[Resolved~] Help me find a new power supply? ;o;

[Zylos]

Okay, so long story short, I had to turn off my PC due to a storm threatening our power, but I had a nasty surprise this morning when I found I couldn't get it turned back on properly. This isn't the first time this has happened, but its definitely worse than last time. The problem lies in the PSU (and the fact that I never turn my computer off... ever), and even if I get lucky in jumpstarting the machine like last time, I'm going to have to get a new one.

I'm using an H305P-02 for a Dell Optiplex 960 (it was all I could afford), but I need to see about finding a replacement. Another of the same model isn't too bad cost-wise, about $40-$55, but I'm dead poor right now and need to save pennies for an upcoming issue with our apartment. So what I want to ask any of you tech experts out there is if there is a cheaper alternative that I can use that would work with my computer instead. I admit I really don't know too much about this sort of hardware, other than that I need something that works. x.x;;

[Sophist]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817338010

Should fit within any mid sized tower, but it isn't too high powered. You really can't get cheaper than that. ;[

It's adviseable to get a better PSU as soon as you can, because cheap ones are very unreliable over a long span of time, and put out little power. If your CPU/GPU voltage together is over 300W, then you'll have to get something higher up.

[Zeichwolf]

Hey there, Zeich popping on for Zylos because my laptop works and his computer is sorta kaput for the moment. So we've talked and I'm lending a little extra to help cover a bigger one to get a long-term fix rather than a patch-up, and we're looking around for a reasonable price. We have found one we're not 100% sure on simply because neither of us is horribly tech-savvy, so we wanted to confirm that the item we've found is a solid replacement, and a reasonable quality one. The power supply can be found here on ebay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/480W-for-Dell-Power-Supply-L305N-00-H305P-02-H305E-00-N305P-05-L305P-01-L305-03-/330922111122?pt=PCA_UPS&hash=item4d0c7eb092

If someone with a bit more technical know-how can confirm this is a good fix for the problem we're having, it'd be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[EvilM00s]

480w? Well, thats enough power, sure. I run a 450 and I've never had issues... and I regularly charge ALL of my USB devices from it.

[Moss.]

It was my understanding that power supplies are actually pretty easy to get a handle on, yeah? Like, most power supplies come in basically three tiers. Small/peasant, adequate, and fucking NASA. You don't need NASA power unless you're triple SLI'ing video cards, and if you're doing that, you don't need to be on this forum asking for help. Am I about right?

I mean, if you're building your own computer, you kind of generally aim for the midrange, and that'll do ya, right? It's not a huge issue, right?



....if I got a new video card would I seriously need to re-consider the size of my power supply's junk?



This is a learning experience, and I'm a bit tipsy. Bear with me.

[strike]

two questions,
1. what sort of connectors does the motherboard have (how many pins on the main power connector and are there any other 4 or 8 pin connectors on the motherboard near the cpu?) do you have any kind of graphics card that would require a 6 pin PCIe Power connector?

2. is your current power supply a  standard size atx power supply?

[Sophist]

Any power supply that will fit in your case will work, Zylos and Zeich, you do not need to just get a replacement part of the exact same one you had. I'd honestly advise against it because it obviously didn't have any surge safeguard anyway. Please consider getting something better if you're going to spend the money, pre-built PC's do not need the same exact parts that were once in them, a power supply is a power supply, they won't be a Dell-only or etc.

[strike]

there are considerations to be made as far as what sort of connectors it needs to have but basically what anski said. get a decent psu and it won't die again.

[Roph]

Got no idea if they still do it, but dell/HP have had a nasty habit of using non-standard PSUs for their prebuilt stuff.

[strike]

yeah, roph i think the newer ones should just use standard atx psu's, pictures or a model number of your computer would be useful regardless. (it is an optiplex 960 mini-tower right?)

[Sophist]

The Thermaltake I linked is a corded system, and there are about four or five different plugs that I don't even have in my PC, just laying there. It has everything a PC could possibly even use in regards to power supplying, the linked replacement part is the same cord system as well.

[Sophist]

It was my understanding that power supplies are actually pretty easy to get a handle on, yeah? Like, most power supplies come in basically three tiers. Small/peasant, adequate, and fucking NASA. You don't need NASA power unless you're triple SLI'ing video cards, and if you're doing that, you don't need to be on this forum asking for help. Am I about right?

I mean, if you're building your own computer, you kind of generally aim for the midrange, and that'll do ya, right? It's not a huge issue, right?



