Need help with updating 4 year old PC

machairodus11

machairodus11

machairodus11

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Hello all!

I recently acquired a PC from 2015 (https://support.hp.com/us-en/docume...529D4Rz-6ypUhbhsfFOsolCZ_9XBQHSxYZe2vCzXc0SHA ) processor : Intel Xeon E3-1226 v3 @3.30 GHz, 3301 Mhz

Since it has been sitting in a warehouse for the last years in an unopened box, the system is virtually new, however its components are dated.
I would like to upgrade the PC (around 500 USD worth), switching out some components.

In the end I would like to do some photo and video editing and also use it for some gaming as well.
The system is working fine, but what would you recommend I focus on upgrading the PC?
I was thinking in the lines of:

- Add memory (currently has 4GB DDR3) - upgrade to 8/12 GB? - Or maybe I should replace the motherboard and use a DDR4 motherboard and not spend on DDR3 memory?

- Add GPU - I read that "Asus Phoenix GeForce GTX 1660 OC 6GB" should have great price/quality ratio. Would this be recommended? Also, since my PSU has 400W, would it be sufficient for this GPU or should I think about upgrading the PSU as well?

- Add SDD harddrive - currently I have HDD, I am thinking about using it as a storage drive or putting it in external NAS and install SDD as the system drive. How should I look for the SDD drive? Which would be a wise choice?

All feedback and recommendations are welcome.

Thank you
 
Hi, welcome to the forum.

If you replace the motherboard for a DDR4 type then you would also need a different CPU. Also, the power connectors are proprietary, so you would need a new PSU as well. And then, the HP power supply apparently isn't the same shape as a normal ATX PSU, so there may be trouble fitting a new PSU into the case.

Are you sure that upgrading that system is what you want to do, instead of starting a new build?

If you keep that system, then I'd keep the CPU and mobo and restrict dead-end upgrades (e.g. DDR3 memory) to a minimum. Stuff that isn't dead-end = GPU, SSD.

Also, when it comes to GPU, you should look to see how many PCIe power connectors the PSU has and what type they are. 6 pin? 6+2 pin? Don't simply rely on "400W" as that's not the whole story. And then hopefully HP will have a motherboard BIOS update should a new GPU require it to play well with the board.

SSD go for SATA variety as that system won't have M.2. slot. Samsung 860 EVO, Crucial MX500, WD Blue 3D NAND all good choices. Get the cheapest 500GB or 1TB depending on your needs.
 
For that kind use 8GB would be absolute minimum amount of memory.
4GB wouldn't be enough even for any heavier multi-tab web browsing in bloated Wintoys10.
So at least 4GB more memory is must have update.


I suspect that PSU might lack PCIe power cable.
In every material of it it's always shown with very compact cooler single slot card without extra power cable.
So unless existence of that that cable is confirmed by checking what cables that PSU has, any better graphics cards might not work.

Also changing PSU might be harder.
While motherboard's power connector is more normal looking, can't say for sure it's standard.
In SFF version it certainly isn't.
Also it being ATX size isn't sure.
 
As others have said you are probably going to be restricted by the existing PSU in terms of a GPU upgrade, but worth checking, and changing the PSU isn't a foregone conclusion so it's not a simple answer there.

The most obvious areas that don't require a rebuild are the RAM and SDD. Buying DDR3 RAM is, as you say, investing in dead tech but given the circumstances it might be worthwhile if you can get a decent price as the alternatives are much more expensive and you can always sell it on come full upgrade time, you will make a loss but it wont be massive in all likelihood. The SSD option is one of those things that is a kind of light bulb moment the first time you install one. Going from a mechanical drive to an SSD for the first time is amazing, get the biggest decent brand (recommendations above are solid) you can and itll make a big difference and will be easily transferable to a new PC when the time comes.

Have a rummage around a check the PSU connectors first of all and see where you stand and you can take it from there. You could always maybe punt the whole system and put that towards a full build which would last a while and not involve any of the above compromises but that's another discussion :)
 
Double07 said:
You could always maybe punt the whole system and put that towards a full build which would last a while and not involve any of the above compromises but that's another discussion :)
Click to expand...

It's probably the best thing. Think it's worth discussing tbh so he can get a better comparison.

