How to install HP Thunderbolt 3 card in HP Z4 G5

[blisterx1]

Hello,

I would like to install a HP Thunderbolt 3 Dual Port PCIe card (3UU05AA) in a HP Z4 G5. The Thunderbolt 3 Dual Port card previously worked without problems in a HP Z4 G4 Workstation.  Now I would like to use it in the HP Z4 G5. The Z4 G5 hat no connector on the mother board where to connect the GPIO cable (HP PN L27677-001) from the Thunderbolt 3 card. In the HP Z4 G4 the connector was labeled PD129.
Help would be appreciated. Thanks and best regards

ws

[Z440Roger]

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@blisterx1 wrote:

Hello,

I would like to install a HP Thunderbolt 3 Dual Port PCIe card (3UU05AA) in a HP Z4 G5. The Thunderbolt 3 Dual Port card previously worked without problems in a HP Z4 G4 Workstation.  Now I would like to use it in the HP Z4 G5. The Z4 G5 hat no connector on the mother board where to connect the GPIO cable (HP PN L27677-001) from the Thunderbolt 3 card. In the HP Z4 G4 the connector was labeled PD129.
Help would be appreciated. Thanks and best regards

ws

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Short answer: You can´t.

The G5 has a connector but it is labeled TBT, just as it is on my G4 and is located a couple of centimeters to the left of the PCI 1 slot in the G5. But, the connector in the G5 has 11 wires while the connector in the G4 has 9 wires making it impossible to use the cable for the G4-card in the G5 and vice versa for that matter.

I have both the G4 and G5 and have some issues with the TB4-card for the G5 (340L1AA) so i tried to install the TB3 card i have in my G4, iow the 3UU05AA. That´s why i know the limitations.

The issues i have seem to be an issue with the computer itself since both the TB4 ports and the USB-C ports in the front throws "Power surge on the USB port" error messages on the G5 while the same devices i try to connect works without any issues on my G4.

So if you want TB on your G5 you must buy a new card, the 340L1AA.

[blisterx1]

Hello,

thanks for your detailed explanation. Finally it probably would not work using a GPIO-Kabel from the TBT-4 card and connect it with the TBT-3 card  (connected in the Z4 G5). The cable fits into the port of the motherboard (Z4G5) but probably not i
 the port of the TBT-3 card?
The 2 cables which are delivered with the TBT-4 card have on one side a mini display port connector and on the other side ??
Is there a normal display port connector for connecting with a graphics card with display ports?

Did I understand you correct that the TBT-4 card has problems in the Z4G5 with USB-C ports in the I/O-Module?

As there are no offers for the TBT-4 card in Germany do you know a company which sells the card including transport to Germany?

Best regards

ws

[Z440Roger]

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@blisterx1 wrote:

Finally it probably would not work using a GPIO-Kabel from the TBT-4 card and connect it with the TBT-3 card  (connected in the Z4 G5). The cable fits into the port of the motherboard (Z4G5) but probably not...

No, it won´t work, the layout of the connectors on the cables are different. They are made to not fit.

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@blisterx1 wrote:

The 2 cables which are delivered with the TBT-4 card have on one side a mini display port connector and on the other side ?? Is there a normal display port connector for connecting with a graphics card with display ports?

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Yes, it´s a short cable with a DP connector, male, but there is no standard DP contacts on the TB4 card the way it is on the TB3 card. Seems like a step back IMHO...

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@blisterx1 wrote:

Did I understand you correct that the TBT-4 card has problems in the Z4G5 with USB-C ports in the I/O-Module?

I think (hope) my issues are tied to the motherboard since my Z4 G4 has no issues with my TB-devices. I have also issues with the USB-C ports on the front of the computer. All ports throw "Power surge on the USB port" errors. Since the USB-C ports on the front of the computer has nothing to do with the TB-card my conclusion is that the motherboard is the issue rather than the TB-card. I will call HP next week.

I don´t know how to get the card in Germany. I bought mine from https://www.dustinhome.se but maybe https://www.dustinhome.nl would be better for you due to the geographical location. (?) I don´t know if they ship to Germany.

Computersalg sell it as well: HP Crd Dual TBT4 PCIe x4 LP (computersalg.de)

[blisterx1]

Hi,

thanks for your info so far. I would be interested in the answer you get from HP concerning the error messages with the USB-C ports.
From the sellers you mentioned none of them has the TBT-4 card currently available. It seems the only way is to look for a seller in US.
By the way, HP Quickspecs report that the G5 has 5 SATA-Ports , but a look on the board shows only 3 SATA-Ports:
The G4 however has 5 SATA-Ports as seen on the board. Do you know why?

Best regards

[Z440Roger]

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@blisterx1 wrote:

thanks for your info so far. I would be interested in the answer you get from HP concerning the error messages with the USB-C ports.
From the sellers you mentioned none of them has the TBT-4 card currently available. It seems the only way is to look for a seller in US.
By the way, HP Quickspecs report that the G5 has 5 SATA-Ports , but a look on the board shows only 3 SATA-Ports:
The G4 however has 5 SATA-Ports as seen on the board. Do you know why?

Best regards

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Yes, i will update this thread regarding the issues with the USB-C ports.

Regarding the TB4 card, i don´t think you will find anyone that has it in stock anywhere in the world. I waited about 2 months before i got mine. All retailers around the world had none in stock. Not so fun...

Regarding the SATA ports: When you open the side cover you have three ports staring at you at the bottom of the motherboard. The other two are facing right, staring on the front. You can see it here in HP´s Service Teardown video. The computer is laying down here, but you should see all five SATA ports clearly: https://youtu.be/r_wLYTr-HQA?t=781

Good luck! 🙂