Question about PSU compatibility

[kshitijchauhan]

Hello there!

This is my first post here at Linustechtips forum. I have a question about PSUs in general, and also need some recommendation regarding a home server I am planning to build.

 

I had bought a Dell Inspiron 535s desktop computer back in 2009 (I know I shouldn't have had done so, but i was an absolute tech noob at that time). However, now I no longer use it for any of my work, as the old hardware doesn't really allow for anything heavy. Therefore, i want to turn it into a home media server.

 

The Inspiron 535s has an Intel G31T-DM motherboard. I couldn't find much information about its form factor online, therefore i measured its dimensions using a ruler. As it turns out, it is 9.5"x9.5" and therefore i think it is an M-ATX. I am planning to install an Nvidia GT210 in it so as to allow it to have an HDMI port and connect it to my TV (the TV doesn't have a VGA port, and most VGA-HDMI converters cost as much as this graphic card itself). But to do so, I'll have to install a new PSU and probably a new case because the desktop came with a propreitary 240W PSU with a non standard size.

 

Now, here's the question. Are all PSU's compatible with all motherboard form factors as long as there are the needed power connectors? Will a 350W PSU work with an ATX as well as Micro ATX motherboard?

 

I did some digging online, and found that as long as the PSU has the power connectors i need, i should be fine. My motherboard has a 24-pin power connector and a 4-pin processor power connector.

I am therefore eyeing the Corsair VS350 PSU because it will probably be enough to power two hard drives, an Nvidia Gt210, a processor fan and a cabinet fan.

This PSU has an 8pin processor power connector but I saw in a Youtube video that the 8-pin connector can be split into two to allow a 4pin connector as well.

But i am posting here just to be sure that i am buying the right component needed for the upgrade.

 

Also, please note that i can not afford to buy a new motherboard with an HDMI port built in, as it would have a different processor socket than the one required for my C2D E7500.

 

PS. Sorry for the long post. Here's a potato.

Now that you have had the potato, i would like to request you to read the whole post (if you haven't aleady), and tell me if you see something wrong (You know, things like: What is OP thinking? That [insert a component] ain't gonna work with that motherboard!)

Thanks

[WoodenMarker]

Now, here's the question. Are all PSU's compatible with all motherboard form factors as long as there are the needed power connectors? Will a 350W PSU work with an ATX as well as Micro ATX motherboard?

Yes and yes.

PS. Sorry for the long post. Here's a potato.

[Aniallation]

I am therefore eyeing the Corsair VS350 PSU because it will probably be enough to power two hard drives, an Nvidia Gt210, a processor fan and a cabinet fan.

You will not need to upgrade your PSU to run a GT210. Dell ships decent PSUs with their rigs, don't waste your money.

[kshitijchauhan]

You will not need to upgrade your PSU to run a GT210. Dell ships decent PSUs with their rigs, don't waste your money.

I actually thought about this, but I have been told by many people that the PSU supplied with this PC is absolute garbage. Just 240W, which is just enough to support all the parts that were supplied with the computer by the OEM.

[kshitijchauhan]

Yes and yes.

Alright. Thanks for the reply. Just a few more question though, do you think that this will be a good enough config for a home media server?

Also, do you recommend connecting the desktop to a wifi router via an ethernet cable or wirelessly?

Is the wireless speed good enough for high quality streaming to multiple devices (2-3) at once?

 

Also, is the GT210 good enough for smooth 1080p and 3D video playback?

[WoodenMarker]

Alright. Thanks for the reply. Just a few more question though, do you think that this will be a good enough config for a home media server?

Also, do you recommend connecting the desktop to a wifi router via an ethernet cable or wirelessly?

Is the wireless speed good enough for high quality streaming to multiple devices (2-3) at once?

Also, is the GT210 good enough for smooth 1080p and 3D video playback?

What exactly will it being doing as a media server?

Ethernet is best. A good wireless connection can be good enough for streaming to multiple devices.

The GT 210 is fine for 1080p.

[kshitijchauhan]

What exactly will it being doing as a media server?

Ethernet is best. A good wireless connection can be good enough for streaming to multiple devices.

The GT 210 is fine for 1080p.

As a media server it will always be connected to the TV to serve as a playback device, also, it will have all its storage shared on the home network so that it can be accessed from any device.

This concept will help me save storage on my laptop, because now that i have switched to an SSD for it, there's simply not enough room for all that stuff on it.

I will therefore install my laptop's 1TB HDD in the desktop (which came with a 320GB one of itself) and share all the media organized on it on the network.

