Upgrade Lenovo H520S graphics card with Gigabyte GV-N75TOC-2GL

I bought Lenovo H520S about 4 years ago (2012). I want to upgrade it lately.

Because the case of H520S is smaller than standard ATX, almost like micro-ATX.

I need a low profile graphics card.

The original specs of my H520S as follows:

CPU: G640, 60W

Graphic Card: GT620, 30W

PSU: MAX. 170W(12V), TFX

The other devices need 80W. (170 – 60 – 30 = 80)

These devices that I want to upgrade as follows:

CPU: I5 2400, 95W

Graphics Card: Gigabyte GV-N75TOC-2GL (GTX750ti), about 65W

Because the other devices need 80W, I need PSU specs like this:

    95W + 65W + 80W = 240W

I think PSU using 300W is more secure.

*Remove fan and replace the CPU. 

*Replace PSU(Need to remove DVD device first). 

  

*The original PSU is about 170W(12V). The new PSU is about 300W.

  

*Replace graphics card.

To remove GT620 graphics card and install GV-N75TOC-2GL low profile card(If you want to connect VGA cable, you need a VGA to DVI converter).

  

*When I restart H520S, the screen shows Lenovo logo, and I can't enter the BIOS by pressing F1.

Then beep once after 15 seconds. The 2nd beep after about 30 seconds. Then screen shows white blanking line on top left of screen. 

*With Google search, I need to upgrade the H520S BIOS. I checked the Lenovo website, but did not find H520S BIOS.

http://support.lenovo.com/tw/en/products/Desktops-and-all-in-ones/Lenovo-H-Series-desktops/Lenovo-H520-Desktop/downloads/DS100381

*I removed the GTX750ti card from PCIE 2.0 x16 slot and connected the VGA cable to the on-board VGA connector.

*Restart H520S and press F1 to enter BIOS, watch information of mobo(motherboard), the screen reads as follows:

    BIOS Revision Level: ECKT16A, Boot Block Revision Level: EC16A

  

*The mobo of H520S has CIH61MI V1.1 words printed on it. 

  

*Searching with Google, the Lenovo H430 mobo as same as H520S.

*To upgrade BIOS is a very dangerous thing, you need make bootable USB with HPUSBFW or other tools.

*Download H430 BIOS from Lenovo website.

http://support.lenovo.com/tw/zh/downloads/ds033404

*Unzip the file.

*Before updrade BIOS(ex. AMI), you need backup firmware of BIOS. For example(In CMD window):

    afuwin H520S.rom /O

*Unzip the file, then you get IMAGEXX.rom, its size as same as your backup file of BIOS.

*You can execute FLASH.CMD in CMD window.

*Or execute afuwingui under Windows. Then open IMAGEXX.rom to upgrade BIOS.

*After upgrade BIOS, reboot H520S, enter Windows. And execute shutdown. Then turn off power of PC.

*Install GTX750ti low profile card, connect VGA(need VGA to DVI converter) or HDMI cable to GTX750ti connector.

*Turn on power of PC, 1st beep after 15 seconds, 2nd beep after 30 seconds, 3rd beep after about 1 minute, and it enter Windows. The BIOS revision has been changed from ECKT16A to ECKT24A.

*Now you can remove device driver of old graphics card, and restart PC, and install GTX750ti device driver.

*Side effect:

1. Enter Windows need about 60~90 seconds after power on.

2. It can't enter BIOS when you press F1 after power on. If you want to enter BIOS, you need remove GTX750ti PCIE card, and connect VGA cable to on-board VGA connector.

*Note: This article is for reference only, the status of each PC is different.