Duration: 15:00

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Are you in search of a desktop computer that offers enhanced capabilities? Do you wish to seamlessly integrate CAD/CAM/3D Animation/Video Editing tasks with gaming on a single machine? The HP Z8xx Workstations excel in delivering top-notch performance, flexibility, reliability, and, with the caveat of being more budget-friendly as second-hand options (although they can be pricey when purchased new).

If this reads like an advertisement, rest assured that there's no intention to guide you towards affiliated links or promote specific products. Consider this an unbiased user overview with no strings attached.

Prior to discovering HP Workstations, RACERRRZ favored high-end gaming systems featuring components like an Intel i7 or Ryzen 7 on a ROG Motherboard with vibrant RGB lighting. However, upon experiencing the sheer power of the Workstation, gaming systems became redundant.

🛠 Amazon/Ebay/AliExpress Affiliate Links:
(Please note these links will direct you to Amazon.com or Ebay.com or AliExpress.com and I will receive a small commission at no charge to you if a purchase is made through these links. Thank you!) Make sure to check seller ratings and reviews to avoid bad purchases.

Used HP Z820's: https://amzn.to/3TYkU5m https://ebay.us/pWcaMz

Xeon E5-2690 V1: https://amzn.to/3O1kDeb https://ebay.us/zMviXa

Xeon E5-2690 V2: https://amzn.to/3S0TUj1 https://ebay.us/S3wjk3 https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DeiKfPX

Xeon E5-2687W V2: https://amzn.to/3TZunJr https://ebay.us/bPGkw1 https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DDhBhdT

Xeon E5-2696 V2: https://amzn.to/3S0sNEM https://ebay.us/wko3zI https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DBXQM1B

Xeon E5-2697 V2: https://amzn.to/3O3V9N3 https://ebay.us/hbKbLo https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DC0N9hF

Ideal 5.25" Bay Storage Expansion:

1x3.5" + 2x 2.5" HDDs: https://amzn.to/3U4HclV
3-Bay Hot Swap HDD: https://amzn.to/3tZoqBR https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DB8Yb8z
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8-Bay Hot Swap SSD: https://amzn.to/3S4HKp8

🔧 But I saw someone claim that it can boot from an NVMe?

🔧Simple answer - NO (I tried, no luck) - save your time, run now and never try this.

🔧Complex answer - NO. I tried the latest BIOS with a USB with Clover with a M.2 NVMe - it failed and I had UEFI enabled / Legacy disabled. Clover failed to detect the NVMe. I suspect motherboard version 1 likely can't boot to NVMes no matter what, motherboard version 2 might be more likely to succeed. But I haven't seen anyone else comment on this.

🔧Insanely complex answer - RUN, don't try to do this, buy a Z840 instead - they boot from NVMes in seconds - I did warn you! lol. YES, some have claimed with Clover + NvmExpressDxe.efi custom driver (installed into clover\drivers64\uefi\NvmExpressDxe.efi) - first clover boot always fails, then you need use script to load the custom NVMe driver to get the NVMe detected. Also, only older NVMes work - so no, the Samsung 980 etc. will NOT work. If you can find older NVMes you may have more success because they tended to have the NVMe driver stored on the NVMe - modern NVMes do not have this (e.g. Samsung 970 or 980 etc.). Even after all that work you can only run one NVMe per PCIe slot because there is no bifurcation support on the motherboard. One last saving grace - PCIe PLX adapters are the answer to your troubles - they handle the bifurcation to bypass the aged motherboard issues. I have not tested them, they are really expensive, and they will be troublesome, but hey, it CAN work.

🔧For NVMe clarification:
https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Business-PCs-Workstations-and-Point-of-Sale-Systems/The-truth-about-z620-z820-NVMe-SSD-boot/td-p/7684160

Video INDEX:
0:00 Light Intro - Why a Workstation?
1:25 Z820 Review - Ideal Home Server.
1:49 System Overview
2:27 Motherboard Versions + CPU Guide (Xeons E5-26xx V1 / V2 )
5:07 PCIe Chamber Overview
6:58 CPU Chamber Overview
8:01 Front I/O + HDD Bays
9:12 PSU Specs + 6-pin Power output (Max ~220W per 6-pin; 12.2V x 18Amps = 219.6W / 6-pin; 658.8W total for 3x 6-pins).
9:57 Rear Panel Removal
11:03 Front I/O Removal
12:32 Side Panel Details
12:53 Ideal Uses + RACERRRZ's Top Spec Z820 - No Budget!
14:13 Outro

💥Share your Z820 setups in the comments - let's make this a resource for others for future upgrades.

Upcoming videos:

HP Z840 Overview - 2024 Edition
HP Z8 G4 Overview - 2024 Edition
HP Z840 to HP Z8 G4 Hardware Swap - upgrading my personal editing rig.
HP Z800/Z820/Z840/Z8 G4 Overview
HP Z8 G4 CPU Upgrade Guide

💻 HSPEC DataBase (for parts, upgrades, video summaries and more):
https://www.reddit.com/r/HSpecWorkstations/

🎯 Support: https://buymeacoffee.com/RACERRRZ

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