Can I install an NVIDIA GT 730M on my HP Z230 SFF workstation

[HerschelSood]

So my dad recently got a HP Z230 Small Form Factor Workstation from his office, and due to some reasons, he had to get a new laptop instead, and we could keep the Desktop. Here's my question- Can I install an NVIDIA GT730M Graphics Card on this? To be honest, I don't know jack about installing hardware. It has an Intel i5 4770k core at 3.3GHz and 4GB DDR3 RAM.

 

[glamdringfh]

Looks like you would probably need to get a new power supply. Just glanced over the system specs and it looks like the small form factor has a 240-watt PSU...which is not designed to power a nice graphics card.

 

[bignastyid]

The gt730m is a mobile gpu that is usually soldered on to the laptops motherboard, so no you can't install that mobile gpu into a desktop.

 

[glamdringfh]

Edit: Already answered above

 

[HerschelSood]

Okay, so if the Graphics Card is Not compatible, and pardon me for knowing nothing about this stuff, what can I do to the desktop for making it primarily for gaming?

 

[bignastyid]

Okay, so if the Graphics Card is Not compatible, and pardon me for knowing nothing about this stuff, what can I do to the desktop for making it primarily for gaming?

Its a small form factor that has a weak psu and only accepts low profile video card. You need to put it in a bigger case, get a bigger better PSU, upgrade the ram and get a decent video card.

 

[glamdringfh]

It's quite difficult to upgrade a branded PC for this kind of thing. To give you and idea, you'll need a new Power Supply (PSU) of around 450-500W, and that alone might be a problem with size within your case.

You would then need a low-profile graphics card like these:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=PCI+x16+low+profile+video+cards&x=19&y=48

On top of that you might need more than 4GB or RAM to make the games look good, and the stock motherboard on your HP might support what you need.

 

[HerschelSood]

Okay, so if the Graphics Card is Not compatible, and pardon me for knowing nothing about this stuff, what can I do to the desktop for making it primarily for gaming?

Its a small form factor that has a weak psu and only accepts low profile video card. You need to put it in a bigger case, get a bigger better PSU, upgrade the ram and get a decent video card.

Oh well. Thanks a lot for the reply.

 

[HerschelSood]

It's quite difficult to upgrade a branded PC for this kind of thing. To give you and idea, you'll need a new Power Supply (PSU) of around 450-500W, and that alone might be a problem with size within your case.

You would then need a low-profile graphics card like these:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=PCI+x16+low+profile+video+cards&x=19&y=48

On top of that you might need more than 4GB or RAM to make the games look good, and the stock motherboard on your HP might support what you need.

Thanks a lot. Really appreciate it.

 

[HerschelSood]

It's quite difficult to upgrade a branded PC for this kind of thing. To give you and idea, you'll need a new Power Supply (PSU) of around 450-500W, and that alone might be a problem with size within your case.

You would then need a low-profile graphics card like these:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=PCI+x16+low+profile+video+cards&x=19&y=48

On top of that you might need more than 4GB or RAM to make the games look good, and the stock motherboard on your HP might support what you need.

I just checked the link you sent, and it does show an MSI GeForce GT730 card. Once I've upgraded the RAM and PSU, would it be compatible? Here's the link to it http://m.newegg.com/Product/index?itemnumber=N82E16814127830&cm_re=PCI_x16_low_profile_video_cards-_-14-127-830-_-Product

 

[glamdringfh]

Maybe. You would need to check the documentation of your motherboard to make sure it had a PCI Express 2.0 x16 slot. If that slot was available on your motherboard, and you had the right PSU, and the correct RAM, it could work. Check your motherboard documentation for what type of RAM (DDR model and frequency) your motherboard supports.

 

[HerschelSood]

Maybe. You would need to check the documentation of your motherboard to make sure it had a PCI Express 2.0 x16 slot. If that slot was available on your motherboard, and you had the right PSU, and the correct RAM, it could work. Check your motherboard documentation for what type of RAM (DDR model and frequency) your motherboard supports.

It's 2:30 am here, but I'll make sure To check it when I wake up and update you on that. Again, really appreciate it.