HP ProDesk 400 G5 Microtower
Specification and Upgrade Options
The HP ProDesk 400 G5 Microtower is a scalable entry-level business desktop designed for heavy office workloads, content creation, and home flexibility. First released in 2018, it is built on the B360 chipset and supports 8th gen Intel Core processors and up to 32GB of DIMM DDR4-2666 memory. Thanks to its larger chassis, it accommodates dedicated graphics cards, making it an excellent candidate for a gaming PC conversion or a high-performance workstation.
If you are looking for a system with maximum upgradability, HP ProDesk 400 G5 Microtower is a good option. Models in this category usually have 4x PCIe slots, several drive bays and better cooling.
Can you upgrade HP ProDesk 400 G5 Microtower to play games?
Yes, you can upgrade HP ProDesk 400 G5 Microtower 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 ProDesk 400 G5 Microtower support Windows 11?
Yes, HP ProDesk 400 G5 Microtower 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 ProDesk 400 G5 Microtower supports Gen8 Intel Core technology on a B360 chipset. 8th generation Intel Core CPUs (Coffee Lake) significantly increased core counts, improving multitasking and parallel workloads. Higher-end models perform well in software development, virtualization, and gaming scenarios.
Best CPUs for HP ProDesk 400 G5 Microtower upgrade:
| Model | Cores (Threads) | Base frequency | Turbo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core i5 8500 | 6(6) | 3.0 GHz | 4.1 GHz |
| Core i5 8600 | 6(6) | 3.1 GHz | 4.3 GHz |
| Core i7 8700 | 6(12) | 3.2 GHz | 4.6 GHz |
GPU upgrade
The HP ProDesk 400 G5 Microtower can safely support GPUs with suggested PSU of 310W, but more powerful cards require a PSU upgrade. With the stock PSU model, it supports up to an GeForce GTX 1660 Super
GPU upgrade options for HP ProDesk 400 G5 Microtower with the stock 310W power supply:
| GPU | Power consumption | Memory | Req. |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVIDIA GTX 1660 Super | 130 W | 6 GB DDR6 | *SATA to PCIe adapter |
| NVIDIA GTX 1660 Ti | 125 W | 6 GB DDR6 | *SATA to PCIe adapter |
| NVIDIA GTX 1070 | 145 W | 8 GB DDR5 | *Dual SATA to PCIe adapter |
| NVIDIA RTX 3050 | 130 W | 8 GB DDR6 | *Dual SATA to PCIe adapter |
GPU compatibility in the HP ProDesk 400 G5 Microtower 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 ProDesk 400 G5 Microtower is often sold with different PSU wattages depending on the original configuration.
Memory
HP ProDesk 400 G5 Microtower supports up to 32 GB of DIMM DDR4-2666 RAM across two DIMM slots, with memory speeds up to 2666 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 ProDesk 400 G5 Microtower memory configurations include 8 GB for everyday productivity and 16 GB for gaming, heavier multitasking, or professional workloads.
Wi-Fi Support
HP ProDesk 400 G5 Microtower 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 ProDesk 400 G5 Microtower:
| 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 ProDesk 400 G5 Microtower 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 ProDesk 400 G5 Microtower includes eight USB ports in total in the following configuration - (4x)USB-A 3.0; (4x)USB-A 2.0; with no USB 3.1 ports available.
Video ports
HP ProDesk 400 G5 Microtower features one DisplayPort 1.2 output, 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 ProDesk 400 G5 Microtower comes with three SATA port(s) for connecting storage devices.
HP ProDesk 400 G5 Microtower has also one M.2 socket(s) that supports PCIe NVMe (PCIe 3.0 x4) or SATA M.2 drives with speed of up to 4 GB/s. This configuration works very well 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 ProDesk 400 G5 Microtower 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 ProDesk 400 G5 Microtower comes with a 310 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 310 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.
