Computer Upgrade Mayhem!! [WARNING: Graphic Violence, Explicit Lyrics]

krashkart · 02-10-12, 07:31 PM

A true hack-n-slash saga.

The time has come to replace the weary and laughably puny 305W power supply in this trusty old beast. The problem is, all of the replacement units I have looked at have a fan in the top! I am screwed, my dear readers! My computer case is not built for that.

I suspect that I will have to borrow a sawzall and hack a squarish, sort of triangularly ovoid circle out of the chassis to accommodate that blasted fan. Is this workaround over the top? Or right on par with a good upgrade-gone-awry/ouch-I-lost-another-toe-but-got-the-job-done-anyway success story?

Another thing I have noticed is that many of the PSU fans these days are illuminated by LED. What am I supposed to do with an illuminated fan? Stare at it!? Pah!

I have more useful things to do with my time! Moria uber alles!!

Anyway, on a more serious note:

*cough*

The target machine is the nefarious Dell Dimension E510; a computing device of great virtue and stunning prowess. I have done my reading and discovered that the power connectors on this model are not of the proprietary Dell annoyance, and that an ATX 20+4 power supply will be sufficient. By my current lack of planning this new power supply must possess some Molex connectors, a few SATA connectors, a 6-pin connector to power a magnificent new video card (as-yet-undetermined make/model), and a socket with which to power my automatic coffee-drip machine.

I will need at least a 550W, and I will need something that will survive for a few years. Preferably something that can survive a direct hit from an Shkval torpedo, but... well, here's to wishing for things we cannot have.

Cost is... probably not in my favor at this point but I am only in the beginning stages of proper lack of planning.

With that said, I open the floor to further pointers, ideas and suggestions.

Also... ummm, if someone can point me in the direction of a few good fabric patterns for a new mankini...

Sailor Steve · 02-11-12, 12:37 AM

You're trying to ugrade a Dell?!?! I was always told to stay away from them because they couldn't be upgraded. But I only know what I was told, so don't take my word for anything.

Arclight · 02-11-12, 06:24 AM

Sooo... a good PSU for a single-GPU system?

http://www.antec.com/Believe_it/product.php?id=MTc2Mw==

Don't ask me if it will fit and/or work for you, really not familiar with the pre-build silly-business. Surely someone else can fill that in.

krashkart · 02-11-12, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

You're trying to ugrade a Dell?!?! I was always told to stay away from them because they couldn't be upgraded. But I only know what I was told, so don't take my word for anything.

Some of them can't be, and I was surprised to find that this particular model had escaped Dell's usual sabotage.

krashkart · 02-11-12, 04:14 PM

Power supply problem solved.

Now that I've sobered up from last night's festivities I had another look at the case. What I have discovered is that the case is open where the power supply is mounted, which means I can take one of these strange new top-fan units and flip it upside-down, thereby reducing the amount of metal I will have to cut out in the course of this project. (Yes, there will be metal shavings and at least one of my toes scattered around this house by the time I am done.)

I'm not stopping with the power supply, though. This machine needs an overhaul if I can ever expect to get serious about playing Moria. A new video card and a memory upgrade are in the plans.

Here is the complete list of intended upgrades:

http://amzn.com/w/3FXJLJDTBHB0B

The only thing that really concerns me at this point is the video card. This computer sports a PCIe 1 slot, and the card is a PCIe 2.1. What I've read so far is that 2.0 and 2.1 should be backward-compatible with 1, but I thought I had better ask around here just in case. Will I be making a mistake by trying to use this card?

My thanks for any help and suggestions. It's been quite a while since I've made an upgrade and a lot has changed since then.

Arclight · 02-11-12, 11:47 PM

As long as the slot and card are both PCI-E it will work, regardless of what version they are.

There might be a slight performance penalty due to limited bandwith... don't really know if a 6850 can push more data than PCI-E 1.0 can handle.

krashkart · 02-12-12, 05:21 AM

Okay. Considering the card I have right now, I can probably live with the performance hit.

Thanks for the help, Arclight. If we ever meet the first round is on me.

magicstix · 02-12-12, 02:25 PM

Install the PSU upside-down. That's what I did in my case that puts the PSU on the bottom instead of the top with no exhaust port.

Or just buy a new case...

