scary reviews say that an external power supply can damage a computer

[X71200]

Dell PSUs are not following the ATX standard.

Except a lot of them ranging from servers to gaming machines are. They usually simply threw in 80mm Delta designs that work with other PCs just fine.

 

[silentbogo]

@Concerned, I think you've gone a bit over your head on this one. I suggest instead of juggling around PSUs you should probably downgrade your GPU to slot-powered GTX1650 (non-super,non-Ti, just a regular one), before you kill your PC.

If it's an Inspiron 3670, it has a decent built-in 290W Power supply (I believe it's one of the 80+Gold FSP, or something like that ), which is more than enough to drive a stock i7-8700(non-K) paired with GTX1650S.
The ZERO-th option, is simply getting a Dell D365EM power supply and forget about all the janky solutions. Doing proper research rather than reading reviews from random idiots on the internet is a good habit. I'd say, it's not just good habit, but good lifestyle/philosophy in general. If the simplest solution is not your cup'o'tea, then just for shits and giggles I'll tell you about a couple more options that do not require dual-PSU.
The cheapest and most optimal way of getting it to work, is hardware-modding its internal PSU to have 6+2 PCIe power connector (which requires at least rudimentary electronics and soldering skills). Second to best - is ditching the stock PSU, and replacing with standard ATX12V/EPS12V unit. This, however, requires more expenses, since you'll need a 24-pin to 8-pin main power adapter-cable with a built-in 11VSB converter(that's at least another $10-15 on top). I can tell you right now, that it won't be cheaper than buying a 360W Dell unit.

Dual-PSU should've been your last resort, or "nuclear option". And just like with any "nuclear" option, if you don't know what you are doing, you should forget about this idea immediately.
And yes, an improperly implemented external power supply can kill your PC and even "properly" implemented dual-PSU can do it on rare occasion, but it's not PSU manufacturer's fault. Why do you think redundant PSUs for servers and workstations are so expensive...

Except a lot of them ranging from servers to gaming machines are.

I think the last time I saw a non-proprietary PSU in a prebuilt from Dell/HP/Fujitsu back when I bought my second-ever PC - it was a Socket 939 HP Compaq - the shittiest PC ever made. Lenovo occasionally drops-in cheap-ass ATX power supplies in their entry-level semi-empty desktops with soldered CPUs, but that's more of an exception for the sake of saving a few bucks. Beyond proprietary connectors there are also many minor annoyances, like misaligned screw holes, or various metal bumps and tabs on the case that require some filing and grinding.

 

[X71200]

I think the last time I saw a non-proprietary PSU in a prebuilt from Dell/HP/Fujitsu back when I bought my second-ever PC - it was a Socket 939 HP Compaq - the shittiest PC ever made. Lenovo occasionally drops-in cheap-ass ATX power supplies in their entry-level semi-empty desktops with soldered CPUs, but that's more of an exception for the sake of saving a few bucks. Beyond proprietary connectors there are also many minor annoyances, like misaligned screw holes, or various metal bumps and tabs on the case that require some filing and grinding.

Dell PSUs both use standard and non-standard pinouts depending on machine type / layout.

 

[silentbogo]

Dell PSUs both use standard and non-standard pinouts depending on machine type / layout.

The only Dell machines that did use standard ATX PSUs are some of their XPS desktops, but even those times are gone since now they've switched it up to smaller proprietary PSU with an "octopus" of smaller connectors across the entire updated lineup. Precision workstations use a 24-pin, but it's not a standard pinout. That's one of the things that I don't really look forward into, when I finally get my T5810 board.

 

[X71200]

The only Dell machines that did use standard ATX PSUs are some of their XPS desktops, but even those times are gone since now they've switched it up to smaller proprietary PSU with an "octopus" of smaller connectors across the entire updated lineup. Precision workstations use a 24-pin, but it's not a standard pinout. That's one of the things that I don't really look forward into, when I finally get my T5810 board.

I don't think you're getting it.

Aurora R7, which retail 850w PSU will fit? | DELL Technologies

Hi everyone, I have aw aurora r7 core i7-7800k with the gtx 1080Ti and 460w psu. I want to add more gtx 1080Ti but I need buy 850w psu. i want to know EVGA p2 850w or EVGA G3 850w fit with my Pc's...

www.dell.com

There are Dell machines that use standard pinouts on the motherboard end, but changing the PSU could lead you into compatibility issues, however - that could happen with any other PC... just more on the Dell end. The reason of that is the PSUs being designed for one purpose = the pre-built PC and maybe upgrades of it FROM DELL.

The fact that your Dell PSU doesn't have the necessary connections for a big GPU are irrelevant as there are Dell PSUs that are ATX compliant, or the PSU not fitting, or the cables not reaching spots. Let's say you tried to built a custom PC without doing PSU size calculation. You buy a big PSU with a case that has small shroud / area to fit it into. The PSU doesn't fit and you're SOL. ATX specifications of the cable functionality is not related to this. My original point was related to whether the PSUs WORK or NOT with other machines and some of them do.

 

[95Viper]

Stop with the insults.
Stay on the topic.

Thank You and have a good day.

