Upgrading the HP Z420 (need help with gpu upgrade because of the psu having only a 6 pin pcie power connector)

[yc62794]

Upgrading the HP Z420 ...(need help with gpu upgrade because of the psu having only a 6 pin pcie power connector)

The HP Z420 has a 600w psu and I am looking forward to getting a 1070ti or a 1080 because the gpu prices are calming down.

The biggest problem with my system is the lack of pcie power connector. The gpu cards that I'm looking at seems like its gonna need either one 8 pin pcie or a 6 pin + 8 pin pcie power. And I don't even remember seeing that one 6 pin pcie power connector that is supposed to be in this computer... (Need to go back home to check it... Currently away and wont be back till summer ends...)

I have found some videos that do what I'm trying to do but isn't exactly the same and seems somewhat sketchy(?) and I want a working solution that I can be sure of because of the investment that I am going to make... (Basically, I don't want to make a mistake and ruin everything...)

A list of what seems like a solution... (I'm probably going with the gpu that needs one 8 pin pcie.:
1. 2 x sata to 6pin pcie adapter + the 6pin from psu to a 2 x 6 pin pcie to 8 pin pcie adapter. And connect that to gpu

2. 2 x sata to 8 pin pcie adapter. And just connect that to gpu.

3. Get a new psu that has the pcie power connectors and get that 24pin standard to 18pin hp proprietary mobo power connector adapter. (Most costly and I hear some people have failed to boot properly or it shuts down when going into sleep mode...)

4... Or a different solution???

I'm just frustrated that HP is using proprietary parts and limiting the users from upgrades. (+ I understand that it is an old system but still frustrating).

If you know about this or own a Z420 workstation and can help please help.

Currently on my Z420

CPU: Xeon E5-2680 v2
GPU: had a 1050ti which I pulled out for a different computer since I am going to switch to a 1070ti/1080
Memory: 32GB ddr3 1866mhz (4GB x 8)
Storage: 512gb ssd (Sammy 860 evo) + 1tb hdd (don't even remember what brand this was)
PSU: stock 600w 90% efficiency

Just need to get dat gpu upgraded for both work and gaming.

-YCJ-

 

[Aeacus]

Safest (and in my opinion only) option would be going with new PSU.

While there are SATA to PCI-E adapters, i wouldn't use any of those since they can overload your PSU's 12V rail. Especially since the PSU in the first place wasn't designed to have more than one 6-pin PCI-E power cable.

Sure, those adapters could work and at first glance, it looks like the cheapest option but it can instantly turn into the most expensive option. Here's how:
Let's say that you get your GTX 1080 working with SATA to PCI-E adapters. System boots up and everything seems fine. But once you put a load on your PSU (production work or gaming), PSU's 12V rail get's overloaded and your PSU goes sky high (and if you're lucky, you can even see some good fireworks). Usually, stock PSUs doesn't have good build quality and when they blow, they can fry everything they are connected to. And if that happens, your entire PC is dead, including your new fancy GPU. At worst, your blown PSU catches fire and you have a real risk of loosing your home and even your life due to that electronics fire (note, you can't doze electronics fire with water when there's power still in it since it makes it worse. You'll need special, class C extinguisher for those).

So, my question is: are you willing to risk your entire PC (and at worst case, your home and life) just so that you can save some money now?

PSU is the most important component inside the PC since it powers everything. And if PSU doesn't have proper connection, don't mess with it by adding cheap $5 adapters. Instead, get proper, good quality PSU with all the connections present (e.g Seasonic Focus+ or PRIME series).

 

[yc62794]

Safest (and in my opinion only) option would be going with new PSU.

While there are SATA to PCI-E adapters, i wouldn't use any of those since they can overload your PSU's 12V rail. Especially since the PSU in the first place wasn't designed to have more than one 6-pin PCI-E power cable.

Sure, those adapters could work and at first glance, it looks like the cheapest option but it can instantly turn into the most expensive option. Here's how:
Let's say that you get your GTX 1080 working with SATA to PCI-E adapters. System boots up and everything seems fine. But once you put a load on your PSU (production work or gaming), PSU's 12V rail get's overloaded and your PSU goes sky high (and if you're lucky, you can even see some good fireworks). Usually, stock PSUs doesn't have good build quality and when they blow, they can fry everything they are connected to. And if that happens, your entire PC is dead, including your new fancy GPU. At worst, your blown PSU catches fire and you have a real risk of loosing your home and even your life due to that electronics fire (note, you can't doze electronics fire with water when there's power still in it since it makes it worse. You'll need special, class C extinguisher for those).

So, my question is: are you willing to risk your entire PC (and at worst case, your home and life) just so that you can save some money now?

