HP S5000 Slimline Memory Upgrade

[chris301up]

Does anyone know if there is memory upgrade for my desktop PC? Its a HP S5306UK model. Currently it is fitted with only  3GB RAM which makes it extremely slow. Especially now that I have had no choice, with the demise of Windows 7, to upgrade to Windows 10. Have looked online but getting know where. Any help would be greatly appreciated. 

Just one other question. Looking at the specs it states that maximum memory is 4GB. Now this may sound silly, but is that in total, or for each slot? Thanks

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

Yes, the maximum memory your PC can support is 2 x 2 GB according to the specifications.

Removing the 1 GB memory chip and replacing it with a 2 GB memory chip will only help marginally.

Below is the link to the parts list for your PC.

HP PartSurfer

The 2 GB memory chip has this part number and description:

497157-D88

Memory - DIMM, 2GB, PC3-10600

Those old PC's were very finnicky about what memory they like, so I recommend you buy one with that part number on eBay.

497157-D88 for sale | eBay

[chris301up]

Thank you for the information. Its what I thought really. Not much point adding another 1GB memory? It won't improve matter much. Maybe it'll be worth swapping the motherboard for something a little more beneficial? Thanks again for the info

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

For 6 pounds, it may be worth adding the extra 1 GB so the memory runs in the better performing dual channel mode than the single channel mode it is currently running in.

Perhaps replacing the slow poke 3.5" mechanical hard drive with a better performing 2.5" solid state drive and reinstalling W10 would be beneficial.

There aren't any better motherboards you could fit in your PC, and that would also require you to pay for a new W10 license since replacing the motherboard requires a new Windows license.

[chris301up]

The main reason I was thinking about replacing the motherboard was so that I can upgrade the memory to at least 8GB as the current MB is very limited.. However, if a replacement 2GB  memory module will do the trick, and perhaps a SSD, then that may be the course of action? Its a PC I don't use much but find it very useful as a backup and for printing etc. Since installing Windows 10 its become very slow. Hence my original post.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

I think it is probably worth the money if you are willing to reinstall W10 on a new SSD.

6 pounds for the memory, and if you can live with a 500 GB SSD, you can buy a good performing WD Blue SA510 2.5" SSD for 40 pounds.

WD Blue SA510 500GB 2.5" SATA SSD with up to 560MB/s read speed : Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessor...

Then you need a 3.5" to 2.5" adapter to mount the smaller 2.5" drive where the 3.5" drive is now.

ORICO 2.5 to 3.5 Inch HDD SSD Mounting Bracket Hard Drive Adapter Removable Mounting Frame for 2.5 I...

[chris301up]

Hi Paul. Thanks so much for the information. Installing Windows isn't a problem at all. I was just looking at SSD's but wasn't sure what to go for. So I'll take a look at the one you recommended. I assume its just a straight swap over and reinstall plus the 2GB memory to get the machine up and running? 

Just one other question. Looking at various posts they mention the use of different cables. Do you know if I will need these or will this be a straightforward swap over? Thanks

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

Yes, when things go right, it is that easy.

I've replaced the 3.5" mechanical hard drives in all of my PC's to SSD's and didn't have any problems whatsoever.

I replaced one in an old HP dc7800 CMT business desktop which is about the same vintage as yours and it made a nice difference.

I still have the PC and installed W11 on it.

My PC already had 8 GB of memory before I changed the drive.

It supported 8 GB of memory because it has 4 memory slots where yours only has two.

I selected the 500 GB model for you because the 250 GB model was only around 3 pounds less.

That's not much of a cost difference for double the storage capacity.

[chris301up]

Hi again. Was browsing internet and come across a desktop unit on EBay: HP Pavilion Slimline S5229UK Desktop PC equipped with an AMD Athlon II X4 620 processor running at 2.60 GHz and 12GB RAM. The hard drive is SSD with a capacity of 500GB. I won the auction for less than £35. Bit of a result I think? I can always sell this on if no use to me.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

That seems like an excellent deal for only 35 pounds.

The only minor problem is if it doesn't have W10, you won't be able to get the free upgrade to W10 anymore as Microsoft closed the loophole allowing for free upgrades to W10 beyond the July 2016 end date for the free upgrade back in October of this year.