I was wondering if I can replace my 330 watt power supply with an upgraded 600 watt unit?

Can I do that without changing anything in my computer...This would be for the Alienware I just bought..


Thanks

Yes. In fact you should do that. You can even go bigger if you can afford it.I am basing this on video cards demanding more and more power,all kinds of stuff plugged into usb ports nowadays and computers having more cooling as cpu's get faster.

Thank You, Geo

That's what I am going to..

Are you asking about a power supply for the ***X51 model that you bought***?
http://www.dell.com/us/p/alienware-x51-r2/pd.aspx

If so you well need to find a power supply that will fit that tiny case.
Your computer has more in common with a laptop than a desktop because of the slim case.

Someone in this thread at Alienware recommended AGAINST upgrading the power supply. One person suggested you could ruin the computer unless you bought an "external" power supply.
http://en.community.dell.com/owners-club/alienware/f/3746/t/19537978.aspx?pi21932=2

Keep in mind your video card is not like the retail version of the same card and does not draw as much power. A higher wattage power supply isn't really necessary unless you have a lot of USB things hanging off the computer. Unless you can find messages from people with the same X51 who successfully installed a 600W power supply without problems -- and got benefit from it -- I would NOT recommend it.

Oh.... Thank You, Jenny..

I have a power supply that sits on the floor is that a power unit?

It s big black box type that plugs into the computer..

Yes...The X51

I read the links you posted....I will not touch anything... I think I have enough power...For what games I play...

Thanks , Jenny

You are right.
I did more research, and the X51 comes with a "power brick" like a laptop.
So yes, that big black box would be your power supply and a replacement internal power supply would be out of the question.

The X51 is even more like a laptop than I thought.
I was assuming it used a micro ATX power supply that fits inside the case (like some other slimline computers) but it doesn't.

Oh! I didn't know about the Power-Brick.I thought it was an internal Power Supply you were talking about Darleen03.

Thanks, Jenny

Thanks, Geo

The first thing I was going to say is that there is no way you can upgrade anything in that tiny slim case. I also assumed the power supply was simply a micro ATX form factor that was proprietary to Dell. But, this computer really IS more like a laptop if it has a power brick power supply.

Interesting...

Drac,

Is that good or bad.....You say interesting? Can you explain?

Thanks

Neither one. It's just different.


Probably because we all assumed it had a Micro ATX power supply inside the case rather than using a power brick like a laptop. It's an interesting design choice that apparently had some advantage for Alienware (though maybe only lower cost to produce). You may notice the power brick heating up when you game. If the power supply were inside the case, all that heat would have to be vented with fans.

If you ever have to replace the power supply, it will certainly be easier than if you had an internal power supply. You just plug in the new one. Of course the replacement will probably be more expensive because it's proprietary, but you won't have to pay for installation.

Jenny, You don't know how Happy you just made me with that information...

Thank You so much...

Yup, exactly what Jenny said! And because I was curious I looked up a replacement power brick for this computer and they are only about $100 - $130. Much cheaper than I thought they would be.

Oh WOW....Thank You, Drac....

Think I'll have a glass of wine...Feeling very happy...