If you are looking to upgrade an older HP Pavilion desktop or repair a system that has stopped booting, you may have encountered the HP 887A motherboard. Often manufactured by industry giant Pegatron for HP, this motherboard was a staple in mid-range Pavilion desktop towers (such as the p6, p7, and HPE series) roughly between 2011 and 2013.
While reliable for its time, the 887A has specific quirks regarding CPU support and power connectivity that users must understand before attempting repairs or upgrades. This guide covers the specs, common issues, and upgrade paths for this legacy board.
The HP 887A is designed primarily for Intel processors and utilizes the LGA 1155 socket. It was typically offered in two chipset variations depending on the specific model of the computer it was shipped in (usually the H61 or Z68 Express chipsets).
The HP 887A motherboard is a functional but heavily restricted OEM board. It is adequate for office work, media consumption, and light gaming when paired with a decent GPU. However, enthusiasts will be frustrated by the lack of BIOS controls, proprietary connectors, and limited CPU support. For any significant upgrade or custom build, replacing both the motherboard and case (along with a standard PSU) is the recommended path.
Prepared by: Hardware Analysis Division
Data Sources: HP PartSurfer, user teardown reports, community forums (HP Support Community, Reddit/r/HP), personal hardware inspection records.
is a specialized motherboard typically found in HP laptop models, such as the HP Laptop 15s-eq series
. Unlike standard desktop motherboards, it is custom-designed for a specific chassis, with many components like the processor often soldered directly onto the board. Core Specifications Processor (CPU): Features an AMD Ryzen 5 5500U mobile processor (Lucienne architecture). FP6 (BGA/Soldered). AMD Carrizo FCH (rev 51). Integrated AMD Radeon Graphics Memory & Storage RAM Slots: Typically includes two DDR4 SODIMM slots supporting dual-channel memory. Supports up to
(though it may downclock to 2666 MHz or 1866 MHz depending on specific BIOS/CPU configurations). Often supports up to 16GB or 32GB total (e.g., 2 x 16GB). Includes an M.2 NVMe SSD slot Bus Support: Hardware reports support for hp 887a motherboard
(with some internal bus links showing PCIe 4.0 compatibility, though primarily used at Gen 3 speeds). Expansion & Connectivity M.2 Socket 1 dedicated to a WLAN/Bluetooth module. I/O Ports: Usually integrated directly into the board's edge: USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A and Type-C ports. HDMI 1.4 output. 3.5mm Headphone/Microphone combo jack. Multi-format SD media card reader. Upgrade Considerations HP Desktop PCs - Motherboard Specifications, Row
Inside the : The Backbone of the HP 15-ef and 15s Series If you own an HP 15-ef2000 15s-eq2000 laptop, you’re likely running on the HP 887A motherboard
. Unlike standard desktop boards, this is a highly customized mobile platform (System Board ID: 887A) designed specifically for HP's thin-and-light laptop lineup. HP Support Community Key Specifications & Architecture is built to support
mobile processors. It typically features an integrated chipset, keeping the design compact for notebook enclosures. Processor Support
: While the CPU is often soldered (BGA socket), this board is commonly found paired with AMD Ryzen 5000-series chips like the Ryzen 5 5500U or Ryzen 7 5700U. : Most variants include two DDR4 SODIMM slots
, allowing for dual-channel memory configurations. It generally supports up to 32 GB of RAM
(two 16 GB sticks) at speeds up to 3200 MHz, though some system versions may downclock based on the installed CPU. : Features an M.2 NVMe slot for SSDs. Users on If you are looking to upgrade an older
have noted that while the board may show PCIe 4.0 support in diagnostic tools, the actual bus often operates at speeds depending on the processor generation. Common Issues & Troubleshooting Every piece of hardware has its quirks. The has been central to discussions regarding fTPM (firmware Trusted Platform Module) stuttering The Glitch
: Users have reported sudden FPS drops and distorted audio during gaming or heavy tasks.
: HP released several BIOS updates (e.g., version F.36 and later) to address these firmware issues. If you're experiencing this, you should check for the latest firmware on the HP Support site Upgrade and Replacement Warning If you’re looking to replace a damaged , keep these "gotchas" in mind: Port Alignment
: The HDMI 1.4, USB Type-C, and headphone jacks are fixed to the board. If you try to swap it for a different board model (even from a similar series), the ports may not line up with your laptop’s outer shell. Display Pins
: Different screen resolutions (FHD vs. HD) may use different pin counts on the motherboard's display connector. HP Support Community
Solved: replacement options for expensive 15z-ef2000 motherboard? - HP Support Community - 8591016 25 Jan 2023 —
HP 887A motherboard an OEM component primarily found in the HP 15-ef2000 laptop series HP 15z-ef2000 Storage: Typically features 4x SATA connectors (usually a
and 15-ef2511la) and select HP Pro Mini 400 G9 desktop configurations HP Support Community Key Technical Specifications
Because this is an OEM part, specific configurations may vary based on the original laptop or desktop build: Processor:
Typically paired with AMD Ryzen 5000 series mobile processors, such as the AMD Ryzen 5 5500U
Generally supports DDR4 memory; most laptop variants feature two SODIMM slots for user upgrades. Features integrated AMD Radeon Graphics. Expansion & Storage: Typically includes an M.2 slot for NVMe SSDs.
While some software may report PCIe 4.0 support, the physical hardware interface often operates at speeds depending on the installed CPU. Connectivity:
Integrated Realtek Audio and Bluetooth 5 adapters are standard for these series. Common Troubleshooting & Maintenance
If you are working with this motherboard, consider these common maintenance tips: Need help with possible persistent bootloader virus
The 887A supports DDR4 UDIMM (unbuffered) non-ECC memory. While the Q370 chipset supports ECC, HP has disabled it on this board.