Upgrading GPU on OEM PC

AdeptLink · May 3, 2017

Hello,

I have a HP Pavilion 500-550na OEM PC https://support.hp.com/gb-en/document/c04556684

During my time playing games for a year i realize i need a upgrade and the GPU is the way to go. From a week of browsing and measuring i have found the best for me is the GTX 1050ti Zotac Mini as i would like to keep a microATX factor case for space conservation. I assume this graphics card will fit perfectly but i'm not 100% as there are many variants of the card (Low Profile, Mini, OC etc.) The PSU would need to be upgraded also to power the upgrade so I found a 500W PSU which will allow future upgrades but not decided on which would be the best PSU as there are many to choose from.

What i would like to know is would all this be perfectly compatible and if anyone can recommend a microATX case with adequate dust control and a 500W PSU if i have my calculations correct on what i need to make the upgrade possible, also I would like some pointers and information on stuff i would need extra if i went down this route as this is my first time building a PC and I don't want to spend a lot of money to find out that i messed up.

Thanks.

elbert · May 3, 2017

Actually a 300W is enough for the 1050ti and most any single fan video card is fine. The zotac mini is just a single fan model. This 380w can push a 1060 so it should do fine.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 4GB ACX 2.0 Video Card ($114.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Antec EarthWatts Green 380W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($40.49 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $155.48
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-05-03 15:46 EDT-0400

AdeptLink · May 3, 2017

elbert :

Thank you for the swift answer on the PSU and variant of graphics card. Purchasing these and then installing will work like a plug and play? also a newbie question but will they include everything i need to connect them?

Dark Lord of Tech · May 3, 2017

Total wattage: 180 W external power adapter (100V-240V).......Your Tower uses an adapter like a laptop , make sure you can upgrade to a Standard ATX power supply.

AdeptLink · May 3, 2017

Hi,

Never noticed that until you pointed it out. I wouldn't exactly know how to make sure. Do you mean like a brick on the power cable connected to the wall? Cause i don't have that. Sorry if i missed your point. But i guess if it is a problem would purchasing another case solve the issue?

Thanks.

elbert · May 3, 2017

AdeptLink :

Yup they include everything you need. The motherboard looks to have a standard ATX power connection. Probably an error. Open your case to see if your PSU is standard ATX just to make sure.

Dark Lord of Tech · May 3, 2017

It uses a 180W POWER adapter right now , make sure It can mount and use a standard ATX PSU.

dontlistentome · May 3, 2017

I'd be uncomfortable spending money to upgrade a computer like this. Who knows what corners HP cut in order to get the computer to work with that low power external power supply?

AdeptLink · May 3, 2017

elbert :

AdeptLink :

Yup they include everything you need. The motherboard looks to have a standard ATX power connection. Probably an error. Open your case to see if your PSU is standard ATX just to make sure.

Thanks. I shall open the case tomorrow UK time and reply soon as possible.

AdeptLink · May 3, 2017

Thanks. I shall open the case tomorrow UK time and reply soon as possible.

AdeptLink · May 3, 2017

dontlistentome :

Hello. True but I can't really afford a from scratch PC build but from my calculations all my components max 150W ish and has been running for a couple years no problem in the power department so what else could go wrong i say.

AdeptLink · May 3, 2017

From a quick look at the back of my PC tower there are screws holding the PSU in and the space measures around 150mm and 90mm i think this is consistent with an ATX PSU would this be enough information or would i need a further internal look at cables and size?

elbert · May 3, 2017

AdeptLink :

The antec is 86 mm (H) x 150 mm (W) so its fine that way. It needs 140mm on the inside but sounds like the PSU will fit.

AdeptLink · May 5, 2017

Sorry for the late reply due to unforeseen circumstances. I have a had a look and measure and the PSU has 140mm on the inside and it appears to be able to mount an ATX PSU.

AdeptLink · May 5, 2017

On some web searching these are the only parts i found cheap and what i want. would all this work together as a plug and play and my problem will be solved?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/EVGA-NVIDIA-GeForce-Express-Graphics/dp/B01M66IJ55/ref=sr_1_7?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1493995536&sr=1-7&keywords=gtx+1050+ti

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00X8QBT6M/ref=twister_B016KV6WRW?_encoding=UTF8&th=1

elbert · May 5, 2017

The video card looks good but this site has it for a bit less. The PSU is low quality being a tier 4 PSU. For gaming you want a higher quality least tier 2 PSU like the Antec I posted. It can put out near 450w and handle a 1060 if needed.
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-2547993/psu-tier-list.html

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Video Card: EVGA - GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 4GB ACX 2.0 Video Card (£136.80 @ Alza)
Power Supply: Antec - EarthWatts Green 380W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply (£45.48 @ Ebuyer)
Total: £182.28
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-05-05 16:58 BST+0100

AdeptLink · May 6, 2017

elbert :

Okay thanks. So buying the things you recommend from the websites on PCPartPicker will be everything done and sorted? also would you recommend me getting a new case now or just keeping what i have till I upgrade further in the future like buying a ATX motherboard and a new CPU (It may be a while because the CPU isn't bad for today's standard)?

elbert · May 6, 2017

Just keep the case you have. Some OEM's dont follow specs exactly on cases. Should wait till your ready to replace your motherboard just in case.

AdeptLink · May 6, 2017

elbert :

Thank you all very much and thanks elbert. I shall be buying the parts at the end of the month and when it's all built and running i shall message the results. couldn't of done this without you.

AdeptLink · Jun 25, 2017

Evening all.

Due to some unforeseen circumstances I was delayed in purchasing the parts but now i have and installed them without fault.
Within the first day of using I was blown away with the strength of the graphics card I was hitting 120 fps on ultra on some couple year old games, something I never thought would happen. The PC works beautifully with these upgrades. All parts fit like a glove and cable management wasn't an issue due to my case being bigger than i thought even though it looks like a messy pile of headphones. All in all, pleased with the upgrades and couldn't have done it without the help of you beautiful people.

Thanks a million. Will be happy for a long, long time.

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