Input needed on future purchase HP EliteDesk 800 G4 MT

[gurumx5]

@NonSequitur777

Posting Update:

• Bought used Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 64GB off FB marketplace for $60. 
• Installed Silicon Power 1TB NVME (had one laying around in my storage bins) 
• Installed Intel 9560AC for WiFi & BT with latest driver from Intel. Bought wrong version antenna but made it work with zipties. 

At the moment: 

• Debating to upgrade CPU if it's worth it. Maybe down the line. 
• Trying to figure out internal speaker (no sound, but beeps at startup or when accessing BIOS)
• Waiting on GPU to arrive 

[NonSequitur777]

@gurumx5,

Thank you for the follow-up!

Regarding your sound issue, your HP EliteDesk 800 G4 MT's internal speaker is functional for basic system sounds (like BIOS beeps), but not for regular audio playback in Windows. This often points to a driver issue, incorrect settings, or possibly a software conflict. Here's how you can try troubleshooting this problem: https://www.hp.com/us-en/shop/tech-takes/why-sound-not-working-troubleshooting-tips.

While the HP EliteDesk 800 G4 MT does have an internal speaker, its functionality for audio playback is limited. The internal speaker has a 2W class D mono amplifier and is primarily designed for basic system sounds like beep codes.

Using the internal speaker for Windows sounds or audio playback is not ideal due to:

• Limited Capability: It's described as "extremely basic and barely capable of producing beep codes".
• Poor Sound Quality: Even if it could produce sound, it would be "horrible".
• Not designed for full audio processing: It's not attached to a specialized audio chip designed for quality sound output like the jacks meant for external speakers.

Alternatives for audio playback:

• External Speakers or Headphones: You can connect external powered speakers or headphones to the audio ports on the front or rear of the computer for better sound quality.
• USB Audio Devices: If you prefer, a basic USB to 3.5mm external sound card can also be used for audio output. 

In summary, while the internal speaker can produce system sounds, it is not suitable for enjoyable audio playback like music or videos. For quality audio, consider using external speakers or headphones.

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[gurumx5]

@NonSequitur777

Update: 

Just got my GPU delivered today. My choice GPU: PNY RTX 5060 Ti 16GB 

After install, keep getting first start up beeps. No Display. After a few times turning off/on. Finally got display. Installed latest driver. Turn PC back off & tidy up the wires a bit. I may need a right angle 8-pin adapter for GPU since it's difficult to put access cover back on. 

Audio seems to be a hit or miss with external speaker. Front jack no success but rear jack works intermittently. Will look into later. And I will look into USB to 3.5mm adapter. 

[NonSequitur777]

@gurumx5,

Outstanding!

Glad things are working out for you!

One USB to 3.5mm adapter example is something like this: https://www.amazon.com/TROND-External-Adapter-Integrated-Microphone/dp/B07L56C28R/ref=sr_1_66?crid=R....  The advantage of an adapter such as this one is that it supports full headphone (+ microphone) functions.

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[gurumx5]

@NonSequitur777

Thanks. I'll look into the sound card adapter. 

Meanwhile while tidying up wires inside the computer. I want to add an intake fan though only fan I can add is a 60mm inside the 3.5" hard drive cage. Though all 60mm fan is only 2-pin & no 4-pin. Obviously I have to get a PWM Fan Spliiter & the mobo requires a 4-pin. So not sure if it matters & would it work with a 2-pin 60mm fan. I don't see why not just not sure. 

[NonSequitur777]

@gurumx5,

Yes, you can use a 2-pin cooling fan in a 4-pin PWM cooling fan connector: https://imgur.com/a/73EWX0X.

Please be aware:

Fan Behavior:

• Fan will run at full speed

• No speed control (no PWM)

• No RPM feedback

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[gurumx5]

@NonSequitur777 

Thanks. That's what I figured.

As for CPU upgrade, I see some people have 9th gen (i5-9500, i7-9700) success but lots of trial & error and luck. 

So with the 8th gen, I believe i5-8600k, i7-8700k, i7-8086k are my options? 

