Replace ATI Radeon HD 4200 Video Card to Upgrade Graphics for HP 6005 Pro SFF

[jhughey]

I have a HP 6005 Pro SFF with a 240W PS, and I would like to upgrade its video card.  It has an ATI Radeon HD 4200.    One HP Forum person (Paul Tikkanen) recommended an upgrade for a 6005 using an optional video card for the HP 6200 Pro SFF: 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121439&cm_re=hd_6450-_-14-121-439-_-Product

Please confirm this also works for the 6005.  If I replace it, can I actually remove the Radeon 4200 and replace it directly to same motherboard's slot space to save PCI Expansion slot space, or must I use the PCI Express 16x Expansion slot?   If so, is the procedure for direct replacement documented anywhere?

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi:

The ATI Radeon HD 4200 Video in your PC is the integrated graphics chip according to page 14 of the quickspecs at the link below. In other words, the graphics adapter is a chip soldered to the motherboard.  It is not in any expansion slot.

http://static.highspeedbackbone.net/pdf/HP%20Compaq%206005%20Pro%20Business%20PC%20Quick%20Specs.pdf

The dedicated PCI express x16 slot should be empty right now, and that is where you would install the card I recommended.

I see no reason why the HD 6450 wouldn't work.  It works in the dc7800, dc7900, 6000 Pro, 6200 pro, 8000 Elite, 8100 Elite and 8200 Elite business desktop PC's.

You just need to make sure you uninstall the HD 4200 graphics adapter and driver in the device manager.  Also check the uninstall driver box.

Also uninstall the catalyst control center software in the add/remove programs section of the control panel, shut down and unplug the PC, install your new video card and driver for the 6450.

Here is the link to the service manual. See chapter 2 pp 20 - 25 for expansion card installation procedures, paying particular attention to the PCIe x16 slot info.

http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c01870938

[jhughey]

Thank you Paul! 

Moreover, I really appreciate the additional advice about uninstall configuration changes with the system admin work.   I am putting this together for an invalid relative, and I am kinda new at adding bells and whistles.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

Hopefully, it will be smooth sailing all the way.

It should be.

[jhughey]

Paul, I have one more followup question: 

I see the card's dimensions are 9 x 6.5 x 2 inches.  The card has wide cooling fins, rather than a fan.    Is it possible that this card might be so big that I could not even fit another expansion card in the adjacent PCI Express Slot?  If it will fit, and another expansion card is next to it, is it possible that there might not be enough ventilation for it to cool?  The 6005's cooling fan only has a 240 watt PS.

Thanks!

[Paul_Tikkanen]

I doubt there will be any additional expansion cards in there but if there is one in the PCIe x1 slot adjacent to the PCIe x16 slot, I highly doubt any video card will fit next to it.

You would need to move any PCIe x1 card to the slot furthest away.

You can also get an alternative video card...the Nvidia 610 GT low profile card which has a fan.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130815&cm_re=geforce_gt_610-_-14-130-815-_-...

This should be a bit thinner but I still think that any card in the adjacent PCIe x1 slot will be in the way.