Graphics Card upgrade

[EssEss63]

System Model: HP EliteDesk 800 G1 SFF

Processor: Intel Core i-5-4590 CPU @ 3.3GHz (4 cpus)

Memory: 16MB

DirectX Version: DirectX 12

Graphics: integrated

Power Supply: 320W   connector type not known yet.

OS: Windows 10 Pro (10.0)

I would like to upgrade to a discrete graphics card for gaming. I think the motherboard takes a PCIe x16 card.

What are my options for graphics cards for best gaming performance? 

[EssEss63]

I ran the HP Detect App and this is the output

HP EliteDesk 800 G1 base model small form factor PC

Product Number: C8N26AV

[NonSequitur777 · Accepted solution]

@EssEss63,

Welcome to our peer-to-peer HP Community Forum!

One of the best/most affordable graphics card options with the best graphics performance that could be powered by your stock power supply (solely powered through your black PCIe x16 slot) would be a GTX 1650 4GB OC Low Profile, such as this purchase example: Amazon.com: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1650 D6 OC Low Profile 4G Graphics Card, Low Profile Design, 4GB 12....

Hope this was helpful.

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[EssEss63]

Thanks. will check it out. Two additional related questions:

1) Another similar graphics card that I read in an article suggested the MSI GeForce GTX 1650 LP which is not available on Amazon currently. Would they be essentially similar? I would think so but wanted to check.

2) When I plug in the card, will the integrated graphics be automatically disabled? and the existing display ports will also be disabled? Is there something that needs to be done in settings?

Thanks in advance for answers on these super novice questions. (I may have more as I attempt to install!!)

[NonSequitur777]

@EssEss63,

Yes, they're very similar.  As a matter of fact, there is very little difference between the various GTX 1650 Low Profile models -with the "OC" models performing slightly better. Most importantly, all these cards share the same Nvidia TU117 graphics processor and 4GB RAM.

Yes, if your processor has integrated graphics, it will be automatically disabled when a dedicated graphics card is present and properly installed.  This is because the dedicated graphics card is designed to take over the functions of the integrated graphics, providing better performance and more advanced features. At least for Intel processors, the automatic disabling of the integrated graphics will not affect the CPU's computing performance in any way.

Btw, your BIOS has a disable/enable integrated graphics setting, but I would leave it enabled (default mode anyway) because disabling it in BIOS would make no difference and could hinder troubleshooting if your graphics card would ever cause you grief.

And yes, your desktop's video output ports (DP, HDMI, DVI, etc.) will also be disabled -all video output is routed through your discrete graphics card as long as you got it installed.

Before you install your GPU, I would recommend downloading its specific driver to have it ready for installation after you have installed your graphics card: Official Drivers | NVIDIA, specifically the Nvidia GTX 1650 "Studio Driver" as seen here:

Once you hit "Search", you can then download the driver:

Before you install a graphics card, make sure your PC is powered off, unplug the power cable, and press your desktop's power button for three seconds in order to release any residual power from your system. Once installed -and with a GTX 1650 all you have to do is gently snapping it in place in your PCIe x16 motherboard slot. Connect your monitor to one of your GPU's HDMI or DP ports.  Once you power up your desktop, be patient, as your PC is transitioning to your graphics card, and you should see the boot-up on your monitor through your graphics card. First thing I would do is to check Microsoft's Windows update site as well as HP's Driver & Software site (see: HP EliteDesk 800 G1 Small Form Factor PC Software and Driver Downloads | HP® Customer Support) for your PC to scan for any driver updates.

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[EssEss63]

Thx!! much appreciated. will post when I try this out.