[NonSequitur777]

@gurumx5,

Yea, I would pick either the i7-8086K (6-Cores, 12-Threads, 4.00 GHz up to 5.00 GHz, 95-watt TDP) -the very best Intel Core 8th gen processor, or the close second, the i7-8700K (6-Cores, 12-Threads, 3.70 GHz up to 4.70 GHz, 95-watt TDP).

It is interesting that you bring up 9th gen processors, as some HP EliteDesk 800 G4 TWR/SFF users were able to make some of them work, specifically the i3-9100/F, i5-9400, i5-9400T, i5-9500, and the i5-9600 -as far as I could ascertain here.

But none of them even came close to the aforementioned 8th gen "K" processors performance.

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[gurumx5]

@NonSequitur777

I didn't realize there isn't much i7-8086K were limited production. May have to go with i7-8700K. 

Now I'm having trouble with computer not waking up from sleep. Computer kicks on, but blank display. Have to do hard restart couple of times but then screen randomly blacks out. Sometimes it comes on and sometime it doesn't. I thought maybe the computer is too hot, so I took off access cover but problem still remains. Can't seem to figure out what's causing the problem & the computer lagging a bit. 

I had freshed install Windows 11 Pro, 1TB NVME, reinstall GPU driver from NVIDIA. Not sure what else could be. 

Computer took awhile to boot up as well, stays on the HP loading screen for at least 1 minute & delay start up is disabled. 

[NonSequitur777]

@gurumx5,

It depends.  You can sometimes purchase an i7-8086K very affordably like I did about a year ago:

Currently, you could purchase an i7-8086K via a PRC eBay Seller for $138: https://www.ebay.com/itm/405045034810?_skw=i7-8086K&itmmeta=01JYJANF9CQQVD97W08919CX0J&hash=item5e4e....  US-based eBay Sellers charge a lot more starting around $180.

For example, here is a nicely priced i7-8700K for just $108 via a trusted US-based eBay Seller: https://www.ebay.com/itm/236165416541?_skw=i7-8700K&epid=2330305079&itmmeta=01JYJB5RW5TYRPC0XYZX73XX....

As far as your issues are concerned:

1. Test with Minimal RAM Configuration:

• Remove all but two DIMMs (install in slots 2 and 4).

• If system behaves better (faster POST, no black screen), the issue is almost certainly RAM-related.

• If possible, test with known JEDEC-compliant RAM, such as your original RAM sticks.

 

2. Disable Sleep, Use Hibernation Instead:

• Since Modern Standby (S0ix) may be forced on this system under Windows 11 and often breaks compatibility with legacy desktop boards:

  • Open elevated CMD and run one at a time:

    powercfg /h on

    powercfg -change -standby-timeout-ac 0

    powercfg -change -monitor-timeout-ac 10

  • This disables sleep and uses hibernation instead, avoiding black-screen-on-wake issues.

 

3. Eliminate GPU Conflicts:

• If a discrete Nvidia GPU is installed, test temporarily using only the iGPU (Intel UHD 630).

• Use DDU in Safe Mode to completely clean NVIDIA drivers before reinstalling.

• Ensure Windows Update isn’t auto-reinstalling conflicting drivers right after boot.

 

4. BIOS & Firmware Updates:

• Make sure the system BIOS is updated to the latest version (02.30.00) from here: HP EliteDesk 800 G4 MT BIOS

• BIOS update may improve sleep behavior or POST times.

• Also update ME Firmware and Intel chipset drivers if not already done.

---

Boot Delay Note:

If the HP logo screen lingers ~60 seconds and the NVMe SSD is fresh:

• It’s a strong clue that POST is delayed by memory training or detecting unstable RAM.

• Windows boot itself is probably fast once POST hands over — another sign of RAM-related delay.

---

Conclusion:

Unless otherwise indicated, I am inclined to believe that the most likely root cause is that the Corsair Vengeance LPX RAM may not be fully JEDEC-compliant for HP’s locked BIOS, causing both long POST, instability, and black screen wake failures.

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777