Tutorial on installing a CORSAIR CX500 Power Supply into a DELL DIMENSION E521 computer tower case.
Why struggle to find an old power supply for your machine at an overinflated price, when you can replace it with a brand new, branded, higher specification power supply?
The CORSAIR CX500 500 watt power supply is curently (August 2014) available at Amazon for £41 at Amazon (compared with £55 at PC World!) inc. free delivery. Compare this to buying a second hand, 305 Watt lower specification Dell L305-01P for anything between £19 - £128! Yes sadly, there are unscruplulous dealers who are charging people that much for a 'refurbished' i.e. second hand item...and they offer a 3month gurantee! A new Corsair will come with a 3 year guarantee at least I think...and it will be quieter, more efficient and with greater capability. I am not on a commission from Corsair but I don't like people being exploited because they lack knowledge of computers. Poor people are ripped off every day by dishonest dealers who sell off virtually obsolete components at ridiculous prices to those who don't know any better.
Many people wrongly think they can only replace their power supply with the specific model, in this case the Dell Model No. L301-0P /PN:NH493. So they end up paying way too much money for a new or second hand item, thus losing out on a higher quality, higher specification brand new power supply. Although the Dell Dimension supports ATX based Power Supplies its standard Power Supply is 12mm deeper than the current standard ATX depth of 86mm. This creates a slight obstacle to installation which is easily overcome with a little creativity... The main problem being the protruding clips which support the weight of the previous power supply and the absence of additional weight support for the new power supply.
I don't recommend using your fingers or thumbs to press down the clips as the clips are very strong and you can easily end up cutting off your fingers! It is not necessary to press them down, as the metal bodied case does have flexibility that can be used. However, less distortion to the body of the new power supply will occur if you can reduce the amount the clips protrude (by applying some pressure to them with something heavy and strong, such as a hammer) and additionally support the weight with something wedged between the bottom of the case and a protruding metal 'shelf' inside the Dell Dimension E521 case which protrudes directly under the end of the previous power supply.
The plug pin covers which come with 3-pin plugs on electrical appliances in the UK are ideal for this task, as they are very strong and fit perfectly where they are required.
