Quote:
Originally Posted by ChrisBlair
I've been reading about them but I'm not clear on these. What's the deal with them?
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Here's an non modular PSU
Here's a modular PSU
A non modular PSU has all the power cables connected to the PSU's circuit board. So even the power cables you don't need can be in the way. Makes cable management a bit of a pain.
Modular PSU only have the main 24 pin motherboard cable connected (typically, some are fully modular) and the CPU 4/8 pin power cable connected. So the cables you need to use for your system you plug into the little connectors on the outside of the PSU. The cables you don't need you don't need to connect and they're out of the way completely. So you don't end up with the typical rats nest of cables like with a regular non modular PSU.
I'll look into seeing what can fit in your Dell.
I think a normal PSU will fit in your Dell. It looks to about the standard size, so that's good. It also sounds like some people have upgraded their PSU to something more powerful. If I were looking for a PSU for your computer, I'd probably go with this one. It's 80 plug gold rated, modular, and has 5 years of warranty. Also from one of the best PSU manufactures.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817151119
However I would first measure everything just to be sure. I think it's a standard ATX PSU opening, but I'm most concerned about is the overall length of the Seasonic PSU fitting in your Dell. The Seasonic PSU is 6.3" long, if you measure from the rear of the computer to the back of the optical disc drive, how long is that?