HP Pavilion ak002na: Potential upgrades?

[Imaginative_Lad]

Hi,

I've been looking for potential upgrades to speed up my laptop. I found that the included HDD was a slow 1TB 5400RPM HDD that contains everything including my OS and files. I read in another post that this laptop is capable of having a m2 SSD installed (https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Hardware-and-Upgrade-Questions/can-i-install-an-m-2-without-v...).

I want to ask what specification pci m2 SSD does this laptop support e.g. dimensions and any max storage limitations?

I wish to purchase a m2 SSD to put the OS on and a few essential programs on while keeping everything else on the existing HDD.

Additionally I have found that this laptop has a free slot for another stick of ram. I know the laptop uses DDR3L 1600MHz ram, but what model of ram is used and can another identical stick be purchased? I find 8GB of ram to hold me back when using programs such as Solidworks and other 3D CAD software. Addtionally the load times for this program are too long (sometimes upto 5 minutes) which is why I want to move it to a m2 ssd.

Additionally will another identical stick of ram enable the laptop to use it as dual channel ram?

I read the other article, this will not void my warrenty. Can this be confirmed again please?

Cheers,

Phill

[GBL84 · Accepted solution]

Hello @Imaginative_Lad,

Please see the below links, Its been tested.

http://www.crucial.com/usa/en/compatible-upgrade-for/HP---Compaq/pavilion-gaming-15-ak002na

http://www.memorystock.com/memory/HewlettPackardPavilion15ak002na.html

Hope this helps, for any further queries reply to the post and feel free to join us again !!

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GBL84

I am not an HP Employee 

[Imaginative_Lad]

Wow, thanks for the quick reply. This will help.

Cheers,

Phill

[GBL84]

You're very Welcome !! @Imaginative_Lad

 All the Best !!!     Thanks for being a member ! 

Hope this helps, for any further queries reply to the post and feel free to join us again

 **Click the White Thumbs Up Button on the right to say Thanks**

Make it easier for other people to find solutions by marking a Reply 'Accept as Solution' if it solves your problem.

Thank You,

GBL84

I am not an HP Employee

[Huffer]

Service Manual:

Manual

It is not compatible with NVME aka PCIe M.2 disks, limited to SATA type M.2 see page 2.

Bottom cover removal starts on page 38.

You can install another 8 gig DDR3L-1600 SO-DIMM module. Yes it will be dual channel if you have 2 identical modules installed. See p. 2. 

See this video at 2:08 in to view the hard drive and the M.2 disk:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3DLedeW5F4

256 gig M.2 specified by HP:

256 GB, TLC 838954-001

It would look like this with B + M (pitchfork) connectors:

Memory module (DDR3L-1600): 8-GB 693374-005

Post back if you need any more help.

If this is "the Answer" please click "Accept as Solution" to help others find it. 

[Nick_Mz]

@Huffer - The link to the service manual appears to be dead and all that appears available now is the user manual. Are you able to point us in the direction of the service manual?

The reason I ask is that I want to confirm that the M2 socket is limited to SATA only and not PCIe (as the chipset seems to have the necessary capability for PCIe), as well as checking other interface options prior to making an upgrade decision. 

Thanks in advance.

[Imaginative_Lad]

The M.2 is SATA only, it does not support PCIE. Additionally HP did not include the screw required to hold the a SATA M.2 in place, so you will need to aquire a suitable screw.

This is the SSD I use and it is compatible: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00TGIVZTW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The laptop is also compatible with ram caching so it will enable rapid mode on Samsung Evo drives.

The only issues I had was reinstalling Windows. The laptop will bluescreen 3/4 times throughout the installation, but in the end the installation will complete and will be succesful. You also need to go into the bios and set the SSD as the boot device otherwise it will try to boot from the HDD instead and just error. The bios on these laptops is not very good at all, a good bios would just go onto the next device in the list.

The only warning I give you is to be careful when opening it up as it was a difficult task. It took me about 1:30hr just to get it open and you will need a spudger kit to open it without any damage as the plastic is very fragile, especially near the speakers where the plastic meets the screen hinge (that is where I got stuck for over an hour trying to pry it off).