Upgrading the HP Envy h8-1414 GPU

[Synapse79]

I was wondering if anyone has found a way to upgrade the GPU in these HP's with UEFI BIOS? This one that came stock just isn't going to cut it, and all I've seen is contradictions; owners saying they couldnt do it and educated tech people who didn't own one saying it was possible if you did it right. Any and all answers are appreciated.

My computer: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/HP+-+ENVY+Desktop+-+10GB+Memory+-+1TB+Hard+Drive/6835567.p?id=1218809260533&skuId=6835567

Note from Nvidia: http://nvidia.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/3156/~/when-installing-an-after-market-graphics-card-into-a-certified-windows-8-pc

Sob story (One of many): http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/375568-31-graphics-card-issues-prebuilt-1414

Success (One of few): http://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Desktop-Audio-Video-Monitors/HP-Envy-Desktop-h8-1414-PC-problem-with-replacing-graphics/td-p/2263553

EDIT

Apparently EVGA has drivers for Windows 8 UEFI? Would that be a fix?

 

[bigshootr8]

I'm not sure you would have an issue upgrading your GPU with your computer has there been reported issues with the board you have blocking you out?

 

[Synapse79]

I'm not sure you would have an issue upgrading your GPU with your computer has there been reported issues with the board you have blocking you out?

Some people have, other's havent. I added some links. Those who have seemed more educated on them, so I was hoping for a response from one of them. And I'm a semi-noob to this so bear with me.

 

[bigshootr8]

Hmm and this is why I hate retail store bought computers because of the weird motherboards they place in these things. Also keep in mind that the power supply only has 300 watts of power which will severely handicap you if you were to move to a dedicated card.

 

[Synapse79]

Hmm and this is why I hate retail store bought computers because of the weird motherboards they place in these things. Also keep in mind that the power supply only has 300 watts of power which will severely handicap you if you were to move to a dedicated card.

Oh I definitely am upgrading my PSU when I get a new card. And I was planning on building my own, but as a kid, mom was worried about the house being burned down. I can switch to Legacy bios like other's have done, and from what I read it's a 50/50. I might have to wait for down the line when some cards come out made explicitly for us stuck with Windows 8 and its UEFI. Hopefully someone who has this computer and solved this will come across this thread and share the fix. For now though it's just hours of googleing and maybe will work/maybe not.

 

[bigshootr8]

Yea that is rough I didn't realize windows 8 could have that effect. You wouldn't burn down the house silly mom kids smart enough to make his way to the forums haha! I'd be sneaky and change out the motherboard against my parents will shh! That and the power supply for sure. CURSE name brand computers grr!

 

[Synapse79]

Yea that is rough I didn't realize windows 8 could have that effect. You wouldn't burn down the house silly mom kids smart enough to make his way to the forums haha! I'd be sneaky and change out the motherboard against my parents will shh! That and the power supply for sure. CURSE name brand computers grr!

Haha we'll see. Hopefully there's a fix.

 

[bigshootr8]

Well in one of the threads it outlines that you can't do secure boot with non x86 operating systems.

 

[Synapse79]

Are you able to turn off secure boot in your bios? Do you have an option for a legacy boot?

I'm able to get here:

So yes.

 

[bigshootr8]

Right but that is without a new card right? Which is the issue that people are having with windows 8 and that particular model number.

 

[Synapse79]

Right but that is without a new card right? Which is the issue that people are having with windows 8 and that particular model number.

Precisely. As for what I've seen, it's only this model. Are there any GPU's that are marked as UEFI compatible bios? That seems to be what I need from what I've seen.

EDIT

http://forums.tweaktown.com/audio-visual/50398-uefi-gop-video-cards.html

Other's have contacted EVGA and they are apparently working on a firmware update to support it. So it must come down to the manufacturers making them compatible with firmware updates. So it will probably just be a waiting game till I find out which have released GPU's with the updated firmware.

 

[bigshootr8]

Well the newer cards they are I'm not even sure the UEFI part is stopping people. I think its more of a motherboard deal where its being fussy with what its allowing and what its not. I have a GTX670 from gigabyte and my card works just fine with my motherboard which has a UEFI bios.

 

[Synapse79]

Well the newer cards they are I'm not even sure the UEFI part is stopping people. I think its more of a motherboard deal where its being fussy with what its allowing and what its not. I have a GTX670 from gigabyte and my card works just fine with my motherboard which has a UEFI bios.

