is an alienware power supply compatible with an HP PC

cottoncandy75 · 05-09-2007, 04:48 AM

I was just hoping to see if anyone could let me know if a alienware power supply would be compatible with an HP PC. Our family does a lot of gaming and the computer is on 24/7 and a friend of my son's told me that that particular power supply is made for hard use. We've gone through four power supplies since we got the computer just barely a year ago. Hopefully someone can give me an answer on this...

**MaverickUK** · 05-09-2007, 02:22 PM

Hey,

As far as i am aware their PSU's are the same as any other basic units that you can buy anywhere, so i don't see how this will be an issue when using it. The good thing is, as it's an Alienware, chances are it's of high quality and can handle most systems you throw at it (depending on it's wattage, mind).

If you don't mind me asking, what wattage is the unit and what are the computer specifications for the computer it will be going into? This is just so we make sure you have enough power for your hardware and don't run into another dead-end and having to throw the PSU away. Also, what form factor is the motherboard and PSU? This information should be on the side of the PSU and if you post us the model of the motherboard we can find out ourselves what form factor it is; you need to make sure you are using the right equipment with the right equipment.

If you can supply this information that would be great.

Regards,
Nick.

cottoncandy75 · 05-09-2007, 04:11 PM

well, since the PSU is still in the unit, i won't be able to tell you too much until it gets taken out to use it. we haven't bought the new one yet. Not even quite sure where to pick it up but if this will help in any way, let me know. this is the specs on the PSU that is in the computer now.

Model Number: EX511AA
Model Description: HP MEDIA CENTER DESKTOP
PC
Serial Number: MXF61705CV
Part Number: 5188-2625
Part Description:

Power supply - 300-watt (Merlot C) regulate

not real sure about the motherboard though. sorry i can't be of too much more help

**MaverickUK** · 05-09-2007, 05:29 PM

Is it this one? http://www.epinions.com/Hewlett_Pack...ay_~full_specs

1 g0t 0wn3d · 05-09-2007, 06:29 PM

Yes it will work i have replaced the psu in moth an hp and an alienware they are both standered atx psus

**Doby** · 05-09-2007, 06:35 PM

As Nick mentioned form factor is a problem with HP, to expand on that a bit you have to watch the dimensions when upgrading a HP psu to make sure it physically fits in the case, most times the cdrom is in the way and a standard atx psu won't fit.

What model name and number is the computer. Also tell us what you upgraded in the computer, especially what video card.

If you are using the onboard video you have to watch because on some hp models there is a special power connector for the onboard that is not avalible with most power supplies.

With that said here's the one I have been using as a replacement it fits all Hp's I tried it in even if it is not on the list.

http://directron.com/m6400.html

cottoncandy75 · 05-09-2007, 07:12 PM

MaverickUK, yes, that is the right specs for the pc and we've made no upgrades to it. Doby thanks for the site on that other psu, i'm going to keep it bookmarked in case the alienware doesn't fit...

**justpassingby** · 05-10-2007, 05:27 AM

What were the specs of your 4 previous PSU's ? If they were good quality and providing sufficient power for your system but still ended fried then it might be a good idea to buy an UPS.

cottoncandy75 · 05-10-2007, 08:17 AM

the previous ones were from HP since the computer was still under warranty. the info that i posted earlier has the model number and all that... now i know a PSU is "power supply unit" but what is a UPS? "Universal Power Supply"?

**MaverickUK** · 05-10-2007, 08:26 AM

UPS stands for Uninterruptible Power Supply. You must check the PSU and see if it is ATX form factor, it will be displayed on the side of the unit; if possible give us the model number of the PSU.

Nick.

**justpassingby** · 05-10-2007, 03:22 PM

An UPS basically protects the computer from short surges and variations in the electrical tension. If a PSU is fit for a given system but still ends up damaged after only 3 or 4 months, might be voltages variations in your area that are damaging it. A newer PSU with Active Power Factor Correction could help, but if the current peaks or drops occur frequently the PSU will wear down faster.

