GPU upgrade for HP Z2 Tower GLi

[dryodryo]

Hello,

I have a new Z2 Tower GLi, model B04F2AV, product BP8L8UA. I don't understand why there are two different numbers, one for the model, and one for the product, but whatever ...

I've already been bitten by the proprietary SATA power header. Just adding a hard drive has proven to be a weeks-long odyssey. So I'm proactively trying to find out what hurdles I need to cross when I choose to upgrade the GPU. Because the whole reason I bought a full ATX desktop is to that I could add a powerful GPU.

First question: What cards are truly, actually supported? When I bought the PC, I believe I had the option for a GeForce card such as a 5090. But the Maintenance and Service Guide gives conflicting information to the Quick Specs. Maintenance and Service Guide lists GeForce cards and ADA cards. Quick Specs does not list any GeForce cards, only ADA cards.  

Second question: If I want to upgrade the GPU to a GeForce card, what is the process for supplying power to the GPU connectors? AFAIK supplying additional power via a separate cable is necessary for a powerful GeForce card to operate. Again, Maintenance and Service does list GeForce cards, but it makes no mention of supplying additional power. Does this mean that HP has their own versions of the GeForce cards that draw all power from the PCI bus?

My last question is, is it possible to upgrade the 700W power supply? Neither the Maintenance and Service Guide nor the Quick Specs is of any help. I think I read somewhere that there are different motherboards for different power supplies, even within the same customer-facing product name. If I did want to upgrade to the 1200W power supply, is that possible with the motherboard that is paired with the 700W power supply? If so, is there a part number for that 1200W power supply?

Thanks in advance!

[NonSequitur777]

@dryodryo,

Welcome to our HP Community forum!

According to the specs, your HP Z2 Tower G1i Workstation (B04F2AV/BP8L8UA) is fitted with an Intel Core Ultra 7 Processor 265.

Here are the following processor upgrade options:

Intel Core Ultra 7 Processor 265K

Intel Core Ultra 9 Processor 285

Intel Core Ultra 9 Processor 285K

And yes, the 1200-watt power supply with part number: P15354-001 "SKO-PSU 1200W EPA92 5x12V" is compatible with the HP Z2 Tower GLi workstation: "Multiple PSU options, including the 1200W PSU that support the high power CPU- and GPU-rich configurations."

This power supply is currently "on backorder" by HP and is listed for $244.84.

Hope this was helpful.

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[dryodryo]

Thanks, that was helpful regarding the PSU question.

Still hoping to find answers to the other questions.

1. Is this system compatible with GeForce cards?

2. If so, do those cards require additional power connections? How does that work? I didn't see an obvious GPU power header on the motherboard.

(The Maintenance and Service guide has cryptic and decidedly unhelpful labeling of the motherboard illustration, including six different instances of "Power Supply" with no further information. No indication of whether it's a power input or output, or what kind of power, or what connections, or literally any information at all. So I'm not sure if service personnel are expected to be mind readers, or if they have access to secret documentation not available to the public, or W T F.)

3. Does HP have their own builds of the GeForce cards that draw all power from the PCI bus? Is that even possible?

Thanks

[NonSequitur777]

@dryodryo,

Yes, your system is compatible with "GeForce" cards -take a look at page 44: Maintenance and Service Guide HP Z2 Tower G1i Workstation, which shows you the HP Z2 Tower G1i Workstation's graphics cards compatibility, including the most bad@ss cards known to men such as the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 -which would require the 1200-watt power supply.

To your questions: "[a] If so, do those cards require additional power connections? [b] How does that work? I didn't see an obvious GPU power header on the motherboard."

[a]: If by "those cards" you mean high(er)-end graphics cards, yes, most cards require one or two 8-pin PCIe power cables which should be provided by your power supply. Most modern cards require the new 16-pin (12VHPWR) PCIe power cable. I don't think your 700-watt power supply is equipped with a 16-pin PCIe power cable -it likely only has two 8-pin (?) PCIe power cables.  If you choose a graphics card which requires a 16-pin power cable (such as an RTX 5070), you'll need a dual female 8-pin PCIe to 16-pin power adapter cable such as this purchase example.

Annoying point is, I can't find any information/specs of either the 500/700/1200-watt power supplies. No illustration anywhere, nothing -zip. Indeed:  W T F...

Do me a favor and open up your PC and take a picture of (a) the power supply's label, and (b) of any PCIe power cable(s) from your power supply but not plugged into anything.  I assume you don't have a graphics card installed?  -If you do, please tell what the make/model is, and where the PCIe power cable(s) it is powered by come from (the power supply or from your motherboard).

Here is the HP Z2 Tower G1i Workstation YouTube instructional video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JufxKOnvNNI.

In any regards, a 700-watt power supply is capable to power an RTX 5070, like this user shows: HP Z2 Tower G1i Workstation Desktop PC Performance Results - UserBenchmark.

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777