Questino about Upgrade capabilities and Product Spec Configurable Options on hp.com

[Bankaru]

Hi!

I am considering upgrading my computer to be able to play more current games.  I looked at the the Product specs and configurable options for my computer, which is the p7-1170t.  For your reference, here is the link:
http://support.hp.com/us-en/product/HP-Pavilion-p7-Desktop-PC-series/5146449/model/5155546/document/...

My question is:  Are the options given on that page (for video cards and processors) the ONLY options?  For example, for video cards it lists:

• GeForce GT 520 (1 GB)
• GeForce GT 530 (2 GB)
• Radeon HD 6450 (512 MB)
• Radeon HD 6450 (1 GB)
• Radeon HD 6570 (1 GB)
  
  Is it therefore the case that I would not be able to upgrade to the Nvidia Geforce GT 730 2GB DDR3, even though it also uses  PCI Expressx16?
  
  Also, for processors it gives the following list:
  
  

  • Core i3-2100 (Sandy Bridge) (65W), 3.1 GHz
  • Core i3-2105 (Sandy Bridge) (65W), 3.1 GHz
  • Core i3-2120 (Sandy Bridge) (65W), 3.3 GHz
  • Core i5-2300 (Sandy Bridge) (95W), 2.8 GHz
  • Core i5-2310 (Sandy Bridge) (95W), 2.9 GHz
  • Core i5-2390T (Sandy Bridge) (35W), 2.7 GHz
  • Core i5-2400 (Sandy Bridge) (95W), 3.1 GHz
  • Core i5-2500 (Sandy Bridge) (95W), 3.3 GHz
    
    Does this mean that I would not be able to upgrade to any of the Core i7 processors?  I noticed on a separate link specifically discussing the Carmel2 motherboard, Core i7 processors are included.  The link, for your reference:
    http://support.hp.com/us-en/product/HP-Pavilion-p7-Desktop-PC-series/5146449/model/5155546/document/...
    
    Are the newer options truly not compatible?  Or were they just not available when the pages were first written?  If they are compatible, would the fact that I would be keeping the original motherboard limit their effectiveness so that it would not be very useful to upgrade to newer items not on the lists?  For example, even with a Core i7 processor or the Nvidia Geforce GT 730, would the overall processing power and video performance be held back significantly by the Carmel2 motherboard, which may - I don't know if it does or not - have slower bus speeds than newer motherboards?

  Thank you very much for taken the time to read and consider.

[old_geekster · Accepted solution]

Bankaru, welcome to the forum.

The first thing that you would have to do is upgrade the power supply unit (PSU).  The current PSU is only 300W.  Most newer video card require at least 400W to operate properly.  I normally recommend at least 500W.  I like Corsair products.

You are limited to the video card that you can install, also.  The newer video cards require UEFI in the motherboard instead of a standard BIOS.  HP didn't begin using UEFI until mid-October, 2012.  There is no way to upgrade the motherboard to UEFI.  The last video cards that didn't require UEFI were the GT 640's.

The list of Processors that are supported by the motherboard have been tested thoroughly to assure that they are compatible with the motherboard.  This does not necessarily mean that no other processors will work.  It means that they are the only ones supported by HP and the motherboard.  If you buy any other processor it may or may not work.  The newer i7-xxxx would be a risk.  You are dealing with 6 year old technology.

One upgrade that would make a major difference is a SSD.  You would have to check in the BIOS to assure that there is an ACHI setting in the SATA settings.  This is necessary for the SSD to work.

Even after intalling the upgrades that would be compatible, you would still not be able to play newer games at high settings.  I suggest looking at HP's new gaming laptops and desktops.  I have a Phoenix 860-170VR.  It is light-years ahead of what you are using.

Please click the Thumbs up + button if I have helped you and click Accept as Solution if your problem is solved.

[Bankaru]

Thank you very much.  This is exactly what I wanted to know!

[old_geekster]

You are very welcome, @Bankaru.  I am glad to help.