Given $ were mentioned, there's a place which sells Ryzen 1600 for $80 with a $30 discount on top of that when paired with a compatible motherboard. So that's $50 for a Ryzen 1600. B450 Tomahawk for $115. Elsewhere can find G.Skill Ripjaws V 3000MHz 16GB DDR4 for $80. TeamGroup Lite 480GB SSD for $55. Seasonic S12III 500 Bronze PSU for $40. Zotac GTX 1660 for $220. And you're on $560 (or around $570 if you go for a better SSD) and just needing a case, and you can get some money by selling the HP system. So you probably end up spending $500 or less on a new system that is also more upgradable than the HP.
 
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Danny75 said:
It's probably the best thing. Think it's worth discussing tbh so he can get a better comparison.

Given $ were mentioned, there's a place which sells Ryzen 1600 for $80 with a $30 discount on top of that when paired with a compatible motherboard. So that's $50 for a Ryzen 1600. B450 Tomahawk for $115. Elsewhere can find G.Skill Ripjaws V 3000MHz 16GB DDR4 for $80. TeamGroup Lite 480GB SSD for $55. Seasonic S12III 500 Bronze PSU for $40. Zotac GTX 1660 for $220. And you're on $560 (or around $570 if you go for a better SSD) and just needing a case, and you can get some money by selling the HP system. So you probably end up spending $500 or less on a new system that is also more upgradable than the HP.
Click to expand...

Very true but sales tax is a thing so it could an impact depending on the state. Not likely to trouble our 20% VAT rate though! Swings and roundabout I suppose, it'll all be fixed now we have left the EU, right? ;)

On a more serious note, yeah a full build with flogging the other might well be the most cost effective solution.
 
Alrighty

So I checked the PSU cables - only thing left is a single Molex cable (on ebay I found theres an adapter for 2 Sata power cables - https://www.ebay.com/itm/Molex-to-2...r-Cable-Lead-2-Way-4-Pin-15-pin-/352600829585 )

Could this be enough to power 2 disks? No other cables, so GPU with this PSU is not doable.

So I went on and did a little shopping. Got me a Crucial MX500 SDD, GTX 1660 Ti GPU, Corsair 8GB DDR3 1600Mhz, Corsair VS 550W PSU.
When I got home, I ran into some trouble. Firstly you were right, the PSU wouldnt attach to the Tower.
Secondly and more seriously, it turns out that the PSU is not right for this motherboard. Apparently it requires a 18pin connector instead of conventional 20/24 pin - some HP proprietary stuff. I don´t think I can get a suitable HP PSU for this GPU. So now I am left with 2 options I think:

1) Replace the motherboard - would this be a viable option? For a reasonable 80 eur I could get my hands on this: https://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/H81 Pro BTC R2.0/

It should have all the required connections - Or am I missing something? Next option in line is already close to 200 eur, so I would rather put my money towards a new system where the CPU will not bottleneck me.

2) Take the whole system and turn it into NAS. Since the PC is working well and has a server CPU, it should be a great option for NAS pc - just add some more HDDs and store my data on it (as I said, I only have 1 molex cable left over - could I use it to power additional 2 HDDs? )

Secondly, take the GPU, PSU, SDD and put it into a new system - I would need a tower, motherboard, CPU, RAM. Anything else? Any recommendations here? The next generation after LGA 1150 is LGA 1151, which released ages ago (2015) - Could I be sure that it will still be relevant technology in a few years? Or should I be thinking about the LGA 2066?

As always, thank you for your feedback!
 
machairodus11 said:
Firstly you were right, the PSU wouldnt attach to the Tower.
Secondly and more seriously, it turns out that the PSU is not right for this motherboard. Apparently it requires a 18pin connector instead of conventional 20/24 pin - some HP proprietary stuff.
Click to expand...

Did mention that too. But it was in the context of answering your question about replacing the motherboard, i.e. you'd need a normal PSU for new motherboard:

Danny75 said:
If you replace the motherboard for a DDR4 type then you would also need a different CPU. Also, the power connectors are proprietary, so you would need a new PSU as well.
Click to expand...

Just that you did it vice versa and went for new PSU and bumped into the same issue.

I'll have a think about the rest and post back.
 
I think option 2 accompanied by new system would be best. Start something afresh that fits a normal PSU, decent cooler if needed etc, or you could bump into more issues and restrictions in future.