 

As for the playback device for the TV, i am planning to install Plex on it and hook it up with an xbox 360 controller to allow me to browse all the movies and music i have on it on the TV.

[WoodenMarker]

As a media server it will always be connected to the TV to serve as a playback device, also, it will have all its storage shared on the home network so that it can be accessed from any device.

This concept will help me save storage on my laptop, because now that i have switched to an SSD for it, there's simply not enough room for all that stuff on it.

I will therefore install my laptop's 1TB HDD in the desktop (which came with a 320GB one of itself) and share all the media organized on it on the network.

 

As for the playback device for the TV, i am planning to install Plex on it and hook it up with an xbox 360 controller to allow me to browse all the movies and music i have on it on the TV.

Although I'm not entirely sure, I think it'll be fine.

[Aniallation]

As a media server it will always be connected to the TV to serve as a playback device, also, it will have all its storage shared on the home network so that it can be accessed from any device.

This concept will help me save storage on my laptop, because now that i have switched to an SSD for it, there's simply not enough room for all that stuff on it.

I will therefore install my laptop's 1TB HDD in the desktop (which came with a 320GB one of itself) and share all the media organized on it on the network.

 

As for the playback device for the TV, i am planning to install Plex on it and hook it up with an xbox 360 controller to allow me to browse all the movies and music i have on it on the TV.

Yep, it'll work perfectly fine as long as you know how to set it up. I don't know how to do this myself but I know many people who have gone through it and it's not hard to learn how to do it properly. 

 

 

I actually thought about this, but I have been told by many people that the PSU supplied with this PC is absolute garbage. Just 240W, which is just enough to support all the parts that were supplied with the computer by the OEM.

More then enough. E7500 only takes 65W, and GT 210 at most 30W on top of that. Add in 50W for other components (worst case scenario tbh, more like 20W) and you're at 145W under max load, which is totally overkill compared to what kind of power you'll draw just playing 1080p video with the hardware decoder on the GPU

[kshitijchauhan]

Yep, it'll work perfectly fine as long as you know how to set it up. I don't know how to do this myself but I know many people who have gone through it and it's not hard to learn how to do it properly. 

 

 

More then enough. E7500 only takes 65W, and GT 210 at most 30W on top of that. Add in 50W for other components (worst case scenario tbh, more like 20W) and you're at 145W under max load, which is totally overkill compared to what kind of power you'll draw just playing 1080p video with the hardware decoder on the GPU

Thanks for the help. So here's what I am gonna do. I am going to plug in the GPU first and see if the PSU is able to handle it.

If not, I'll order the VS350 online.

Are there any risks of damaging the components by doing this?

[Aniallation]

Are there any risks of damaging the components by doing this?

With that low of power draw on an OEM 240W PSU, nope. 

 

How much is the VS350?

[kshitijchauhan]

With that low of power draw on an OEM 240W PSU, nope. 

 

How much is the VS350?

Alright, thanks.

The VS350 costs about Rs2400 in my country which translates to roughly 40 bucks.

[kshitijchauhan]

Also, just one more question.

I have changed my mind about a GT210. I am instead going with a Radeon HD5450 by Asus. It has a heat sink as well.

The question is, it is a PCIe2.1 card. While my motherboard has a PCI1.1 16x slot. Will the card be fine with this? I know that PCIe slots are backwards compatible, but just want to make sure.

[Aniallation]

The VS350 costs about Rs2400 in my country which translates to roughly 40 bucks.

Not worth it at all. With the low-quality components used in the VS350, with the load you'll be putting on it, the Dell PSU would actually be a better choice. 

 

 

Also, just one more question.

I have changed my mind about a GT210. I am instead going with a Radeon HD5450 by Asus. It has a heat sink as well.

The question is, it is a PCIe2.1 card. While my motherboard has a PCI1.1 16x slot. Will the card be fine with this? I know that PCIe slots are backwards compatible, but just want to make sure.

The HD 5450 takes even less power then the GT 210, and in many cases performs slightly better, so yeah good choice. Also yes a PCIe 2.x card will work in a PCIe 1.1 slot. 

[kshitijchauhan]

Not worth it at all. With the low-quality components used in the VS350, with the load you'll be putting on it, the Dell PSU would actually be a better choice. 

 

 

The HD 5450 takes even less power then the GT 210, and in many cases performs slightly better, so yeah good choice. Also yes a PCIe 2.x card will work in a PCIe 1.1 slot. 

Alright. Thanks for the information.