F5F Stay Refreshed Hardware Desktop Will these modifications elevate your TVPC from a Sow's Ear to a Silk Purse?

Will these modifications elevate your TVPC from a Sow's Ear to a Silk Purse?

Will these modifications elevate your TVPC from a Sow's Ear to a Silk Purse?

A
atasell
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51
10-20-2025, 01:12 PM
#1
G'Morning, Folks
I began this journey aiming to achieve TVPC playback for titles like GTA and Horizon Forza at high resolutions and frame rates. The process turned out differently: the system booted swiftly, drivers were installed, and games loaded promptly... but performance remained around mid-40s frames per second, with the GPU overheating noticeably during intense use.

Current setup details:
CPU: i7-9700T, 35W internal cooling, powered by an Alienware 250W 19V adapter
GPU: ASUS Phoenix RTX 3050 with 8GB VRAM, 95mm PWM fan with built-in control, powered by a Dell 220W 12V adapter

Performance in GTA V:
- Settings: Ultra preset, 1080p
- FPS: Mid-40s range
- CPU usage: ~95%
- GPU usage: ~95%
- Fan noise was extremely loud

Analysis:
Even though the components are well-suited, both are nearing their limits. Upgrading just one part won’t boost FPS significantly. A combined upgrade—stronger CPU and GPU—is likely needed. The fan noise issue is harder to resolve; a more capable GPU might reduce it, but only after testing. I’d favor a solution with lower risk.

Proposed 'Silk Purse' configuration:
- CPU: Upgrade from i7-9700T to i9-9900K (95W), using HP’s internal heatsink for the i9; consider slightly undervolting to prevent overheating.
- GPU: Move from RTX 3050 to RTX 3070 (8GB VRAM, twin fans) – a 220W adapter should suffice, though it may surge up to 350W. A separate 400W 12V adapter is recommended for safety.
- Noise control: Prioritize slower fan speeds with consistent airflow; larger fans are hard to install on the RTX 3070. A custom loop using a 140mm x 140mm x 30mm copper radiator and a 140mm Noctua PWM fan could provide both cooling and quieter operation.

Conclusion:
This is my plan for building a quieter Silk Purse from a noisy Sow’s Ear. Does it work? Any suggestions to improve the setup?
TIA, Larry
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A
atasell
10-20-2025, 01:12 PM #1

G'Morning, Folks
I began this journey aiming to achieve TVPC playback for titles like GTA and Horizon Forza at high resolutions and frame rates. The process turned out differently: the system booted swiftly, drivers were installed, and games loaded promptly... but performance remained around mid-40s frames per second, with the GPU overheating noticeably during intense use.

Current setup details:
CPU: i7-9700T, 35W internal cooling, powered by an Alienware 250W 19V adapter
GPU: ASUS Phoenix RTX 3050 with 8GB VRAM, 95mm PWM fan with built-in control, powered by a Dell 220W 12V adapter

Performance in GTA V:
- Settings: Ultra preset, 1080p
- FPS: Mid-40s range
- CPU usage: ~95%
- GPU usage: ~95%
- Fan noise was extremely loud

Analysis:
Even though the components are well-suited, both are nearing their limits. Upgrading just one part won’t boost FPS significantly. A combined upgrade—stronger CPU and GPU—is likely needed. The fan noise issue is harder to resolve; a more capable GPU might reduce it, but only after testing. I’d favor a solution with lower risk.

Proposed 'Silk Purse' configuration:
- CPU: Upgrade from i7-9700T to i9-9900K (95W), using HP’s internal heatsink for the i9; consider slightly undervolting to prevent overheating.
- GPU: Move from RTX 3050 to RTX 3070 (8GB VRAM, twin fans) – a 220W adapter should suffice, though it may surge up to 350W. A separate 400W 12V adapter is recommended for safety.
- Noise control: Prioritize slower fan speeds with consistent airflow; larger fans are hard to install on the RTX 3070. A custom loop using a 140mm x 140mm x 30mm copper radiator and a 140mm Noctua PWM fan could provide both cooling and quieter operation.

Conclusion:
This is my plan for building a quieter Silk Purse from a noisy Sow’s Ear. Does it work? Any suggestions to improve the setup?
TIA, Larry

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K
Killer_US
Member
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103
10-20-2025, 01:12 PM
#2
I believe the changes you suggest are overly cautious.
The 9700T is a low-wattage component that doesn’t perform well.
It probably was needed for the motherboard you’re using.
Could you tell me the make/model of your motherboard?
It seems an I9-9900K might not be compatible.
If it is, you’re getting eight more processing threads, but games usually don’t benefit from more than eight.
The single-thread performance only improves by ten percent.
With two power adapters, what are they for?
Do you have a budget in mind?
Please list the make/model of all parts that could be reused in a new build.
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K
Killer_US
10-20-2025, 01:12 PM #2

I believe the changes you suggest are overly cautious.
The 9700T is a low-wattage component that doesn’t perform well.
It probably was needed for the motherboard you’re using.
Could you tell me the make/model of your motherboard?
It seems an I9-9900K might not be compatible.
If it is, you’re getting eight more processing threads, but games usually don’t benefit from more than eight.
The single-thread performance only improves by ten percent.
With two power adapters, what are they for?
Do you have a budget in mind?
Please list the make/model of all parts that could be reused in a new build.