PSU is the most important component inside the PC since it powers everything. And if PSU doesn't have proper connection, don't mess with it by adding cheap $5 adapters. Instead, get proper, good quality PSU with all the connections present (e.g Seasonic Focus+ or PRIME series).

Ok, so lets say I do get a new PSU but then there is the problem of having to use an adapter again because HP uses a proprietary 18 pin mobo power connector.

This is a forum that I've read on getting a new PSU and I just wasn't sure of anything... (me being a noob on power supplies.)
https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Business-PCs-Workstations-and-Point-of-Sale-Systems/HP-z420-motherboard-18-pin-layout/td-p/5835021

And the adapters look like:

https://www.amazon.com/COMeap-Power-Adapter-Workstation-12-inch/dp/B074G12LT5/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1530035160&sr=8-1&keywords=24+pin+to+18+pin+for+z420&dpID=51Ew17SrcQL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

or

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/PSU-ATX-24Pin-to-18Pin-Adapter-Converter-Power-Cable-Cord-for-HP-Z420-Z600-Z620-Z800/32563903253.html

or

https://www.ebay.com/itm/ATX-24pin-to-Motherboard-18pin-Adapter-Power-Supply-Cable-18AWG-for-HP-Z420-Z620/201482643745?hash=item2ee94d2921:g:fTkAAOSwgY9Xf1O6

And so I guess I'd be getting a new PSU

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151189&cm_re=modular_powersupply-_-17-151-189-_-Product

or

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817438094&cm_re=modular_powersupply-_-17-438-094-_-Product


and the GPU that I'm looking at

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500414&cm_re=gtx_1080-_-14-500-414-_-Product

or

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500431&cm_re=gtx_1070ti-_-14-500-431-_-Product


So do you think this would work on the HP Z420 workstation?
A new modular PSU + 24 pin to 18 pin adapter for HP Z420 + either a 1080 or 1070ti?

 

[Aeacus]

That adapter in amazon looks to have right pinout and i don't see a reason why it shouldn't work. For PSU selection, i'd go with Seasonic unit since you'll get longer warranty with it and PSU itself is also 10mm shorter than EVGA unit, making cable management a bit easier. GPU wise, GTX 1080 is a bit better,
comparison: http://gpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Nvidia-GTX-1070-Ti-vs-Nvidia-GTX-1080/3943vs3603

Though, HP Z420 wasn't designed to use as a gaming PC with dedicated gaming GPU. Instead, it was designed to use Quadro GPU for it's workstation purpose. That's why it's stock PSU has only 1x 6-pin PCI-E power cable.

 

[yc62794]

That adapter in amazon looks to have right pinout and i don't see a reason why it shouldn't work. For PSU selection, i'd go with Seasonic unit since you'll get longer warranty with it and PSU itself is also 10mm shorter than EVGA unit, making cable management a bit easier. GPU wise, GTX 1080 is a bit better,
comparison: http://gpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Nvidia-GTX-1070-Ti-vs-Nvidia-GTX-1080/3943vs3603

Though, HP Z420 wasn't designed to use as a gaming PC with dedicated gaming GPU. Instead, it was designed to use Quadro GPU for it's workstation purpose. That's why it's stock PSU has only 1x 6-pin PCI-E power cable.

Thanks, I was leaning toward the 1080 since the price difference wasn't big and was at msrp, but having to consider buying a new PSU, I might have to get the 1070ti...

 

[yc62794]

That adapter in amazon looks to have right pinout and i don't see a reason why it shouldn't work. For PSU selection, i'd go with Seasonic unit since you'll get longer warranty with it and PSU itself is also 10mm shorter than EVGA unit, making cable management a bit easier. GPU wise, GTX 1080 is a bit better,
comparison: http://gpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Nvidia-GTX-1070-Ti-vs-Nvidia-GTX-1080/3943vs3603

Though, HP Z420 wasn't designed to use as a gaming PC with dedicated gaming GPU. Instead, it was designed to use Quadro GPU for it's workstation purpose. That's why it's stock PSU has only 1x 6-pin PCI-E power cable.

So, I got back and got all the parts and plugged everything in and it did not work. I think the adapter is not a good one and how is the pins good when the pins are not even there. It has 5 missing pins from the 18 side, 13 missing pins from the 24 side.

 

[Aeacus]

Well, at least it was worth a shot. HP Z420 isn't designed to be used as a gaming PC with GTX GPU, which i also said above. And due to the proprietary power connector on MoBo, it's very difficult to upgrade to a more powerful PSU which can sustain gaming GPU safely.

As far as that 24-pin to 18-pin adapter goes, there are some interesting talk about it in Amazon review section. I skimmed those a bit and there are some possible fixes written in there. Give those a read if you're interested.

For last resort and at your own risk, you can try the SATA to PCI-E power connector with stock PSU to get your upgrade completed. Though, i, personally, wouldn't do that (reason explained above).