PSU and GPU upgrade for TP01-2096

[Andrew_H_Z]

Could you please recommend PSU upgrade options (about 300W to 400W) and GPU upgrade options for this desktop? 

TP01-2096
CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 5700G
Chipset: AMD B550A
Motherboard: Erica3_erica5

PSU label
MODEL: HK280-85PP S1
HP PN:L70042-006
TOTAL POWER: 180W MAX.

This is my son's desktop, and the upgrades will be a Christmas gift. The total project budget is about $300 to $500.

With a better PSU, would this motherboard support a GPU such as GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 3050 that takes all its power from the PCIe (instead of a connector directly to the PSU)? Either way is fine---just checking.

Would an GeForce GTX 1650 work without a PSU upgrade? I mean the variants that are TDP 75W , single fan, low profile, and powered only by PCIe (not by another connector from GPU to PSU).

[NonSequitur777]

@Andrew_H_Z,

Welcome to our HP Community forum!

Upgrading is all about budget and getting the most bang (graphics performance) for your buck (affordability).

Personally, I would suggest these meaningful graphics/gaming upgrades:

1.) Upgrade your power supply with a 400-watt unit, with part number: L69242-800 (alternatively: 942332-001, L04618-800). You can purchase ($83) this power supply online, such as via this top-rated and trusted eBay Seller: https://www.ebay.com/itm/305134498625?_skw=L69242-800&epid=3038039156&itmmeta=01JE6G96H8Q355D9PR3RK7....

This power supply is the one you need, with its "P2" power connector looking like this:

2.) One of the best low-cost high-performance graphics card models offered these days is the RTX 4060, and specifically the smaller-sized (dual fan) options powered by a single 8-pin PCIe power cable, such as this Amazon purchase ($295) option: Amazon.com: PNY GeForce RTX™ 4060 8GB XLR8 Gaming Verto™ Dual Fan OC Graphics Card DLSS 3 (128-bit, ....

And there you have it: 83 + 295 = $378: right in the middle of your project budget number.

This would be a very nice/memorable Christmas gift for your kiddo!

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[Andrew_H_Z]

Thank you for the meticulous, quick reply!

1. The specs sheet for that PNY requires 550W or more, but the 400W would be okay?
2. Would this LXun 942332-001 PSU (400W) for $65.49 - 5% work just as well?
3. Would this Zotac GeForce RTX 4060 8GB for $249 work as well as the PNY you recommended?

I don't know all the games he plays, but they include Space Engineers (recommends GTX 1070 with 8GB), Antimatter Dimensions (GeForce 510), ICBM (3GB VRAM), Phasmophobia, Astroneer, Minecraft. They are not AAA games. He has one QHD monitor.

I saw mixed reviews for the RTX 4060, but don't know what to take away.  Thoughts about the MSI Gaming GeForce RTX 3050 8GB ($190)?

[NonSequitur777 · Accepted solution]

@Andrew_H_Z,

You're welcome -I've been doing this for a while.

1.) Yes, the quality HP 400-watt power supply I referenced is more than sufficient to power the PNY RTX 4060 graphics card:

Link: PNY RTX 4060 VERTO Dual Fan OC Specs | TechPowerUp GPU Database. Mind you, 300-watt is a bit too optimistic in my opinion.

2.) Remember what I mentioned about the "P2" power connector?  This is what the Amazon power supply's "P2" looks like:

My response: I would advise against it.

3.) Most definitely: Zotac is a great brand, and you are buying from a top-rated, trusted eBay Seller!

From my, admittedly, anecdotal experience, I would beg to differ.  No one from my circle of acquaintances with RTX 4060 cards have complained about these cards (Asus & MSI). They confirm playing video games at either 1080p or 1440p at high presets.

An RTX 3050 is OK, but it is at the lower rank of mid-grade graphics cards.  See how an RTX 3050 measures up compared with an RTX 4060: UserBenchmark: Nvidia RTX 3050 vs 4060.  Keep in mind that even though your son is not playing AAA games (yet), that may change.  With an RTX 4060 you can be confident to play any games for years to come.