....if I got a new video card would I seriously need to re-consider the size of my power supply's junk?



This is a learning experience, and I'm a bit tipsy. Bear with me.

and since nobody answered drunk arlen:

yes, the power wattage of your system cannot be greater than the wattage your power supply unit puts out. If you have a system that is 550W on your 600W PSU, and you get a new graphics card that is 100W greater than your previous, you'll need a new PSU to handle the overflow voltage. Typically whichever one you get is not an issue, but you get what you pay for with PSU. A very cheap one is incredibly unreliable, and an unreliable PSU is a danger to the entire system.

[strike]

basically arlen, the main thing you would have to check is if it's going to have enough juice and if the new graphics card needs additional power you have to check and make sure your power supply has the necessary connector to power the expansion card. (usually a 6 pin PCIe Power Connector (you can probably pick up a Molex to 6 Pin converter if you have enough wattage but don't have the extra PCIe connector.  ))

[Zylos]

Okay, so! I ordered the first part that Sophist linked to and just had it come in. Beginning to worry though because there are fewer cables on it than the original piece and the ends don't seem to match. Thought it'd be a simple in-out kinda job, but its either a little trickier than it looks or else its incompatible. =/

Edit: Borrowing Zeich's laptop for a moment to do some quick research into it that I couldn't on the PS3/3DS I was using to access the internet, and right off the bat I'm noticing that the new one lacks the SATA connectors and has seemingly completely different connectors that the original had. Not really sure what to do at this point, unless I can somehow still connect it.

[Sophist]

Which parts are not being plugged into from the PSU?

[Zylos]

Unless I'm a complete dumbass (which is totally possible with my luck lately), practically NONE of it is able to be plugged in. <.<

This is the original one:

Dell Model:H305P-02 Optiplex 960 760 PW114 WU133 305W Power Supply
Dell Optiplex 960 760 PW114 CY827 WU133 Replacement 305W Power Supply

Dell Model:H305P-02

P/N:HP-D3051A0

DP/N 0CY827

Dimension: 5.5 x 5.8 x 3.8 Inches (L x W x H)

Connectors:
1x 24pin ATX P1 connector
1x 4pin P2 connector
4x SATA connector
1x FDD P7 connector

S'far as I can tell, the new one lacks all of those connectors. I can take pictures if needed, just to make sure, but I've a feeling it just isn't going to work for me.

[Roph]

Er. Yeah, from the PSU sophist linked, it has no SATA connectors and I can't even see the 24 pin ATX connector =s

Here's one that's actually in this decade for $24: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817159062

Alternate, $25: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817170017&ignorebbr=1

Never heard of either brand. Here's a Seasonic one that will probably outlive you for $40 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151077&ignorebbr=1

[strike]

see that is the exact info i was asking for before. I'm assuming you purchased the very first one anski linked. that is an AT form factor PSU for super old shit like early 90's IBM's, anything from within the last 10 years basically is ATX form factor. he fucked up. I only looked at the link later and that was after you stopped responding.


You're going to have to RMA that psu because unless you have a 1990 era IBM it's useless.

[PhoenixFire]

...I have two PSU's like those just laying around.. I kinda wish I knew for certain if they worked, because honestly, I think you just paying for shipping is probably preferable...   I'll go ahead and check those to see if they work over the next couple hours and get back to you on this...

[Zylos]

Zeich told me to sit and wait for Phoenix Fire to check her spare PSU in case I can get a freebie, but it doesn't sound too bad for the prices Roph suggested either. Should have waited and listened to Strike before rush ordering the first time. x.x

[PhoenixFire]

Unfortunately I can't find the damn box they're in, in the basement, and we're not planning on cleaning the garage out for another month or two.. I don't think you guys want to wait that long though lolz...

[Sophist]

See, I thought you weren't going to get that first one considering you were looking for a long term fix.  I apologize for not looking at it carefully but since you said you weren't going for it, I didn't check it once over before you bought it, which is my mistake. I had assumed that you bought the Thermaltake I had linked later on. :\

[EvilM00s]

Zylos, pick out one of the ones Roph suggsted and PM me your adress. I'll have it shipped to you.

[Zylos]

No, that's okay M00s. It's difficult to do much "research" on this game console, and I didn't even realize that there WAS a second hyperlink until after the fact since this thing displays it like regular text. Will have to wait until I can borrow Zeich's laptop again to take a closer look at Roph's suggestions and any other possibilities, but this time have to simply not rush, take my time to see what will work best for me.

[EvilM00s]

Okay, but the offer stands.