Arclight · 02-12-12, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krashkart

Okay. Considering the card I have right now, I can probably live with the performance hit.

If there is one... think you would look at a few % of difference, pretty much negligable.

Herr-Berbunch · 02-13-12, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krashkart

Thanks for the help, Arclight. If we ever meet the first round is on me.

I'm sure there's a queue forming to buy Arc a beer, and I'm quite sure he's not the only person due one either.

Arclight · 02-13-12, 09:21 PM

Definitely not, always good advice around here.

krashkart · 02-14-12, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herr-Berbunch

I'm sure there's a queue forming to buy Arc a beer, and I'm quite sure he's not the only person due one either.

Who said anything about beer? I was talking about turnip juice.

krashkart · 02-20-12, 11:47 AM

My order just came in. The graphics card is a monster!

The PSU is a beauty. Hope it fits.

EDIT: Again, this video card is a monster! Cripes almighty... When did these things get so dang huge??

danurve · 02-22-12, 08:33 PM

Got enough air moving through the case I hope.

krashkart · 02-22-12, 09:19 PM

Haven't had a chance to put the computer through its paces yet, but I got the most important part taken care of: replacing the old power supply. It was about to peeter out.

The video card is unfortunately too long and too thick to fit. The way the motherboard is laid out puts the centerline of the PCI-E x16 slot too close to the side of the CPU fan/heatsink/air duct unit. The 6850 is about two inches thick, which would put the rear cooling fan half an inch or so into the side of that duct. You know the old rule "measure twice, cut once"? I didn't look up the dimensions of the new card to see if it would fit.

Expensive lesson to learn.

I have a much smaller card on the way, and the 6850 goes into the next build.

My thanks to everyone that offered up suggestions and advice. This upgrade is pretty much complete.

02-10-12, 07:31 PM	#1
krashkart Navy Seal Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 5,292 Downloads: 100 Uploads: 0	Computer Upgrade Mayhem!! [WARNING: Graphic Violence, Explicit Lyrics] A true hack-n-slash saga. The time has come to replace the weary and laughably puny 305W power supply in this trusty old beast. The problem is, all of the replacement units I have looked at have a fan in the top! I am screwed, my dear readers! My computer case is not built for that. I suspect that I will have to borrow a sawzall and hack a squarish, sort of triangularly ovoid circle out of the chassis to accommodate that blasted fan. Is this workaround over the top? Or right on par with a good upgrade-gone-awry/ouch-I-lost-another-toe-but-got-the-job-done-anyway success story? Another thing I have noticed is that many of the PSU fans these days are illuminated by LED. What am I supposed to do with an illuminated fan? Stare at it!? Pah! I have more useful things to do with my time! Moria uber alles!! Anyway, on a more serious note: cough The target machine is the nefarious Dell Dimension E510; a computing device of great virtue and stunning prowess. I have done my reading and discovered that the power connectors on this model are not of the proprietary Dell annoyance, and that an ATX 20+4 power supply will be sufficient. By my current lack of planning this new power supply must possess some Molex connectors, a few SATA connectors, a 6-pin connector to power a magnificent new video card (as-yet-undetermined make/model), and a socket with which to power my automatic coffee-drip machine. I will need at least a 550W, and I will need something that will survive for a few years. Preferably something that can survive a direct hit from an Shkval torpedo, but... well, here's to wishing for things we cannot have. Cost is... probably not in my favor at this point but I am only in the beginning stages of proper lack of planning. With that said, I open the floor to further pointers, ideas and suggestions. Also... ummm, if someone can point me in the direction of a few good fabric patterns for a new mankini... __________________ sent from my fingertips using a cheap keyboard Last edited by krashkart; 02-10-12 at 07:53 PM.

02-11-12, 12:37 AM	#2
Sailor Steve Eternal Patrol Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: High in the mountains of Utah Posts: 50,369 Downloads: 745 Uploads: 249	You're trying to ugrade a Dell?!?! I was always told to stay away from them because they couldn't be upgraded. But I only know what I was told, so don't take my word for anything. __________________ “Never do anything you can't take back.” —Rocky Russo

02-11-12, 06:24 AM	#3
Arclight Navy Seal Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Land of windmills, tulips, wooden shoes and cheese. Lots of cheese. Posts: 8,467 Downloads: 53 Uploads: 10	Sooo... a good PSU for a single-GPU system? http://www.antec.com/Believe_it/product.php?id=MTc2Mw== Don't ask me if it will fit and/or work for you, really not familiar with the pre-build silly-business. Surely someone else can fill that in. __________________ Contritium praecedit superbia.