So buying an EVGA and requesting an update wouldn't work?

http://www.evga.com/forums/tm.aspx?&m=1767531&mpage=6

Apparently you contact them and they send you an update to make it compatible.

Again, noob, so If Im missing a major point, please tell.

 

[bigshootr8]

If EVGA provides a firmware update for there cards that would enable you to use the card that could be one way at going at it. In terms of customer support that is it at its finest from them.

You aren't a noob you are researching and doing what anyone else would do who didn't have the answer

 

[Synapse79]

If EVGA provides a firmware update for there cards that would enable you to use the card that could be one way at going at it. In terms of customer support that is it at its finest from them.

You aren't a noob you are researching and doing what anyone else would do who didn't have the answer

Im thinking it would work. Oh and it seems that none of these would work for me:

http://www.evga.com/Products/ProductList.aspx?type=0&family=GeForce+600+Series+Family

Under Specs on Best Buy for my comp it says:

Available Expansion Slots: 1 PCI Express x1, 1 DIMM

And my mobo is a Gigabyte 2AC8 Version 1.2, but I can't seem to find anything telling it's details online.

 

[bigshootr8]

Im thinking it would work. Oh and it seems that none of these would work for me:

http://www.evga.com/Products/ProductList.aspx?type=0&family=GeForce+600+Series+Family

Under Specs on Best Buy for my comp it says:

Available Expansion Slots: 1 PCI Express x1, 1 DIMM

And my mobo is a Gigabyte 2AC8 Version 1.2, but I can't seem to find anything telling it's details online.

Hmm that is one weird motherboard to not have a 16x expansion slot. Do you know if it already has a card in it or is it onboard video. In the end you may need to get a motherboard upgrade which may not be a bad idea another reason to hate retail store computers they try to lock you in nice and tight

 

[Synapse79]

Hmm that is one weird motherboard to not have a 16x expansion slot. Do you know if it already has a card in it or is it onboard video. In the end you may need to get a motherboard upgrade which may not be a bad idea another reason to hate retail store computers they try to lock you in nice and tight

Actually there is a card in it. Im guessing it's taking up the slot?

 

[Synapse79]

That is the boot menu can you get into the bios settings I believe it is f10 at power on

f10 brought me here:

 

[bigshootr8]

I'm not sure can you tell if its a full 16x pci express slot?

 

[Synapse79]

I'm not sure can you tell if its a full 16x pci express slot?

http://thingsfinder.com/files/img/1/1/G_20.JPG

http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/AMD-Radeon-HD-7450-graphics-card-Radeon-HD-7450-1-GB/2665409.aspx

This is it ^

It says: Radeon HD 7450 - 1 GB GDDR3 - PCI Express 2.0 x16 low profile

So yes, it is taking up my x16.

 

[bigshootr8]

ok then you should be okay the only thing in question I guess since it's using a low profile slot connection is that you would more then likely need a low profile card to fit in the slot due to your current case configuration. If you are stuck with a low profile solution the best card that I could find on newegg that was low profile was this 7750 card.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202002

 

[Synapse79]

ok then you should be okay the only thing in question I guess since it's using a low profile slot connection is that you would more then likely need a low profile card to fit in the slot due to your current case configuration. If you are stuck with a low profile solution the best card that I could find on newegg that was low profile was this 7750 card.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202002

Here is an actual picture i just took. Does it look low profile? And could my mobo possibly support a regular size but HP chose this one for some weird reason? The case looks the same if not bigger than most desktop's I've seen. And I found this:

"Low profile graphics cards connect to a computer's motherboard in the same slot that standard graphics cards use. You can connect a standard profile mounting bracket to a low profile card to mount it in a case designed for standard graphics cards. Regardless of the bracket type, you cannot mount a standard graphics card in a case designed for low graphics cards due to the space limitations of the case."

So I could most likely just buy a bracket and use a regular one.

 

[Synapse79]

Have you tried jumping the bios reset ?

Sorry I don't know what you mean. But we're past the bios troubles and just trying to find a 600 series EVGA thats compatible with my mobo, as the 600's are compatible with UEFI.

 

[Synapse79]

If i am not mistaken uefi boards have a dual bios, if you reset the bios it will re-index the gpu in the pcie slot.

I don't understand what you're saying but it sounds intelligent. My problem now is finding a GPU compatible with my mobo from the EVGA 600's.

 

[bigshootr8]

The reason why you will have issues with a 600 card is that you have a low profile case with a low profile graphics card . You couldn't fit a larger card in your case.