[RAM] DV7-7015CA upgrade

[proskillz]

okay, so i'm quite confused by the spec of my laptop, on the spec list from HP (http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/ca/en/ho/WF06b/321957-321957-3329744-64354-64354-5226224-5255925.html...), it says max ram is 8GB, is that max in total? or for each slot? as i have 2 slots for ram, each currently installed with 4GB.

from my understanding, the max ram is determined by the CPU and OS support.
Since windows 7 home premium supports up to 16 GB (http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/aa366778(v=vs.85).aspx#physical_memory_limit...)

and i7-3610QM has support up to 32GB (http://ark.intel.com/products/64899/)

so seeing how my OS and CPU has the lowest of 16GB, does that mean i can upgrade each of my 4 GB ram to 8GB? so i'll have a total of 16 GB.

Here's some minor questions i have:
is it possible to upgrade CPU or GPU on a notebook? i don't think it's possible, but i'm just asking.

[HaggisCat · Accepted solution]

If HP says that 8 GB is the max it will take, then for the most part, that's it. HP sets the BIOS as to what each laptop can take and you can't change that on an HP laptop. Even though the processor may be able to deal with more, you're locked out of the BIOS to allow any changes.

 What do you need 16 or even 32 GB of RAM for ? Are running a virtual OS, even heavy video editing would have trouble making use of 16 GB of RAM.

 Processor:

  Here is a list of processors that would work in you machine and you are already running the fastest one.

 http://ark.intel.com/products/series/65128

 Look on page 81 _ you have maxed out the processor.

 http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c03221579.pdf

 Run may also run this RAM finder program from Crucial and I am sure it will tell you the max is 8 GB.

 http://www.crucial.com/systemscanner/

 Can't upgrade the GPU either, it's soldered right onto the MoBo. 

 It's already running the GT 630M, there isn't much out there that's faster, there is a 680M, but you will need a new machine for that.

 What are you trying to do ?

 Installing an SSD will improve things, your standard one is only running at 5400 rpm.

[proskillz]

Didn't know BIOS had to do with RAM limit, so if i replace my current RAM sticks with two 8Gb or something higher, it would not boot up? or what would happen?
I'm asking because the Mac Mini has also labeled 8GB RAM as max, but it has been tested+confirmed to be able to read up to 16GB; and crucial recommands me a 16 GB kit upgrade.
I need RAM simply because I usually virtualize somewhere between 4~6 OS at the same time ontop of Win7, which can sometimes cause lag and slowness.
(sidenote/question: so HP could push out a BIOS update that unlocks a higher ram limit?)

as for the CPU and GPU, i'm simply asking for furture reference; so I'd know my options later.

I'm not so keen on installing another HD, as i can barely use my 1 TB HHD right now. spending more money on SSD seems silly.

thx for sharing your knowledge.

(note:reason i have so many virtuals is because i'm working on a programing project, and i'm testing compatibility with different OS and stuff)

[HaggisCat]

Yes you definitely need the RAM. HP is bad for printing specs and then changing things in production. The only thing you can do is try 16gigs of RAM. Many reputable on line sellers have a return policy.

 As for HP posting another BIOS _ well I don't work for HP and I have no pull to get HP engineers to change something.