New graphics card for workstation

[PeterAlexanderC]

Hi everyone,

I use my computer pretty much solely for SketchUp and Vray. I've managed to get by okay with the QuadroP200 Nvidia card I have at the moment, but in the last 6 months or so even basic renders are taking ages, and sometimes not finishing at all. I think the drawings have got more complex, and every Vray update pushes the envelope even further.

I'm looking at ditching the p2000, and getting an RTX 4070 (seems like the best my fairly meagre budget can get me?). It has to be an Nvidia card to allow Vray to use this and the CPU simultaneously. 

Would it be a case of taking the old one & sticking the new one in, or will I need to change anything else?

Thanks in advance!

[NonSequitur777]

@PeterAlexanderC,

Welcome to our HP Community forum!

I am happy to assist you.

Your HP Z4 G4 Workstation either came with a 465-watt, 750-watt, or a 1000-watt power supply.

Which one is installed in your PC?

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[PeterAlexanderC]

Thanks for the reply- I have been trying to find out, as there is no sticker etc to suggest which one is fitted. If I'm being honest, I thought they all came with 1000w PSU's... didn't even realise it could be something else. 

Besides "a sticker on it" is there another way of telling? I tried to find the original paperwork, but can't!

[PeterAlexanderC]

On second thoughts... looking at the number of available power take-offs I think it may be  750w version? I've got bundles of wires in the bottom of the tower labelled G1 G1-1 and G2 G2-2, so I'm assuming they are power feeds for extra graphics cards?!!

[NonSequitur777]

@PeterAlexanderC,

Please type in: system information in your taskbar search bar, and click on the System Information app.  Then look to the right of "System Model", "System SKU", and "BaseBoard Product", and provide that information.

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[PeterAlexanderC]

Thanks,

System Model HP Z4 G4 Workstation

System SKU 6QN76EA#ABU

BaseBoard Product 81C5

[NonSequitur777 · Accepted solution]

@PeterAlexanderC,

Good news: according to the specs you provided, your HP Z4 G4 Workstation (6QN76EA) is fitted with the 1000-watt power supply (p/n: L20514-001 / 851383-001).

Your power supply provides three PCIe power cables from three separate power rails, and each PCIe power cable can provide up to 12V x 18A = 216-watt of power:

Meaning, if you got 6-pin PCIe power cables, you can use 6-pin to 8-pin PCIe power adapter cables -making sure you buy quality adapter cables:

Which you will need for any graphics card you desire, including for GPUs that require a 16-pin (12+4) PCIe power cable, where you'll need this additional power adapter: Amazon.com: JOYJOM 16Pin GPU Cable to 3X 8Pin Pcie - 16AWG PCIE 5.0 12VHPWR 600W 90 Degree Right Ang... (I showed you the Amazon-US link, to emphasize that there are two different types of 16-pin power adapter cables, depending on your graphics card's 16-pin PCIe power connector's orientation).

So, with your 1000-watt power supply, you can power any card for all intents and purposes.  You'll just have to make sure that whatever card you want will fit dimensionally (LxWxH) in your case, especially lengthwise.

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[PeterAlexanderC]

Thanks so much- that's really helpful!

Pete

[NonSequitur777]

@PeterAlexanderC,

You are most welcome!

Please double check what the wattage is of your power supply.

If you somehow got the 750-watt power supply, you'll only have two 6-pin PCIe power cables, each capable of delivering 216-watt of power:

That is no big deal, as smaller-sized RTX 4070 graphics cards such as this model only require a single 8-pin PCIe power cable: ASUS DUAL RTX 4070 EVO OC Specs | TechPowerUp GPU Database.

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777