How to Choose a Dell compatible power supply

HOW TO CHOOSE A REPLACEMENT POWER SUPPLY FOR A DELL COMPUTER

When replacing a power supply in a Dell, HP, or other brand name computer, you can’t always just run to the store and select any ATX power supply off the shelf. 

ATX is a standard for power supplies and motherboards.  Dell, HP and other OEM manufacturers, use proprietary power supplies that look like a standard ATX power supply, however the wires in the connectors have been switched and the voltage changed.  Using a power supply not specifically made for a Dell computer can cause serious damage to your computer. 

PCPOWERZONE offers a great selection of power supplies specifically designed and manufactured for DELL tower systems.   Note that I said TOWER and not DESKTOP.  Dell sometimes used the same model number for a desktop version (Horizontal) that uses a special elongated power supply.  The ATX power supplies listed here are for the common TOWER (Vertical) systems, not the DESKTOP (Horizontal) computers.  See the pictures and dimensions of compatible models for reference. 

Dell compatible power supplies use the Micro PS3 ATX form factor, which is the same height and width of a normal PS2 ATX power supply, however the depth is shallower (and as mentioned before the connectors, pins and voltage are different on the Dell compatible models).   There is also no power switch on Dell compatible Micro PS3 ATX power supplies as the branded computers control power on/off through system software.  

We offer 2 models made by Startech; a 350 Watt and 400 Watt power supply.  Each works with many, but not most, Dell systems and they are not interchangeable. 

And we have 4 models at this time made by Athena Power: a 400 Watt, 470 Watt EPS, 550 Watt EPS, and the new 550 Watt EPS 80PLUS Certified power supply with dual PCI Express video connectors. 

The Athena models are compatible with most Dell systems through a combination of additional cables: the DELL X and the DELL 16 cable.  Each Athena power supply is listed either as a standalone power supply (OEM), or with the DELL 16 or DELL X cables included.  See the compatibility list and/or the SEARCH BY DELL MODEL # section

The EPS models work with XEON motherboards, which are generally used for servers. 

80PLUS Certification means the power supply is highly energy efficient and has been tested and certified as such. 

Dual PCI Express video connectors are becoming increasingly important to users upgrading their video cards to today’s latest and greatest. 

If in doubt, more power will never hurt.  Your system will only pull what it needs, but you will have the ability to add more peripherals and upgrade to a better aftermarket video card. 

Dell systems are shipped with barely enough power to run.  System problems can often be solved by a simple power supply upgrade, especially when running additional peripherals which must be powered by the system.  There is a 250 Watt aftermarket power supply available, but we just don’t see the point of upgrading to that little power… it just doesn’t seem worth the effort or the money.   

Also note the differences in warranty.  The 2 Startech models come with a 2 year warranty, the Athena 400 Watt comes with a 1 year warranty and the Athena 470 & 550 Watt models come with a 3 year warranty. 

Each power supply has a compatibility list in the description (which may be a separate tab).  Make sure your system is on it.  To make finding the compatible power supplies for your model easier, see the SEARCH BY DELL MODEL # section to quickly navigate to the list of compatible power supplies, first by model #, and then by part #.  In most cases there will be 3-5 models to choose from. 

If you have any questions, drop us an email: sales@pcpowerzone.com or give us a call.   

Ross Minion
Founder

 

