Predator Orion 3000 P03-630 motherboard upgrade & more?

Skipper0526
Skipper0526 Member Posts: 13

Tinkerer
in Predator Desktops
I recently bought a Orion 3000 630 model and at first look it sounded like an amazing deal on Amazon so I went with it. But now after having it 1 week I’m realizing that you are extremely limited to upgrades. So my question is …does anyone have any insight on maybe putting a new atx motherboard in this case and if there are any other upgrades I could do? I’m happy with the computer but I am wanting something more powerful and upgrade able. Thank you!!

Answers

  • messer89
    messer89 Member Posts: 54 Devotee WiFi Icon
    edited February 2022
    As for I know better part of the micro atx mainboards should fit, just make sure the screw fasteners are in the right places. 

    But honestly, the original mobo is pretty good, it provides everything that is needed for heavy gaming and everyday use. If you want for example faster RAM, maybe consider just buying JEDEC one instead of an XMP? 

    The only upgrade that is really needed in this PC is the CPU cooler swap, but otherwise it is pretty good.

    People here often complain about the "weird PSU clicking sound", Idk if this is something to worry about. I think the PSU can also be replaced, but you would have to buy a suitable adapter.


  • messer89
    messer89 Member Posts: 54 Devotee WiFi Icon
    Ah and forgot to mention if you wanna replace the mainboard you will have to replace the PSU also cause it has a pretty unique 6 pin mobo power connector and I have not seen any adapter for 6-->24, only 24-->6, I'm planning to install a stronger PSU in my unit myself, not because it's really needed, I just want to have a power reserve for possible future upgrades, so if you are interested in that follow this forum, I'll post it when I success.
  • Skipper0526
    Skipper0526 Member Posts: 13

    Tinkerer
    Im also interested in doing the same as you. But im honestly considering just getting a new LGA 1200 motherboard, new case, new ram (most likely xmp) and a standard atx 750-800w power supply. and hopefully i can just reuse most of my components that came preinstalled with the p03-630.
  • Skipper0526
    Skipper0526 Member Posts: 13

    Tinkerer
    Who makes the rtx 3070 that came with the p03-630?

  • GotBanned
    GotBanned Member Posts: 654 Seasoned Specialist WiFi Icon
    Skipper0526 said:
    Who makes the rtx 3070 that came with the p03-630?

    Most likely the same factory that makes Zotac Twin Edge 3070 GPUs. At least the pcb is almost the same. Manufacturer name might be PC-Partner.

    https://www.techpowerup.com/gpu-specs/zotac-rtx-3070-twin-edge.b7936
  • messer89
    messer89 Member Posts: 54 Devotee WiFi Icon
    Skipper0526 said:
    Who makes the rtx 3070 that came with the p03-630?

    They just install the graphic card models that are available at the moment. For example I have KFA2 version, others have Zotac one or even sometimes original Predator edition. Same with RAM, I got a Kingston XMP RAM (what is ridiculous, because the mobo is non - xmp), others got some Crucial JEDEC RAM, as I've seen pics on this forum.

    If you are thinking about faster RAM, idk whether you know that or not, but in case you don't know if you have for example - F series Intel Processor, they don't need RAM faster than 2933Mhz, I mean the RAM will be faster after you overclock it but it simply just won't change anything.

    And in case you want better airflow in your PO3 case, you can always install a new fan on your steel meshed cover - again using an adapter.

    Whatever you decide to do, wish you luck with that :)
  • 2hot6ft2
    2hot6ft2 Member Posts: 5

    Tinkerer
    I'm guessing this is about the "Acer Predator Orion 3000 PO3-630-UA91 Gaming Desktop | 11th Gen Intel Core i7-11700F 8-Core CPU | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 | 16GB DDR4 | 512GB NVMe SSD | 1TB HDD | Intel Wi-Fi 6 | RGB Keyboard & Mouse"
    on Amazon.

    If it is then I have the same PC and here's what I've found.

    First the motherboard IS the bottleneck. It's PCIe 3.0 but the components are PCIe 4.0 so the motherboard is restricting them to 50% of what they could do.
    The exception is the M.2 SSD the OS is on which according to the Mfg has a max seq. read speed of 2400MB/s while the M.2 socket it's in is PCIe 3.0 x 4 with a max seq. read speed of 3600MB/s. IF the board was PCIe 4.0 then a NVMe PCIe 4.0 x 4 M.2 SSD could be there and run at up to 7200MB/s
    The RTX 3070 is capable of PCIe 4.0 x 16 while it's in a PCIe 3.0 x 16 socket
    The CPU intel core i7-11700F is PCIe 4.0 but the motherboard is restricting it to PCIe 3.0

    On to the case swap options
    You can't fit a mATX (micro ATX) in the Predator case because it is too long and will extend to behind the PSU and drive trays
    You would also need to replace the PSU with one for the new board as the Predator PSU has propitiatory connections so it wont connect to another brand of board.

