[SOLVED] Will any other standard PSU form factor fit into a TFX power supply case?

[Loganator4551]

I have a prebuilt. I want to install a GPU that requires MINIMUM 500w. My current PCU is in a TFX form factor. I couldn't find a higher wattage (500+) TFX power supply to replace with mine. Is there any standard form factor like microATX, FlexATX, nano-ITX, and mini-ITX that I can find a 500+w for a reasonable price (under 50$) and install with no or minimal problems?

also is this real/reliable/recommended?:
https://clubshopoutlet.com/products..._content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic

 

[Alabalcho]

Just looking at the pictures one can tell that TFX and ATX power supplies are quite different. So you either pay the price for 500+ watts TFX PSU, or move your PC into an ATX case and PSU.

 

[Loganator4551]

Just looking at the pictures one can tell that TFX and ATX power supplies are quite different. So you either pay the price for 500+ watts TFX PSU, or move your PC into an ATX case and PSU.

How much experience do you think it would take to do that? Is it just easier and cheaper to just build an all-new parts pc?

 

[--SID--]

I have a prebuilt.

A lot of prebuilds are 12v only. A normal TFX/ATX/SFX is not compatible. What make and model prebuilt and what make and model is the current PSU?

 

[Loganator4551]

A lot of prebuilds are 12v only. A normal TFX/ATX/SFX is not compatible. What make and model prebuilt and what make and model is the current PSU?

Prebuilt model: https://support.hp.com/us-en/produc...0i/29014358/model/31046761/document/c06441496

I don't know how to insert images from my desktop so here is a google drive download link to the picture of whatever was on the side of the PSU: https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1Rav3D_Bccfzf_S13e_a8eJtGyro4vSE9

I'm not sure what 12v means but I think it says 12.1v or something but I could be wrong.

 

[iPeekYou]

Prebuilt model: https://support.hp.com/us-en/produc...0i/29014358/model/31046761/document/c06441496

I don't know how to insert images from my desktop so here is a google drive download link to the picture of whatever was on the side of the PSU: https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1Rav3D_Bccfzf_S13e_a8eJtGyro4vSE9

I'm not sure what 12v means but I think it says 12.1v or something but I could be wrong.

I think it's a 12V only model --part of the new OEM standard for PSU which only outputs 12V. The aftermarket ones usually output 12V, 3V, and 5V. Linus covered this also in his ATX12VO video.

 

[--SID--]

What I thought. It's a 12 volt only PSU with 12v standby. You can't replace it for a regular TFX because it uses 5v standby.

 

[Vic 40]

If you really want a better gpu sell this pc and buy a better ATX standard build or parts and build it yourself.

Other option is to use the cpu+hdd/ssd and build something new around that.

 

[geofelt]

Your motherboard is proprietary.
So, you can not simply change out the motherboard and expect to fit it into the original case.
What is the graphics card you want to use?
You can probably use a GT1030 with your current psu.
It will be considerably faster than integrated graphics,

Graphics cards much stronger are hard to buy today, let alone at less than 2x msrp.

Look into this HP 400w psu, some research I did indicates that it can replace your 180w unit.

942332-001 400W For HP ProDesk 280 288 G3 PSU PA-3401-1 With 6Pin for Graphics card - 365PowerSupply.com - Replacement Laptop Power Adapters,Desktop Power Supply & Server Workstation PSU.

942332-001 400W For HP ProDesk 280 288 G3 PSU PA-3401-1 With 6Pin for Graphics card

www.365powersupply.com

You should do due diligence in verifying that it is truly a valid substitute.
Google is your friend.

400w is sufficient for a graphics card as strong as a GTX1650 super.

Otherwise, I would sell the pc as a complete unit and build anew.

 

[Loganator4551]

What I thought. It's a 12 volt-only PSU with 12v standby. You can't replace it with a regular TFX because it uses 5v standby.

How should I go about this? I ordered an RX 570 that was a lot of money, but it was the best I could get in this market. It requires at least a 500w PSU. Can I just zip tie a regular PSU or something? It doesn't matter too much if it doesn't physically fit, as long as it fits in the case and powers my computer. I'm just worried about different cables and compatibility with the motherboard and all that.

 

[Loganator4551]

Your motherboard is proprietary.
So, you can not simply change out the motherboard and expect to fit it into the original case.
What is the graphics card you want to use?
You can probably use a GT1030 with your current psu.
It will be considerably faster than integrated graphics,

Graphics cards much stronger are hard to buy today, let alone at less than 2x msrp.

Look into this HP 400w psu, some research I did indicates that it can replace your 180w unit.

942332-001 400W For HP ProDesk 280 288 G3 PSU PA-3401-1 With 6Pin for Graphics card - 365PowerSupply.com - Replacement Laptop Power Adapters,Desktop Power Supply & Server Workstation PSU.

942332-001 400W For HP ProDesk 280 288 G3 PSU PA-3401-1 With 6Pin for Graphics card

www.365powersupply.com

You should do due diligence in verifying that it is truly a valid substitute.
Google is your friend.

400w is sufficient for a graphics card as strong as a GTX1650 super.

Otherwise, I would sell the pc as a complete unit and build anew.

Ok, so I ordered an RX 570. It was expensive but for the state the market is in right now it was the best I could find. Will that PCU you linked work well with the GPU? I looked it up and it said minimum 500w but if 400w won't break anything or make it lose performance the worst that can happen is I wasted $110 on the one you linked me and $50 on the one I ordered a while back. And that's if I didn't get ripped off on the GPU. If the one I ordered fails, is there one under $60 that will still work with everything?

