Upgrade 3050

[Bazik]

hp pavilion desktop - 570-p048ur. I have a GTX 1050ti at 75W and a power supply of 180W. Can I replace the video card with an RTX 3050 (6GB) at 70W without changing the power supply? Or is it still necessary?

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @Bazik 

Welcome to the HP Support Community! We're here to help you get back up and running.

You’ve done a great job outlining the specs, and I can see why you’re being cautious before making the switch.

 

Here's the situation with your HP Pavilion 570-p048ur:

• Current GPU: GTX 1050 Ti (75W, no external power connector)
• Proposed GPU: RTX 3050 6GB (70W variant, likely no external power)
• Power Supply: 180W internal PSU (non-modular, compact form factor)

 

Key considerations:

Power draw
While the RTX 3050 6GB variant is rated at 70W, it can still spike higher under load. Your 180W PSU is already near its limit supporting the CPU, motherboard, drives, and peripherals. Even though the wattage seems similar to the GTX 1050 Ti, the RTX 3050 uses newer architecture and may demand more stable power delivery.

12V rail and amperage
The issue isn’t just total wattage—it’s whether the PSU can deliver enough current on the 12V rail. HP’s 180W units are often tuned tightly for the original configuration, leaving little headroom.

Physical fit and BIOS compatibility

• The RTX 3050 may be longer or taller than the GTX 1050 Ti.
• HP’s BIOS may not support newer GPUs without updates.
• Some OEM motherboards have limited UEFI support for newer cards.

 

Conclusion:

Even though the RTX 3050 6GB has a similar TDP, it’s not advisable to install it without upgrading the power supply. The 180W unit is too constrained for safe, stable operation. A minimum 300W–350W PSU with the correct form factor (likely TFX or proprietary) would be needed for peace of mind.

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Take care, and have an amazing day!

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye