RAM Upgrade to 128GB

[Aboammar]

Now that the Crucial 128GB Kit (2X64GB) DDR5 RAM is available from Amazon, is it safe to use it in my HP Z2 Mini G9 Workstation?

I know that the CPU ( i9-13900K) do supports 128GB, but not sure about the BIOS.

If it will work, will it affect stability in any way?

I appreciate any feedback..

[DGroves]

the current memory specs can be found in the HP Data Specs for this model workstation

https://h20195.www2.hp.com/v2/GetDocument.aspx?docname=c07967257

Memory
Experience fast performance when working on complex design tasks with 2 DIMMS for up to 96GB DDR5 memory at an increased memory speed of up to 5600MHz

Maximum memory
64 GB DDR5-4800 MT/s ECC;

64 GB DDR5-4800 MT/s non-ECC;

64 GB DDR5-5600 MT/s ECC;

64 GB DDR5-5600 MT/s non-ECC;

you can upgrade it to 96GB by installing two 48GB DDR5-4800 SODIMM modules, note these modules are rather new and do not follow the older memory standard where capacity was doubled from the previous size

96 GB DDR5-5600 MT/s ECC;

96 GB DDR5-5600 MT/s non-ECC
Transfer rates up to 5600 MT/s.

https://www.amazon.com/Crucial-5600MT-5200MT-4800MT-CT48G56C46S5/dp/B0C79T2CP7?th=1

if you wish to try non approved modules all testing for suitability rests with you not HP

I recommend you buy from a vender who is willing to take returns if said modules are not compatible with your system

crucial memory website still shows only 64gb max so they may not have memory that is approved yet,  note that the Mini ver of this system uses laptop style SODIMS

https://eu.crucial.com/compatible-upgrade-for/hp/hp-z2-g9-mini-workstation

[Aboammar]

Sorry but you did not answer my question!  I am asking if 128 GB is compatible with my Z2 Mini G9 or not.

I am already having  96GB on my Z2 Mini G9 andworking fine.

And no, the Crucial 128GB is mentioned in Crucial website for sometime:  It seems you missed it, so here is a direct link from Crucial  website:

https://www.crucial.com/memory/ddr5/CT2K64G64C52CS5

And it is available from trusted sellers like Amazon and B&H.

[SDH]

DGroves provided you what HP has certified for that little PC. We've seen in the past that HP is careful and certifies only what they tested to be safe. If they did not test an item it won't be certified... makes sense.

Some things will work fine even if they were never certified by HP. Sounds like you're already using a 64GB and a 32GB SODIMM in your two memory slots in your PC to get to your current stated total of 96GB. Or, maybe 2 x 48GB sticks (which are listed in the QuickSpecs attached below)?

I've seen HP not certify certain memory configurations because at the time they were conformance testing a certain size or type of memory did not even exist. Or it was crazy expensive and unreasonable to expect it ever to be used in an entry level workstation like the Z420 (but then became inexpensive later via eBay recycling from retired servers). Heat issues have been a good reason for HP to not test certain configurations, especially in the VSFF PCs (Very Small Form Factor) like yours.

Here in the forum a number of us have figured out ways to self-certify certain upgrades and then share that information. You could clarify exactly what two SODIMM memory sticks you're currently using (and their sources) so others can start their own experimenting along with you.

HP has to move on... and generally does not revisit their expensive and time-consuming conformance testing process. That is when we take it over.

[Aboammar]

Thanks for your feedback ..

I am not really interested in HP certification,  I am simply wondering if the newly released 128 GB kit will be safe to install on my Z2 Mini G9.   When I bought it 2 years ago, HP tested it with up to 64 GB (thus was certified with up to 64 GB) but I have been using it with 96GB (2 x 48GB sticks) for sometime now and did not see any problem.

My feeling is the 128 GB should work fine since the CPU supports it, but I wanted confirmation from HP or a user if the BIOS support it without causing any problem.

The current RAM in my system is: CORSAIR Vengeance SODIMM DDR5 RAM 96GB (2x48GB) 5600MHz CL48-48-48-90 1.10V Intel XMP 3.0 Computer Memory – Black (CMSX96GX5M2A5600C48)

I bought it from Amazon:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DVC83JFB?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

[SDH]

Fully agree with you on not needing HP certification. I have tried and succeeded on many such experiments here, and have posted the results here over the years. I also agree with your instincts... I believe your idea will work well too. 

If someone from the forum had done this before you, they would have chimed in by now. Do you want to proceed with the experiment? On a practical level 2 x 48GB may be enough.

[Aboammar]

Yes I will go ahaed and try the 128GB.  I already ordered the RAM from Amazon and hopefully it will work without a problem.  Would you recommend a tool to to fully test the RAM once installed?

[SDH]

We use the HP Performance Advisor for our HP workstations. I don't know if HP has a Performance Advisor module built for your PC. I don't personally do memory stress testing on HP or Crucial memory. 

[Aboammar]

Thanks for your feedback.  My Z2 Mini G9 came with HP Performance Adviser but I did not know it has RAM test.  Will check it out when I return home.

[RMiH]

Hi, how did the upgrade to 128 GB go, did it work ?
I have me sights on an i7 12th gen version do you think it will work for me ?