HP Ultra Slim MXM Graphics

[Jay20]

Hello!  I recently purchased an Ultra Slim Desktop 8300 and I am looking into upgrading the graphics in it.   Currently, I just have the I5-3570S Cpu and using the intel graphics.  I've been trying to find an MXM graphics card for it since I found that's what it takes.   I can find the card easily, but I can't find even one heatsink!   A lot of the cards come with a heatsink but it's for a HP laptop.   From what I can find, it appears HP originally offered the computer with the Radeon 7650A card.   So I actualy have 3 questions.

 1.  Anyone have any ideas where I could find a heatsink for this?   I've looked at some pictures and it almost looks like the CPU heatsink that's made for this computer would fit on the 7650A, but I don't know for sure.  I can't find ANY specifically for it!

2. I also read one post from someone in a forum somewhere online a few days ago that they managed to use another brand of card in this PC,   I think it was an NVIDIA card.   I don't understand why it would be limited... If it's an MXM card i'd think it would work.  And also, if I went this route, I read that person also had a 185 (or somewhere around there) watt power supply.   I have the basic 135W adapter.

3.  Another option I have considered is upgrading to the i7 chip that is compatible wiht this model.   If memory recalls, it's the i7-3770s.  I read that it has a better GPU built in than the i5, but in the end would it be as good as the Radeon 7650A?  If upgrading the CPU could be just as good, I'd much rather do that!

I'm totally new to this style of graphics card, so I REALLY appreciate any help.  I bought this as kind of a kit/hobby pc and i'm totally fine with it otherwise, but that's the one thing i'm stumped on!

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

You can order the heatsink from HP, which actually seems to be the cheapest place to find one.  I checked eBay, and came up empty.

I got the part number from the illustrated parts and service map (page 2, item 2) on the 8300 Elite USDT support page.

Parts list:

http://h20565.www2.hp.com/hpsc/doc/public/display?sp4ts.oid=5232866&docLocale=en_US&docId=emr_na-c03...

Ordering info:

https://parts.hp.com/hpparts/Search_Results.aspx?mscssid=1DEBE0E48B42478E9D03D1F4F09BAFBF&SearchIn=P...

You will need to get the 180W P/S. 

The 135W P/S will absolutely not work.  You will get a 4 beep power supply overload error, as reported by other forum members who attempted to install the MXM card in various USDT models.

According to the quickspecs, you can upgrade the processor to the Intel® Core™ i7-3770S...see page 5.

http://whp-cpq.extweb.hp.com/cpq-products/quickspecs/14268_ca/14268_ca.pdf

Unfortunately, I wouldn't know if upgrading the processor or upgrading the graphics adapter would be a better option.

If I had to make an educated guess, I would go with the graphics adapter.  It will improve video performance and free up some system memory, since the MXM card has discrete memory.

I have not done any of these upgrades myself on that model, so I have no idea what the actual performance benefits would be.

Related discussions...

https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Desktop-Hardware-and-Upgrade-Questions/HP-Compaq-8300-USDT-Upgrade-to-...

https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Desktop-Boot-and-Lockup/4-Red-Blinking-Lights-and-Beeping/m-p/5940033#...

https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Desktop-Hardware-and-Upgrade-Questions/Max-Wattage-for-MXM-slot-on-HP-...

https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Desktop-Hardware-and-Upgrade-Questions/Installing-a-MXM-video-card-int...

https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Desktop-Hardware-and-Upgrade-Questions/Discrete-Graphics-card/m-p/5610...

[Jay20]

Wow!  Thanks for all the info!   I'll keep referencing all that as needed.   Good to know about the power supply too.   Makes that upgrade a lot more expensive than it's really worth probably.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

Sometimes it's just about the challenge of doing the upgrade, and the successful outcome. 

You can probably find used but tested and working 180W power supplies on eBay pretty cheaply.

It's the doggone heat sink that costs the $$$.

[Jay20]

I do intend to do the i7 upgrade when I have the extra money and I find a good deal on one.  Maybe i'll just keep an eye out for an old PSU as well that way when I do get that MXM card, i'll be ready!    But for now, all the stock components are working fine. 

[Vietnam1]

hi y a , I am on same upgrade path as well .....have power supplies lookingh for mxm cards....