02-11-12, 04:14 PM	#5
krashkart Navy Seal Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 5,292 Downloads: 100 Uploads: 0	Power supply problem solved. Now that I've sobered up from last night's festivities I had another look at the case. What I have discovered is that the case is open where the power supply is mounted, which means I can take one of these strange new top-fan units and flip it upside-down, thereby reducing the amount of metal I will have to cut out in the course of this project. (Yes, there will be metal shavings and at least one of my toes scattered around this house by the time I am done.) I'm not stopping with the power supply, though. This machine needs an overhaul if I can ever expect to get serious about playing Moria. A new video card and a memory upgrade are in the plans. Here is the complete list of intended upgrades: http://amzn.com/w/3FXJLJDTBHB0B The only thing that really concerns me at this point is the video card. This computer sports a PCIe 1 slot, and the card is a PCIe 2.1. What I've read so far is that 2.0 and 2.1 should be backward-compatible with 1, but I thought I had better ask around here just in case. Will I be making a mistake by trying to use this card? My thanks for any help and suggestions. It's been quite a while since I've made an upgrade and a lot has changed since then. __________________ sent from my fingertips using a cheap keyboard Last edited by krashkart; 02-11-12 at 04:38 PM.

02-11-12, 11:47 PM	#6
Arclight Navy Seal Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Land of windmills, tulips, wooden shoes and cheese. Lots of cheese. Posts: 8,467 Downloads: 53 Uploads: 10	As long as the slot and card are both PCI-E it will work, regardless of what version they are. There might be a slight performance penalty due to limited bandwith... don't really know if a 6850 can push more data than PCI-E 1.0 can handle. __________________ Contritium praecedit superbia.

02-12-12, 05:21 AM	#7
krashkart Navy Seal Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 5,292 Downloads: 100 Uploads: 0	Okay. Considering the card I have right now, I can probably live with the performance hit. Thanks for the help, Arclight. If we ever meet the first round is on me. __________________ sent from my fingertips using a cheap keyboard

02-12-12, 02:25 PM	#8
magicstix Captain Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Nuclear submarine under the North Pole Posts: 481 Downloads: 1 Uploads: 0	Install the PSU upside-down. That's what I did in my case that puts the PSU on the bottom instead of the top with no exhaust port. Or just buy a new case...

02-13-12, 09:21 PM	#11
Arclight Navy Seal Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Land of windmills, tulips, wooden shoes and cheese. Lots of cheese. Posts: 8,467 Downloads: 53 Uploads: 10	Definitely not, always good advice around here. __________________ Contritium praecedit superbia.

02-20-12, 11:47 AM	#13
krashkart Navy Seal Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 5,292 Downloads: 100 Uploads: 0	My order just came in. The graphics card is a monster! The PSU is a beauty. Hope it fits. EDIT: Again, this video card is a monster! Cripes almighty... When did these things get so dang huge?? __________________ sent from my fingertips using a cheap keyboard Last edited by krashkart; 02-20-12 at 05:43 PM.

02-22-12, 08:33 PM	#14
danurve The Old Man Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Syracuse, NY Posts: 1,481 Downloads: 22 Uploads: 3	Got enough air moving through the case I hope. __________________

02-22-12, 09:19 PM	#15
krashkart Navy Seal Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 5,292 Downloads: 100 Uploads: 0	Haven't had a chance to put the computer through its paces yet, but I got the most important part taken care of: replacing the old power supply. It was about to peeter out. The video card is unfortunately too long and too thick to fit. The way the motherboard is laid out puts the centerline of the PCI-E x16 slot too close to the side of the CPU fan/heatsink/air duct unit. The 6850 is about two inches thick, which would put the rear cooling fan half an inch or so into the side of that duct. You know the old rule "measure twice, cut once"? I didn't look up the dimensions of the new card to see if it would fit. Expensive lesson to learn. I have a much smaller card on the way, and the 6850 goes into the next build. My thanks to everyone that offered up suggestions and advice. This upgrade is pretty much complete. __________________ sent from my fingertips using a cheap keyboard