XC-1780-Query reg: PSU upgrade, want to add graphics card and for that, need to upgrade 300w PSU.

Himself776

I have an XC-1780 with a 180W power supply which I want to upgrade so I can add a graphics card. I have seen upgrade options which replace the PSU with a 300W supply (part number either DC.3001B.00A or DC.30018.00C). I have also seen this unit advertised ( https://www.gamemax.uk/index.php/products/psus/gt300-300w-80-plus-bronze-tfx-power-supply/ ) which seems to be basically the same thing at a fraction of the price.

I do understand that Acer probably frown on using 3rd party components, but can anybody tell me if it's compatible?

Thanks!

[Edited the topic title to include the topic issue.]

billsey

Nope, your XC-1780 uses an ATX12VO type power supply and the old school ATX supplies won't work without a custom adapter cable. You have a 6 pin main power connector on the motherboard, and that supply uses a 24 pin instead. There are four connectors on your motherboard that would need to be dealt with, the ATX12VO main power connector (6 pin), the ATX auxiliary power connector (8 pin) and two SATA power connectors (6 pins each). Here are the pinouts:

And here is the normal pinout of that 24 pin connector:

You don't need the 3.3V, 5V, -5V or -12V power for your motherboard, but do need all the 12V you can get. The older type supplies had to generate all the different power a motherboard might want, and back in the day those voltages were appropriate for the chips in use. Now days they don't use as much 5V or 3.3V, so it's more efficient to just generate the voltages needed onboard instead of in the supply.

billsey

Nope, your XC-1780 uses an ATX12VO type power supply and the old school ATX supplies won't work without a custom adapter cable. You have a 6 pin main power connector on the motherboard, and that supply uses a 24 pin instead. There are four connectors on your motherboard that would need to be dealt with, the ATX12VO main power connector (6 pin), the ATX auxiliary power connector (8 pin) and two SATA power connectors (6 pins each). Here are the pinouts:

And here is the normal pinout of that 24 pin connector:

You don't need the 3.3V, 5V, -5V or -12V power for your motherboard, but do need all the 12V you can get. The older type supplies had to generate all the different power a motherboard might want, and back in the day those voltages were appropriate for the chips in use. Now days they don't use as much 5V or 3.3V, so it's more efficient to just generate the voltages needed onboard instead of in the supply.

Himself776

@billsey you legend! - thanks for the comprehensive response!