HP Elite Desk 800 G1 (SFF) - 16GB RAM & HD Graphics Intel 4600 (Upgrade Graphics & RAM)

[lifeoftones]

Hello Community,

I received a computer for drafting, and I used to run Blender on a different system, and I noticed that Blender barely opens, or crashes on this new system I have.

I'd like to upgrade the RAM to 32GB, but would like to know what chip set to get... I never upgraded a PC before, but I dont have $ to buy new..

So would that much RAM make a difference to run complicated render scenes in blender and Revit ?
Also, is this graphics card upgradeable ? Is there a slot in this PC to upgrade to GeForce, or equivalent ?

Kind regards,

Tony

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi, Tony:

If your PC currently has 16 GB of memory, I recommend you add a graphics card in the available PCIe x16 video card slot, before adding more memory.

Your graphics card upgrades are limited by the weak power supply your PC comes with.

I would imagine the best card you could install would be the nVidia GT 730, and I would have no idea if that model card would be sufficient for your needs, so I recommend you research the cards capability with the software you want to use before buying one.

I will say it has to be better than the onboard Intel graphics.

You can find plenty of new/used but tested and working GT 730 graphics cards on eBay.

You need to make sure that you buy one that has the low profile mounting bracket installed.

See if you can get one of the cards that has 2 GB of video memory.

gt 730 | eBay

Below is the link to the service manual, where you can find the graphics card installation procedure.

c04331008.pdf (hp.com)

[lifeoftones]

Thank you for your feedback on my system!
Is there a particular reason why that specific graphics card ?
would you say that it is a top-end card for this pc; being realistic not to surpass the value.
I have conformed that there are 4x 4gb cards (16gb). I'd like 32gb, would I just buy two pairs of 8gb within the same brand/chip-set? 

not sure what I was looking at, but I think the power supply p/n#: 702307-002.. (100-240 V-/4 A.50-60 Hz).

Blender bare minimum looks like 8gb; 16gb is recommended... and 32gb (sounds like it'll run smoothly) or .. 64.. I dunno if that's possible on my machine... or if it is even worth the value.

Essentially I'd like to upgrade the RAM to 32gb, and top end graphics card for 3D renders... ALL for under $300.00, if possible.. =X

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

You're very welcome.

If you want to invest no more than $300, then you can install this better video card...the GT 1030, which actually draws less wattage than the GT 730.

I'm assuming it comes with the low profile mounting bracket in the box.

ZOTAC GeForce GT 1030 2GB GDDR5 64-bit PCIe 3.0 DirectX 12 HDCP Ready Low Profile Video Card ZT-P103...

4 x 8 GB if memory is kind of expensive.

I would install the video card, go with 2 x 8 GB, + 2 x 4 GB and see how it goes.

This would be compatible memory for your PC...

Crucial 8GB DDR3L-1600 UDIMM | CT102464BD160B | Crucial.com

So, you are looking at $116 CAD for the memory, and $186 CAD for the graphics card, a total of $302--$2 over budget.

When you install the memory in mismatched capacities, you install it like this...8+4+8+4 or 4+8+4+8.

If you can find these parts in used but tested and working condition on eBay, then so much the better.