Question Converting HP Workstation Z2 G4 Desktop to an emulation machine
Question Converting HP Workstation Z2 G4 Desktop to an emulation machine
I believe the hardware part is now in place. I drilled a hole in the side panel, installed an exhaust fan, and swapped the original intake fan for the new one. This allows fresh air from three sides while expelling it through the updated top section. During intense gameplay, temperatures drop to around 93°C. I’m still exploring undervolting options to potentially lower the temperature into the 80s.
Running a computer solely for emulated games works fine, but I wouldn’t suggest using it as the main gaming rig. The inability to adjust fan speeds is limiting performance.
I did the same thing too, and I believe you can adjust the idle fan speed in the BIOS. With my upgrade, I installed a 650-watt PSU and got an RTX 3060 Ti; the temperatures are quite high, so I set the power limit to 80%. Now it's around 75°C, but I’m concerned the CPU isn’t boosting to 4.6 GHz or 6 GHz as expected.
If you're looking to push the Z2 G4 a bit harder than what the stock 500 W PSU allows (especially if you want to add a more powerful GPU later), there's an easy workaround that lets you install a standard ATX power supply.
A small adapter bracket kit is available on eBay that mounts an ATX PSU into the Z2 G4 chassis and feeds the proprietary motherboard connector. Here's the kit I'm using:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/146743429280
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With a quality 650 W or 750 W ATX unit installed via the bracket, you'll have enough headroom for GPUs like the RTX 3060/3070 and keep things cool. Just be sure to choose a PSU that fits the physical dimensions of the bracket and keep airflow in mind.