Leave power supply outside of case?

[Pghpooh]

I have a 8 year old Dell desktop pc.
The problem I have is a quirky one that seem to point to the p/s.
The problem is during the bootup it stops mid point during the post. After trying to power on again, it still freezes. I I unlug the unit for a minute or so then plug back in, the unit (most times) will boot normally.
Finding a p/s is a problem. The p/s in the unit has a rear facing fan (fan exhausts the air in the back of the case. Every p/s I see has a top or bottom fan for cooling.
I'd like to go the local Best Buy and buy a p/s and just lay it on top of the case and use it to power the unit. If it works,,, it will be a temporary fix until I can find the right replacement p/s.
Will this work??? The current connectors are sata and the mb connector if I remember right is a 20 pin connector.
Again, just for trouble shooting and temp fix,,,, can I leave the p/s outside the case?

 

[techne]

Again, just for trouble shooting and temp fix,,,, can I leave the p/s outside the case?

As a temp fix, sure. No problem.

 

[Torn Mind]

Yes, it is perfectly fine. It's more of a don't spill, trip, drop something metallic in, or other unwanted results that the PSU is in the case. From a functional perspective, it will work inside or out.

 

[VirtualLarry]

The p/s in the unit has a rear facing fan (fan exhausts the air in the back of the case. Every p/s I see has a top or bottom fan for cooling.

This difference in fan placement and size, should not impede you from replacing the PSU. They are just as functional, drawing air up from a bottom-mounted 120mm fan, as they are, exhausting air out the back using an 80/92mm fan.

In fact, I believe that the ATX specs specify that the PSU exhausts air out the back of the case. So any ATX PSU that you buy, that will physically fit (and they all should fit in a desktop ATX tower case, except for "longer" (800W and up) ones, will work, assuming that the plugs match or exceed, and have enough wattage for the load.

 

[UsandThem]

This difference in fan placement and size, should not impede you from replacing the PSU. They are just as functional, drawing air up from a bottom-mounted 120mm fan, as they are, exhausting air out the back using an 80/92mm fan.

In fact, I believe that the ATX specs specify that the PSU exhausts air out the back of the case. So any ATX PSU that you buy, that will physically fit (and they all should fit in a desktop ATX tower case, except for "longer" (800W and up) ones, will work, assuming that the plugs match or exceed, and have enough wattage for the load.

Exactly.

Just because the fan is blowing down on the PSU components doesn't mean that air isn't exiting through the grill in the back.

Your only potential issue is a 8 year old Dell might be using a proprietary PSU.....something they were well known to do back in the 90's and part of the 00's (I can't remember when they finally quit using all the proprietary parts off-hand).

 

[VirtualLarry]

Your only potential issue is a 8 year old Dell might be using a proprietary PSU.....something they were well known to do back in the 90's and part of the 00's (I can't remember when they finally quit using all the proprietary parts off-hand).

Good point. OP, you need to look up your Dell model, and find out if the PSU connection is "Proprietary". They were the same size/fit as an ATX 24-pin, but wired up differently, and if you put a standard ATX PSU in there, and it's proprietary, it could fry the mobo, the PSU, or both.

(Yeah, thanks Dell!)

They do make replacement PSUs for those older Dells that had the proprietary PSUs, but you have to order them special for that purpose.

If it's new enough that it's not proprietary, then any decent ATX PSU will do. Try not to go below $40 on it though, that's where the "crap" PSUs live, on the pricing scale. $40 and up should be decent though.

 

[Torn Mind]

I don't believe any PSU has a fan that blows into the case. They suck the air out regardless if it is the old 80mm configuration or if there is a big 120mm on the "bottom" if the psu is top mounted. Put a piece of paper on the grille and the paper gets pushed outwards.
I have a Antec Neo Eco 520 and a Seasonic 650W gold unit. Both pushed air out of the PSU.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

I don't believe any PSU has a fan that blows into the case. They suck the air out regardless if it is the old 80mm configuration or if there is a big 120mm on the "bottom" if the psu is top mounted. Put a piece of paper on the grille and the paper gets pushed outwards.
I have a Antec Neo Eco 520 and a Seasonic 650W gold unit. Both pushed air out of the PSU.

Yeah. But by creating negative pressure inside the case, they indirectly draw air in through the front and side vents. (Assuming there's not a front fan doing it on purpose.)

 

[Valantar]

Yeah. But by creating negative pressure inside the case, they indirectly draw air in through the front and side vents. (Assuming there's not a front fan doing it on purpose.)

What does that have to do with anything?

OP: all ATX PSUs exhaust air out the back, regardless if the fan is placed at the back or in the bottom(/top, depending on mounting orientation). You should be perfectly fine with any ATX PSU as long as your case doesn't obstruct the fan.