Lenovo H30-50: Possible to upgrade the PSU?

Jaiimc

Commendable
Mar 15, 2016
5
0
1,510
Hi TomsHardware,

Firstly, allow me to apologise for bringing a branded (dumb branded too) PC's problems to this forum. But sadly, there is not a great deal of help happening with the Lenovo support helpline.

On to the problem. I have a Lenovo H30-50:

  • ■ i3-4160.
    ■ 200-240W -- from what I've been told -- PSU.
    ■ 4gb ram standard, upgraded to 12gb with an 8gb stick from Quimox.
    ■ Micro-ATX, not sure the actual brand. Intel H81 chipset.

Overall, not that bad of a PC. Runs pretty quickly on Windows 10. No real complaints, besides the lacking graphics due to it using purely on-board graphics. Being somewhat tech-savvy, I decided to help upgrade the graphics card.

Done some searching. Came across: https://forums.lenovo.com/t5/Lenovo-E-H-K-M-Q-Y-and-ErazerX/H30-50-upgrade-graphics-card/m-p/2267755 -- Guy says his GTX 750Ti works with the 240W. So I decided I'll grab one.

Got a full-size Nvidia GTX 750Ti (twice) by accident, without any LP bracket bundles. (Oh yeah, did I mention this thing is a slim-line?)

Went back to the thread in question. Re-read it. Purchased this: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gigabyte-GeForce-Graphics-Express-5400GHz/dp/B00NM3BTVG/ref=sr_1_2?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1458092229&sr=1-2&keywords=gtx+750ti+low+profile Finally got a new card that fits fine. Exact same as the one the guy mentioned in the above thread.

Installed it, pretty happy with everything... Then I tried to power it.

It does not power up. It tries to and can get to a point where everything is 'on.' Except the PC can't actually boot. The fan will spin (just about), peripherals will show they're connected but it'll never fully boot. Removed the graphics card, bam -- away everything goes.

P.s. No BIOS beeps. Don't even think it can power up enough to get to BIOS.

So, I've tried every usual fix for no signal, blank screen graphics card upgrades. No bueno. I'm assuming now, as I've no other build to test it in, that the graphics card can't boot because it's a 240W PSU and a 300W min recommended card. Sounds likely, due to its failure to boot too.

So, the usual line of thinking comes up: "I'll just upgrade the PSU."

Well, Lenovo are idiots. Because it's a slim-line PC, they of course had to use a PSU with a 'unique' adapter (from what I understand in Lenovo's own support forums too). It's a 240W TFX (thin form factor?) PSU. Are there any upgrades that will fit floating around out there? Hopefully with Lenovo's special brand adapter or a way to make it fit?

I figure I'll need a 300W at minimum. Probably a 350W to be safe.

I have searched this situation pretty extensively and I've turned up nothing. So I've come to place I know someone will have a clue, or possibly even experienced this before. Here!

Please help! 🙂
 
Solution
Before upgrading the PSU I'd like to confirm the following.

Before you install the graphics card, have you tried changing the "graphics adapter" through the BIOS from integrated to PCI-E?

I also need you to take a look at the side of the power supply sticker, and tell me how many (A)mps it has on the 12V rail.
Before upgrading the PSU I'd like to confirm the following.

Before you install the graphics card, have you tried changing the "graphics adapter" through the BIOS from integrated to PCI-E?

I also need you to take a look at the side of the power supply sticker, and tell me how many (A)mps it has on the 12V rail.
 
Solution


Didn't have the option to in the BIOS, which got me to thinking it really should be available.

Updated the BIOS. Got the option. Changed it. Boots now!

Little concerned about how much of this measly 240W PSU it'll be drawing at a constant. However, I figure it'll be fine so long as I shut down whenever it's not in use. I'll know if there's a problem when I'm using it. 🙂

As for the PSU, it's a 100-120/200-240V, 6/3A. Not entirely sure what the 6/3A bit means, but I'm sure you do.

Either way, seems to be working now. Really appreciate that. Thanks!
 
Well it seems that the PSU that comes with it doesn't have it's own rating sticker.

If you ever experience extreme stuttering during heavy loads or extremely bad 3D performance it may be a sign that the PSU is having a bit of trouble supplying the needed power, though if it doesn't then it shouldn't be much of a problem.