Compatibility List: 350 & 400 Watt Power Supplies

Dell Computer Model
Startech 350 Watt ATXPW350DELL
Startech 400 Watt ATXPW400DELL
Athena 400 Watt APMPS3ATX40
Dell Dimension 1100 
-
yes
yes
Dell Dimension 2100 
-
-
NA
Dell Dimension 2200 
-
yes
yes
Dell Dimension 2300 
-
yes
yes
Dell Dimension 2350 
-
yes
yes
Dell Dimension 2400 
-
yes
yes
Dell Dimension 3000 
yes
-
yes
Dell Dimension 3100 
yes
-
yes
Dell Dimension 4100 
-
-
w/Dell X cable
Dell Dimension 4300 
-
yes
yes
Dell Dimension 4400 
-
yes
yes
Dell Dimension 4500 
-
yes
yes
Dell Dimension 4550 
-
yes
yes
Dell Dimension 4600 
yes
yes
yes
Dell Dimension 4700 
yes
-
yes
Dell Dimension 5000 
-
-
NA
Dell Dimension 5100 
-
-
NA
Dell Dimension 5150 
-
-
NA
Dell Dimension 8100 
-
-
w/ Dell 16 Cable
Dell Dimension 8200 
-
yes
yes
Dell Dimension 8250 
-
yes
yes
Dell Dimension 8300 
-
yes
yes
Dell Dimension 8400 
yes
yes
yes
Dell Dimension 9100 
yes
-
yes
Dell Dimension 9150 
-
-
NA
Dell Dimension 9200 
-
-
NA
Dell Dimension B100 
-
yes
yes
Dell Dimension B1000R
-
-
w/Dell X cable
Dell Dimension E310 
yes
-
yes
Dell Dimension E510 
yes
-
yes
Dell Dimension E520 
-
-
NA
Dell Dimension E521 
-
-
NA
Dell Dimension L Series
-
-
w/Dell X cable
Dell Dimension XPS B Series
-
-
w/Dell X cable
Dell Dimension XPS D Series
-
-
w/Dell X cable
Dell Dimension XPS M Series
-
-
w/Dell X cable
Dell Dimension XPS P133c MT
-
-
w/Dell X cable
Dell Dimension XPS Pro 180n
-
-
w/Dell X cable
Dell Dimension XPS R Series
-
-
w/Dell X cable
Dell Dimension XPS T Series
-
-
w/Dell X cable
Dell Dimension V350
-
-
NA
Dell Dimension V400
-
-
w/Dell X cable
 
Dell Inspiron 518
-
NA
Dell Inspiron 519
-
NA
Dell Inspiron 530 
-
-
NA
Dell Inspiron 531 
-
-
NA
 
Dell Optiplex 160L 
-
-
NA
Dell Optiplex 170L 
-
yes
yes
Dell Optiplex 210L MiniTower 
-
-
NA
Dell Optiplex 320 MiniTower 
-
-
NA
Dell Optiplex 330 MiniTower 
-
-
NA
Dell Optiplex 740 MiniTower 
-
-
NA
Dell Optiplex 745 MiniTower 
-
-
NA
Dell Optiplex 755 MiniTower 
-
-
NA
Dell OptiPlex G1 Tower systems
-
-
w/Dell X cable
Dell Optiplex GX1 Tower System
-
-
w/Dell X cable
Dell Optiplex GX1p
-
-
NA
Dell Optiplex Gxa
-
-
w/Dell X cable
Dell Optiplex Gxi
-
-
w/Dell X cable
Dell Optiplex GN
-
-
w/Dell X cable
Dell Optiplex GN+
-
-
w/Dell X cable
Dell OptiPlex GX50 
-
-
yes
Dell OptiPlex GX60 
-
yes
yes
Dell Optiplex GX100
-
-
NA
Dell OptiPlex GX110
-
-
w/Dell X cable
Dell OptiPlex GX115
-
-
w/Dell X cable
Dell OptiPlex GX150 Mini-Tower
-
yes
yes
Dell Optiplex GX200 Mid-Tower 
-
-
NA
Dell Optiplex GX200 Mini-Tower 
-
-
NA
Dell OptiPlex GX240 Tower 
-
yes
yes
Dell OptiPlex GX260 Tower
-
yes
yes
Dell OptiPlex GX270 Mini-Tower 
-
yes
yes
Dell OptiPlex GX280 Mini-Tower
yes
-
yes
Dell OptiPlex GX300
-
-
w/Dell X cable
Dell OptiPlex GX400
-
-
w/ Dell 16 Cable
Dell Optiplex GX520 Mini-Tower
-
-
NA
Dell Optiplex GX600 MiniTower 
-
-
NA
Dell Optiplex GX620 MiniTower 
-
-
NA
 
Dell PowerEdge 1300
-
-
w/ Dell 16 Cable
Dell PowerEdge 2100
-
-
w/Dell X cable
Dell PowerEdge 2200
-
-
w/Dell X cable
Dell PowerEdge 2300
-
-
w/ Dell 16 Cable
Dell PowerEdge 400SC 
-
yes
yes
Dell PowerEdge 600SC 
-
yes
yes
Dell PowerEdge SC420
yes
-
yes
 
