HP EliteDesk 800 G8 Tower
Specification and Upgrade Options
The HP EliteDesk 800 G8 Tower is a pre-built business desktop computer first released in 2021. The motherboard is using the Q570 chipset and supports 11th gen Intel Core processor, and 128GB of DIMM DDR4-3200 memory.
If you are looking for a system with maximum upgradability, HP EliteDesk 800 G8 Tower is a good option. Models in this category usually have 4x PCIe slots, several drive bays and better cooling.
Can you upgrade HP EliteDesk 800 G8 Tower to play games?
Yes, you can upgrade HP EliteDesk 800 G8 Tower for gaming with better processors, graphics card, memory, and storage devices. However, like many other business pre-built PCs, this model may have proprietary elements like the power supply, the chassis or the power connector, which can make it difficult for users to install aftermarket PSUs to support better GPUs. You can also find that there is space constrains inside the chassis, making it difficult to accommodete larger GPU to boost the gaming performance.
Does HP EliteDesk 800 G8 Tower support Windows 11?
Yes, HP EliteDesk 800 G8 Tower is compatible with Windows 11. According to Windows 11 specification, all models that have Intel 8th Gen processors (or newer) with TPM 2.0 support and a UEFI BIOS with Secure boot, are eligible to upgrade form Windows 10 to Windows 11 through Windows Update.
Processor
The HP EliteDesk 800 G8 Tower supports Gen11 Intel Core technology on a Q570 chipset. 11th generation Intel Core CPUs (Rocket Lake) focus on higher IPC and strong single-core performance. While core counts are lower than newer generations, high-end models remain capable for gaming, programming, and virtualization tasks.
Best CPUs for HP EliteDesk 800 G8 Tower upgrade:
| Model | Cores (Threads) | Base frequency | Turbo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core i5 11500 | 6(12) | 2.7 GHz | 4.6 GHz |
| Core i5 11600 | 6(12) | 2.8 GHz | 4.8 GHz |
| Core i7 11700 | 8(16) | 2.5 GHz | 4.9 GHz |
| Core i7 11700F | 8(16) | 2.5 GHz | 4.9 GHz |
| Core i9 11900 | 8(16) | 2.5 GHz | 5.1 GHz |
| Core i9 11900F | 8(16) | 2.5 GHz | 5.1 GHz |
GPU upgrade
The HP EliteDesk 800 G8 Tower can safely support GPUs with suggested PSU of 550W, but more powerful cards require a PSU upgrade. With the stock PSU model, it supports up to an GeForce RTX 3070
GPU upgrade options for HP EliteDesk 800 G8 Tower with the stock 550W power supply:
| GPU | Power consumption | Memory | Req. |
|---|---|---|---|
| AMD RX 6600 | 160 W | 8 GB DDR6 | *Dual SATA to PCIe adapter |
| NVIDIA RTX 2060 | 170 W | 6 GB DDR6 | *Dual SATA to PCIe adapter |
| AMD RX 6600 XT | 165 W | 8 GB DDR6 | *Dual SATA to PCIe adapter |
| NVIDIA RTX 2070 | 175 W | 8 GB DDR6 | *Dual SATA to PCIe adapter |
| NVIDIA RTX 3060 | 170 W | 8 GB DDR6 | *Dual SATA to PCIe adapter |
| NVIDIA RTX 2070 Super | 215 W | 8 GB DDR6 | *Dual SATA to PCIe adapter |
| NVIDIA RTX 2080 | 220 W | 8 GB DDR6 | *Dual SATA to PCIe adapter |
GPU compatibility in the HP EliteDesk 800 G8 Tower depends on several hardware constraints. The physical space available inside the chassis determines the maximum GPU length, height, and thickness that can be installed. In addition, the installed power supply unit (PSU) must provide sufficient wattage and the required PCIe power connectors for the selected graphics card.
Before you begin shopping for a new GPU, it is important to check the power supply unit (PSU) currently installed. This is because the HP EliteDesk 800 G8 Tower is often sold with different PSU wattages depending on the original configuration.
Memory
HP EliteDesk 800 G8 Tower supports up to 128 GB of DIMM DDR4-3200 RAM across four DIMM slots, with memory speeds up to 3200 MT/s and dual-channel support depending on the installed configuration.
