The highly rated HP Pavilion Slimline PC thread

Originally Posted by Vallybally

Which new Slimline has a 270 watt PSU, the top of the line s5280t quad-core one? If I open that up when it arrives and indeed read that on the label, shouldn't I return the 9600GT LP/LP and rather get the 9800GT LP since it's the same 270 watts as the Sparkle? I'm just worried about reliability issues if the default PSU can't handle it I would wish I had stuck with the less power hungry 9600 but nevertheless I would prefer the stronger 9800.

So no one has upgraded their Slimline HD and installed Windows 7 on it without purchasing a separate $150 Windows CD?

I have windows 7 Home Premium, on a 1TB (cheap, Fry's has really good weekend deals for a B&M).

For a s3430f system.

Originally Posted by mshoogeveen

Does anyone have experience with the possibility to use HDMI for digital audio in PCM format to a Surround-receiver? I have a S3330.nl PC (Motherboard Irvine) with a MSI 8600GT graphics card. As Bluray player software I use TotlMedia Theatre 3 platinum, which should be able to throughput HDMI PCM multi-channel audio. I assume that my current Realtek chip (ALC888) does not support audio via HDMI. On the other hand I have read in this forum that several people were able to use HDMI-audio with this type of PC.

Who were successful in using HDMI-audio and which type of Motherboard do you have? Which graphics card type do you use? NVIDIA or ATI?

You need a 2/3 pin S/PDIF header lead.

The motherboard has it, and most nVidia cards do, too.

ATi cards have a built-in realtek audio chip, so they do not need this.

It is a strange, small cable.

Originally Posted by guspasho

My unmodded Slimline failed recently. It doesn't boot and I can't troubleshoot the problem until I get at least that 20-to-24 pin ATX adapter. So I ordered a Sparkle SPI270LE 270 watt and the ATX adapter and I'm crossing my fingers that it's just the PSU and that it didn't take anything else with it.

Anyway, I was planning on upgrading the PSU and video card for gaming at some point so I might as well get the video card as soon as I figure this out. I want to get the 9800GT but will I need to mod the case to install it? And what kind of cooling solution does everyone recommend? I would prefer not to mod the case if I can avoid it, so can I get away wtih just screwing a fan onto the back? Does anyone have any pictures of what a good setup with adequate cooling would look like?

Apologies if this was answered somewhere in the 180 pages of the thread, it was too time-consuming to read through. (Why isn't there an entire forum for the Slimline by now? That would make it easier to search and find relevant information.)

Hello!

The 9800GT, from sparkle, specifically the low profile version, does not need case modding.

I used internal 40/60mm fans to achieve the desired cooling effect.

Archaea [isn't this a plant name?] used dual 80mm, and later 1 120mm external fans to do the same thing. (and a bit of dremel work ).

The Sparkle 9800GT is not the low power varient, and so need a molex-6pin PCIe power adaptor.

Best of luck!
-Jeremy

I would think that you'd need more than a 40mm fan on the back with the 9800GT if you want to do much with it besides desktop work. It's a hot beast of a card. My 120mm fan mod can be found on the first post. I wouldn't go less than at least a 80mm fan for sufficient cooling if you plan to do a bunch of gaming!

hello jeremyshaw,

about the S/PDIF connection: I have tried it, but it didn't work, although I may have made a mistake with the internal cable, but it is also possible that my AV-receiver does not support this. The problem is that I don't want to use S/PDIF in my case (I connected this with a separate cable), because I want to be able to play the HD-audio formats, but my AV-receiver cannot convert it internally. I need to use PCM via HDMI for this. You're saying that an ATi card contains a Realtek chip, but do you know which version? I checked out the specs at ATi and saw that the 4650 chip has the possibility to handle multi-channel PCM, but I have no idea if it is possible to use it in my PC. I can buy such a card (Asus has one low profile that is available in my country) but it's about 50 Euros and I don't know if my powersupply can handle it. Do you have any experience with this?

So someone said the Sparkle 9800 GT LP is a "hot beast of a card during gaming" requiring additional fan cooling. Is the consensus that the Galaxy 9600 GT LP/LP is not as hot while gaming and doesn't require additional fan cooling (I hope) on the new s5820t which I hear has better innate cooling properties than earlier models like the 3 series?

I am also looking into the 9600GT LP LP because it seems like it will produce less heat compare to 9800GT, and w/o the need of modding.
I know this is a thread for HP slimline, but you guys have a much better knowledge on these area of upgrading, I would like to know if my case (Aopen H360C, pics below) can handle the heat (by appearance) compare to the (better cooling?) s5000.



the last pic was sort of asking will the long 9600GT LP LP fit? it just looks as tho it will be hitting the ram slot
(and its a 300W, so I don't need to worry about the PSU upgrade)

I was also thinking that if the airflow isn't that good (by appearance) I may drill a few holes so it would like a bit like the side of s3400f (close to where the PCI-E is)

Originally Posted by mshoogeveen

hello jeremyshaw,

about the S/PDIF connection: I have tried it, but it didn't work, although I may have made a mistake with the internal cable, but it is also possible that my AV-receiver does not support this. The problem is that I don't want to use S/PDIF in my case (I connected this with a separate cable), because I want to be able to play the HD-audio formats, but my AV-receiver cannot convert it internally. I need to use PCM via HDMI for this. You're saying that an ATi card contains a Realtek chip, but do you know which version? I checked out the specs at ATi and saw that the 4650 chip has the possibility to handle multi-channel PCM, but I have no idea if it is possible to use it in my PC. I can buy such a card (Asus has one low profile that is available in my country) but it's about 50 Euros and I don't know if my powersupply can handle it. Do you have any experience with this?

