Prebuilt, non-standard PSU

[penguin8967]

I've got one of those Dell optiplex PCs (don't judge me) as I rarely play games and it was better value at the time than building a PC. However, I'm getting more interested in games and the 260W PSu wouldn't be able to handle a decent GPU at all.

 

The PSU itself is actually 6x7cm and runs most of the length of the PC case itself. This image from online I found shows how somebody managed to use an adapter and put the PSU OUTSIDE the case:

 

Should I do this? I don't want to buy a new PC at all, worst case scenario is that I just slap in a 1030.

[3rrant]

2 minutes ago, penguin8967 said:

I've got one of those Dell optiplex PCs (don't judge me) as I rarely play games and it was better value at the time than building a PC. However, I'm getting more interested in games and the 260W PSu wouldn't be able to handle a decent GPU at all.

 

The PSU itself is actually 6x7cm and runs most of the length of the PC case itself. This image from online I found shows how somebody managed to use an adapter and put the PSU OUTSIDE the case:

 

Should I do this? I don't want to buy a new PC at all, worst case scenario is that I just slap in a 1030.

You can get a 400W PSU like this one https://www.amazon.com/Power-Supply-Upgrade-Slimline-Optiplex/dp/B017YN37RS for yor Optiplex. That's the most you can squeeze out of it and it should be enough for a mid tier GPU (1650/1660)

[penguin8967]

2 minutes ago, 3rrant said:

You can get a 400W PSU like this one https://www.amazon.com/Power-Supply-Upgrade-Slimline-Optiplex/dp/B017YN37RS for yor Optiplex. That's the most you can squeeze out of it and it should be enough for a mid tier GPU (1650/1660)

That isn't the right size I don't think. It's slimmer and longer than that.

[3rrant]

1 minute ago, penguin8967 said:

That isn't the right size I don't think. It's slimmer and longer than that.

Which version of the Optiplex do you own? There are various options for each one pretty much, and they usually cap out at 400W watts

[penguin8967]

Just now, 3rrant said:

Which version of the Optiplex do you own? There are various options for each one pretty much, and they usually cap out at 400W watts

I own the 3070 model (mini tower version) which I got late last year I think

[penguin8967]

My options would be:

1. Get a lower power GPU (1030 or similar)
2. Use that adapter and put it outside the case (a new PSU)
3. Use one of those adapters so you can use 2 PSUs in one PC
4. Try and find a replacement PSU but the same size

[3rrant]

7 minutes ago, penguin8967 said:

My options would be:

1. Get a lower power GPU (1030 or similar)
2. Use that adapter and put it outside the case (a new PSU)
3. Use one of those adapters so you can use 2 PSUs in one PC
4. Try and find a replacement PSU but the same size

Can't find any direct replacement for your PSU, so yeah options seems low.. I would advise against doing a frankenbuild of that type.

Which CPU and other components do you have? You might barely have enough room to run something a little better than a 1030, like a 1650 Super, depending on the other components in the system.

[Spotty]

13 minutes ago, penguin8967 said:

This image from online I found shows how somebody managed to use an adapter and put the PSU OUTSIDE the case:

I hope the person who took that photo isn't running their PC with the PSU fan face down on the table.

 

Can you post a picture of the label on the side of your PSU?

What GPU were you hoping to use? I wouldn't really bother with a GT 1030.

[penguin8967]

5 minutes ago, 3rrant said:

Can't find any direct replacement for your PSU, so yeah options seems low.. I would advise against doing a frankenbuild of that type.

Which CPU and other components do you have? You might barely have enough room to run something a little better than a 1030, like a 1650 Super, depending on the other components in the system.

Components I currently have are the i5 9500, 16GB DDR4 (single channel) and a 500gb NVMe SSD.

 

It hasn't got a hard drive and it's got a single rear fan

[Curious Pineapple]

All you need is an additional 12v supply. It *should* be possible to use a HP server PSU (they only have a main 12v output) to power just the card. I wouldn't recommend trying if you don't have any real electroncs experiance though.

[GOTSpectrum]

You could get a SFX power supply and mount it to the outside of your case in some manner, that way it wouldn't be as bulky.

 

Another option could be to consider spending the money and building a new PC.

 

Even the Ryzen 3300x could compete with that 9500, you could reuse the ram and SSD.

 

A third option would be to grab a card and underclock/undervolt it. you'd be surprused how much you can underclock/volt a card and keep 90% of the performance, just ask us lot over on the folding forum about that! You probably have 100 watts free tbh, no mech HDD, few fans, 50-60w processor. all super low power stuff really. 

 

[penguin8967]

1 minute ago, GOTSpectrum said:

You could get a SFX power supply and mount it to the outside of your case in some manner, that way it wouldn't be as bulky.

 

Another option could be to consider spending the money and building a new PC.

 

Even the Ryzen 3300x could compete with that 9500, you could reuse the ram and SSD.

