Should I Convert My i7-3770 SFF Into A Minitower?

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My PC Hates Me

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Does it make sense to convert my HP Compaq Elite 8300 into a Compact Mini Tower or not (so that I can add a decent graphics card for photoshop and lightroom... and maybe some gaming...). In reality, the ONLY game I play is Paladins, and as it is, I get about 60fps at reduced setting. So I am mostly looking for increased performance for photoshop and lightroom.

Because it is an SFF box, I don't have much room for a graphics card, and it only has like 260 or 280 watt power supply anyway.

What I currently have in my SFF box is:

CPU: i7-3770 (not the K version, unfortunately)

Memory: 16 GB DDR3 Total
Slot 1: 4 GB PC3-1280 (800MHz)
Slot 2: 2GB PC3-1070 (667 MHZ)
Slot 3: 8GB PC3-1280 (800MHz)
Slot 4: 2GB PC3-1070 (667 MHZ)

C: Drive: 500GB 16MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" ST500DM002-1BD142

F: Drive: 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Western Digital RE3 WD5002ABYS

So I guess I would need:

1) A case

2) A motherboard

3) A power supply

4) A Graphics card

Will I need to buy a new OS as well??? My current box runs windows 7 and it has a COA sticker on it. But will it still be valid if I use it with a new motherboard? Or is the COA linked to the current motherboard?

So please let me know if this is a wise choice or not, and how much I would probably need to spend to make this a reality. also, if you have suggestions on what particular parts I need, then that would be great too...

Thanks in advance.
 
Solution
Geekwad
I believe anything in the 700 series will work:

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/kb/photoshop-cc-gpu-card-faq.html

I don't think it would do well with Premier or Aftereffects, but for PS and LR should double your performance. Do get the version that has GDDR5 though, as there are DDR3 options. Even still, it isn't optimal.....but it does an OK job for the investment. Getting the video off of shared system memory (RAM) will help, out of the CPU, as well has having the SSD......all performance improvements in their own right.

As for the PSU: you'll just have to check. You really should have a 300w PSU even for that card (especially as you'll be pushing it hard), so if it's not that at least, then a new case will be in order. It will...
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Geekwad

Geekwad

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Given what you have and what you're trying to accomplish, I would consider this:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Storage: PNY CS1311 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GT 730 2GB Video Card ($64.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: Antec EarthWatts Green 380W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($44.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $169.96
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Between the SSD and GPU, I think you'll be pleased with the performance improvement. This will allow you to just reinstall windows (either 7 or 10 directly....which can be done with a 7 key), whereas a motherboard switch would have needed a new license.
 
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My PC Hates Me

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Thanks for the suggestions...

I don't know for sure whether that is going to work with my case or not though:

RE: Power supply:

I thought I red somewhere that the power supply can't be replaced on the Elite 8300 SFF. I don't know where I read that though now...

Video Card:

Would the GT 730 be much of an upgrade? Admittedly, it scores twice as well on the videobenchmark (927 versus 451) when compared to my Intel HD 4000 graphics... But it isn't listed as being an "Adobe Approved" card for photoshop and lightroom (meaning, I don't think photoshop and lightroom will use the card for graphics acceleration).

I guess I will have to see if the power supply could be upgraded or not. But if not, would the GT 730 work with the stock power supply? Or is that just asking for trouble???
 
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Geekwad

Geekwad

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Sep 25, 2015
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I believe anything in the 700 series will work:

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/kb/photoshop-cc-gpu-card-faq.html

I don't think it would do well with Premier or Aftereffects, but for PS and LR should double your performance. Do get the version that has GDDR5 though, as there are DDR3 options. Even still, it isn't optimal.....but it does an OK job for the investment. Getting the video off of shared system memory (RAM) will help, out of the CPU, as well has having the SSD......all performance improvements in their own right.

As for the PSU: you'll just have to check. You really should have a 300w PSU even for that card (especially as you'll be pushing it hard), so if it's not that at least, then a new case will be in order. It will be important to check (I couldn't find) if the motherboard conforms to the mATX standard:

http://www.formfactors.org/developer%5Cspecs%5Cmatxspe1.2.pdf

So you know if the mounting holes will be in the right spot. If you do switch cases though, then you can consider a bigger GPU (what would your budge be?). Depending on budget, a 750 would be a good option......but of course can go up from there.

 
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