct & CDW to see if they can help me..

However if anyone sees anything glaring about the information above that would make the Sales Rep Statement true- let me know.

Thanks!

 

A google search tells me that hp and dell uses the same power supply. ed

 

Don't worry about them saying your maximum allowable wattage is 250W. The power supply only supplies what the components draw. So if your computer is drawing 250W the power supply will only supply that much power, however if you try to draw 300W a 250W supply will drop voltage much as you are describing.

I would upgrade to the 350W supply as suggested and I think you'll be fine.

 

^^^^^Agree^^^^^

 

Just to close this out... I went to the website above- pc power and cooling and got a power supply for a dell 8200...

it's worked beautifully and no more low power warnings...

Very easy to hook up & now I can truly say "I got da juice"...

 

sweeeeeet....glad we could help