There are Sata-to-Sata splitters which would attach to the single(?) Sata connector, and might be better than using Molex if I remember correctly. Sata is newer and more "intelligent" with voltages, Molex-to-Sata are a bit notorious for catching fire (not sure about pure Sata splitter melting statistics and not sure if good quality Molex-to-Sata have ever burnt up). Speaking of which, you can link to manufacturer websites (e.g. ASRock) but not to competitors (rules I'm afraid).

My basket at Overclockers UK:
Total: £20.41 (includes shipping: £6.02)
​

As you can see with some of these you could power 4 drives off a single Sata. I've used the Silverstone SST-CP06 and it seemed fine (powered 4 drives) other than the plastic on the connectors can be a bit flimsy so needs using gently as possible.

As for CPU and motherboard choice, basically look at Intel 8XXX (CoffeeLake-S) and 9XXX (CoffeeLake refresh) CPUs (i5, i7, i9), as well as AMD Ryzen CPUs. And pair with a compatible motherboard. If you state a new budget for tower, CPU, mobo and RAM, you can get some suggestions. There's really no strong signs that Intel will release new CPUs for existing motherboards, whereas AMD will release some for their existing motherboards in summer, with a strong possibility of more in 2020. A lot of people looking to upgrade just now are waiting for the Ryzen 3XXX in summer. Those who can't wait have to decide what their future CPU upgrade plans are and buy an appropriate quality motherboard to handle the level of chip they expect to purchase in future. Or get the minimum required, then sell CPU and mobo to buy both new (new motherboards will have some nice features).

So state a budget and hopefully others as well as myself will provide some Tower/CPU/Mobo/RAM ideas for your photo/video-editing/gaming system. It'll basically be something like 16GB DDR4 RAM, i5-8/9XXX or i7-8/9XXX, or Ryzen 1XXX or 2XXX, plus motherboard and tower, depending on budget. A CPU cooler might also be needed depending on CPU choice. Some come with a cooler, some come with a cooler that sucks, and others don't come with cooler at all.

Finally, would either use the 8GB DDR3 RAM stick you just bought in the old (NAS) system and sell the old 4GB stick, or just return it for refund and keep the 4GB which I think would be fine for your NAS requirements.
 
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machairodus11 said:
Secondly and more seriously, it turns out that the PSU is not right for this motherboard. Apparently it requires a 18pin connector instead of conventional 20/24 pin - some HP proprietary stuff. I don´t think I can get a suitable HP PSU for this GPU.
Click to expand...


A little googling will get you a 20/24 pin to 18 pin adaptor that will at least allow you to connect the psu to the motherboard.
As for fitting the psu to the case, you may have to get creative.
 
drakulton said:
A little googling will get you a 20/24 pin to 18 pin adaptor that will at least allow you to connect the psu to the motherboard.
As for fitting the psu to the case, you may have to get creative.
Click to expand...

They are also risky, if you google further. Reports of shorts, motherboards and PSUs fried instantly, PSU fan errors etc. So do this at your own risk.
 
I thought I would give you guys some info how it got resolved (for now).

I went ahead and ordered an adapter cable (AYA 24-18 pin converter) for PSU-Mobo. I was actually quite suprised when I got it to work using that. First, I tried with GPU and new memory out, tried booting it and it started ok. I let it run a bit and had no problems.
Secondly I tried putting all the parts in (RAM, GPU), I could hear the PC starting up, but couldnt see any video - the integrated output didn't give any video signal. So naturally I thought I should use the GPU video output, but this didn't work either. So after some googling I found a possible solution for that: disable the driver for the integrated video chip. It seemed to work so that I could finally start and get into windows with my new setup.

But still, my worries weren't over :). I tried installing the driver for the GPU, but I couldn't find any 32bit drivers (I didn't realise that you would need a 64 bit windows for this card to run). So next I had to go and get a new windows installation on the SSD I bought and in the end I was able to install the corresponding driver on that.

In the end, I got the system working - using the HP 18 motherboard with DDR3, 1226 v3 Xeon processor, GTX 1660 Ti GPU and a SSD drive. There is still an issue with the Tower as the PSU will not attach there, but currently the system runs fine. At some point I need to find a tower that will suit by visual needs.

Than you all for your help and tips!
 
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