HP ProDesk 400 G3 Mini
Specification and Upgrade Options
The HP ProDesk 400 G3 Mini is a pre-built entry-level business desktop computer first released in 2016. Although more than five years old, it is still a viable solution for home and office. The motherboard is using the H270 chipset and supports 7th gen Intel Core processor, 32GB of SODIMM DDR4-2400 memory. Because of its size, this model cannot be properly upgraded for gaming.
HP ProDesk 400 G3 Mini is a Micro form factor computer. Micros (also called Mini or Tiny) are one of the smallest size PCs available on the market. HP ProDesk 400 G3 Mini is very compact and comes with external power supply. This device is easy to upgrade with additional RAM and storage but have little to no expandability. Usually models with this chassis have an optional Wi-Fi and Bluetooth module and an M.2 slot for an SSD.
Can you upgrade HP ProDesk 400 G3 Mini to play games?
HP ProDesk 400 G3 Mini is a entry-level business desktop computer in micro form factor. It is using a processor that provides both the CPU and GPU functionality. While integrated GPUs are sufficient for basic gaming, they are not powerful enough to run demanding games. HP ProDesk 400 G3 Mini has no space for dedicated graphics card.
Micro desktop machines like HP ProDesk 400 G3 Mini are usually used as home theater PCs (HTPC), in home lab projects or a as home automation servers.
Please explore the sections bellow to find ideas and suggestions on how to upgrade HP ProDesk 400 G3 Mini.
Windows 11 compatibility
No, HP ProDesk 400 G3 Mini does not meet the Windows 11 hardware requirements. According to Windows 11 specification, all models with Intel 7th Gen CPU or older are not officially supported. Processor with TPM 2.0 and a UEFI Secure boot BIOS is also required in order to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 through Windows Update.
However, anyone with PC that does not pass the upgrade test can download the official Windows 11 ISO, make a bootable flash drive, and install the OS manually.
GPU upgrade
It is not possible to upgrade HP ProDesk 400 G3 Mini with a dedicated GPU due to the lack of space and absence of a PCIe slot. However, you can still use the integrated graphics processor for gaming. There are number of games you can enjoy with an Intel HD and UHD iGPU.
Processor
The HP ProDesk 400 G3 Mini supports Gen7 Intel Core technology. The 7th generation of Intel Core processors were introduced in 2016. Named Kaby Lake, they are refresh of the 6th gen architecture with few efficiencies and power improvements and the same 14nm manufacturing process. Kaby Lake introduces a new graphics architecture that improves 3D performance, 4K playback and HDCP 2.2 support. Processors in this generation use LGA 1151 socket and have dual-channel support for DDR4-2400 RAM slots.
Best CPUs for HP ProDesk 400 G3 Mini upgrade:
| Model | Cores (Threads) | Base frequency | Turbo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core i5 7500 | 4(4) | 3.4 GHz | 3.8 GHz |
| Core i5 7600 | 4(4) | 3.5 GHz | 4.1 GHz |
| Core i7 7700 | 4(8) | 3.6 GHz | 4.2 GHz |
Memory
HP ProDesk 400 G3 Mini has two RAM slots. This is more than enough for most users. For those of you who need extra flexibility and RAM size, go for a model with 4 memory slots.
To cover the needs of your OS, games, and apps, HP ProDesk 400 G3 Mini supports up to 32 GB of SODIMM DDR4-2400 RAM. For office work, home use, and light gaming we recommend 8GB of RAM. For everything else, use 16GB or more.
Faster RAM speeds permit your processor to access the data stored inside the memory faster. This is important for the overall speed of your system. The motherboard of the HP ProDesk 400 G3 Mini supports RAM speeds of up to 2400 MT/s.
Wi-Fi Support
HP ProDesk 400 G3 Mini 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 G3 Mini:
| 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
Ports are important and often people don't think about them when buying a PC. For example, if you don't have enough USB ports, using external devices becomes problematic. Before you buy any system, considering your use case, check the number of external devices you are going to use and plan the number of the extension ports accordingly.
USB ports
The HP ProDesk 400 G3 Mini comes with six USB ports in total. Having more USB ports is always better, but also pay attention to the version of those USB ports. Higher version ports support faster transfer speeds. Unfortunately, this model doesn't come with a USB 3.1 port. If you need a faster connection for your peripherals, like external Solid State Drive, you will need to choose another model.
Video ports
The DisplayPort (DP) is the most widely used digital interface for transmitting digital video and audio between display devices and PCs. It is good to see that the HP ProDesk 400 G3 Mini is featuring a DisplayPort 1.2. The post version is important if you target higher resolutions with high refresh rate. Although, ver. 1.2 is completely fine for most users, if possible, aim for the higher versions DisplayPort.
The HDMI port is another digital video port you can use to connect external display. It has very similar capabilities to the DisplayPort with few exceptions. However, the HP ProDesk 400 G3 Mini doesn't have one. This is not a problem if there is on-board DisplayPort.
*Please keep in mind in order to use the video ports available through the motherboard, you need a CPU with integrated graphics card. If you have a dedicated GPU, use his ports instead.
SSD storage - M.2 sockets and SATA ports
The SATA port is one of the places where you can connect a stora gedevice. The HP ProDesk 400 G3 Mini comes with one SATA port(s). Not enough SATA ports might limit your options for additional storage devices. Think about your use case and decide if the SATA ports provided by this model will be sufficient.
HP ProDesk 400 G3 Mini has also one M.2 socket(s) that supports both PCIe NVMe (PCIe 3.0 x4) and 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.
Best PCIe NVMe drives for HP ProDesk 400 G3 Mini 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 G3 Mini comes with a 90 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 90 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.
Motherboard
