PSU replacement - HP 2820h

[rootordie]

I'm trying to replace an HP PC7036 PSU (https://www.amazon.com/HP-PC7036-Power-Supply-507895-001/dp/B005PWKNXM) out of my desktop with a new EVGA or Rosewill unit, but I've been told HP PSUs are notorious for having nonstandard connectors. I'm not experienced with PSU connectors, so I don't know what's standard or not.

So, does my current PSU have nonstandard connectors and does my motherboard (an HP 2820h) have the same issue?

Thanks

 

[electro_neanderthal]

If you already have both units, just compare them; if they match (plastic material colour doesn't matter), you should be fine. And from what I can tell of the picture, it's all standard - so you should be alright. Is there any reason you aren't going with a same-part replacement?

The only thing that may be an issue is fit and finish (may have to bend or break off some metal mounting tabs, but they usually just make way for the new PSU)... but using the four PSU face screws is all it really needs to mount securely. And the mounting hole layout/size looks about the same so that should be fine as well.

 

[rootordie]

Currently I do not actually have my replacement PSU ordered yet. Good to know that everything looks standard, so thanks for that. I wanted a different PSU because I may be adding some parts to this machine like a GPU and extra RAM very soon so I wanted to make sure I'd have enough power for all that.

Thanks for the reply and good info.

 

[electro_neanderthal]

You're welcome! But, if you're worried about power consumption on an upgrade, you don't have to be because none of the most useful video card upgrades/additions for that card use more power than what is supplied by the motherboard... which leads me into this next part.

I don't mean to come across in the wrong way, but I'd rather not leave this to chance since it could save you money - just in case you don't already know:

You may want to replace your PC rather than upgrade it. It only uses 400Mhz DDR2 RAM and can only go up to 8 GB maximum (with a 64 bit operating system; 32 bit can only use up to 4 GB of RAM). As far as a video card that would work for that system without a bottleneck... you might get away with a GT 1030 before one of the highest performance LGA 775 processors for that board can't keep up.

However, LGA 775 is practically ancient now, and I'm not exactly sure about the 1030 as Nvidia drivers for a card that new may not support hardware that old. In which case you may end up with a GT 730 (make sure it's a 128 bit; not the cheaper 64 bit version).

And on Newegg, the best (GT 730) cards I've found are these:

Lower Customer Rating, higher vRAM: https://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127907&cm_re=MSI_GeForce_GT_730-_-14-127-907-_-Product

Higher Customer Rating, lower vRAM: https://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814487055&cm_re=gt_730-_-14-487-055-_-Product

Neither of these run off anything more than the PCIe slot, so extra power really isn't an issue.
((((Now, if you can find a decent PSU brand with more watts for cheaper than the original part, then definitely do that.))))

Please note: a better graphics card series for a PC of that age may be available, but I have not heard of any.

Hopefully that helps you make a more informed decision.

My sources:

https://www.game-debate.com/motherboard/index.php?mot_id=3427&cpuList=HP%202820h
http://www.game-debate.com/motherboard/index.php?mot_id=3427&motherboard=HP%202820h
http://www.pc-specs.com/mobo/HP/HP_2820h/3427