You could try to measure the outlet voltage at your place. Plug a multimeter to the wall socket and check that you don't see big sudden drops or peaks when another power hungry device starts (vacuum cleaner, electric kettle, the fridge's compressor, ...). Here's a link I quickly fetched from google : http://www.acmehowto.com/howto/homem...letvoltage.php

I had fried one of my PSU (and had had to RMA several ram sticks) and the culprit ended up to be bad electrical tension. I've now bought an UPS and can see it switch on battery once a day on average, and that means the current is really out of specs or there's just been a small power cut. Also the input voltage is 236V when it should normally be in the 210-230V range (I'm in Europe). A computer is a very fragile device regarding its input current : we have plenty of electronics in our house and none of them seems to be affected by the bad tension (except the light bulbs which we have to change quite often).

cottoncandy75 · 05-10-2007, 04:43 PM

i just want to thank you guys, all of you. you've given us a lot of input on the matter and brought quite a few things to light and possibilities. I really appreciate the help on this matter honestly... we are going to be moving into a brand new modular here in a few weeks {we're in a trailer now} so maybe that will definately help if it is more in the electrical of the place

**justpassingby** · 05-10-2007, 05:57 PM

Trailers are not particularly renowned for the quality of their electrical installation so that may actually be the problem.

05-09-2007, 04:48 AM	#1 (permalink)
cottoncandy75 Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Indiana Posts: 5 OS: xp	is an alienware power supply compatible with an HP PC I was just hoping to see if anyone could let me know if a alienware power supply would be compatible with an HP PC. Our family does a lot of gaming and the computer is on 24/7 and a friend of my son's told me that that particular power supply is made for hard use. We've gone through four power supplies since we got the computer just barely a year ago. Hopefully someone can give me an answer on this...

05-09-2007, 02:22 PM	#2 (permalink)
MaverickUK TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Cheshire, England. Posts: 710 OS: XP Home My System	Re: is an alienware power supply compatible with an HP PC Hey, As far as i am aware their PSU's are the same as any other basic units that you can buy anywhere, so i don't see how this will be an issue when using it. The good thing is, as it's an Alienware, chances are it's of high quality and can handle most systems you throw at it (depending on it's wattage, mind). If you don't mind me asking, what wattage is the unit and what are the computer specifications for the computer it will be going into? This is just so we make sure you have enough power for your hardware and don't run into another dead-end and having to throw the PSU away. Also, what form factor is the motherboard and PSU? This information should be on the side of the PSU and if you post us the model of the motherboard we can find out ourselves what form factor it is; you need to make sure you are using the right equipment with the right equipment. If you can supply this information that would be great. Regards, Nick. __________________ Currently studying: CompTIA A+ CompTIA N+ Cisco Certified Network Associate

05-09-2007, 04:11 PM	#3 (permalink)
cottoncandy75 Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Indiana Posts: 5 OS: xp	Re: is an alienware power supply compatible with an HP PC well, since the PSU is still in the unit, i won't be able to tell you too much until it gets taken out to use it. we haven't bought the new one yet. Not even quite sure where to pick it up but if this will help in any way, let me know. this is the specs on the PSU that is in the computer now. Model Number: EX511AA Model Description: HP MEDIA CENTER DESKTOP PC Serial Number: MXF61705CV Part Number: 5188-2625 Part Description: Power supply - 300-watt (Merlot C) regulate not real sure about the motherboard though. sorry i can't be of too much more help

05-09-2007, 05:29 PM	#4 (permalink)
MaverickUK TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Cheshire, England. Posts: 710 OS: XP Home My System	Re: is an alienware power supply compatible with an HP PC Is it this one? http://www.epinions.com/Hewlett_Pack...ay_~full_specs __________________ Currently studying: CompTIA A+ CompTIA N+ Cisco Certified Network Associate

05-09-2007, 06:29 PM	#5 (permalink)
1 g0t 0wn3d Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Sedona, az Posts: 6,274 OS: Vista basic 32bit My System	Re: is an alienware power supply compatible with an HP PC Yes it will work i have replaced the psu in moth an hp and an alienware they are both standered atx psus __________________ Bench Test \| PC Wizard \| System specs \| PSU info \| PSU calculator \| Memtest86+ \| Speedfan

05-09-2007, 06:35 PM	#6 (permalink)
Doby Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Central PA (USA) Posts: 7,140 OS: XP sp2/ Vista	Re: is an alienware power supply compatible with an HP PC As Nick mentioned form factor is a problem with HP, to expand on that a bit you have to watch the dimensions when upgrading a HP psu to make sure it physically fits in the case, most times the cdrom is in the way and a standard atx psu won't fit. What model name and number is the computer. Also tell us what you upgraded in the computer, especially what video card. If you are using the onboard video you have to watch because on some hp models there is a special power connector for the onboard that is not avalible with most power supplies. With that said here's the one I have been using as a replacement it fits all Hp's I tried it in even if it is not on the list. http://directron.com/m6400.html __________________ Would you like to help TSF fight cancer and other diseases??? JOIN TEAM TSF

