Upgrade GPU/Video Card

[GPU_gramps]

I'm using an old, HP Envy Phoenix 800 desktop, running the OEM Nvidia GeForce GTX645. The only upgrades I've done is replacing the Harddrive and RAM.  I'm wanting and needing to upgrade the video card, it's not meeting the specs for some video/photo editing software I need to run.

I'd like to replace it with a GeForce RTX 3070. Would my system support this?

[NonSequitur777]

@GPU_gramps,

Welcome to our HP User Forum!

Let me start out by observing that your HP ENVY Phoenix 800-060 Desktop PC (H5P88AA) is highly upgradeable.

According to: https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c03791812, your PC was sold with a 600-watt power supply with p/n: 633186-002 "Petrus 600W e-star V5.0 Bronze" (please verify), which, as far as I could ascertain, has two 8-pin PCIe power cables -please verify as well.

Because your desktop is fitted with the Kaili motherboard (SSID: 2AF3), which is 24-pin ATX-power enabled, meaning, you could upgrade your existing power supply with any industry standard ATX power supply, as long as you watch its dimensions (LxWxH) for fit inside your desktop.

However, your 600-watt power supply is sufficient to power an RTX 3070 (see: https://www.techpowerup.com/gpu-specs/geforce-rtx-3070.c3674), but depending on which brand RTX 3070 you get, keep in mind that you may need a dual 8-pin PCIe to 12-pin PCIe power adapter cable. I would also recommend a smaller-sized RTX 3070, one with two cooling fans rather than the larger three cooling fan models.

In addition, if I were to make your Phoenix 800 my upgrade project, I wouldn't hesitate to upgrade the processor (if you haven't done so already) with at least an i7-4790 (84-watt TDP), and -come to think of it, since I love pushing the boundaries with my HP legacy desktop upgrade projects, I would start with the legendary "Devil's Canyon" processor, the i7-4790K (88-watt TDP), which you can purchase around $76 via eBay.  However, if I were to purchase one of these legendary CPUs, I would choose to spend a little more in order to purchase one through a "Top Rated Plus" Seller, such as this purchase example: Intel Core I7-4790K SR219 4.0 Ghz Quad Core LGA 1150 CPU Processor *km | eBay.

Please be mindful that when you upgrade your graphics card -and especially if you go the "Devil's" processor route, you may want to upgrade your internal air cooling a bit since higher-end GPUs and the aforementioned processor run hotter.

Obviously, I am digressing.  But I hope this was helpful, though.

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[GPU_gramps]

Thank you for the reply.

I want to ensure I understand what you're saying.

Is it required to upgrade the CPU and the PSU in order to upgrade my video card? Or are those just suggestions, recommendations?

I also seen where the GTX645 I'm currently using, is a single-slot, where the RTX 3070 is a dual slot. You mentioned I would need an adapter. What would that look like, / be ?

Thank you.

[NonSequitur777]

@GPU_gramps,

These are great questions. No, it is definitely not required to change/upgrade your processor, just a secondary recommendation.  As far as upgrading your power supply is concerned, that would only be relevant if you go beyond an RTX 3070.

By what I mean with regard to the RTX 3070's power cable(s), is the following: some RTX 3070's require 2 x 8-pin PCIe power cables (which your PSU is equipped with to power), whereas many other RTX 3070's are powered by a single 12-pin PCIe power cable:

The dual 8-pin PCIe to 12-pin PCIe power cable adapter you need to power the first card, looks like this:

Purchase example link: Amazon.com: YEZriler Dual PCIe 8 Pin Female to Mini 12 Pin GPU Power Adapter Sleeved Cable for Graph....

If you were to buy a brand-new RTX 3070 GPU powered by a single 12-pin PCIe power cable, this adapter cable is almost certainly included with your purchase.  Even many used cards of this type as sold via eBay usually have this adapter cable included (check with Seller).

Hope this was helpful.

KInd Regards,

NonSequitur777

[NonSequitur777]

@GPU_gramps,

And btw, if you are interested in purchasing a quality (almost new) RTX 3070 for one of the best prices I have come along in quite a while, look no further than this purchase example via eBay from a trusted Seller: Manli nVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 8GB GDDR6 GPU Video Card M-NRTX3070/6RGHPPP-M2479 | eBay:

And yes, this card comes with the dual PCIe 8-pin to PCIe 12-pin power adapter cable too.

Bought one myself for an upgrade project.

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[GPU_gramps]

I really appreciate your assistance!! I've ordered those items you recommended (GPU & CPU) from Ebay. I've located a PSU on Amazon, it's a Corsair RM850e. There is a 1000w but I due to budget, I think I'll settle for the 850w. It should work, I think. I checked the specs for it's physical size, comparing it to my existing 600w, and should fit without any problems.

Do you think this would be a good unit to finish up my upgrading?

Corsair RM850e-Amazon Store

Thank you again for all your help.. I used to do PC upgrades/repairs decades ago. This was back when Win3.0 was the current OS, and we had to configure anything we added, and MS DOS and Windows were on 7-8 floppy disks...

[NonSequitur777 · Accepted solution]

@GPU_gramps,

It was my pleasure to assist you -any time!

That fully modular Corsair RM850e is an outstanding top-of-the-line power supply -heck, with that much wattage, you could even upgrade your desktop to an RTX 4090 (NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 Specs | TechPowerUp GPU Database)!

Besides the obvious quality of this brand/product, a fully modular power supply makes (power) cable management inside your desktop a breeze.

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[GPU_gramps]

Wow, it's been next to impossible to access and post here the last couple days. So I grabbed the first place I could reply to my previous issue, which is related to this..

I got the CPU, PSU and the GPU. Sadly the Nvidia RTX 3070 will not fit in my machine. It lacks less than 1/8th inch if that. The Ram socket tabs on the end, are in the way, which will not allow the card to seat in the PCI slot for it.

I've tried searching for something I could use, like a Motherboard. So far no luck. I hate to buy a new PC, since I have the GPU, CPU and PSU.

Recommendations?