PSU question

[Serenity]

Alright, I'm shopping for a new PSU, and I want to know how I will know if the new PSU will fit in my old slot when the website (newegg.com) does not list dimensions.

What I have is an ATX-300-12Z Rev. CDR

[Delirium]

I am by far not an expert, but you're better off measuring the case, rather than comparing it to the old power supply.

My original power supply in my old computer was small, when I updated it I had to drill new mounts in the back of the case but it fit none the less.

[Fulmar]

http://www.power-on.com/atx12vhp300bt.html

Dimensions US     5.5" x 5.9" x 3.4"

IIRC, ATX PSU's most common sizes are 150mm x 150mm x 86mm.  Which is 5.9" x 5.9" x 3.4"

I imagine that your 5.5" is the length of the PSU.  That 1/2" could be a deal breaker.  I know newegg doesn't show dimensions, so you may have to go directly to the manufacturer's website.

[Serenity]

http://www.power-on.com/atx12vhp300bt.html

Dimensions US     5.5" x 5.9" x 3.4"

IIRC, ATX PSU's most common sizes are 150mm x 150mm x 86mm.  Which is 5.9" x 5.9" x 3.4"

I imagine that your 5.5" is the length of the PSU.  That 1/2" could be a deal breaker.  I know newegg doesn't show dimensions, so you may have to go directly to the manufacturer's website.

Yeah, those measurements match exactly what I hand-measured. So the only way to know is to find a PSU on newegg and then basically google it and try to find dimensions there?

(BTW: Its 5.5" from the rear of the case toward the front, 5.9" wide, and 3.4" tall)

Edit: Is there an easy way to search for PSU by dimensions? I havn't found a single PSU on newegg that's cheap and with a decent wattage that will fit

[Serenity]

Lets assume I cannot find a PSU that is the same size as my old one (Because, well, I cannot. At least I havn't been able to so far...) what are my options? Do I have any choices other than Del's drilling extra holes in my computer? Are the mounting screws in the same place regardless of PSU dimensions?

[Fulmar]

The screws that hold the PSI in are generally towards the back outside of the case and they are usually in standardized spots.  The only problem you may have with the 1/2" of room is that a new PSU may:
a) hit the CD-ROM drive at the top
b) not give you any cable room so run the power cables down to the computer parts and/or can't hook up the CD-ROM drive
c) Your case has some piece/bar/whatever that prevents a longer PSU from fitting into the PSU slot.  With this though you can hack away at it with a dremel.
d) Your Dell PSU rests/sits on one of those swing arm things which prevents you from mounting any different size PSU.  Honestly, I don't know what Dell model you have (a exact model number can help us), but I haven't seen the insides of a Dell Desktop since those Black/Gray Plastic P4 system they had.  Give me a model number and we might be able to see if something larger can fit.

[Bino]

PC Power & Cooling lists a bunch of Dell replacement units with the 5.5" depth.

Scroll to the bottom of this page

[Serenity]

d) Your Dell PSU rests/sits on one of those swing arm things which prevents you from mounting any different size PSU.  Honestly, I don't know what Dell model you have (a exact model number can help us), but I haven't seen the insides of a Dell Desktop since those Black/Gray Plastic P4 system they had.  Give me a model number and we might be able to see if something larger can fit.

Not a Dell. HP Pavilion a1710n

[Fulmar]

Not a Dell. HP Pavilion a1710n

Sorry, I read this as Dell
"what are my options? Do I have any choices other than Del's drilling extra holes in my computer?"

Anyways, the service manual doesn't give me a very good picture of how the PSU fits in the case.  Though it looks like it shouldn't be a problem fitting a regular size PSU in it.  It's best to open the side of the case and see if you can spare a 1/2" extra in length.
http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c00873755.pdf

[1701E]

[. . .]
Edit: Is there an easy way to search for PSU by dimensions? I havn't found a single PSU on newegg that's cheap and with a decent wattage that will fit

For cases with a limited size PSU, the only ways normally are to either:
A) Google the PSU and hope to find the sizes.
B) Pick a brand and go to their site and look it up.

After looking up your Comp it seems to have a standard ATX size PSU in it, and appears to be able to come out the way I had to resort to in my E-machines.  It was not the "right" way but it worked.

There are no "bars" of any sort blocking the way, simply a DVD drive behind it, which means go for a 5.5" deep PSU to be safe.  OCZ, Seasonic both make some good ones that small.
If this one fits the same as my old E-machine, it is a small pain, but easily overcome with some wiggling.
I have gotten decent at this, after spending 3 days looking up how to replace my old E-machines PSU.

[Fulmar]

I found some specs that say your case is 17" long.  A CD/DVD drive is generally around 7 3/4"-8" long (though some can be shorter sometimes).  I'm going to guess that the distance between the front of the PSU (inside the case) and the back of the CD/DVD drive is about 3 3/4".  Which is fairly tight.  Subtract that extra 1/2" from 3 3/4" and you've got 3 1/4 (math is great!).  This should be enough room for cabling, though it may be a pain in the butt.

[Serenity]

I found some specs that say your case is 17" long.  A CD/DVD drive is generally around 7 3/4"-8" long (though some can be shorter sometimes).  I'm going to guess that the distance between the front of the PSU (inside the case) and the back of the CD/DVD drive is about 3 3/4".  Which is fairly tight.  Subtract that extra 1/2" from 3 3/4" and you've got 3 1/4 (math is great!).  This should be enough room for cabling, though it may be a pain in the butt.

When I opened it to measure it it looked like there was plenty of room to spare. Worst-case-scenario, I get a PSU and cannot get it to fit, do you s'pose newegg.com would take it back? lol.

One last PSU question Fulmar, since you seem to be an absolute expert on this. In addition to the RAM you suggested in another thread, I decided to get this video card:

SAPPHIRE 100225L Radeon HD 3870 512MB 256-bit GDDR4 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail

is the same 600W PSU you suggest going to be sufficient? Or should I go with 700W?

[Fulmar]

Yes, 600W is a good PSU for that card.  Newegg with take an RMA on most thing, but on the item display it will tell you what kind of return policy it is.  Some are 30-Day full refunds, others are non-refundable returns where you can either get the same thing or use it as credit to buy something else.  Though you'll have to pay shipping back to Newegg and I believe if they do take a return (on a non-defective product), there is a 15% restocking fee.

[Serenity]

Yes, 600W is a good PSU for that card.  Newegg with take an RMA on most thing, but on the item display it will tell you what kind of return policy it is.  Some are 30-Day full refunds, others are non-refundable returns where you can either get the same thing or use it as credit to buy something else.  Though you'll have to pay shipping back to Newegg and I believe if they do take a return (on a non-defective product), there is a 15% restocking fee.

Thank you so much Fulmar! I owe you a drink or twelve for all this help!