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V
verena00
Junior Member
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11
10-20-2025, 01:12 PM
#3
[COLOR=rgb(0, 0, 0)]geofelt[/COLOR]
,​
I really hate to answer your questions since what I am doing seems to be offensive to some members of the forum. But you were kind enough to respond and deserve answers and explanations.
The modifications are being made to an HP EliteDesk 800 G5. I seem to have an obsessive/compulsive NEED to MAKE this little business computer do something it was never designed to do.
"What is the make/model of your motherboard?"
It is the sub-ITX sized proprietary motherboard in the HP EliteDesk 800 G5
"I suspect that a I9-9900K is not even supported."
The I9-9900T was offered as an HP option, and I contacted HP Support who confirmed that the I9-9900K would work in the motherboard subject to dealing with the power and heat issues.
"Single thread performance is only 10% higher."
I think you are comparing the i7-9700 instead of the i7-9700T. The T version has a base clock of only 2GHz compared to the 3.6GHz of the I9. So far as I am aware, the I9 is the fastest single thread performance available in the 1151 socket. Not to mention I HAVE an I9-9900K.
"You have two power adapters, what are they for?"
The first is the 19.5 vdc adapter which powers the HP EliteDesk 800 G5, and, in turn, the CPU.
The second is a 400 Watt 12 vdc adapter to provide power to the RTX 3070. The RTX 3070 can only be run via an m.2 to PCIe adapter and the m.2 cannot provide nearly enough power.
"Do you have a budget?"
Sure, about a buck and a quarter
But seriously, I already possess all of the parts required for these modifications: I am a bit of a hoarder and swapper and gathered parts over the years for which I had no immediate use but believed I would need in the future...a future which is now!
"List the make/model of all of the parts that might be reused in a new build"
I have no desire to do a new build to support what can only be described as casual gaming on the big plasma screen in the family room. Besides, my OCD will not let me give up until it is convinced it cannot be done!
Once I succeed, destroy the EliteDesk 800 G5, or am otherwise released by my OCD, I am planning on an MITX watercooled gaming build in my keyboard tray will used up nearly all of rest of the parts I have accumulated.
Thanks again for the response,
Larry
​
Reply
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V
verena00
10-20-2025, 01:12 PM #3

[COLOR=rgb(0, 0, 0)]geofelt[/COLOR]
,​
I really hate to answer your questions since what I am doing seems to be offensive to some members of the forum. But you were kind enough to respond and deserve answers and explanations.
The modifications are being made to an HP EliteDesk 800 G5. I seem to have an obsessive/compulsive NEED to MAKE this little business computer do something it was never designed to do.
"What is the make/model of your motherboard?"
It is the sub-ITX sized proprietary motherboard in the HP EliteDesk 800 G5
"I suspect that a I9-9900K is not even supported."
The I9-9900T was offered as an HP option, and I contacted HP Support who confirmed that the I9-9900K would work in the motherboard subject to dealing with the power and heat issues.
"Single thread performance is only 10% higher."
I think you are comparing the i7-9700 instead of the i7-9700T. The T version has a base clock of only 2GHz compared to the 3.6GHz of the I9. So far as I am aware, the I9 is the fastest single thread performance available in the 1151 socket. Not to mention I HAVE an I9-9900K.
"You have two power adapters, what are they for?"
The first is the 19.5 vdc adapter which powers the HP EliteDesk 800 G5, and, in turn, the CPU.
The second is a 400 Watt 12 vdc adapter to provide power to the RTX 3070. The RTX 3070 can only be run via an m.2 to PCIe adapter and the m.2 cannot provide nearly enough power.
"Do you have a budget?"
Sure, about a buck and a quarter
But seriously, I already possess all of the parts required for these modifications: I am a bit of a hoarder and swapper and gathered parts over the years for which I had no immediate use but believed I would need in the future...a future which is now!
"List the make/model of all of the parts that might be reused in a new build"
I have no desire to do a new build to support what can only be described as casual gaming on the big plasma screen in the family room. Besides, my OCD will not let me give up until it is convinced it cannot be done!
Once I succeed, destroy the EliteDesk 800 G5, or am otherwise released by my OCD, I am planning on an MITX watercooled gaming build in my keyboard tray will used up nearly all of rest of the parts I have accumulated.
Thanks again for the response,
Larry
​

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