Sign in with
Sign up | Sign in
Your question

Videocard Upgrade on HP Pavillion

Tags:
  • Desktops
  • Hewlett Packard
  • Graphics
Last response: in Graphics & Displays
Share

What is my best move forward?

Total: 0 vote

  • Try updating the BIOS on the new video card (on another computer that does accept it) to hopefully make it compatible.
  • 0 %
  • Just change your motherboard, it's not that hard...
  • 0 %
  • You're screwed - return the card and suffer FPS in the teens!
  • 0 %
May 14, 2014 2:27:23 PM

Hi guys,

I'm tyring to upgrade my HP desktop (model h8-1280t), by changing my current Nvidia 545 to a new 750ti. I thought it's a simple plug-out, plug-in thingie... After the switch tho, the computer won't boot. I get the HP welcome screen, so ther IS video signal, but all I get is three beeps over 30 sec and that's that.

I updated my motherboard's (Pegatron) BIOS to the "latest" from HP (ver. 7.15 I believe), but nothing changed. From what I gather (looking on various forums), I'm not the only one with this problem...

Any solutions, bar from changing the MoBo (I can change video-cards, RAM, and even HDDs by myself, but I don't feel confident playing around with the board or CPU)... I'd hate to think that this computer is already useless (I want to play Wildstar ;)  ), when I paid for 600W PSU, 16 gigs of memory and a good CPU just a couple of years ago!

Any help, or discussion is appreciated!
Thanks a lot!
M

More about : videocard upgrade pavillion

May 14, 2014 2:38:04 PM

Well, looking at HP's site they offer up to a 7950 for your model so it can definitely handle a GPU upgrade. Have you searched what the 3 beep error code means?
May 14, 2014 2:41:05 PM

Apparently the issue arises from conflicting BIOS types.

I found this, may be worth a shot:

For this issue of not getting the video card to load after the POST. Please make sure that your BIOS is completely up to date. I have included the document 'Updating the BIOS'. Once this is completed put the new card back into the computer, and see if it works.

If the above steps fail. Put the original graphics card back into the computer. When the computer starts up, please access the BIOS. What needs to be done here is to set the computer so that it boots into legacy mode. I have included the document 'BIOS Settings for the Pittsburgh Motherboard'. Please click on Storage menu, and then boot order. This will tell you how to make the changes. As well show you pictures of what the menu looks like. Then shut the computer down. Install the new graphics card, and turn the computer on.

Please let me know if you are able to boot past the POST, thank you.
May 14, 2014 4:08:14 PM

Hey S4in7,

thanks for the reply!
1) On the (dated) list of cards supported on HP's site, the best nVidia card is GTX 580. I was looking at GeForce, since I've always used those. You're saying that maybe I should go with a Radeon 7950? Will my 600W PSU handle it? Also, it seems twice as long and I'm not sure there's room for it in my case... I picked the nVidia 750ti, since it has similar requirements as the 545 I had.
2) The tree beeps (long pauses in between) is not among the HP listed codes.
3) I've updated the BIOS to the latest version (from HP) and it didn't help... The legacy mode is more for Win 8 and UEFI from what I understood (I am on 7), but I will try it...

Thanks!

!