Upgrading an HP EliteDesk 800 65W G3 Desktop Mini (DM) PC

[NonSequitur777]

Dear Forum,

Build a sturdy graphics card stand and secured the EXP GDC v8.5c "Beast" eGPU dock on it.  This time used a Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Super 8GB GDDR6, powered by a synced AresGame AGW 750 watt semi-modular power supply.

The HP EliteDesk 800 65W G3 DM is placed on top of an HP ProDesk 600 G4 MT:

Benchmarked it, and scored as follows:

Link: https://www.userbenchmark.com/UserRun/61731943.

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[NonSequitur777]

Esteemed Forum,

Just found out something quite interesting -and probably not well known about the HP EliteDesk 800 65W G4 Mini (DM) -my next upgrade project.

This desktop, fitted with the HP SSID: 845A motherboard, and given the Intel Q370 PCH-H--vPro chipset, is supposed to be compatible with 8th gen Intel processors only as specified in HP's specs & manual here: http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c06063157.pdf and: https://support.hp.com/us-en/product/hp-elitedesk-800-65w-g4-desktop-mini-pc/21353734/document/c0604...:

However, when I looked at what processors are actually supported by Intel's Q370 chipset here: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/products/sku/133282/intel-q370-chipset/compatible.html, it shows compatibility with 9th gen processors as well.

Ah ha.

And indeed, what do you know, looking at UserBenchMark's "HP System EliteDesk 800 G4 DM 65W" User entries, showed a single (Swiss) User (two separate entries) who had fitted this desktop with an i5-9500: https://www.userbenchmark.com/UserRun/61068514.

Point is, instead of fitting the G4 DM with an i7-8700K, I will fit it with a 9th gen Intel processor -to be determined which one.

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[NonSequitur777]

Dear Forum,

All right, then: prepped to rebuild the HP EliteDesk 800 65W G3 (G4/5) Desktop Mini (DM) heatsink off the HP Reservation:

As the Ramones said it (in Blitzkrieg Bop), and I quote: "Hey Ho! Let's Go!"

DISCLAIMER: HP does NOT endorse, recommend or approve of these mods. DO NOT attempt any of these modifications unless you are thoroughly familiar handling hazardous/flammable chemicals & equipment (using adequate PPE in a safe, well-ventilated area), "Hot Work" (silver soldering) and accept any and all risks to life, limb and/or property.

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[NonSequitur777 · Accepted solution]

Dear Forum,

Successfully completed the HP EliteDesk 800 65W G3 Desktop Mini (DM) heatsink rebuild yesterday and cut a square (85 x 105mm) in the top panel (gently & safely): 

And just replaced the stock heatsink with my mammoth heatsink mod and hit the start button:

Working A-OK!

Immediately moderately 'stressed' the 91-watt TDP i5-7600K and verified that the PWM heatsink cooling fan ramps up/down as it is supposed to.  The heatsink performs outstandingly: even after 10 minutes of CPU-Z stress load, individual Cores did not exceed 66 °C:

However, when stressed considerable higher through Intel's "Processor Diagnostic Tool" (CPULoad), the i5-7600K runs pretty hot, but still less than 88 °C on any one Core (TJunction Max: 100 °C):

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[NonSequitur777]

Dear Forum,

Deng, was ready to exchange the "G3" Mini motherboard for a "G4" Mini motherboard, only to find out that the G4 motherboard's assembly screw holes are off-set compared to the G3:

Therefore, a simple G4 mini mobo swap in/to an HP EliteDesk 800 65W G3 Desktop Mini (DM) is not possible.  This means that my HP EliteDesk 800 65W G4 Desktop Mini (DM) upgrade project will be on hold for now, until I find a barebone/case-only G4 Mini for sale via eBay.

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[NonSequitur777]

Dear Forum,

Never mind: placed a $59 low bid on a $69.99 barebone HP EliteDesk 800 65W G4 Desktop Mini (DM), which was accepted by the Seller and thus purchased:

This means that the HP EliteDesk 800 65W G4 Desktop Mini (DM) upgrade project will go ahead as imagined.

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777