Where to buy suitable motherboard for Envy TE02-1000i?

[MatLowry]

I have a HP Envy Desktop PC TE02-1000i that has failed one month outside of warranty and I am being advised that it is a motherboard fault.

The specs on the HP site make it look as though it is an ArcticU SSID: 8A97

(HP Desktop PCs - ArcticU motherboard specifications | HP® Support)

HP would like £650 to repair... which is over 50% of the new cost for the whole machine... 

Can anybody advise where I could buy a suitable replacement motherboard?

[NonSequitur777]

@MatLowry,

Welcome to our HP Community forum!

I looked in many places (eBay-US & UK, AliExpress, etc.) and what I found is that the ArcticU motherboard is either not available for sale at the moment or is priced exorbitantly high.

Thus, if you don't mind considering a non-HP branded microATX (mATX) formatted motherboard with the Z790 chipset that match in socket and size and should physically fit:

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Recommended Z790 microATX Boards (Standard Form Factor):

ASUS PRIME Z790M-PLUS:

• LGA1700 socket (supports 12th, 13th, and 14th Gen Intel CPUs)

• Standard mATX form factor

• 2x M.2, 4x SATA, DDR5 (or DDR4 variant: Z790M-PLUS D4)

• Has standard front panel headers (can work with HP case if rewired)

• Separate I/O shield (you may need to remove or modify the I/O shield mount on the HP chassis)

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MSI PRO Z790M-A WIFI (or DDR4 version):

• Excellent power delivery for a small board

• Wi-Fi 6E onboard

• Rear I/O is detachable (not integrated)

• Fully compatible with HP case once I/O cutout is cleared

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Gigabyte B760M AORUS Elite AX (DDR4 or DDR5):

• Alternative if you’re okay with B760 instead of Z790

• Also LGA1700 and microATX

• Slightly cheaper, similar compatibility

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Caveats When Installing Aftermarket Boards in HP OEM Case:

Even though these boards should physically fit, there are 3 main challenges:

1. Front Panel Connector:

HP front panel headers are often custom pinouts. You may need to:

• Re-map front panel wires (power switch, reset, LED, etc.)

• Use a front panel adapter or manually insert wires onto standard headers

 

2. Rear I/O Shield Cutout:

Since HP boards have built-in I/O shields, the HP case may have:

• A non-removable I/O opening (please check!), or

• Tabs that need to be bent or cut to accept a standard board and I/O shield

 

3. Standoff Alignment:

Sometimes HP uses non-standard standoff placements. Check and adjust:

• Ensure all screw holes on new board align with existing standoffs

• DO NOT power on until extra standoffs are removed (can cause shorts)

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Recommendations:

If you want to swap the ArcticU board for an aftermarket Z790 or B760 mATX board:

 

You should:

• Get a microATX board (regular ATX motherboards will not fit)

• Confirm DDR4 vs DDR5 RAM compatibility

• Prepare for minor case mods (I/O area, front panel)

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Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[NonSequitur777]

@MatLowry,

OK, a friendly reminder from a fellow Expert (you know who you are!) to emphasize the following -I touched upon it in my previous post, but let's expand on it a little more:

The Core Issue: Front I/O Integration in TExx Series:

HP's Txxx series towers (TE01, TE02, TP01, etc.) often use custom HP motherboards (such as the ArcticU) where:

• The front I/O module (power button, USB-A, USB-C, card reader, headphone jack) is connected directly to the motherboard via a proprietary connector.

• No traditional front panel header exists.

• HP doesn’t route these through standard cables like custom or retail PC cases do. -Which, btw, really sucks: WHY not conform to industry standards? -But I digress.

So, if you remove the HP ArcticU board and install a retail motherboard, you will find:

• The new board fits (physically, if mATX).

• There are no cables in the case to connect to the new board's front panel header (power switch, USB, audio, etc.).

• The integrated I/O daughterboard (if present) is proprietary and useless without the original HP motherboard.

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What Are Your Options?

OPTION 1: Replace Case:

This would be the most complete solution:

• Use a standard ATX or mATX case (with front I/O wiring). You can purchase one of these cases very inexpensively via Amazon-UK etc.

• You can reuse a standard ATX power supply.

• Transfer the CPU, RAM, SSD, GPU (if any) to the new build.

 

OPTION 2: Mod the HP Case:

Yes, it is doable, But Only for the brave or advanced tinkerers. You would need to:

• Install new switches and USB ports (aftermarket panel) and route them internally to the new mobo.

• Possibly cut/modify the HP case’s front panel to install a universal front panel module (sold via Amazon-UK/eBay-UK).

• Hard-wire a momentary push-button switch to power the new board on.

This is very achievable for an experienced modder but not something to recommend to most users.

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Bottom Line:

• Installing a retail motherboard in a TE02 case (which uses the ArcticU motherboard) is not plug-and-play.

• The front I/O is tightly integrated with the HP board, and without custom cabling or mods, it won’t work.

• A case + PSU swap is the cleanest (and actually affordable) solution when upgrading to a retail board.

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Would you like me to suggest some budget-friendly microATX cases?

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[MatLowry]

I am a little stunned that you have taken the time to write me such a detailed description of my options.

Thank you!

I am really very grateful.

Also... for second guessing that I am not really a techy and my abilities are probably limited to plugging in peripherals.

I would also have definitely tried to mod the case (after all it's quite pretty as far as cases go) ... and would almost certainly have failed.

OK . So a new case and motherboard it is.

Could I take you up on your offer of some advice regarding cases?

This is all for my son, whom I bought the envy for to work on his A-Levels. But in honesty it probably gets used for gaming more. The previous motherboards you have suggested, I think, were chosen to fit within the Envy case. If we are not going down the route of using the Envy case would you still recommend the same motherboards?

Once again,

Thank you for your time.

m.

[NonSequitur777]

@MatLowry,

You are quite welcome -glad to assist you.

Yes, the same motherboards would apply.

Here are some affordable gaming PC cases all for less than 46 quid via Amazon-UK you'll also find aesthetically pleasing -or so I hope:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/iONZ-KZ-Z-Gaming-Chamber-Type-C-Black/dp/B0CXJB1YPM/ref=sr_1_14?crid=1H7VL2...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gaming-Classic-Tempered-Window-KZ10B-Black/dp/B08HQNF5VT/ref=sr_1_18?crid=1...

iONZ Flow Mini - PC Gaming Case, Curved tempered Glass, Dual Dynamic, ITX | Includes 3 ARGB PWM Fans...

You can go as fancy or expensive as you so please of course, but as for me, I have never spent more than $100 for a gaming PC case whenever I build a non-HP gaming rig.

Warm Regards,

NonSequitur777