[Guide] Install High Sierra on the HP 8300 Elite / 6300 Pro Desktop PC

[nuttolo]

Hi

I'm interested in buy one of these 6300/8300 desktops by HP.
Since I've a 4k monitor, I was wondering if I'd get the Retina mode via DP (like I do nowadays with my Macbook Air), with a proper dedicated gpu like a nVidia 1050/1050ti.
My doubt is basically based on the fact that, according to Apple (https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT206587), only the iMac from 2013 onwards is compatible with an external 4k monitor, while according to the guide you have to install 2012 iMac system definition.
Thank you in advance

 

[trs96]

Hi

I'm interested in buy one of these 6300/8300 desktops by HP.
Since I've a 4k monitor, I was wondering if I'd get the Retina mode via DP (like I do nowadays with my Macbook Air), with a proper dedicated gpu like a nVidia 1050/1050ti.
My doubt is basically based on the fact that, according to Apple (https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT206587), only the iMac from 2013 onwards is compatible with an external 4k monitor, while according to the guide you have to install 2012 iMac system definition.
Thank you in advance

Using iMac 13,2 is not mandatory.. It's just the best match for the i5-3470 or the i7-3770. You can easily use iMac 14,2 if you'd like to. Either way you can use a 4K monitor if you have a compatible gfx card with DP 1.2 capability.

 

[nuttolo]

Using iMac 13,2 is not mandatory.. It's just the best match for the i5-3470 or the i7-3770. You can easily use iMac 14,2 if you'd like to. Either way you can use a 4K monitor if you have a compatible gfx card with DP 1.2 capability.

Thank you, so I assume that I could go with 6300/8300 right?

Which is the nVidia card with the best performance/cost ratio for 4k via DP 1.2 ?

Last question, just for information: is there any other HP desktop (sff or tower), newer than the 6300/8300 series, easily compatible as those of this topic?

 

[trs96]

Last question, just for information: is there any other HP desktop (sff or tower), newer than the 6300/8300 series, easily compatible as those of this topic?

Yes, but there aren't any guides that go into as much detail as this one does. The 6300/8300 is pretty much a plain vanilla install and everything works without too much effort on your part. If you did want a Haswell based system you could look into the HP 800 G1 model and get an i5 or i7 with HD4600. I believe HD4600 is capable of 4K from the onboard DP but I have never tried it.

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Which is the nVidia card with the best performance/cost ratio for 4k via DP 1.2 ?

Probably the GT 1030 card by MSI. Go with the low profile version of course if you buy an SFF case. You could also opt for the MSI RX560 which doesn't need any drivers installed as the 1030 does.

 

[nuttolo]

Yes, but there aren't any guides that go into as much detail as this one does. The 6300/8300 is pretty much a plain vanilla install and everything works without too much effort on your part.

Probably the GT 1030 card by MSI. Go with the low profile version of course if you buy an SFF case. You could also opt for the MSI RX560 which doesn't need any drivers installed as the 1030 does.

Alright so I will look to go with a 8300 (I want 2xSSDs @ full sata speed, the 6300 does have only one sata3 port, correct me if I'm wrong) with one of that two gpus, thank you again!

 

[trs96]

Alright so I will look to go with a 8300 (I want 2xSSDs @ full sata speed, the 6300 does have only one sata3 port, correct me if I'm wrong) with one of that two gpus, thank you again!

Yes, you'd want the 8300 for two of the Sata3 connectors onboard. You can also add more Sata3 options via the PCIe x1 slot with an adapter card if you'd like to. Look for the AMD RX560 on sale at Newegg as they've had some very good deals lately.


https://www.tonymacx86.com/threads/...-4gb-low-profile-125-110-after-rebate.256571/

 

[nuttolo]

Yes, you'd want the 8300 for two of the Sata3 connectors onboard. You can also add more Sata3 options via the PCIe x1 slot with an adapter card if you'd like to. Look for the AMD RX560 on sale at Newegg as they've had some very good deals lately.


https://www.tonymacx86.com/threads/...-4gb-low-profile-125-110-after-rebate.256571/

Thank you for the suggestion about RX 560, but I live in Italy and here it seems to be unavailable

BTW, I've just seen that you provided a similar guide for Dell Optiplex 7010/9010 systems. Which do you prefer? Which are pros and cons comparing Dell and HP systems? Dell systems are a little cheaper and more available, apparently.

 

[trs96]

I've just seen that you provided a similar guide for Dell Optiplex 7010/9010 systems. Which do you prefer? Which are pros and cons comparing Dell and HP systems? Dell systems are a little cheaper and more available, apparently.

The install is slightly more difficult with the Dell Q77 chipset system. For some reason the USB ports work intermittently. I haven't really researched the cause. The install will work it just takes a little longer to complete it.

The main reason I would opt for the Dell over the HP is to be able to swap out the PSU for a more powerful 3rd party one in the Optiplex 7010 or 9010. This is only for the Mini-Tower versions. That MT model is about the size of a standard microATX system. It's very high quality hardware just like the HP. Not as many people have tried that pre-built so there hasn't been as much feedback for the development of that User Build.

If you do opt for the Dell 7010/9010 make sure to get one with the i7-3770 that has the HD4000 graphics, those help make the install go much smoother. As the guide shows, I used the lower power i5-3475S model CPU in the USDT 7010 as a Mac Mini like system with HD4000.

 

[nuttolo]

The install is slightly more difficult with the Dell Q77 chipset system. For some reason the USB ports work intermittently. I haven't really researched the cause. The install will work it just takes a little longer to complete it.

The main reason I would opt for the Dell over the HP is to be able to swap out the PSU for a more powerful 3rd party one in the Optiplex 7010 or 9010. This is only for the Mini-Tower versions. That MT model is about the size of a standard microATX system. It's very high quality hardware just like the HP. Not as many people have tried that pre-built so there hasn't been as much feedback for the development of that User Build.

If you do opt for the Dell 7010/9010 make sure to get one with the i7-3770 that has the HD4000 graphics, those help make the install go much smoother. As the guide shows, I used the lower power i5-3475S model CPU in the USDT 7010 as a Mac Mini like system with HD4000.

The fact is the Dell Optiplex 9010 SFF refurb with i3-3225 (which has HD 4000) is available at about 120 euros and, correct if I'm wrong, it is compatible out-of-the-box thanks to that CPU. HP 8300 Elite SFF costs about 90-100 euros but with i3-3220 which has the HD 2500. What do you would do in my shoes?

(Sorry for OT) What are the differencies between 7010 and 9010 series?

 

[trs96]

What do you would do in my shoes?

If you want to connect a 4k monitor you'd really have to get at least a GT1030 anyway so the 8300 is the better choice. If you can get by with just HD4000 and a 1080p monitor the Dell 9010 is economically the better choice. It all depends on what performance you will need. I'm happy with the HD4000 on my Dell USDT 7010, it's mostly for business use/internet surfing. The graphics performance is fine for that. I have an HP 1080p monitor so 4K is not relevant for that sytem. A 4K monitor at native resolution would make text too small for me to read on that system, that's why I use the 1080p monitor at native resolution.