05-09-2007, 07:12 PM	#7 (permalink)
cottoncandy75 Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Indiana Posts: 5 OS: xp	Re: is an alienware power supply compatible with an HP PC MaverickUK, yes, that is the right specs for the pc and we've made no upgrades to it. Doby thanks for the site on that other psu, i'm going to keep it bookmarked in case the alienware doesn't fit...

05-10-2007, 05:27 AM	#8 (permalink)
justpassingby Moderator, Microsoft Support Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 4,960 OS: XP Home SP3 / Ubuntu My System	Re: is an alienware power supply compatible with an HP PC What were the specs of your 4 previous PSU's ? If they were good quality and providing sufficient power for your system but still ended fried then it might be a good idea to buy an UPS. __________________ HJT - 5 steps against malware. Post your HijackThis log there and not here ! Posting system specs

05-10-2007, 08:17 AM	#9 (permalink)
cottoncandy75 Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Indiana Posts: 5 OS: xp	Re: is an alienware power supply compatible with an HP PC the previous ones were from HP since the computer was still under warranty. the info that i posted earlier has the model number and all that... now i know a PSU is "power supply unit" but what is a UPS? "Universal Power Supply"?

05-10-2007, 08:26 AM	#10 (permalink)
MaverickUK TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Cheshire, England. Posts: 710 OS: XP Home My System	Re: is an alienware power supply compatible with an HP PC UPS stands for Uninterruptible Power Supply. You must check the PSU and see if it is ATX form factor, it will be displayed on the side of the unit; if possible give us the model number of the PSU. Nick. __________________ Currently studying: CompTIA A+ CompTIA N+ Cisco Certified Network Associate

05-10-2007, 03:22 PM	#11 (permalink)
justpassingby Moderator, Microsoft Support Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 4,960 OS: XP Home SP3 / Ubuntu My System	Re: is an alienware power supply compatible with an HP PC An UPS basically protects the computer from short surges and variations in the electrical tension. If a PSU is fit for a given system but still ends up damaged after only 3 or 4 months, might be voltages variations in your area that are damaging it. A newer PSU with Active Power Factor Correction could help, but if the current peaks or drops occur frequently the PSU will wear down faster. You could try to measure the outlet voltage at your place. Plug a multimeter to the wall socket and check that you don't see big sudden drops or peaks when another power hungry device starts (vacuum cleaner, electric kettle, the fridge's compressor, ...). Here's a link I quickly fetched from google : http://www.acmehowto.com/howto/homem...letvoltage.php I had fried one of my PSU (and had had to RMA several ram sticks) and the culprit ended up to be bad electrical tension. I've now bought an UPS and can see it switch on battery once a day on average, and that means the current is really out of specs or there's just been a small power cut. Also the input voltage is 236V when it should normally be in the 210-230V range (I'm in Europe). A computer is a very fragile device regarding its input current : we have plenty of electronics in our house and none of them seems to be affected by the bad tension (except the light bulbs which we have to change quite often). __________________ HJT - 5 steps against malware. Post your HijackThis log there and not here ! Posting system specs

05-10-2007, 04:43 PM	#12 (permalink)
cottoncandy75 Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Indiana Posts: 5 OS: xp	Re: is an alienware power supply compatible with an HP PC i just want to thank you guys, all of you. you've given us a lot of input on the matter and brought quite a few things to light and possibilities. I really appreciate the help on this matter honestly... we are going to be moving into a brand new modular here in a few weeks {we're in a trailer now} so maybe that will definately help if it is more in the electrical of the place

05-10-2007, 05:57 PM	#13 (permalink)
justpassingby Moderator, Microsoft Support Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 4,960 OS: XP Home SP3 / Ubuntu My System	Re: is an alienware power supply compatible with an HP PC Trailers are not particularly renowned for the quality of their electrical installation so that *may* actually be the problem. __________________ HJT - 5 steps against malware. Post your HijackThis log there and not here ! Posting system specs