[SOLVED] Power Supply Dell Dimension 5150

piponyc · 05-29-2009, 09:01 PM

I recently replaced my Dell Dimension 5150's hard drive with a WESTERN DIGITAL Caviar Black 640GB SATA II 7200 RPM 32MB Buffer Hard Drive. Now I hear the fan reving up like there's a cyclone in the machine, especially when I insert a DVD, let's say, to search for pictures or a CD to rip music to iTunes.

Is my new hard drive overtaxing the power supply or is the noise an indication of something else (dirt, need for lubrication?). I'm not even sure if the powersupply fan is the culprit. Could the fan on the video card I installed --an XFX PVT84JUSD4 GeForce 8600 GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI--be the bad guy? Might it be the CPU fan? Who knows?

I was considering replacing the power supply with a 500w or higher one but I'm not sure if this would solve my problem or if it is even doable or worth the costs.

I'd appreciate any advice.

dai · 05-29-2009, 10:16 PM

you need to be up here

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...air%2b550w

Smooth_CriminaL · 05-30-2009, 10:05 AM

It could definitely be a the power supply, specially if you are running less than 500watts.

**Tyree** · 05-30-2009, 02:59 PM

Could be PSU or the XFX card. XFX cards are not all that great.

piponyc · 05-30-2009, 06:44 PM

I suppose that I will just open it up and try to find out which fan o fans is or are hyperventilating. In any case, the whole issue of "rails" confuses me. How do I tell how many of them my Dell's PSU has and must a replacement have the same number? Are there any good online tutorials on replacing a PSU?
Thanks for your advice so far.

dai · 05-30-2009, 07:49 PM

they are simple to replace
just 4 screws on the back and unplug the plugs and replug
just mark the cable to where it connects when pulling the old one out if you are not sure which is which
then you can see what goes to where
i prefer single rail psu's

piponyc · 06-02-2009, 10:20 PM

As you advised, I opened up my machine, cleaned its components with a can of air and replaced the 305 Watt Dell supplied PSU with a Corsair CMPSU-650TX 650W monster that I got from Newegg.com for $95 (and I'll get back $20 with a mail-in rebate).

I had anticipated having to hacksaw a bit of the case in order to accomodate the new power supply's on/off switch but thank goodness that was not necessary. It fit like a dream, although I must say that I now have crapload of excess cables bunched up in between the PSU and the optical drives. Still, problem solved: the PSU's fan is providing ample power and quiet ventilation and the video card doesn't get too excited anymore. Thanks for all of your advice.

dai · 06-03-2009, 01:52 AM

glad you have it sorted

05-29-2009, 09:01 PM	#1 (permalink)
piponyc Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: New York, NY Posts: 3 OS: Windows XP SP3	[SOLVED] Power Supply Dell Dimension 5150 I recently replaced my Dell Dimension 5150's hard drive with a WESTERN DIGITAL Caviar Black 640GB SATA II 7200 RPM 32MB Buffer Hard Drive. Now I hear the fan reving up like there's a cyclone in the machine, especially when I insert a DVD, let's say, to search for pictures or a CD to rip music to iTunes. Is my new hard drive overtaxing the power supply or is the noise an indication of something else (dirt, need for lubrication?). I'm not even sure if the powersupply fan is the culprit. Could the fan on the video card I installed --an XFX PVT84JUSD4 GeForce 8600 GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI--be the bad guy? Might it be the CPU fan? Who knows? I was considering replacing the power supply with a 500w or higher one but I'm not sure if this would solve my problem or if it is even doable or worth the costs. I'd appreciate any advice.

05-29-2009, 10:16 PM	#2 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 56,746 OS: win 7 32x 64x rtm	Re: Power Supply Dell Dimension 5150 you need to be up here http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...air%2b550w __________________

05-30-2009, 10:05 AM	#3 (permalink)
Smooth_CriminaL Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 24 OS: Windows XP Pro	Re: Power Supply Dell Dimension 5150 It could definitely be a the power supply, specially if you are running less than 500watts.

05-30-2009, 02:59 PM	#4 (permalink)
Tyree Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 5,781 OS: XP Pro-7RC-Mandriva My System	Re: Power Supply Dell Dimension 5150 Could be PSU or the XFX card. XFX cards are not all that great. __________________ Posting your PC specs will help us to help you quicker and more efficiently.

05-30-2009, 06:44 PM	#5 (permalink)
piponyc Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: New York, NY Posts: 3 OS: Windows XP SP3	Re: Power Supply Dell Dimension 5150 I suppose that I will just open it up and try to find out which fan o fans is or are hyperventilating. In any case, the whole issue of "rails" confuses me. How do I tell how many of them my Dell's PSU has and must a replacement have the same number? Are there any good online tutorials on replacing a PSU? Thanks for your advice so far.

05-30-2009, 07:49 PM	#6 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 56,746 OS: win 7 32x 64x rtm	Re: Power Supply Dell Dimension 5150 they are simple to replace just 4 screws on the back and unplug the plugs and replug just mark the cable to where it connects when pulling the old one out if you are not sure which is which then you can see what goes to where i prefer single rail psu's __________________

06-02-2009, 10:20 PM	#7 (permalink)
piponyc Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: New York, NY Posts: 3 OS: Windows XP SP3	Re: Power Supply Dell Dimension 5150 As you advised, I opened up my machine, cleaned its components with a can of air and replaced the 305 Watt Dell supplied PSU with a Corsair CMPSU-650TX 650W monster that I got from Newegg.com for $95 (and I'll get back $20 with a mail-in rebate). I had anticipated having to hacksaw a bit of the case in order to accomodate the new power supply's on/off switch but thank goodness that was not necessary. It fit like a dream, although I must say that I now have crapload of excess cables bunched up in between the PSU and the optical drives. Still, problem solved: the PSU's fan is providing ample power and quiet ventilation and the video card doesn't get too excited anymore. Thanks for all of your advice.

06-03-2009, 01:52 AM	#8 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 56,746 OS: win 7 32x 64x rtm	Re: Power Supply Dell Dimension 5150 glad you have it sorted __________________