BEST BRAND AND SPECS TO BUY TO UPGRADE GPU AND RAM FOR MAXIMUM PERFORMANCE ON A SEMI-BUDGET...

[TM15JOHNWICK]

This is my Specs now... Operating System: Windows 10 Home 64-bit (10.0, Build 19042) (19041.vb_release.191206-1406)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: HP
System Model: HP Pavilion Gaming Desktop 790-00xx
BIOS: F.43 (type: UEFI)
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-8400 CPU @ 2.80GHz (6 CPUs), ~2.8GHz
Memory: 8192MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 8060MB RAM
Page File: 6677MB used, 10597MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 12

Card name: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 3GB
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce GTX 1060 3GB
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Type: Full Device (POST)
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_1C02&SUBSYS_82FC103C&REV_A1
Device Status: 0180200A [DN_DRIVER_LOADED|DN_STARTED|DN_DISABLEABLE|DN_NT_ENUMERATOR|DN_NT_DRIVER]
Device Problem Code: No Problem
Driver Problem Code: Unknown
Display Memory: 7017 MB
Dedicated Memory: 2988 MB
Shared Memory: 4029 MB
Current Mode: 2560 x 1080 (32 bit) (60Hz)
HDR Support: Not Supported

My monitor is a VIOTEK 29" Ultra-Wide 120Hz w/HDMI 1.4, 2.0, and DP 1.2........................

I am looking to upgrade the GPU and RAM for more performance, but not at the cost of an arm and leg.

Also I think I can Turbo Clock My CPU to 3.8Ghz or something like...How? Built in in BIOS or third party software?

[old_geekster]

@TM15JOHNWICK , welcome to the Community.

What is the Product Number of the computer? I need this information to review the specifications of it. Please don't furnish the Serial # or other personal information. You can find the Product Number at the bottom of the page when you open HP Support Assistant.  I will answer your questions when I have this information.

[TM15JOHNWICK]

Product Number is as Follows- 3LA81AA#ABA

And Thank You BTW. I just want to get the best perfortmance out of this i5 without bottlenecking it. And I think I can upcock to 3.8 Ghz on CPU

[old_geekster · Accepted solution]

You are welcome, @TM15JOHNWICK!  Thank you for the additional information.

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@TM15JOHNWICK wrote:

Product Number is as Follows- 3LA81AA#ABA

And Thank You BTW. I just want to get the best perfortmance out of this i5 without bottlenecking it. And I think I can upclock to 3.8 Ghz on CPU.

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You can't actually overclock (upclock) your processor.  The only processors that can be overclocked have a "K" in the model: i7-8700K.  The multiplier is unlocked.  Your processor automatically boosts the speed to 4.0 GHz when it is necessary for better performance.

Here is a HP Knowledge Base article to tell you what to consider when upgrading the video card: https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Gaming-Knowledge-Base/Upgrade-Video-Card/ta-p/7481981

There are three main things to consider: 1) the length of the card.  The article explains how to measure the space where the card will be installed.  There should be plenty of space for good airflow. 2) the wattage required to run the card properly and 3) does the card require any 1x6-pin, 1x8-pin or both PCIe power connectors.

Your PSU is 400W and has 1x(2x3) (6 pin) PCIe power connector.  This will limit the type of video card that you can install.  The motherboard in your computer is HP proprietary.  It has a 4-pin power connector instead of a standard 24-pin ATX power connector.  You would have to buy any PSU upgrade directly from HP.  They have a 500W (L05757-800) PSU with a 1x6+2 PCIe power connector that is compatible with your motherboard.  Here is a chart that shows you where I got this information: https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Desktop-Knowledge-Base/Power-Supply-Cross-Reference-for-specific-model...

Your exact model is not in the chart, but all of the Berks motherboards have the same connector.  Here is a video card that will work with your current PSU: https://www.newegg.com/gigabyte-geforce-gtx-1650-gv-n1656wf2oc-4gd/p/N82E16814932286

It only requires a PSU with 300W and with 1x6-pin power connector.  It does have 4 GB of video memory.  If you don't want to buy this card it is a good example of what will work in your computer.  I believe that it would be a good improvement over your GTX 1060 (3 GB).

Well, if your not thoroughly confused by this point, let's talk about the memory.  Here is the Product Specifications page: https://support.hp.com/us-en/product/hp-pavilion-gaming-desktop-pc-790-0000i/20395823/model/22506251...

If you look at the section titled "Memory/Memory upgrade information" it has all of the information for upgrading the memory.  The maximum is 32 GB with 8 GB modules and 64 GB if you use 4x16 GB modules.  Also, you can have 16 GB using 4x4 GB modules.  There are 4 memory slots on the motherboard.  The specifications don't state if the existing 8 GB is 1x8 GB or 2x4 GB.  You can determine this by opening the side panel and looking inside of the case.  The speed of the memory that you use has to be DDR4-2666. 

Here is the memory that is recommended by Crucial Memory: https://www.crucial.com/compatible-upgrade-for/hp---compaq/pavilion-790-0021

You should use CPU-Z to determine the manufacturer and timings of the current memory: https://download.cnet.com/CPU-Z/3000-2086_4-10050423.html

This information is the Tab titled "SPD".  Once you have this information, you can contact Crucial to assure their memory is compatible with it.  If not, you will have to replace it, also.  Since the motherboard has dual channel memory architecture, the modules should be installed in matching pairs to get the best performance.

I know this is a lot of information, but I wanted to give you as much help as possible.  If you have further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Please click the Thumbs up + button if I have helped you and click Accept as Solution if your problem is solved.

[TM15JOHNWICK]

Bro., YOU ROCK!!!! I couldn't have been more thourough!! HP should be pay YOU.

[old_geekster]

You are very welcome, @TM15JOHNWICK!  I don't often get a reaction like yours.  I do appreciate it.  I will tell HP they need to pay me more. 😉