ram speed in task manager is differnent from that showing in CPU-z

[sachin41]

i have pavillion15-ec0101AX   i want to add 8gb RAM in this laptop but for that i want to know RAM speed of  this laptop

but in TASK manager it shows 2400MHz whereas in CPUz it shows 2666Mhz , so tell me which should i buy?

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi:

I always recommend that you buy memory with the same specs as the one in your notebook, which I assume is 2666 MHz.

The 2666 MHz memory runs at 2400 MHz because that is the fastest speed your notebook's processor can run the memory at.

See the specs below...

https://support.hp.com/si-en/document/c06619143

[yobo2019]

I don’t know the specs of the machine, but assuming the above HP “expert” is right about the reasoning, there is no reason to buy ram that is faster than the 2400 as that is the fastest the CPU can support as he said. Buying faster will do nothing but waste you money and make the cpu not use all of the rams potential. Save yourself some money and buy what ever the CPU supports. General rule of thumb in computing is that nothing can go faster than your  slowest limiter.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're not going to save any money by buying the slower memory, and any person that knows anything about adding memory will tell you that you should try to match the specs of the existing memory with what you buy.

Some folks will tell you to never mix different brands/speeds of memory.

I don't know of any 2666 MHz memory in this day and age that is more expensive than 2400 memory, which is why HP installed that speed in that notebook.  2400 Mhz memory is getting harder to find.

You must be jealous of my HP "Expert" award, since you felt compelled to make mention of it.

Thanks.   Maybe you will become an "Expert" too one day.

[yobo2019]

Actually, on the markets I have checked you can find 2400Mhz for around $50 cheaper at 32gb. And yes anyone who knows anything WOULD try to match RAM speeds IF the speed can be achieved. If your computer can't run the RAM at those speeds it doesn't matter. Since you said that the computer was locked to 2400 speeds buying the 2666 wouldn't do anything performance-wise at all no matter if he bought 2400, 2666, or 3200. That said it is kind of obvious if you can't find 2400 for cheaper then get a higher speed for the same price and if that is the case, I can find 3200Mhz modules for the same price as 2666Mhz, so why didn't you just recommend the highest speed RAM possible for the price point. The point I was making is that for the machine used, it is a waste to buy any higher as the machine cant use it at those speeds. That said, if you can buy something better for the same price, then might as well just in case you upgrade later. 

Edit: This isn't criticism, just my reasoning behind my statement at the beginning. 

[Paul_Tikkanen]

That's not what I am finding on the most popular memory website in the world....

https://www.crucial.com/compatible-upgrade-for/hp---compaq/pavilion-15-ec0101ax

The memory is the same price.   And it looks like the 3200 MHz memory is even cheaper.

[yobo2019]

That's literally what I said in the last post, but who buys new low-speed memory? If you look on the used markets, I can pick some up for $10. Heck, I could buy a cheap machine and use the parts and get the RAM out of it for $50-100.  Either way, I feel that this answer is sufficient for his needs. Thank you for criticizing the response. This will close out the ticket info if no more is added. 

[Paul_Tikkanen]

I have no idea why you bothered to reply to this post in the first place.

First you tell the person to buy the slowest memory you can that matches the speed of the processor.

Then you do a 180 and say, yes it would be best to install memory with matching specs, but still indicate that it is more expensive to buy faster memory, and I show you it isn't more expensive as shown on the crucial website.

Then you talk about buying used memory, which of course is much cheaper.

Gimme a break.

[Prométhée]

Hello
What is the use of this debate, if it is only to complicate and make the user even more confused.
If we want to add a module, it must be exactly like the one in place.
Otherwise, you may have to buy two identical modules.
Just actually follow the expert's recommendations, and take a look in the manual!

 Maintenance and Service Guide

MemoryTwo SODIMM slots, customer accessible/upgradeableDDR4-2400 dual channel support (DDR4-3200 bridge to DDR4-2666, DDR4-2666 downgrade to DDR4-2400)Supports up to 32 GB maximum system memory in the following configurations:●16 GB (16 GB × 1 or 8 GB × 2)●12 GB (8 GB × 1 + 4 GB × 1)●8 GB (8 GB × 1 or 4 GB × 2)