Graphics card upgrade recommendations for HP Pavilion Gaming - TG01-0020

[CBsim22]

Hello,

I have an HP Pavilion Gaming - TG01-0020 computer with a GTX 1650 graphics card installed that my son uses for X-plane 11 and would like to upgrade the graphics card for better performance.

I also have an Alienware Aurora R6 computer with a GTX 1070 that I use for myself. The X-plane 11 performs pretty good on my computer. I went to a store and purchased the RTX 3050 graphics card. It was suggested that I replace my GTX 1070 graphics card with the RTX 3050, and then use the GTX 1070 in the HP Pavilion to replace the GTX 1650 since the HP computer's processor is only an i5 9th generation with a 400W power supply. They said that the GTX 1070 would be a better replacement than the RTX 3050. However, the GTX1070 is too long to fit in the HP computer, and I still wasn't sure if the power supply needed to be above 500W, so I didn't install it...

I also noticed that the current GTX 1650 in the HP didn't have the power supply cord plugged into the graphics card (I'm assuming it's not required to be) like my power cord is in the Aurora R6 GTX 1070. I did find the cord tucked inside and looks like a 6 and 2 pinned plug...

Any recommendations which graphics card could be installed into the HP Pavilion that would provide a much better performance with X-plane without having to do too many upgrades to the system. I've tried researching, but just not sure the best route to take...

I appreciate any assistance and suggestions. These are the specs for the computer:

Memory: 8 GB DDR4-2666 SDRAM (1 x 8 GB)

Memory and Storage: 8 GB memory; 256 GB SSD storage

Internal storage: 256 GB PCIe® NVMe™ M.2 SSD

Processor: Intel® Core™ i5-9400F (2.9 GHz base frequency, up to 4.1 GHz with Intel® Turbo Boost Technology, 9 MB cache, 6 cores); 9th Generation Intel® Core™ i5 processor

Processor Speed: 2.9 GHz

Graphics Card: NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 1650 (4 GB GDDR5 dedicated)

Power Supply: 400 W Platinum efficiency power supply

Thank you!

[NonSequitur777]

@CBsim22,

You may want to look into a Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER or a Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 for your HP Pavilion Gaming - TG01-0020 computer.  Either card draws power from 1x 8-pin (6+2-pin) power connector, with max power draw rated at 175 watt.

The problem is that your 400 watt power supply may not have quite enough juice to power these or higher end graphics cards.  I would consider switching out the existing PSU for a 500 watt PSU, HP p/n: L05757-800, which is compatible with your PC's Rother motherboard (SSID: 8653).  I believe this PSU also has a 6+2-pin power connector to power the aforementioned cards.

Example of an HP Pavilion Gaming - TG01-0xxx fitted with an RTX 2070 graphics card: https://www.userbenchmark.com/UserRun/33980606.

Hope this was helpful.

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[NonSequitur777]

@CBsim22,

You got a perfectly nice upgradable HP desktop gaming platform.

Worth-it, in my opinion, to spend some money on to create a lean-mean gaming machine that's going to last for years to come.

The graphics card market has cooled down quite a bit (some cases gone down 50% or more), consider these pricings:

For an RTX 2060 Super, new: https://www.amazon.com/MSI-GeForce-Architecture-Overclocked-Graphics/dp/B07YXQ19NC/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3... or this second hand compact version: https://www.ebay.com/itm/265695447883?hash=item3ddcaecb4b%3Ag%3Awu0AAOSwg4Figwsz&LH_BIN=1&LH_ItemCon....

For an RTX 2070, used: https://www.ebay.com/itm/403578607949?hash=item5df728d94d%3Ag%3AlIMAAOSwyi1iR29J&LH_BIN=1&LH_ItemCon....

Actually this low power, compact RTX 3060 would also be an option and is low priced right now, new: https://www.amazon.com/EVGA-GeForce-12G-P5-3657-KR-Dual-Fan-Backplate/dp/B08WM28PVH/ref=sr_1_6?crid=....

Whilst you're at it (upgrading your power supply and GPU), increase your RAM to 2 x 8 GB DDR4 PC4-21300 (2666 MHz) UDIMM 288-pin RAM sticks.  Preferably purchase an identical 8 GB RAM stick for your second RAM slot.

This is probably one of the lowest priced L05757-800 original HP Desktop-PC 500 watt power supplies at the moment: https://www.sparepartworld.com/laptop-spare-parts/internal-power-supplies/internal-power-supplies-l0....

And if you don't mind to spend a bit more money on your Upgrade project, consider to purchase an i7-9700 at some future point.  You can get them fairly inexpensive (given today's overheated high-performance CPU market) like here: https://www.ebay.com/itm/134126743986?epid=9035038454&hash=item1f3a93b1b2%3Ag%3AREwAAOSw%7Eb5iiseY&L....

Just some suggestions from someone who has worked on HP desktop Upgrade projects for a while.

Hope this was helpful.

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[CBsim22]

Thank you for the information! I may consider the RTX 2060 Super. I originally purchased the GTX 3050, but the salesperson didn't think having the i5 processor would work well with it.

Do you think I could try running the RTX 2060 Super with my current 400W power unit...just trying to save a few bucks, but I understand if it needs to be upgraded in order to run properly? 

[NonSequitur777]

@CBsim22,

You're welcome!

• [EDIT:] The salesperson is correct, in my opinion. Yes, thank you for reminding me -you did mention that your desktop is fitted with an i5(-9400/F) processor.   If you can budget for it, consider upgrading to an i7-9700.  The i7-9700 has the same TDP (65 watt) as your i5 but performs substantially better as a gaming processor.

Unfortunately, I'm afraid that 400 watt does not provide quite enough juice to avoid graphics stuttering and/or GPU down-throttling on an RTX 2060 Super.

In other words, 500 watt is the minimum power supply for an RTX 2060 Super.

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777