Actual supported memory capacity and memory channels may vary depending on the installed CPU and chipset.
Typical HP EliteDesk 800 G8 Tower memory configurations include 8 GB for everyday productivity and 16 GB for gaming, heavier multitasking, or professional workloads.
Wi-Fi Support
HP EliteDesk 800 G8 Tower supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth combo card with the on-board M.2 2230 (Wi-Fi/BT) slot. The card contains a Wi-Fi module that supports various Wi-Fi standards, as well as a Bluetooth module. It is small circuit board that is designed to fit into a dedicated slot on the motherboard.
Keep in mind that the card is not always included and you have to install one yourself.
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless adapter upgrades for HP EliteDesk 800 G8 Tower:
| Model | Speed | Frequency | Interface |
|---|---|---|---|
| WiFi 6E (Gig+) Kit | 3000 Mbit/s | 2.4GHz / 5GHz | NGFF M.2 A/E Key |
| Rekong AX210 | 3000 Mbit/s | 2.4GHz / 5GHz | NGFF M.2 A/E Key |
| Gigabyte GC-Wbax200 | 2400 Mbit/s | 2.4GHz / 5GHz | PCIe |
| TP-Link Archer TX50E | 2400 Mbit/s | 2.4GHz / 5GHz | PCIe |
| TP-Link Archer T9UH | 1300 Mbit/s | 2.4GHz / 5GHz | USB 3.0 |
Ports
HP EliteDesk 800 G8 Tower provides a fixed set of external I/O ports for connecting peripherals and displays. Port availability and versions determine supported data transfer speeds and display capabilities.
USB ports
HP EliteDesk 800 G8 Tower includes eleven USB ports in total in the following configuration - USB-C 3.2; (4x)USB-A 3.1; (3x)USB-A 3.0; (3x)USB-A 2.0; The model include four USB 3.1 ports supporting up to 10 Gb/s transfer speeds.
Video ports
HP EliteDesk 800 G8 Tower features two DisplayPort 1.4 outputs, suitable for modern digital displays.
No HDMI output is available on the motherboard.
Motherboard video outputs require a CPU with integrated graphics. Systems equipped with a dedicated GPU must use the video ports on the graphics card instead.
SSD storage - M.2 sockets and SATA ports
The HP EliteDesk 800 G8 Tower comes with four SATA port(s) for connecting storage devices.
HP EliteDesk 800 G8 Tower has also two M.2 socket(s) that supports PCIe NVMe (PCIe 4.0 x4) or SATA M.2 drives with speed of up to 8 GB/s. Currently this is one of the fastest commercially available versions of the PCIe bus (second to PCIe 5.0), making this configuration perefect for both gaming and work related tasks.
The M.2 PCIe SSD connector in combination with an NVMe drive allows for higher transfer rates, compared to the old SATA interface. In some situations, NVMe device connected to the M.2 PCIe socket can be more than 5 times faster.
*Keep in mind that some M.2 connectors may not support SATA SSDs. Check the motherboard manual to confirm compatibility.
Best PCIe NVMe drives for HP EliteDesk 800 G8 Tower storage upgrade:
| Model | Form factor / Interface | NAND type | DRAM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung 980 PRO SSD | M.2/x4 PCIe 4.0/NVMe | TLC | Yes |
| CORSAIR MP600 PRO | M.2/x4 PCIe 4.0/NVMe | TLC | Yes |
| SAMSUNG 970 EVO Plus | M.2/x4 PCIe 3.0/NVMe | TLC | Yes |
| Western Digital Black SN770 | M.2/x4 PCIe 4.0/NVMe | TLC | Yes |
| Kingston A2000 | M.2/x4 PCIe 3.0/NVMe | TLC | Yes |
Power Supply
The HP EliteDesk 800 G8 Tower comes with a 550 Watt PSU. Having a power supply with high power rating is important, especially if you are doing upgrade with addtional components, like dedicated GPU and more HDDs. Will this 550 W be enough, it all depends on your specific use. Please keep in mind that some models might have more than one PSU option. Whenever possible get the most powerful one, as it might make future upgrades easier.
