What are the differences betweeen PCP&C Silencer 500 "Dell" and the "Regular" version?

[BOLt]

I want to jump aboard the PCP&C bus. But this says "Dell upgrade". Supposedly, Dell stopped using proprietary parts several years ago according to various people on various forums. True story?

Just to clarify my question: will the PSU above work in a non-OEM (custom built) system?

I also have some build advice questions for y'all concerning some upgrades I want to make, but that can wait.

 

[Slugbait]

Originally posted by: BOLt
Supposedly, Dell stopped using proprietary parts several years ago according to various people on various forums. True story?

No, far from it. Last year, a few XPS models went standard ATX, but the vast majority of Dell systems are still proprietary. As recently as two years ago, every Dell system was proprietary. Usually, the PSU needs to be a different size (i.e. smaller) to fit the Dell case, and/or have different connections to the mobo.

For a non-OEM machine, buy a non-OEM power supply. You're taking a gamble when trying to install something that was specifically designed for installing in something else. Read thru the review comments, see if you can find somebody who successfully installed it in a standard ATX case with a standard ATX mobo.

 

[Trashman]

deleted---- comment was a DELL E510 case modification ...sorry.

 

[bruceb]

That is only because most power supplies have an ON / OFF switch on the rear, in a different spot than on the original supply.
Other than that, if PCP&C says it will fit and work pinout wise, they are usually correct.

 

[Schmide]

Originally posted by: Slugbait

Originally posted by: BOLt
Supposedly, Dell stopped using proprietary parts several years ago according to various people on various forums. True story?

No, far from it. Last year, a few XPS models went standard ATX, but the vast majority of Dell systems are still proprietary. As recently as two years ago, every Dell system was proprietary. Usually, the PSU needs to be a different size (i.e. smaller) to fit the Dell case, and/or have different connections to the mobo.

For a non-OEM machine, buy a non-OEM power supply. You're taking a gamble when trying to install something that was specifically designed for installing in something else. Read thru the review comments, see if you can find somebody who successfully installed it in a standard ATX case with a standard ATX mobo.

Every dell I've seen since 2003 had the standard ATX power connectors. Are you sure about this?

 

[BOLt]

Thanks for all of the responses thus far! There seems to be some dissent as to the pin layout on the 24-pin connector for Dell vs. OEM PSUs.

Here's a picture of the connector on the Dell upgrade version of this Silencer PSU: link

IIRC, this male pin layout should match up perfectly with my motherboard's (read: a non-Dell) female pin layout. If this is true, are y'all suggesting that it's "compatible"? That is to say, are these any other potential differences? Slugbait suggests that the physical size of the unit will be different? If this is true, I'm guessing that the screws won't line up properly on my case... Can anyone verify or discredit this assumption?

edit:

From Newegg:

Pros: Quite and stable. This unit is not as deep as most power supply of this wattage which is a big plus in a Mid or Mini tower Case. I put this in my HP m9040n to power my video card upgrade, 9800GTX+ OC.

Cons: In a small ATX case there is lots of extra cable

Other Thoughts: Works and fits great in my HP Pavilion Elite m9040n

Pros: This thing is awesome. Fit right in no problem, and just to clarify, I did NOT install this in a DELL, newegg was having a special sale on this unit, and I thought what the heck. The voltages are spot on, it's nearly silent, and what more can I say; PC Power and Cooling has always produced good stuff, this unit is no exception.

Cons: Not a single thing comes to mind.

Other Thoughts: If your on the fence, buy it, you won't regret it.

Pros: I do not have a dell and mistakenly ordered this one instead of the PPSC500.

I spoke with PPC tech support and they stated that this is the same unit internally as the PPCS500.

The difference: 10 mm in length (140mm Dell version vs 150mm) and a manual power switch on the back. The screw locations are the same for mounting.

The cables are identical and pinouts are the same. You can compare the two on their site and the cable drawings are exactly the same.

So those who would like to use this on a non Dell build.. you can.

The difference is that

Cons: None..

$25.00 rebate on this one and only $15.00 on the PPCS500

Hmm... That last one is an unequivocal "yes" to the question I posed in the OP. I'm gonna pull the trigger on this and post an update when the PSU gets here and I get it installed. Hopefully it doesn't fry all of my components, but...

 

[mdcwlaf]

Just installed the standard PCP&C Silencer 500 in my Dell and works great. The new PS is slightly (10mm) longer than the stock Dell PS. I just bent the stupid little metal tabs, on the Dell case, out of the way and it slid right in. The 4 screws in the back are more than enough to hold the new PS in place. It does have an extra tab at the top for top mount screws if you are feeling creative and don't mind putting extra holes in your case. If you need that many screws .... you need to screw your house down a little tighter. The 24 pin and 4 Pin PCI-E were just right for the MB. My only negative is the length of the cables. I could probably power a drive in another room if I had to (JK). My stock Dell no longer dies when trying to feed my higher end video card and other peripherals.

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: BOLt
I want to jump aboard the PCP&C bus.

Why not just buy the 610 Watt version? It's cheaper right now (with rebate) and isn't the Dell version.
610 Watt, $80 after rebate

 

[Crusty]

FWIW I have a PCP&C 430w 'Dell' PSU powering my e8400 + 8800GT on an Abit IP35-E. It fits fine in my Antec 300 and I've been running @ 3.6ghz with no problems for months now.

 

[Aluvus]

Originally posted by: Slugbait
No, far from it. Last year, a few XPS models went standard ATX, but the vast majority of Dell systems are still proprietary. As recently as two years ago, every Dell system was proprietary. Usually, the PSU needs to be a different size (i.e. smaller) to fit the Dell case, and/or have different connections to the mobo.

You don't know what you're talking about.

The last time Dell used non-standard connectors to the motherboard was the Pentium III era. As they switched to Pentium 4 systems, they switched to standard ATX. Later, they switched to standard BTX (which as far as the power supply is concerned, is essentially the same). Later still, when BTX bombed, they switched back to ATX.

The ATX standard only fully constrains the size of the power supply in 2 out of 3 dimensions, and in fact if you compare several power supplies you will most likely find some variation in the remaining dimension. Dell's systems, with the possible exception of some of their small form factor-ish stuff, conform to those two dimensions. Some Dell cases may require the power supply to be relatively short in the third dimension, but then that is true of some "normal" cases.

The only notable compatibility issue regarding Dell and power supplies, as was already mentioned, is that Dell cases do not have an opening for an on/off switch (or 115 V/230 V switch) on the back of the power supply. So using a non-Dell power supply with a Dell case may mean cutting away a bit of metal from the case. But this will not create any issues when using a "Dell-compatible" power supply with an arbitrary ATX case.

Dell used to be the bad guy when it came to form factors. They are much, much better about it than they used to be.

 

[BOLt]

By the way, this works great!

What a fantastic power supply!

 

[M0RPH]

Nice info, Aluvus. Thanks for sharing.