Dell Precision 360 Desktop 
-
-
NA
Dell Precision 360 MiniTower 
-
-
NA
Dell Precision 380  
-
-
NA
Dell Precision 390  
-
-
NA
Dell Precision T3400 
-
-
NA
Dell Precision Workstation 210
-
-
w/Dell X cable
Dell Precision Workstation 220
-
-
w/Dell X cable
Dell Precision Workstation 330
-
-
w/ Dell 16 Cable
Dell Precision Workstation 340 
-
yes
yes
Dell Precision Workstation 350 
-
yes
yes
Dell Precision Workstation 370 
yes
-
yes
Dell Precision Workstation 400
-
-
w/Dell X cable
Dell Precision Workstation 420
-
-
w/ Dell 16 Cable
 
Dell SmartStep 100D 
-
yes
yes
Dell SmartStep 150D 
-
yes
yes
 
Dell Vostro 200 MiniTower 
-
-
NA
Dell Vostro 400 MiniTower 
-
-
NA
 
Dell XPS 400 
-
-
NA
Dell XPS 410 
-
-
NA
Dell XPS 420 
-
-
NA
 

 

Compatibility List: 470 & 500 Watt Power Supplies

Dell Computer Model
Athena 470 watt APMPS3ATX47E
Athena 550 Watt APMPS3ATX55E
Athena 550 Watt APMPS3ATX55EP8 
Dell Dimension 1100 
yes
yes
yes
Dell Dimension 2100 
w/Dell X cable
w/Dell X cable
w/Dell X cable
Dell Dimension 2200 
yes
yes
yes
Dell Dimension 2300 
yes
yes
yes
Dell Dimension 2350 
yes
yes
yes
Dell Dimension 2400 
yes
yes
yes
Dell Dimension 3000 
yes
yes
yes
Dell Dimension 3100 
yes
yes
yes
Dell Dimension 4100 
w/Dell X cable
w/Dell X cable
w/Dell X cable
Dell Dimension 4300 
yes
yes
yes
Dell Dimension 4400 
yes
yes
yes
Dell Dimension 4500 
yes
yes
yes
Dell Dimension 4550 
yes
yes
yes
Dell Dimension 4600 
yes
yes
yes
Dell Dimension 4700 
yes
yes
yes
Dell Dimension 5000 
yes
yes
yes
Dell Dimension 5100 
yes
yes
yes
Dell Dimension 5150 
yes
yes
yes
Dell Dimension 8100 
w/ Dell 16 Cable
w/ Dell 16 Cable
w/ Dell 16 Cable
Dell Dimension 8200 
yes
yes
yes
Dell Dimension 8250 
yes
yes
yes
Dell Dimension 8300 
yes
yes
yes
Dell Dimension 8400 
yes
yes
yes
Dell Dimension 9100 
yes
yes
yes
Dell Dimension 9150 
yes
yes
yes
Dell Dimension 9200 
yes
yes
yes
Dell Dimension B100 
yes
yes
yes
Dell Dimension B1000R
w/Dell X cable
w/Dell X cable
w/Dell X cable
Dell Dimension E310 
yes
yes
yes
Dell Dimension E510 
yes
yes
yes
Dell Dimension E520 
yes
yes
yes
Dell Dimension E521 
yes
yes
yes
Dell Dimension L Series
w/Dell X cable
w/Dell X cable
w/Dell X cable
Dell Dimension XPS B Series
w/Dell X cable
w/Dell X cable
w/Dell X cable
Dell Dimension XPS D Series
w/Dell X cable
w/Dell X cable
w/Dell X cable
Dell Dimension XPS M Series
w/Dell X cable
w/Dell X cable
w/Dell X cable
Dell Dimension XPS P133c MT
w/Dell X cable
w/Dell X cable
w/Dell X cable
Dell Dimension XPS Pro 180n
w/Dell X cable
w/Dell X cable
w/Dell X cable
Dell Dimension XPS R Series
w/Dell X cable
w/Dell X cable
w/Dell X cable
Dell Dimension XPS T Series
w/Dell X cable
w/Dell X cable
w/Dell X cable
Dell Dimension V350
w/Dell X cable
w/Dell X cable
w/Dell X cable
Dell Dimension V400
w/Dell X cable
w/Dell X cable
w/Dell X cable
 
Dell Inspiron 518
yes
yes
yes
Dell Inspiron 519
yes
yes
yes
Dell Inspiron 530 
yes
yes
yes
Dell Inspiron 531 
yes
yes
yes
 
