Can Z420 boot with a PCI GPU?

[lekto]

Hi, I have a HP Z420 (618263-002 REV 0M) that works headless, but since it won’t boot without a GPU, I put a passively cooled HD5450 in it. Heatsink on this GPU reaches about 55*C, which is just a wasted energy and a burn hazard for my fingers, so I want to do something about this. I came across a new ATI Rage XL for about 10$ on Aliexpress, which is an absolute piece of landfill that can’t run Half-Life or Unreal Tournament with a playable framerate. This GPU is so underpowered; it doesn’t even need a heatsink, which is perfect, but it is on PCI.

Will my Z420 boot with this GPU?

[NonSequitur777]

@lekto,

Welcome to our HP community forum!

I could be mistaken, but I don't think an HP Z420 can utilize its PCI slot for graphics.

You want to go really, really low in graphics wattage?  As low as it can possibly get? Well, now -what about 1.49-watt?

Here you go -assuming you can purchase it in your country: ASRock Rack > Accessories > M2_VGA.

Drawback: yea, this M2_VGA card is expensive, here in the US they sell north of $150.  But imagine you'll spend less on electricity and finger-burns will be bye-bye!

Obviously, you'll have to use a PCIe to M.2 NVMe adapter for this to work.

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777