Upgrade all-in-one desktop PC to 8 GB of ram from 4 GB?

[KylanHarmon]

Is it possible and what tools will I need?  What is the best 4 GB module to buy if I can do this.  Would like to stop the computer from "grinding" the hard drive so much... 🙄

Thanks,

Kyle

[Grzwacz]

Greetings Kyle,

Welcome to the forum.

I am not a HP employee.

Adding more memory may not solve a HDD grinding problem. Windows 10 runs best on 8 GB to 16 GB of memory.

The best upgrade to solve poor performance is going to a SSD.

HP Support, at this time, is not allowing me to review your PC's product specifications.

You need a SATA or PCIe SDD.

Regards

[iomare · Accepted solution]

Hi Kyle,

There are many possible upgrades.

Max RAM is 16GB of DDR3L 1600MHz RAM (2x8GB)

Example of RAM

https://www.crucial.com/usa/en/compatible-upgrade-for/HP-Compaq/pavilion-22-a113w-touchsmart-all-in-...

On page 13 of doc below, you can see how to upgrade RAM

http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c04717173

as @Grzwacz states, a 2.5" SSD would give a boost to performance. So, you could replace the hard drive with a 2.5" SATA3 SSD such as the 2.5" Samsung 860 Evo or similar

You can see on page 11 of the doc how to replace the drive (naturally you only need to open the device once 😀)

You can then perform a clean install of Windows 10 using media from Microsoft and let it completely update by going into settings and verifying for updates.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

You can then install HP support assistant to update HP drivers and more

https://www8.hp.com/us/en/campaigns/hpsupportassistant/hpsupport.html

You could also consider upgrading the Pentium CPU you have in the machine to an Intel Core CPU, you can probably find used ones online for cheap.

If you look in the spec sheet below under Processor>Processor Upgrade Information you can see the compatible CPUs.

https://support.hp.com/us-en/product/hp-pavilion-22-a100-all-in-one-desktop-pc-series-touch/8499728/...

No more grinding!! 😅

Hope it helps,

David

[KylanHarmon]

If I upgrade my computer will my OS stay registered or will I have to re-enter a product key for Win10?  Which components will affect Windows (10) if I upgrade or change them?

[Grzwacz]

Hi Kylan,

Memory upgrades don't affect Windows activation.

A motherboard change will normally cause a activation issue.

Regards

[KylanHarmon]

How much would it cost to get 2 x 8 GB ram modules? (US $)  Screwdriver I dont have but what tools would I need?  I read the upgrade and service guide PDF already sorta skimmed it.  I plan on visiting my local Walmart on Monday.  What brand of memory should I buy?  And no, I dont plan on getting a SSD at this point, just a ram upgrade either 8 GB stick or two 8 Gig sticks.

Thanks...

-kyle

[iomare]

Hi Kyle,

I use Crucial a lot. You can see on their site that 2x8GB is about 90$

https://www.crucial.com/usa/en/pavilion-22-a113w-touchsmart-all-in-one/CT7937475

All you need is a screw driver. I would definetly consider upgrading the CPU and even using a cheap SSD such as the Kingston A400 which would give a much higher boost to the system than a RAM upgrade.

Examples:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Intel-Core-i5-4460T-1-90GHz-SR1S7-CPU-Desktop-Processor/153667468272?epid=2...

https://www.amazon.com/Kingston-240GB-Solid-SA400S37-240G/dp/B01N5IB20Q/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=a400&qid...

Regards,

David

[KylanHarmon]

Hi David, I did buy a Corsair Vengeance 8 GB RAM today at Fry's Electronics here in San Diego (Mission Valley).  Only problem is the screwdriver stripped the screws now I need a nice flathead screwdriver to unscrew the panel on this All-in-One Desktop.  Factory puts on those screws WAY too tight!

Going to try and procure the correct tool tomorrow (now only a good flathead screwdriver will work) to undo the screws.  Wish me luck!

DDR3 8GB (1 x 8GB) 1600Mhz ; Thats the right ram to up this machine to 12 GB total, correct?

-kyle

[KylanHarmon]

Turns out Fry's Electronics gave me the wrong RAM.  An 8 GB stick that is like 3 times too big.  Today (Friday) I'm going back to Fry's to get my money back / swap the wrong RAM out for the correct 8 GB module. I'm hoping they'll have what I want today at Fry's Electronics here in San Diego.  Thing is I'm bringing in the 4 GB RAM module so they know what it looks like for the 8 GB module.

-kyle