CPU compatibility with HP motherboards

[Arthsw5]

Hi,

I have an HP Compaq 8000 Elite SFF equipped with an HP 3646h mainboard and currently running an CPU with a 65W TDP. I'm considering upgrading to a CPU with a 95W TDP,  Does anyone know if the HP 3646h mainboard can handle a 95W TDP CPU without any issues? I'm concerned about potential risks like overheating or damaging the motherboard. I also would like to know more about the motherboard's VRM capacity.

Thanks in advance for your help!

[NonSequitur777]

@Arthsw5,

Welcome to our HP community forum!

Your HP Compaq 8000 Elite SFF can handle 95-watt processors, including the Core 2 Quad Q9500, Q9505, Q9550, and Q9650.

But wait, your desktop can even handle the 105-watt Core2 Quad Q6600 and the Core2 Quad Q6700, though other sources claim they have a 95-watt TDP.

By the way, you can verify all of this here. 

Anyway, the best overall processor you could pick for your desktop is the Core2 Quad Q9650 (3.00 GHz, 4-Cores, 4-Threads).

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[NonSequitur777 · Accepted solution]

@Arthsw5,

As long as you got this heatsink with p/n: 581354-001 / 577493-001, you'll be fine:

Get creative and add one of more cooling fans in order to improve case airflow.

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[Arthsw5]

Hey, thanks for the answer! Just one more question, does my motherboard supports only 4GB DIMMs or can I install 8GB modules too?

[NonSequitur777]

@Arthsw5,

No, your HP Compaq 8000 Elite SFF can only accept 2GB and 4GB RAM modules.

The best RAM config would be 4 x 4GB of DDR3 PC3-10600, 1333 MHz, Non-ECC, Unbuffered, DIMM (UDIMM) RAM sticks.

You can use DDR3 PC3-12800, 1600 MHz RAM, but it will down throttle to 1333 MHz.

One of the very best 4x4GB (dual rank!) RAM kits you could buy is this purchase example via Amazon: Timetec 16GB KIT(4x4GB) DDR3 / DDR3L 1333MHz PC3-10600 Non-ECC Unbuffered 1.5V / 1.35V CL9 2Rx8 Low ....

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[Arthsw5]

And is it possible to use Windows 10 Pro on it? I read in the manual that it was compatible with Windows 7 but I believe that at that time there was no Windows 10 yet

[NonSequitur777]

@Arthsw5,

Absolutely, I would in fact encourage you to use Windows 10 Pro.

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777