2007 HP Blackbird 002 upgrade for < $1k

[#1]

I spent under $1000 and I ended up replacing the motherboard, CPU, memory, power supply, and fans. I already have a selection of video cards kicking around so it was a pretty cheap upgrade. My new Blackbird operates silently. I kept the same liquid cooler and used a new Intel i7 mount for it. The Gigabyte motherboard fits like a glove in the chassis with very little cable management changes.

If you are going to do this I recommend you pick up a large can of air and blow out the entire system when you pull it apart.

Here is a list of parts I ordered:

• Corsair AX850 Power Supply 
• Gigabyte GA-X58A-UDR3 (why Gigabyte? ..because it's fanless, it's fast, and it's not overpriced. The Asus republic of gamer motherboard seems way overpriced for what you get, don't waste your money)
•  Intel Core i7 Processor 930 2.80GHz w/ 8MB Cache
•  Corsair 6GB XMS3-1333 Triple Channel
•  2 120mm silent 1200CFM RADIAL fans (to replace the top radiator fans on the Blackbird)
•  New mounting bracket for the liquid cooler (buy a cheap Corsair H50 & dump the cooler, use the i7 mounting bracket)

I received new cards from ATI and Nvidia - I'm still playing between them. Based on the individual performance of these cards it's unlikely that I will install two. One video card is more than enough to deliver the performance I need in all my games at 2560x1600. By using one card my machine is also quieter and it runs cooler - and I still run dual displays. It's generally easier to work on as well.I'm amazed at how well my PC is running now! It's way faster, it's much quieter, and it's rock solid!

It's been over three years, and we basically left the premium market wide open after HP Voodoo proved it could design a world class performance PC. There was a time when Henry Ford brought out the Ford GT just to embarrass Ferrari in the 24 hours of Lemans. They succeeded by completely destroying everyone and winning all three podium positions... for four years in a row.

The GT's come back. Maybe the time's right for other things to reappear. What do you think?

[#2]

Can you please tell us the brand / model of the 120mm silent fans?

Thanks

[#3]

You should've waited a bit longer - The Core i7 950 is going to be $294 in a couple of days! I wish I had me a HP Blackbird case - 'tis a thing of beauty! Also...nearly $1000 for the parts you have seems a bit steep.

[#4]

i think it would be great. how's tomorrow sound?

[#5]

Great article.  I am going to update my 2007 Blackbird as well.  Is someone available in support to help me make a few decisions?

[#6]

Sure, my support team is still around to help out with any questions.

[#7]

Also, feel free to submit questions here...http://h20435.www2.hp.com/t5/The-Next-Bench-Blog/New-Column-Alert-Ask-The-Nerd/ba-p/58059

[#8]

I did the same thing with my blackbird 002. I had the asus maximus formula and a qx9650 3.0 ghz extreme. Replaced it with the exact same gigabyte mobo and 930 cpu. I used the stock asetek oem liquid cooler, however the lga 775 backplate and ring will not fit the 1366 mobo, so, I bought a corsair h50, pulled the 1366 backplate and ring off the h50 and the stock asetek cooler fit right in. Also, the asetek parts on the asus mobo fit the h50 block. However, I'm looking to buy a new radiatior and block to replace the old one as it is going on 3 years now and I'm sure the glycol level is low. I've been checking temps and it creeps ever so slowly up every couple of months due to evaporation I'm assuming. Anyone know where you can buy the stock oem asetek lclc cooler they made for the blackbird? I contacted asetek direct and of course they said contact hp who of course has no idea what this part is.

Also, for this rig, using corsair dominator ddr3 1600mhz ram, 6gb in 3x2gb sticks. A Corsair F60 SSD, A WD Caviar Black 1TB 32mb cache hard drive for all my crapware, and a plextor 940 bluray burner with the stock tsst slim line dvd drives in their as well that no firmware seems to be available for..........oh well.

[#9]

Nice, keep your rig alive and well as HP killed Voodoo and can't even hold up a good gaming devision because of weak infrastructure and planning unless proven other wise.

[#10]

This has inspired me to do something w/ my blackbird.  I bought from newegg at the end of 2008 and haven't really touched it since.  What would you recommend doing to this setup to update a bit (under $1k) - Thanks!!!

HP Blackbird 002 BB5140rp(GM333AA#ABA) Core 2 Quad Q9450(2.66GHz) 4GB DDR2 500GB Dual NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GT Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit

[#11]

I'd really like to buy a HP Blackbird 002 case. Is there any place that I can buy this case? Or is there any news of a 003 version coming out any time soon?

[#12]

I'd really like to buy a HP Blackbird 002 case. Is there any place that I can buy this case? Or is there any news of a 003 version coming out any time soon?

[#13]

What's going on with the forum? Looks to been locked up. I see posts out dated for sometime now.

[#14]

Bought all the upgrades for my Blackbird for Christmas.  Gonna be beastly.  Right around $1000.  Like the man said.

[#15]

cheap dvds 

[#16]

I just wish HP woke up an realized there is a market for high-performance gaming desktops like the Blackbird and the Firebird.

I'm tired of Alienware being the only game (no pun intended) in town. Yes, there are tons of custom shops that build gaming desktops and notebooks, but Dell/Alienware and HP/VoodooPC are the only companies big enough to offer the support that I expect with a premium purchase like that.

The Blackbird and the Firebird aren't even available anymore and those desktops are STILL better than any of the case designs from Alienware.

[#17]

Had my Hp Blackbird 002 "pop" off in the middle of gaming last night...just turned itself off...

Is this a sign of overheating from the cpu? ie is my glycol getting low on my "service free" liquid cooler?  Or would this most likely be a powersupply problem?

Any help appreciated..

Dbb in Chicago

[#18]

Is there a shop that can do an upgrade on the 002 for me. The last thig I want to do is mess with this monster myself.

[#19]

Spoiler

"Maybe the time's right for other things to reappear. What do you think?"

YES!!!  Please.  I love my Blackbird.  I can't believe HP pulled the plug on such a marquee project that could have brought continued prestige to the entire brand.  Bad long term decision.

There is a market for these machines.  Falcon-NW has been in business for a long time...I cannot believe that if they can do it, HP/Voodoo cannot make the economics work.

John

P.S.  Thanks for the upgrade 411!

[#20]

My Blackbird has just started to shutoff by itself, possibly due to heat.  Is there any updated 'preferred' parts list to update this PC.  I would think motherboard, processor (i7), video card and any other components that would bring the PC up to date.

Thank you,

[#21]

@GaryCooper Mine just did this last night. I had assumed it was the power supply. Did you find the source of your trouble?

I figure it is a good time to upgrade, since l haven't touched it since I bought it in 2007. Never had any trouble playing anything, while my friends, with who had more memory and more power, struggled to keep their systems from crashing.

I'd be interested in that parts list too.

[#22]

I'm getting ready to upgrade my Blackbird and I've got questions about the SATA back plane and the USB ports in the media card reader. Can those be upgraded as well or are we stuck with USB2 on the front panel?