    The only real option is to get a new case, motherboard and power supply. Wait on replacing the CPU cooler until it's all in the new case then decide on an appropriate cooler.

    If you decide to go ahead then first decide on a case size. The predator is about the same size as a Micro ATX case. The next size up is a Mid Tower I wouldn't want to shrink it to a Mini ITX (backpack size). If size isn't an issue you can go with a Mid Tower and you can put either a ATX or a Micro ATX board in it so that gives more options on motherboards.

    Before pulling the trigger on a case find the motherboard with everything or at least most of what you want. Here are some things to look for:
    NVMe PCIe 4.0 x 4 M.2 slot for OS SSD + more NVMe M.2 slot(s) for storage, PCIe 4.0 x 16 for the RTX 3070, ample fan headers (# and locations), 12v and 5v LED headers if lighting is important, USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C both on the back panel and a header for the front if you want it up front too (if you do then it will SEVERELY  limit your case choices), As many USB ports on the back along with headers for front ports as you need/want of latest versions along with 2.0, RAM compatibility or new RAM for the motherboard

    Then there's the PSU. Personally I look for ATX PSU, around 650 watts 80+ Gold (more if you plan on adding another graphics card for example), semi modular to full modular, and the length must fit whatever case is chosen.

    While I have looked hard at making the swap I figure after all was done I would be adding $400 - $500 to the cost. Case $100, Motherboard $150 - $175, PSU $50, Win 10 $20, a NVMe PCIe 4.0 x 4 1TB SSD for the OS $120 then add sales tax. Just rough approximate numbers.
    I will probably end up doing it at some point.

    For now here's what I've done.
    Replaced the CPU cooler with a compact tower and replaced its fan with a high volume fan.
    The cooler: Cooler Master Hyper H412R Compact CPU Air Cooler a LOT had to do with the mounting hardware for the LGA 1200 socket. While many listed the LGA 1200 that doesn't mean they have the right hardware.
    This will mount in the Predator case and to the LGA 1200 socket WITHOUT removing the right side of the case (which is riveted on at the very least).

    Then I replaced the fan

    The fan: Evercool EC9238H12BP
    High Air Flow 92mm x 38mm 4-pin PWM Case Fan
    Fan Speed: 5000 +-10% RPM
    Max Airflow: 117.34 CFM
    Bearing Type: Dual Ball
    Connector: 4pin PWM

    There is a kinda similar fan on Amazon (Wathai brand) but if you look close the connector is wrong

    This fan is plug and play.
    Works with the Predators fan controls
    Setting the CoolerMaster CPU fan to 60% (approx. 1150rpm) in PredatorSense kept the CPU at about the same temp as the EverCool does running at the default speed of approx. 800rpms
    Also did the Features.ini edit and set CPU Fan=0 to 1 (to enable it) and model from 5 to 7
    That gives me the missing CPU Fan control in PredatorSense


    I could even replace the rear case fan with one of the EverCool fans but I don't know if I could replace the front fan with one (38mm thick).
    If both case fans could be replaced with them then at full speed they would completely replace the approx. 1 CF of air in the case close to twice per second at full speed or about 1.5 times per sec. at 80%.

    It would sound like a jet and if not secured it may even take off. That's a lot of air moving fast.

    Anyways, this has gotten pretty long.
    There are your options as I see them.
    Good luck and keep us posted if you go for it.

  • 2hot6ft2
    2hot6ft2 Member Posts: 5

    Tinkerer
    I forgot the WiFi.
    If changing motherboards in order to use the M.2 WiFi card from the Acer the new board would need to have the appropriate M.2 WiFi slot available.
    Otherwise you lose the WiFi 6 from the Acer
    Either that or a board with WiFi already. Maybe 6E
  • messer89
    messer89 Member Posts: 54 Devotee WiFi Icon
    2hot6ft2 said:
    You can't fit a mATX (micro ATX) in the Predator case because it is too long and will extend to behind the PSU and drive trays
    With all due respect, I can't agree. For example ASRock H510M-HVS has 197mm height, only 2mm more than the Acer mobo, there is a place for that additional 2mm in the PO3 case. I don't know whether it would fit or not, but the dimensions are good. 

