Upgrading 8GB RAM to 16GB

[aicram]

Hi, I'd like to upgrade my RAM to its max, which seems to be 16 GB. Without opening the PC (before I have to), I can't figure out if I need to get 2 new 8GB or I can add 1 8GB to the existing 8 (which seems to be 4 x 2(?). Also, does it matter what manufacturer? Anything else I need to know? This is to address slow performance and lag. And this is the info I have:

(Thanks so much for any help you can provide!)

• Dual channel memory architecture
• Two DDR4 UDIMM (288-pin) sockets
• Supports up to PC4-17000 (DRR4-2133)
• Supports 2 GB, 4 GB, and 8 GB UDIMMs
  Supports up to 32 GB (unbuffered) on 64-bit computers
  NOTE: 

  HP has tested a maximum of 16 GB on this system and does not recommend maximum memory beyond the 16 GB amount.
  NOTE: 

  Maximum memory shown reflects the capability of the hardware and can be limited further in the operating system

[BeemerBiker]

CPU-z will tell you how many slots of memory you have and what is plugged in them.  On rare occasions it can get confused when double sided and single sided are mixed.

Eventually you will have to pop the hood and peek.

[itsmyname · Accepted solution]

@aicram -- I can't figure out if I need to get 2 new 8GB or I can add 1 8GB to the existing 8 (which seems to be 4 x 2(?).

Another useful program is the free version of SPECCY.

It will tell you whether you have 1 or 2 sticks of RAM.

> Also, does it matter what manufacturer? Anything else I need to know?

Please use the "configurator" on www.crucial.com to find the exact specifications for your computer.

Compare to going into a automotive tire-store, and buying the first tire that you see, only to discover that it is not compatible with your other tires.

> This is to address slow performance and lag. 

Before you spend any money, while running your "usual" software, use CTRL-ALT-DELETE and open the Windows "Task Manager".  Switch to its "Performance" tab, to see the usage of your components (CPU, RAM, disk-drive, network).  If only 50% of the RAM is being used, then buying more RAM is a waste of money.  If the CPU is running at 100%, then buying RAM will not help. Does your computer have a "spinning" disk-drive, or a SSD (Solid State Device) ? If the Task Manager shows a lot of disk-activity to your disk-drive, then replacing it with a SSD will speed-up that input/output, to improve your computer's over-all performance.  Also, what Internet speed are you getting from your Internet Service Provider? A low speed service may be the cause of your "lag".  Also, is your computer in a different country than whatever "game-server" that you are interacting with? That can cause "lag".

[aicram]

Thank you! This is so very helpful.

[90% +  RAM being used, fast internet speed, low CPU usage.]

[itsmyname]

@aicram -- [90% +  RAM being used]

What Windows is doing is to copy some of that RAM to your disk-drive, to free-up some of the RAM to be used for other purposes. Of course, writing to the disk-drive is a relatively-slow process, as compared to "doubling" the RAM, to avoid all that "slow" input/output.

So, definitely, in your case, "doubling" the RAM will be very helpful.

Compare to buying a larger dining-room table, prior to inviting all the relatives in for an Xmas dinner -- all the food can be placed on the table, at the same time, for the enjoyment of all.