Z420 ver1 vs ver2 PSU swap, PCIe G1 G2 and possible differences?

[Mis66]

I've got a ver1 and ver2 Z420. The former has got two PCIe power connectors (G1, G2), the latter has got only one.

HP did a change to reduce costs or something:

https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Business-PCs-Workstations-and-Point-of-Sale-Systems/New-video-card-to-...

Have anyone possibly ever do the change of the power supplys? I mean ver1 to ver2, to get two PCIe power connectors to ver2 Z420.

It seems pretty obvious, it should work, the PSUs even have exactly the same badge, the ver1 and ver2.

The reason; I'd like to install RX6800XT, or at least a Radeon VII, to it. I don't really trust the molex connector in there to deliver 150W through it, what do you think?

[DGroves]

yes, HP did remove one GPU power lead in later builds of the power supply, however no other changes were made

for those systems that were configured with a video card that required a 8 pin GPU connector, HP made a GPU adapter  using very high quality parts (it's the gold standard!!) and because it uses wires with more copper, and true "Molex" connectors it can handle high wattage unlike those cheap eBay adapters that are no name using thinner copper wires and clone Molex style connectors that fail to make a secure connection

original ver with short cable  460621-002 (or 003/004)

Later version with longer (20cm) length and no ferrite bead

HP 683867-001 Graphics card power cable, 6-pin to 8-pin

if you search they are reasonably priced from 8.00 to around 35.00

https://www.ebay.com/itm/283842822133

[Mis66]

Thank You. I think I explained myself a little wrong. I already use the 6pin to 8 pin adapter cables in some of my other Zs (Z440, Z820), and I trust them, they have been allright and without any hickups, and doesnt seem to be anywhere near burning themselves.d

As said earlier, in my Z420 ver2 there is only one PCIe connector, the G1. There is also a molex 4-pin, which might be enough for 6-pin (75W) substitute power, but would it be enough for 8-pin substitue (150W)? I don't think I wanted to use it for that. Spec-wise I think even the two SATA power connectors would not qualify as a substitute to an 8-pin at 150W draw.

And this is why I would want to swap the PSUs between a ver1 and ver2 Z420, to get the _real_ PCIe power G2 in it, straight from the PSU. Ver2 can use the later E5-1600 and 2600 v2 processors, which I do have some in my possession. Ver1 does accept only 1600 to 2600 v0, or v1, whatever it's called again.

Maybe I'll just do the swap and test it. That was even suggested in the other thread I linked, but did not get by reading the thread if anybody actually ever did that.

I do realize I might be on the edge with the power supply still with that card. I most likely need to adjust the power tables in Radeon software to consume a little less juice by the card. Just to stay safely behind the 600W overall draw.

ps. I did use other manufacturers 6-pin to 8-pin cables in mine. They were cheaper and they were readily available at the shelve. I did not buy the cheapest from the net though, you never really know for sure what's coming to you from eBay, do you.

Anyway, thanks a lot for your comments.

[DGroves]

reread what i wrote,...................................one last time there is NO DIFFRENCE between the power supplies other than the later power supply only has one GPU connector

if you open up the units they will be EXACTLY THE SAME other than the number of GPU leads

BOTH POWER SUPPLIES SUPPLY EXACTLY THE SAME CURRENT/WATTS 

have i finally made my point?

read some of the previous posts "SDH" has made on the z420 he has covered this subject in detail NUMEROUS TIMES (as have i)

[Mis66]

Me too re-read the thread I linked in first post, and thread-OP (Uiblog) did actually change the PSU by himself. My bad reading. I was too quick skimming through the thread at first, and some older links had become unavailable too.

already replaced the power supply 

I've got my machines wide open on the kitchen table right now, and will go on swapping the PSUs.

Thanks.

[Mis66]

PSU swap went pretty easy. Only the motherboard 18-pin connector was pretty hard to press in place. But I managed to plug it in eventually without any damage to hardware or to myself 😉

I swapped a rev 05 to a rev 02 PSU (because 02 came with both G1 and G2 connectors). Installed Radeon VII with two 6-pin to 8-pin adapters and everything runs smooth. Luxmark gave me 50560 points, Furmark (preset 1080p) was at 10517 points, to just stress it a little bit. Max GPU watt draw from HWMonitor respectively; 205W and 250W. PSU performed like nothing with all of it, and why not. Now I'll forward to some 3D geometries and GPU render tests.