: This board is designed around AMD Ryzen 5000 series mobile processors , such as the Ryzen 5 5500U . Because the CPU is soldered directly to the motherboard (BGA socket), the "interesting" trade-off is that you cannot upgrade the processor later; the board and the chip are essentially a single unit.
💡 Note that the power connectors (usually 4-pin or 7-pin) and the front panel headers are proprietary. You cannot easily move this motherboard into a standard aftermarket PC case without custom adapters. If you'd like to dive deeper, let me know: Are you planning a RAM or GPU upgrade ? Are you trying to fix a specific error code or beep?
Despite its OEM nature, the HP 887A offers a decent array of storage expansion options for modern NVMe drives.
2 x SATA III (6 Gbps) ports for traditional 2.5-inch SSDs or 3.5-inch hard drives. Rear I/O Panel Connectivity
: To ensure compatibility with newer components or to resolve issues like fTPM-related performance drops , it is recommended to keep the system updated via the HP Support site Integrated Graphics : The board relies on the CPU's integrated graphics (e.g., Intel Iris Xe hp 887a motherboard
The HP 887A motherboard is a prime example of the proprietary designs that HP used extensively in their consumer and business desktops during the early 2010s. While not a household name like "ROG" or "Aorus," the 887A powered countless HP Pavilion, Compaq Presario, and HP Pro series machines. Understanding its specs, limitations, and upgrade paths is essential for anyone looking to revive or repurpose an old HP desktop.
Integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth via an M.2 2230 card. Audio: Realtek high-definition audio. Troubleshooting & Identification
The you want to upgrade (CPU, RAM, or Case).
Dedicated for WLAN/Bluetooth wireless modules. : This board is designed around AMD Ryzen
The voltage regulator module (VRM) on the 887A is minimal—usually a 3+1 phase design with no heatsinks. Installing a 77W TDP or higher CPU (like an i7-3770) long-term can cause VRM throttling or failure in poorly ventilated cases.
Before you decide to build a PC around this board, you need to understand what makes the 887A unique—and frustrating.
Unlike consumer motherboards from ASUS, MSI, or Gigabyte, the 887A was never sold at retail. Instead, it is an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) part designed specifically for HP chassis. This means it comes with unique power connectors, front-panel headers, and BIOS locks that can complicate upgrades.
The HP 887A is a micro-ATX (mATX) motherboard built primarily for (though it also supports 2nd generation “Sandy Bridge” CPUs). It is notable for being part of HP’s “Pegatron” partnership—manufactured by Pegatron (a spin-off of ASUS) under HP’s specifications. You cannot easily move this motherboard into a
| Feature | HP 887A | |---------|---------| | Chipset | Intel Q370 | | CPU Support | 8th/9th Gen Intel (LGA1151) | | Max RAM | 64GB DDR4 2666MHz | | Best Use | NAS, Office, Light Gaming | | Biggest Con | Proprietary power & front panel |
Update to the latest BIOS from HP (version 02.15 or newer). Then enable “TPM Device” in BIOS under Security > TPM Embedded Security.
If you pair this board with a Core 2 Duo E6600 or E8400 and throw in a low-profile graphics card (like a GT 710, Radeon HD 6450, or even a GTX 750 Ti), you have an excellent Windows XP or Windows 98 (with patches) retro gaming rig. The PCIe x16 slot is true Gen 1.0 or 1.1, which has perfect compatibility with vintage GPUs.