HP Pavilion DV6690el Upgrade RAM and HD with SSD

[attorianzo]

HP Pavilion DV6690el

p/n: GZ923EA#ABZ

Windows 7 32 bit

Few questions:

 - I have read in the manual that in this pc I can put no more than 4 GB of RAM (wrong?..). Can I replace the existing RAM with an 800 Mhz one? What is the fastest RAM I can put in my PC?

- Can I replace the 250 Gb HD with an SSD one?

- Any other suggestion to get the best from this pretty old but well working PC?..

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

It is a little known secret that you should be able to install 2 x 4 GB of PC2-6400 memory, since you have the Mobile Intel 965 chipset.

That of course, is only worthwhile if you change your OS to a 64 bit one.

See this post:

http://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Hardware/The-dv6700z-And-dv9700z-WILL-Support-Over-4gb-of-RAM/...

If you stick with 2 x 2 GB and your current OS, you can definitely install, and benefit from, the PC2-6400 (800 MHz) memory.

As for the SSD...I have not seen where anyone with a dv6000/9000 series notebook has been able to get one to work.

If you want to risk it (not recommended), then my advice would be to only take a chance on an Intel SSD.

If you want a little more performance out of a HDD with no risk, get a 250 GB SATA II 7200 RPM HDD.

Paul

[attorianzo]

Thank for your reply,

I have read your link and the interesting "tip" to get 8 Gb. I read it works from the 6700 to the 9700 series.

I wonder if it could be really applied for mine that is "6690"... (I can't find the Intel 965 chipset written anywhere in the manual...)

I can even switch to a 64 bit SO if you suggest me that is worthwhile..

Anyway it is a good news to me that I can put 4 Gb 800 Mhz... (Actually I have 2 GBs of PC2-5300... or that is what I remember...)..

Which solution you definitely suggest to me among them?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

Run the free Intel Chipset ID utility.

http://www.intel.com/support/chipsets/inf/sb/CS-009266.htm

You couldn't have a T7500 in your notebook without a Mobile Intel 965 processor.

I can't guarantee 2 x 4 GB will work in your machine, but I'm pretty sure it will. 

If you can't borrow a PC2-6400 4 GB chip, only buy one like I did, and make sure it works before you buy a second one.

Paul

[attorianzo]

[...] only buy one like I did, and make sure it works before you buy a second one. [...]

Buying only one module I'll lose the possibility of the "dual channel".. Is it wrong?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

The greater amount of memory will far outweigh the lack of dual channel, and if it works, you won't be running in single channel for long. 

Remember, it is either going to report 5 or 6 GB (depending on the size of the second chip) or it isn't going to work at all.

If it reports 5 or 6 GB then the second 4 GB chip will work and bring it to 8 GB an dual channel.

Paul