Computer is slow. Wondering if I can add RAM to it. My dad's computer. I'm helping him with it.

[Kirks_Query]

Hello, my dad's HP is running slowly and we're considering adding a stick of RAM to speed things up. It currently has an 8gb stick in it, so I was thinking about either adding another 8gb or replacing it with a 16gb or just a faster RAM in general. I don't know if the motherboard even has 2 slots (I haven't opened it up to see yet). What would your recommendation be? Should I add another 8gb? Replace with a pair of 8gb sticks? Replace the 1 with a 16gb? Replace the 1 with an 8gb stick that has faster speeds?

I know the CPU could be a problem but it has an i5-7200u @ 2.5GHz 2.71GHz, which should be fine, right? All he's doing is running quickbooks, quicken, and browsing the web with this thing. And the computer is slow, even if you are only operating one program.

He's done things they say to do like Disk Defrag, but it's still bad. It's a handful of years old at this point. Any software-end fixes would be appreciated too.

I know it can also be a storage speed thing, but not as likely, so I figured I would start with RAM.

Thank you in advance for any and all help!

PS. I'm no expert (obviously), but I did build my own PC, so I can handle adding RAM if that ends up being the best idea.

[NonSequitur777]

@Kirks_Query,

Welcome to our HP User Forum!

Your product description "00325-96089-58411-Aaoem" doesn't translate into any HP computer that I could find. Please provide the actual HP model.

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[JackW333]

Does your dad's computer uses SSD or HDD? if still the old HDD i think he should look into upgrading to an SSD storage drive rather than upgrading RAM. Because by the sound of it the programs that he uses doesnt require 16GB