 

A third option would be to grab a card and underclock/undervolt it. you'd be surprused how much you can underclock/volt a card and keep 90% of the performance, just ask us lot over on the folding forum about that! You probably have 100 watts free tbh, no mech HDD, few fans, 50-60w processor. all super low power stuff really. 

 

yeah, the processor's TDP is just 65W and I can't really see any other power sucking things.

 

How is it possible to undervolt a card?

[Tristerin]

I cant get any of the pics to load oddly, Ive frankensteined OptiPlex before with ATX PSU's, give me a sec

[Tristerin]

Need:

Pic of interior of case

PSU

Connectors coming off PSU directly (based on quick research its an 8 pin and 4 pin EPS to motherboard?)

Motherboard model numbers

 

Ill be able to do some research with that info

[penguin8967]

1 minute ago, Tristerin said:

Need:

Pic of interior of case

PSU

Connectors coming off PSU directly (based on quick research its an 8 pin and 4 pin EPS to motherboard?)

Motherboard model numbers

 

Ill be able to do some research with that info

K' I'll get back to you soon

[penguin8967]

4 minutes ago, Tristerin said:

Need:

Pic of interior of case

PSU

Connectors coming off PSU directly (based on quick research its an 8 pin and 4 pin EPS to motherboard?)

Motherboard model numbers

 

Ill be able to do some research with that info

I wasn't actually thinking of doing the upgrades immediately as the PC is still in warranty actually. Would taking off the side panel void it?

[Tristerin]

12 minutes ago, penguin8967 said:

I wasn't actually thinking of doing the upgrades immediately as the PC is still in warranty actually. Would taking off the side panel void it?

Not at all from what I know of prebuilts - the only way that would be the case if there was a sticker from side panel (btw that's the only way you will be able to install a GPU, PSU or anything on that PC is by taking side panel off) that was creased between the side panel and case chassis that said WARRANTY VOID IF REMOVED - like they do on GPU screws.

 

I want to say Im 100% certain it wont void your warranty, but then again Ive never bought a prebuilt new - so if you want to wait for someone else to respond with a more firm confirmation (if there was no break-a-way sticker, then I would 100% assume it cannot break warranty personally) or can call Dell themselves to ask if its okay to remove side panel.

 

EDIT - problem is its such a new microtower I cant find these pics myself online.  I took a Dell OptiPlex MT 3040 with proprietary PSU and connectors and swapped ATX into it before...once I have the data someone in the world has done it as well and there will be a way lol

[penguin8967]

23 minutes ago, Tristerin said:

Not at all from what I know of prebuilts - the only way that would be the case if there was a sticker from side panel (btw that's the only way you will be able to install a GPU, PSU or anything on that PC is by taking side panel off) that was creased between the side panel and case chassis that said WARRANTY VOID IF REMOVED - like they do on GPU screws.

 

I want to say Im 100% certain it wont void your warranty, but then again Ive never bought a prebuilt new - so if you want to wait for someone else to respond with a more firm confirmation (if there was no break-a-way sticker, then I would 100% assume it cannot break warranty personally) or can call Dell themselves to ask if its okay to remove side panel.

 

EDIT - problem is its such a new microtower I cant find these pics myself online.  I took a Dell OptiPlex MT 3040 with proprietary PSU and connectors and swapped ATX into it before...once I have the data someone in the world has done it as well and there will be a way lol

The 3040 is still pretty similar to the 3070 I think

[Tristerin]

1 minute ago, penguin8967 said:

The 3040 is still pretty similar to the 3070 I think

Completely diff setup - its a left handed proprietary mobo (based off your pic, that's a standard ATX mobo), PSU is proprietary with 1x flat 6 pin and 1x rectangle 6 pin to power the mobo - 280w PSU (I was able to get a 600w EVGA ATX in the case, using 24 pin adapters etc see pic below)

 

[penguin8967]

4 minutes ago, Tristerin said:

Completely diff setup - its a left handed proprietary mobo (based off your pic, that's a standard ATX mobo), PSU is proprietary with 1x flat 6 pin and 1x rectangle 6 pin to power the mobo - 280w PSU (I was able to get a 600w EVGA ATX in the case, using 24 pin adapters etc see pic below)

 

Wow, guess I was wrong then. Dell have started using weird size PSUs now!

[penguin8967]

Fitting the PSU outside the case isn't too much of a trade-off to be honest, provides more airflow too 

[penguin8967]

3 hours ago, Tristerin said:

Completely diff setup - its a left handed proprietary mobo (based off your pic, that's a standard ATX mobo), PSU is proprietary with 1x flat 6 pin and 1x rectangle 6 pin to power the mobo - 280w PSU (I was able to get a 600w EVGA ATX in the case, using 24 pin adapters etc see pic below)

 

So I do have an old 400W PSU in a spare, unused PC, should I use that with an adapter? And if so, I could maybe run a more beefy card such as an RX 570