I use the HD4350.
I don't know the name of the internal RealTek chip, but it's there. It shows up as an additional audio device.
It needs these:
http://www.realtek.com.tw/downloads/...&GetDown=false

drivers to work in Vista/7.

Best of luck!

Originally Posted by Vallybally

So someone said the Sparkle 9800 GT LP is a "hot beast of a card during gaming" requiring additional fan cooling. Is the consensus that the Galaxy 9600 GT LP/LP is not as hot while gaming and doesn't require additional fan cooling (I hope) on the new s5820t which I hear has better innate cooling properties than earlier models like the 3 series?

if it has 2 lp, then it's not as hot.

If it has only 1 lp, then it is the older, more power-hungry (and due to the laws of conservation of energy, all of that electrical power is converted to heat), hotter version.

The s5000 series has significantly better cooling - it even allows 95W CPU, now! (something that would bake the s3000 series )

Originally Posted by leungclj

I am also looking into the 9600GT LP LP because it seems like it will produce less heat compare to 9800GT, and w/o the need of modding.
I know this is a thread for HP slimline, but you guys have a much better knowledge on these area of upgrading, I would like to know if my case (Aopen H360C, pics below) can handle the heat (by appearance) compare to the (better cooling?) s5000.
the last pic was sort of asking will the long 9600GT LP LP fit? it just looks as tho it will be hitting the ram slot
(and its a 300W, so I don't need to worry about the PSU upgrade)

I was also thinking that if the airflow isn't that good (by appearance) I may drill a few holes so it would like a bit like the side of s3400f (close to where the PCI-E is)

You can keep those three open slots, open, or put a fanfilter over them, to prevent dust build-up.

The card will fit.

Most/all motherboard designs give enough clearance to fit massive video cards into there. (especially true for the 'smaller' variants of the mATX form factor).

It will only fit IF you have already installed the RAM first, though.

So I've been following this thread and I'm about to bite the bullet with the 9800GT LP configuration. However, the heat has me worried. Has anyone attempted to do a fanmod on the 9800GT itself? I'm thinking of replacing the heatsink/fan with a copper one instead...

Also, the s5000 power supply should be able to handle it, right?

Originally Posted by SRG01

So I've been following this thread and I'm about to bite the bullet with the 9800GT LP configuration. However, the heat has me worried. Has anyone attempted to do a fanmod on the 9800GT itself? I'm thinking of replacing the heatsink/fan with a copper one instead...

Also, the s5000 power supply should be able to handle it, right?

Depends.

I know HP has a discrepency between online CTO specs, and retail specs, so there are 3 s5000 series PSU we know of so far.

220W
230W
270W

The 9800GT is a low profile card, and cannot easily accept a fanmod. I tried making a dual slot cooler a while back, but I gave up on it, and just got a passive card, instead.

The 9800GT runs alright, if you have adequate exhaust fans in your system.

Hmm. I wonder if I can use the HP parts surfer to find out which PSU it has...

I just did a minor search on VGA coolers, and the only sort-of-compatible one is the Zalman VF700 -- and even that doesn't fit inside a slim case.

Thanks for the info guys, I guess I will go with the 9600GT LP LP. Will report back once I got it~

@SRG01: yeah... I tried very hard to find one, especially a dual slot, low profile, but that are just not out there...

@leugclj: best of luck! We'll always be here!

Yeah, it's probably more trouble than it's worth to piece one together out of CPU coolers and all that, since LP coolers are rare. A shame, really.

Not sure if this information was posted yet, but these are all of the new slimline models that use the 270W supply:

http://h20141.www2.hp.com/Hpparts/pa...ria=504968-001

Originally Posted by SRG01

Not sure if this information was posted yet, but these are all of the new slimline models that use the 270W supply:

http://h20141.www2.hp.com/Hpparts/pa...ria=504968-001

I wonder if it has that 6pin PCIe or not... and of course, the 12V rail.

Those flickering horizontal lines are back in increasing numbers and are becoming a major distraction! I sent a support email to Sapphire and am waiting for their advice. Meanwhile, will the Galaxy 9600GT LP LP (with HDMI port) do the job (not gaming) with the stock PSU (160W)? I've seen it on eBay (TigerDirect) for $109 + shipping. I read a review which mentions the HP Slimline as a target for this card. It does not have/need the 6-pin MB connector. If I have to upgrade the PSU, will the Shuttle PC60 (300W) be the best option? Can I risk it with a Galaxy 210 card (and no PSU upgrade), even though the Spec calls for a 300W PSU? (it's A LOT cheaper than the 9600GT!) If I don't do gaming, will the actual power draw (just playing DVDs and using HD displays) eliminate the need for a 300W PSU?

Meanwhile, I've heard back from Sapphire and they describe the problem as 'artifacting' - a hardware problem with the card. It turns out that the card is still under warranty and I'm in the process of getting an RMA - and maybe a new card that doesn't 'artifact'. Meanwhile, what do I do while the card is being shipped/repaired/returned??? (Somewhere, I have a GS8400!)

Originally Posted by SlimKiwi

Those flickering horizontal lines are back in increasing numbers and are becoming a major distraction! I sent a support email to Sapphire and am waiting for their advice. Meanwhile, will the Galaxy 9600GT LP LP do the job (not gaming) with the stock PSU (160W)? I've seen it on eBay (TigerDirect) for $109 + shipping. I read a review which mentions the HP Slimline as a target for this card. It does not have/need the 6-pin MB connector. If I have to upgrade the PSU, will the Shuttle PC60 (300W) be the best option?

I am about to get the 9600GT LP LP, its not for heavy heavy gaming, but I sure hope it can do some average gaming. There is a few guy who has the LP LP, 300W not doubt can run it I am sure, in fact I have a 300W, it will be about a week until I actually get it tho, will report back when it arrives.