 

[silentbogo]

There are Dell machines that use standard pinouts on the motherboard end, but changing the PSU could lead you into compatibility issues, however - that could happen with any other PC...

That's the whole point - swapping a PSU to a properly specced PSU doesn't lead to compatibility issues on a "normal" PC. But once again, a couple of models out of an entire extensive portfolio barely qualifies as "a lot", especially if it only applies to their most expensive enthusiast-grade desktops, and a tiny fraction of Poweredge servers.
Anyways, we are getting really offtopic here. OP hasn't even posted what machine he/she has.

 

[X71200]

That's the whole point - swapping a PSU to a properly specced PSU doesn't lead to compatibility issues on a "normal" PC. But once again, a couple of models out of an entire extensive portfolio barely qualifies as "a lot", especially if it only applies to their most expensive enthusiast-grade desktops, and a tiny fraction of Poweredge servers.
Anyways, we are getting really offtopic here. OP hasn't even posted what machine he/she has.

It does though, like if I swapped my 1500i for my Strix 550, I would have actually gained space on the bottom end of my P3. I can't do push-pull because of it. There are many such cases. Like I said, it just happens more on Dell because of it being proprietary more.

Back OT, yes, the OP needs to give further information about their setup.

 

[300BaudBob]

The green power on wire needs to be grounded or the supply won't turn on. You can ground it to a black wire. This has been true for some years. Probably why your first supply seemed DOA.

 

[Concerned]

All the wires look black. Which ones do I do what with? What I had many years ago worked after my dad put a wire between two connectors , it had colors on the cables. What I have now is all black. Do I just shove that thing into the new one at certain places and it'll work? [edit update] I went ahead and did it, and it is now detecting my graphics board. So this might've been the problem with the first one not working, but the second one just didn't fit for some reason. Downloading drivers for my graphics board now. Thanks for the help.

 

[TheLostSwede]

All the wires look black. Which ones do I do what with? What I had many years ago worked after my dad put a wire between two connectors View attachment 174406, it had colors on the cables. What I have now is View attachment 174407all black. Do I just shove that thing into the new one at certain places and it'll work?

No, you don't just "shove that thing" in, do it wrong and you can blow up the PSU.
Do yourself a favour and buy this.

Amazon.com

 

[X71200]

-Snip-

You're not really listening to any of the advice. Give us details about what PC you're exactly using, and you might get advice regarding what SINGLE PSU can run your setup properly.

 

[300BaudBob]

All the wires look black. Which ones do I do what with? What I had many years ago worked after my dad put a wire between two connectors View attachment 174406, it had colors on the cables. What I have now is View attachment 174407all black. Do I just shove that thing into the new one at certain places and it'll work? [edit update] I went ahead and did it, and it is now detecting my graphics board. So this might've been the problem with the first one not working, but the second one just didn't fit for some reason. Downloading drivers for my graphics board now. Thanks for the help.

I'd recommend you get a proper jumper like TheLostSwede recommended. Or get some good 3m electrical tape and secure it well...but the jumper would be more secure.

 

[Hachi_Roku256563]

Lol i just realised i used a gpu power cable on my cpu for ages
it was fine

 

[R-T-B]

Lol i just realised i used a gpu power cable on my cpu for ages
it was fine

...

No it wasn't. I'm guessing it just detected a short and provided no power and somehow, that was ok.

You are VERY lucky because the pinouts are NOT the same.

 

[Hachi_Roku256563]

no it ran fine for ages
with a 3200g for 6 months
before i got my gpu

 

[silentbogo]

no it ran fine for ages

You do realize that EPS pinout is backwards to 8-pin PCIe, not even mentioning that Sense would short your 12V rail.
There are only 2 situations how this could've happened:
1) you are stupid, persistent, and lucky - managed to jam it in backwards, and your motherboard only has a 4-pin CPU power connector which prevented a short only because the right two pins were hanging on the side(or you've only plugged in a 6-pin into EPS). Beyond a latching tab, minifit connectors have two different shapes for contacts, just to prevent this situation from ever happening (e.g. installing into the wrong socket or installing backwards).
2) You are full of shit and this never actually happened.

 

[Hachi_Roku256563]

No it worked for ages no 2 it does have an 8 pin but this cpu and mobo did run with a 4 pin temporarily
i am very stupid so that is possible

 

[ArdWar]

No it worked for ages no 2 it does have an 8 pin but this cpu and mobo did run with a 4 pin temporarily
i am very stupid so that is possible

EPS 8pin and PCIe 8pin have different pin keying and reversed pinout polarity. They shouldn't even pluggable on the wrong socket in the first place, you need to whack them or something to fit on the wrong socket.

If for some reason it did fit, it would then results in direct short for your PSU, unless your PSU had weird ass independent multi rail architecture or something. Other possibility is that you're somehow got an unicorn PSU that actually provide remote sensing on PCIe 8pin that somehow safely trip the output. I never found one that actually do this...

 

[Atomic77]

I thought most PSU are always internal. Unless you have a laptop than you may have a power cord with a little box that keeps your laptop battery charged by plugging in to a wall outlet.