 

[Loganator4551]

If you really want a better gpu sell this pc and buy a better ATX standard build or parts and build it yourself.

Other option is to use the cpu+hdd/ssd and build something new around that.

that would be a nightmare but maybe last resort I guess

 

[Loganator4551]

What I thought. It's a 12 volt only PSU with 12v standby. You can't replace it for a regular TFX because it uses 5v standby.

What if I ordered one that is meant to be used as a replacement? Is it likely to be compatible or are the parts on my prebuilt incredibly proprietary?

 

[Loganator4551]

I think it's a 12V only model --part of the new OEM standard for PSU which only outputs 12V. The aftermarket ones usually output 12V, 3V, and 5V. Linus covered this also in his ATX12VO video.

Is there a legit 500w TFX 12v PSU out there?

 

[NightHawkRMX]

Even if you could find one, it wouldn't work with your proprietary motherboard.

I don't see any good solution, honestly.

You could hang an ATX PSU outside of the case with an adapter for the motherboard, but that is extremely sketchy for my liking.

Really, this is often the situation you can run into with prebuilts. HP did not intend for you to upgrade this computer, they wanted you to buy a new one.

 

[USAFRet]

You can't get there from here.

 

[Loganator4551]

Even if you could find one, it wouldn't work with your proprietary motherboard.

I don't see any good solution, honestly.

You could hang an ATX PSU outside of the case with an adapter for the motherboard, but that is extremely sketchy for my liking.

Really, this is often the situation you can run into with prebuilts. HP did not intend for you to upgrade this computer, they wanted you to buy a new one.

How sketchy are we talking? And isn't there a standard ATX form that would fit my pc? Where would one get these adapters?

 

[USAFRet]

How sketchy are we talking? And isn't there a standard ATX form that would fit my pc? Where would one get these adapters?

Sketchy, as in do you want to risk blowing up your PC, or worse?

 

[geofelt]

RX 570 graphics cards are older and are relatively power hungry.
You really need a 500w psu with a 8 pin aux power cable.
The 400w unit seems to only have a single 6 pin cable and adapters are not recommended.
Overloading a cheap psu can destroy all that it is connected to if it should fail under load.

Here is a handy chart for various graphics cards.
http://www.realhardtechx.com/index_archivos/Page362.htm

I might add that a power hungry card is also one that generates lots of heat.
The case you are using does not look to me like it has any decent ventilation at all.

I see three choices:

a) Sell the RX570 and use a GT1030 which is about the best that will fit.
b) Buy a cheap case, motherboard and psu. reuse the drives, cpu and ram.
c) Sell the whole pc and buy or build anew.

 

[Loganator4551]

Sketchy, as in do you want to risk blowing up your PC, or worse?

Thought we were talking performance not safety lol

 

[Loganator4551]

RX 570 graphics cards are older and are relatively power hungry.
You really need a 500w psu with a 8 pin aux power cable.
The 400w unit seems to only have a single 6 pin cable and adapters are not recommended.
Overloading a cheap psu can destroy all that it is connected to if it should fail under load.

Here is a handy chart for various graphics cards.
http://www.realhardtechx.com/index_archivos/Page362.htm

I might add that a power hungry card is also one that generates lots of heat.
The case you are using does not look to me like it has any decent ventilation at all.

I see three choices:

a) Sell the RX570 and use a GT1030 which is about the best that will fit.
b) Buy a cheap case, motherboard and psu. reuse the drives, cpu and ram.
c) Sell the whole pc and buy or build anew.

 

[USAFRet]

Thought we were talking performance not safety lol

You could hang an ATX PSU outside of the case with an adapter for the motherboard, but that is extremely sketchy for my liking.

In this context, 'adapter' = sketchy = possibility of blowing up.
Seriously.

You're trying to morph a low level proprietary office system into a gaming PC.
Bad idea.

Sell the current thing, and build new.

 

[Loganator4551]

Hmmmmmm. First off thank you this is very helpful. I just wanted to play good games. Ultra settings or 1440p don't interest me as long as I can play GTAV on low/medium+ running 60 fps or more and not blow up would be good. I see a best-case scenario: I get my money back that I spent on the PSU and the GPU. I buy a (insert best GPU) for a good deal, easily install it with no extra parts/cables and I can play assassin's creed origins. That's the most graphically intensive game I would ever want to play anything higher I don't care for. Worst case scenario: I wasted $250, I can't find a better GPU than the GT 1030 and will be able to play a little more games than before but still will lag, and less than 60 fps. Is there anything better than gt 1030 that I don't have to worry about installing?

 

[Loganator4551]

In this context, 'adapter' = sketchy = possibility of blowing up.
Seriously.

You're trying to morph a low level proprietary office system into a gaming PC.
Bad idea.

Sell the current thing, and build new.

Hmm yes but I use this as my own pc all the time. Just broke my phone too so I have been using it a lot more. I wanted to game fast and soon (and safe). I have given up on the PSU now but I need options that won't plumber me further into the ground financially. I have been working and saving up but it looks like I might have to wait longer

 

[Loganator4551]

I guess it comes down to this: is there a GPU that is completely compatible with my prebuilt and that can run something like Witcher 3 on medium settings 60 fps? note: most I'm able to go is below $400