Can the current Dell Optiplex model GX270 personal computer use a
standard ATX power supply?

Hi collossus, 

It appears you will need your tag number and service contract number
to order a power supply from Dell. I spoke to some knowledgeable
computer repair techs trying to locate the correct answer for you.

I was told repeatedly that you will need to order a replacement supply
from DEll, as the Optiplex cases are too small for a standard ATX
power supply.


I tried several routes to reach Dell support, and was met with a dead
end at each, without your tag number.

Here are two pages from Dell on removing your power supply, should you get one!
Removing the power supply:
http://docs.us.dell.com/docs/systems/opgx270/smen/pwrsply.htm#1106021
Replacing the power supply:
http://docs.us.dell.com/docs/systems/opgx270/smen/pwrsply.htm#1099801

This site has the specs on your model, which may be useful in ordering:
http://asia.cnet.com/reviews/hardware/desktops/0,39001725,39014881p,00.htm

Best of luck, 
crabcakes-ga

crabcakes-

Thank you for the reply. This is a mini tower, not the small form
factor Optiplex, so the the PSU is very much the standrad size.

If i could call the following article at the link below to your attention:

http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=3301

A quote from Dell itself from the above linked article:

"All Dell desktop motherboards now in production support the industry
standard ATX connector but the motherboard form factor will continue
to be custom and optimised for each chassis."

I take this to mean any ATX standard PSU may be used.

But other statements in various forums contradict this statement,
while others seem to support it.

Just for reference here, I am coputer technician and have been trying
to solve this riddle for several days. Straight answers seem very hard
to come by from Dell!

I saw the title of this article and was reminded of a section I read
in Scott Mueller's "Upgrading & Repairing PCs".

     Aparently, since September 1998, Dell is using the standard ATX
motherboard *CONNECTOR*, but is using a nonstandard *WIRING* of that
connector on their motherboards and power supplies.  This means that
you can plug a generic non-Dell ATX power supply into (it will fit) a
Dell motherboard, but the expected signals and voltages will be
mismatched. This can lead to big trouble.

     Scott includes, in his 13th edition of "Upgrading & Repairing
PCs" a three page article on the topic, including wire pinouts of both
industry-standard and Dell Proprietary ATX Main Power Connectors.  If
you have access to a copy, the article begins on Page 1124, in chapter
21; Power Supply and Chassis/Case.

     If I may quote some of his article, he states, "At first I
thought that if all they did was switch some of the terminals around,
I could use a terminal pick to remove the terminals from the
connectors (with the wires attached) and merely reinsert them into the
proper connector positions, enabling me to use the Dell power supply
with an upgraded ATX motherboard in the future.  Unfortunately, if you
study the Dell main and auxillary connector pinouts I've listed here
and compare them to the industry-standard ATX pinouts listed earlier,
you'll see that not only are the voltage and signal positions changed,
but the number of terminals carrying specific voltages and grounds has
changed as well.  You could modify a Dell supply to work with a
standard ATX board, but you'd have to do some cutting and splicing in
addition to swapping some terminals around.  Usually, it isn't worth
the time and effort."

In the next paragraph, Scott offers this advice, "If you do decide to
upgrade the motherboard in your Dell system (purchased on or after
09/98), a simple solution is available- just make sure you replace
both the motherboard AND power supply with industry-standard ATX
components at the same time."

   Since the 13th edition came out in 2001, It is possible that Dell
has changed their ways since then.  If I was going to change a Dell
power supply, I think Scott's article is enough reason to check with a
multimeter before plugging in and powering up.

At the risk of typos, I will try to reproduce the wiring diagram here.
 PLEASE CHECK THESE VALUES WITH A MULTIMETER BEFORE YOU GO PLUGGING
ANYTHING IN OR SWITCHING WIRES AROUND!  I CANNOT GUARENTEE THAT YOUR
DELL POWER SUPPLY IS WIRED THIS WAY.

ATX Main Power Supply Connector Pinout 

Dell Proprietary (Nonstandard) | ATX (Industry Standard)
Color         Signal      Pin  |Color   Signal      Pin
-------------------------------|--------------------------
Red           +5V          1   |Orange   +3.3V        1
Black         Gnd          2   |Orange   +3.3V        2
Red           +5V          3   |Black     Gnd         3
Black         Gnd          4   |Red       +5V         4
Orange        Power_Good   5   |Black     Gnd         5
Purple        +5VSB(stdby) 6   |Red       +5V         6
Yellow        +12V         7   |Black     Gnd         7
Blue          -12V         8   |Gray     Power_Good   8
Black         Gnd          9   |Purple   +5VSB(stdby) 9 
Black         Gnd          10  |Yellow     +12V      10
Gray          PS_On        11  |Orange     +3.3V     11
Black         Gnd          12  |Blue       -12V      12
Black         Gnd          13  |Black      Gnd       13
Black         Gnd          14  |Green      PS_On     14
White         -5V          15  |Black       Gnd      15
Red           +5V          16  |Black       Gnd      16
Red           +5V          17  |Black       Gnd      17
Red           +5V          18  |White      -5V       18
KEY (blank)    -           19  |Red        +5V       19
Red           +5V          20  |Red        +5V       20


Since I already quoted so much of his book, I might as well include a link:

http://www.upgradingandrepairingpcs.com/index.asp

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0789725428/qid%3D1069127141/sr%3D11-1/ref%3Dsr%5F11%5F1/102-9649190-1333762