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[NonSequitur777]

@Andrew_H_Z,

Circling back regarding the 400-watt power supply upgrade: check your existing (stock) power supply's "P2" power connector.  If it got three wires, then you should be A-OK with the Amazon 400-watt power supply reference you showed.

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[Andrew_H_Z]

The weird thing is my power connector looks not exactly like either connector you mentioned. Mine has four wires: black, purple, grey, green (in that order), so it's more like the three-pin with an extra wire. It does have empty slots for wires. If it helps, I could post a photo of my connector.

What's your thoughts on the compatibility and reliability of the new Intel Arc B570? I know it was just announced, so no one has actual tried it. 

(Small point) The techpowerup link you posted was VCG40608DFXPBO, while the Amazon product page lists ‎VCG40608DFXPB1-O, which is listed under the slightly different name PNY RTX 4060 VERTO Dual Fan on techpowerup. Both list 300W, so it doesn't matter, though the PNY spec sheet still lists another number. Hmm. I read elsewhere to allow 40% of the PSU for the GPU, and that fit with 300W too, so seems ok. I don't meant to be coming across as difficult. I worked with computer hardware long ago, but not lately and not with GPUs, so I am worried of missing something.

[NonSequitur777]

@Andrew_H_Z,

As the old and tried saying goes: a picture says more than a thousand words -sure, post a picture!

How do I feel about the Intel Arc B570? Well, for starters, this particular card hasn't been released yet:

And its published graphics performance compared with the RTX 4060 is lackluster:

Link: https://www.techpowerup.com/gpu-specs/arc-b570.c4245.

But most importantly, Nvidia cards have the best developed graphics software and graphics features compared with any other gaming cards, AMD included -in my opinion.

Or, as this review succinctly stated, quote:

"Choosing between Intel Arc and Nvidia GeForce depends on your priorities and budget. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly GPU with good performance, Intel Arc is worth considering. However, if you prioritize a mature software ecosystem, wider game compatibility, and the latest technologies like DLSS 3.0, Nvidia GeForce is the better choice." (emphasis added)

Link: https://9meters.com/technology/graphics/intel-arc-vs-nvidia-gpus-compared.

From a triple-A gamer's perspective, I would not want an Intel discrete graphics card -at least not yet.

The slightly different PNY model nomenclature is, for all intents and purposes, irrelevant: don't worry about it.

As one who has published not a few HP upgrade projects in this Community forum, I would strongly recommend the 400-watt power supply unit.  Better to have a little more power and not needing it, than needing a little bit more power and not having it.

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[NonSequitur777]

@Andrew_H_Z,

Come to think of it, looking at Amazon's three-wire "P2" power connector and in particular about the purple wire holistically, I had this experience a while back with one of my upgrade projects:

Link: https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Desktop-Hardware-and-Upgrade-Questions/Upgrading-HP-ProDesk-600-G3-MT/....

Meaning, you can try out the Amazon 400-watt power supply, and if for some reason it doesn't work out, you can return it to get your hard-earned money back. Easy-peasy. (Yea, done that, did that!)

Because there is no official comprehensive HP power supply compatibility chart, we sort of had to figure these things out ourselves.

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[Andrew_H_Z]

Here's a picture of the power connector and related things

 

 

 

 

 

[Andrew_H_Z]

There is a contradiction in parts like in a past HP forum post

In one place, my motherboard is printed ID19 ERICA3_ERICA5 REV A. This is shown in a photo I posted earlier today.

However, a white sticker on the motherboard states SP#L56021-605 WIN, and in HP Parts Surfer, this is Erica6. Same white sticker also states L56021-005 which is Erica6 again.

The HP specs for Erica3 and Erica5 do not mention my CPU Ryzen 7 5700G, while Erica6 specs do mention this CPU. Therefore, I conclude I have Erica6.