How do I change a used HP Workstation Z2 G4 into something that runs old software?
How do I change a used HP Workstation Z2 G4 into something that runs old software?
I think the hardware part is finally done. I made a hole in the side panel and added an exhaust fan, then flipped the old one to intake. Now I pull fresh air from three sides and push it out the top. It gets down to 93C while playing heavy games. Maybe I'll try undervolting later to see if I can get that temp lower into the 80s. For just playing emulated games, this isn't a terrible system. But definitely don't recommend turning one into your main gaming rig because you won't be able to control fan speeds very well.
I did exactly the same thing too. You can change the idle fan speed in your BIOS, which I did when I upgraded my PC. I got a 650-watt power supply and an RTX 3060 Ti. The temperatures are getting really hot, so I set the power limit to 80%. Now it only hits around 75 degrees Celsius. But the thing that worries me is that the CPU isn't boosting up to speeds of 4.6 GHz anymore.
If you want to squeeze more power out of your Z2 G4 than the built-in 500-watt power supply lets you, there is a simple fix. You can buy an adapter bracket kit from eBay that attaches a regular ATX PSU into your computer case and connects it to the special slot on your board. Here is the link to the product I used: https://www.ebay.com/itm/146743429280 . By plugging in a high-quality 650-watt or even 750-watt ATX unit through this bracket, you get plenty of room for powerful GPUs like an RTX 3060 or 3070. Just make sure to pick a power supply that fits the size of the bracket and pay attention to how well air gets in and out.