Dell Optiplex 160L 
yes
yes
yes
Dell Optiplex 170L 
yes
yes
yes
Dell Optiplex 210L MiniTower 
yes
yes
yes
Dell Optiplex 320 MiniTower 
yes
yes
yes
Dell Optiplex 330 MiniTower 
yes
yes
yes
Dell Optiplex 740 MiniTower 
yes
yes
yes
Dell Optiplex 745 MiniTower 
yes
yes
yes
Dell Optiplex 755 MiniTower 
yes
yes
yes
Dell OptiPlex G1 Tower systems
w/Dell X cable
w/Dell X cable
w/Dell X cable
Dell Optiplex GX1 Tower System
w/Dell X cable
w/Dell X cable
w/Dell X cable
Dell Optiplex GX1p
w/Dell X cable
w/Dell X cable
w/Dell X cable
Dell Optiplex Gxa
w/Dell X cable
w/Dell X cable
w/Dell X cable
Dell Optiplex Gxi
w/Dell X cable
w/Dell X cable
w/Dell X cable
Dell Optiplex GN
w/Dell X cable
w/Dell X cable
w/Dell X cable
Dell Optiplex GN+
w/Dell X cable
w/Dell X cable
w/Dell X cable
Dell OptiPlex GX50 
yes
yes
yes
Dell OptiPlex GX60 
NA
yes
NA
Dell Optiplex GX100
w/Dell X cable
w/Dell X cable
w/Dell X cable
Dell OptiPlex GX110
w/Dell X cable
w/Dell X cable
w/Dell X cable
Dell OptiPlex GX115
w/Dell X cable
w/Dell X cable
w/Dell X cable
Dell OptiPlex GX150 Mini-Tower
yes
yes
yes
Dell Optiplex GX200 Mid-Tower 
yes
yes
yes
Dell Optiplex GX200 Mini-Tower 
yes
yes
yes
Dell OptiPlex GX240 Tower 
yes
yes
yes
Dell OptiPlex GX260 Tower
yes
yes
yes
Dell OptiPlex GX270 Mini-Tower 
yes
yes
yes
Dell OptiPlex GX280 Mini-Tower
yes
yes
yes
Dell OptiPlex GX300
w/Dell X cable
w/Dell X cable
w/Dell X cable
Dell OptiPlex GX400
w/ Dell 16 Cable
w/ Dell 16 Cable
w/ Dell 16 Cable
Dell Optiplex GX520 Mini-Tower
yes
yes
yes
Dell Optiplex GX600 MiniTower 
yes
yes
yes
Dell Optiplex GX620 MiniTower 
yes
yes
yes
 
Dell PowerEdge 1300
w/ Dell 16 Cable
w/ Dell 16 Cable
w/ Dell 16 Cable
Dell PowerEdge 2100
w/Dell X cable
w/Dell X cable
w/Dell X cable
Dell PowerEdge 2200
w/Dell X cable
w/Dell X cable
w/Dell X cable
Dell PowerEdge 2300
w/ Dell 16 Cable
w/ Dell 16 Cable
w/ Dell 16 Cable
Dell PowerEdge 400SC 
yes
yes
yes
Dell PowerEdge 600SC 
yes
yes
yes
Dell PowerEdge SC420
yes
yes
yes
 
Dell Precision 360 Desktop 
yes
yes
yes
Dell Precision 360 MiniTower 
yes
yes
yes
Dell Precision 380  
yes
yes
yes
Dell Precision 390  
yes
yes
yes
Dell Precision T3400 
yes
yes
yes
Dell Precision Workstation 210
w/Dell X cable
w/Dell X cable
w/Dell X cable
Dell Precision Workstation 220
w/Dell X cable
w/Dell X cable
w/Dell X cable
Dell Precision Workstation 330
w/ Dell 16 Cable
w/ Dell 16 Cable
w/ Dell 16 Cable
Dell Precision Workstation 340 
yes
yes
yes
Dell Precision Workstation 350 
yes
yes
yes
Dell Precision Workstation 370 
yes
yes
yes
Dell Precision Workstation 400
w/Dell X cable
w/Dell X cable
w/Dell X cable
Dell Precision Workstation 420
w/ Dell 16 Cable
w/ Dell 16 Cable
w/ Dell 16 Cable
 
Dell SmartStep 100D 
yes
yes
yes
Dell SmartStep 150D 
yes
yes
yes
 
Dell Vostro 200 MiniTower 
yes
yes
yes
Dell Vostro 400 MiniTower 
yes
yes
yes
 
Dell XPS 400 
yes
yes
yes
Dell XPS 410 
yes
yes
yes
Dell XPS 420 
yes
yes
yes
 

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