Elitedesk 800 G5 SFF Upgrade Options

[WattoWatson]

Hey Community!
So my Elitedesk 800 G5 has arrived after I already got a Prodesk 600 but wanted to add a RTX A2000 6GB in the mix but it wouldn't fit so needed that bigger unit and I love it but have a few questions that I hope can also solve others problems down the track!
So for reference I'm based in Australia which limits things but happy to import if needed and wait.
HP Elitedesk 800 G5 i7 9700, 16GB x 1 DDR4 2666 stock ram , 512 SSD in the NVME Slot 1,  DVD Drive, standard 250w PSU
No SD Slot Adapter install. 

So a few things I'd love some advice or help with!

Firstly I'd love to upgrade the DVD drive to a Blu Ray 4K Player/Writer for backing up the ODD Blu Ray drive I come across or have in the collection and I always rip CDs for my radio show so it'll be a handy thing. 
So far have been eyeing of a BU50N by LG/Hitachi I think but unsure how the black shroud/faceplate comes off/if it can come off from the current unit and be safely reattached to a new one? I've read in the manual that it had a blu ray drive optional from factory but can't seem to find a model. 

I've read that for those that did not have the SD reader expansion that one can be purhase but again would love advice on what others have used or if there is a model number to look for here in Australia?
Found a few of these
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/304656657945
Where does it plug into on the board? Sata? Do I need to look for something in particular? 

Who's played with ram configurations? I reckon 64GB will forever be enough for me and I'd rather utilize the included 16gb ram and sourcing 3 more sticks matching is the current mission (long term at this rate) but has anyone tried 128gb with the 9700 non k? If I find them in a set cheap enough I'm happy to get 32Gb but even at 64GB, is that better split over 2 x 32GB sticks or 4 x 16GB sticks? 

Regarding additional hard drive space, I'll be sticking another NVME in as a game drive, probably a 1TB but regarding the sata connections, I'd love to stick some ssds in for the speed purely and longevity from what I've read but wonder do I need some kind of bracket to fit three in there for the provided connections in that bracket above the DVD Drive such as the following ebay link or can i just kind of stick them in?

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/276319682167?itmmeta=01HQG19HEAYPCNDF35AWN3FDXC&hash=item4055efbe77:g:rb...

Has anyone ever made an SDD work in the WLAN m.2 Slot? Or should I get an Intel Wifi/Bluetooth kit for better speeds then the dongle I currently use and improve my ability to connect an Xbox Eilte 2 Controller as well as most dongles I have tried have been iffy or can't see the controller at all.
I was going to try these otherwise if anyone has had luck?
https://www.amazon.com.au/Bluetooth-QPHWHFQ-AC600Mbps-Wireless-Windows11/dp/B0CFHT94L3/ref=asc_df_B0...
or 
https://www.amazon.com.au/TP-Link-Nano-Bluetooth-Archer-T2UB/dp/B0BMX82Y3J/ref=sr_1_4?crid=2X03OQEZE...

Also, case wise will a G4 lid fit onto the body of the G5 in terms of elitedesk 800s? Looking at a spare and also to keep one clean whilst I play with potential ideas to mod it for cooling but also keep it as stock as possible and If I mess up I'd have a spare or a place to start looking.

Who's played with the stock fan on the CPU? Anyone been able to find any other replacements to improve cooling whilst staying as close to stock or without having to do many mods?

Thanks and sorry for all the questions but I hope they help others on this mission.
Cheers
Watto

[NonSequitur777]

@WattoWatson,

Welcome to our HP Community Forum!

I can give you at least some of the answers you are looking for. Upgrading an HP EliteDesk 800 G5 SFF was one of my most favorite HP legacy desktop upgrade projects: Solved: Upgrading HP EliteDesk 800 G5 SFF Part II - HP Support Community - 8720291.

1.) High-end (95-watt) heatsink: HP p/n: L04397-001 (L30413-001) "HP Heatsink Gen Intel 95W Ent18 S / HP SPS-HEATSINK INTEL95W ELITEDESK800 G4 SFF". You could install additional case cooling fan(s) to improve internal air cooling, see my link.

2.) Upgraded power supplies: 400-watt: HP p/n: p/n: 942332-001, and a 500-watt power supply: p/n: L77487-003.

3.) As far as I know, there is no difference between the G4 and G5 case panel.

4.) I would use your WLAN M.2 slot for a faster Wi-Fi/BT card.  Your desktop has plenty of storage options as you can see in one of my HP EliteDesk 800 G5 SFF UserBenchMark links: HP EliteDesk 800 G5 SFF Performance Results - UserBenchmark.

Hope this was helpful.

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[WattoWatson]

Hey @NonSequitur777


I've gone over your threads a few times and appreaciate all the effort you've put into this helping lay a lot of ground work that's for sure! 

Appreciate your input on my routes and questions!
1. Have been keeping an eye out for one of those for under 100 AUD but it's proving to be difficult but I can see a supplier of mine at my work have them so will have a chat with them to check options and pricing.
Will it fit into the exisiting case with no external mods? Will it work with the existing PSU? What's the best monitor you may recommend to guage power usage of current machine or ones load? 

2. As above with the PSU's

3. Thanking you, pulling the pin on a spare as with a lid on temps jump up about 10-20 degrees when gaming which takes the RTX A2000 to around 70-85 which I am uncomfortable with at my current level of knowledge before I start playing with re thermal pasting bits and getting new pads. 

4.Pulled out an older Intel 3168NGW from an old laptop at work but to my realization later it only has bluetooth 4.2 which seems to at least connect my Xbox Elite Controller 2 to my PC but it still has input issues I am deeming is a bluetooth issue as via USB-C cable there is no issue so will down the line try my luck with a 5.0 Bluetooth model if not the offical adapter by microsoft. 

5. Any advice re the SD Reader by the way?

[NonSequitur777]

@WattoWatson,

1.) The 95-watt rated heatsink for the HP EliteDesk 800 G3/4/5 fits perfectly inside the case: no modding required:

2.) Ditto with the 400- and 500-watt power supplies: same dimensions.

3.) I resolved the heat issue in part by adding a cooling fan positioned directly above (1cm towards the front) the heatsink, blowing air in (down).  With the new heatsink:

And prior to that with the stock heatsink:

4.) Depending how important BT is for you, perhaps a USB-plug-in adapter such as this example would meet your expectations: Amazon.com: Bluetooth Adapter for PC 5.3, Maxuni USB Bluetooth Dongle 5.3 EDR Adapter for Laptop Key....

5.) The "SD Card Reader Board Cable" has p/n: 797441-001 / 796321-001, and is available, at least via eBay-US: https://www.ebay.com/itm/374067505914. Honestly, plugging in a USB-mounted SD reader would be easier and less expensive, such as this purchase example via Amazon-US: Amazon.com: SD Card Reader, uni High-Speed USB 3.0 to Micro SD Card Adapter, Aluminum Computer Memor....

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777