    2hot6ft2 said:
    First the motherboard IS the bottleneck. It's PCIe 3.0 but the components are PCIe 4.0 so the motherboard is restricting them to 50% of what they could do.
    I really don't wanna be rude but man, just read some articles, watch some comparison videos, sacrifice some time to find an accurate data.

    2hot6ft2 said:
    The only real option is to get a new case, motherboard and power supply. 
    Again I can't agree at all. You can make the original PO3 mobo work with the standard 24 pin ATX PSU, you just need this adapter.

    I say once again, I really like everyone on this forum is polite and willing to help so I'm not looking for a skirmish but it really looks for me like you just opened google, typed your query and pasted here the very first info that popped up without even trying to put a minimum effort to verify it...
  • 2hot6ft2
    2hot6ft2 Member Posts: 5

    Tinkerer
    messer89 said:
    2hot6ft2 said:
    You can't fit a mATX (micro ATX) in the Predator case because it is too long and will extend to behind the PSU and drive trays
    With all due respect, I can't agree. For example ASRock H510M-HVS has 197mm height, only 2mm more than the Acer mobo, there is a place for that additional 2mm in the PO3 case. I don't know whether it would fit or not, but the dimensions are good. 

    2hot6ft2 said:
    First the motherboard IS the bottleneck. It's PCIe 3.0 but the components are PCIe 4.0 so the motherboard is restricting them to 50% of what they could do.
    I really don't wanna be rude but man, just read some articles, watch some comparison videos, sacrifice some time to find an accurate data.

    2hot6ft2 said:
    The only real option is to get a new case, motherboard and power supply. 
    Again I can't agree at all. You can make the original PO3 mobo work with the standard 24 pin ATX PSU, you just need this adapter.

    I say once again, I really like everyone on this forum is polite and willing to help so I'm not looking for a skirmish but it really looks for me like you just opened google, typed your query and pasted here the very first info that popped up without even trying to put a minimum effort to verify it...
    Silly me. I went by the specs for a Micro-ATX saying the board is 9.5" x 9.5" and my tape measure and MY P03. From the top of MY MOTHERBOARD down a mATX board would extend 1/2" lower than the top of the PSU and drive trays.

    I couldn't edit my post to change it to say "theoretically of what they could do" so my bad

    I've seen too many youtube videos and read far too much already.
    Get a PCIe NVMe 4.0 M.2 (like the [S70 Blade] 7400/6800MB/s) and compare the speeds when running on the P03 motherboard and a 4.0 motherboard. Graphics cards on the other hand only show a slight improvement with 4.0.

    Cool you found an adapter. But, you have it going the WRONG WAY. That doesn't make the P03 PSU work with a standard ATX MB. In fact it just the opposite.

    I'm not looking for a skirmish either. Perhaps you should take your own advise.
    I'm done with this so any response will be you talking to yourself.

  • messer89
    messer89 Member Posts: 54 Devotee WiFi Icon
    2hot6ft2 said:
    Cool you found an adapter. But, you have it going the WRONG WAY. That doesn't make the P03 PSU work with a standard ATX MB. In fact it just the opposite.

    I'm done with this so any response will be you talking to yourself.

    Okay but I didn't say you can make the PO3 PSU work with a standard ATX mobo. I said you can make the PO3 mobo work with ATX PSU.
  • HamishDuff
    HamishDuff Member Posts: 1 New User
    I have the same exact machine, and will be making upgrades very similar to what 2hot6ft2 has suggested. His response was extremely helpful in my case.
     I'm new here and don't know what a Devotee is, but messer89's responses weren't helpful and seem to be patronizing other users. If you represent this forum, you should improve the quality of your responses.
  • billsey
    billsey ACE Posts: 34,219 Trailblazer
    Devotee is an automatic level a user gains when they have made enough posts (and possibly other things like likes and answers). Similar to Tinkerer, Seasoned Practitioner and New User. :)
    Click on "Like" if you find my answer useful or click on "Yes" if it answers your question.
  • jadeakisses
    jadeakisses Member Posts: 1 New User
    https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1093886#Comment_1093886

    Hello. I know this is over a year old but you're the first person I've come across who seems to know what they're talking about in regards to this PC. The adaptor you mentioned, what exactly do I plug into the other part- not the 24 pin connector part but the other side. The PCIe pin or? I can really suck at explaining sometimes, so sorry if I lost you 😅 Asking because my PC stopped working. I got another PSU thinking that would be the fix. Needless to say it hasn't worked. But lately I've been thinking maybe I just got the wrong PSU, or need an adaptor(?). I finally came across this discussion sooo… fingers crossed this adaptor will solve my issues.

    Thanks in advance for any insight you may be able to give! :)

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