Can I install this certain SSD on my Omen 17-AN012DX

[KeepingMyPeace]

I'm not very tech-savvy, but I'm looking to upgrade my PC. I want to buy and install this SSD

-> https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MFZY2F2/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A5EY1RUW6EL8I&psc=1

The 1tb HDD my Omen came with is certainly not doing great with load times in games and the OS. I'm not sure if this SSD will be compatible with my PC though, and I'm not sure if I need to go spending $230 on the 1tb version or if the $112 500gb version is plenty. I've used up almost all of my 1tb HDD.

(In advance, please attempt to explain this to me as if you were explaining it to a toddler) 

*in case that model of the Omen does not provide my specs, here they are:

AMD Radeon RX 580x

Intel i7-7700

12gb of memory

1tb HDD 

(Above is all I know of the specs. Again, if I missed something important, I'm not at all tech-savvy, so I beg your pardon.)

[Photoray002 · Accepted solution]

Hello @KeepingMyPeace 

If you're a gamer, you will want as much capacity as you can get, if you have a lot of games. Granted, you can install most games onto your HDD to save space on the SSD. But know that those games will still load at the HDDs speed. That would be the only disadvantage.

That Samsung is very nice indeed, but I wouldn't spend that much on an drive for that system. Yes its really fast on a benchmark, but there are cheaper alternatives that all though may be slower on paper, you wont notice the difference to the naked eye.

I would suggest this one if it were me, its about half the price... https://www.amazon.com/Crucial-1TB-NAND-NVMe-PCIe/dp/B07J2Q4SWZ/ref=sxin_1_ac_d_pm?keywords=M.2+NVMe...

Is this what you need to know or did you have other questions? Let me know.

[Photoray002]

Here is your manual if you need to look it over for instructions for access to the SSD. Page 44...

http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c06001792

Tip: I would disconnect the HDD before installing Windows to the SSD. This will just make things easier for you.

Then you can wipe the HDD and use it for storage after you verify the SSD will work as it should.

[KeepingMyPeace]

   Hello Ray, I have another question, but it is about the RAM for my computer. I use this computer almost exclusively for gaming, including virtual reality on an HTC Vive. I want to upgrade my RAM, but I'm not sure how much I can add and what type of RAM I should buy for the biggest bang for my buck. I believe I read in another post here similar to mine with a different model, that the RAM must match the density and speed of my already existing RAM, but if I wished to have faster RAM, would it be better or even possible to switch out the existing stick with a 16gb stick? Or would simply adding another stick of RAM matching what I have now be better for game performance? Furthermore, I have received many suggestions to upgrade my RAM, but I'm still unsure of what the impact of more and/or faster RAM would be on game performance.

[Photoray002]

Having more ram will only run the system faster IF you're already lacking the memory for the task to begin with. Otherwise if you are not exceeding your 12GB installed limit, it wont help.

Yes, whether you are add to existing ram, or are going to install all new ram, you need to match the timings of the existing ram to ensure you wont have some strange issue later, or that so both sticks will operate in Dual Channel.

You can just install one 16GB stick now, then add another one later to give yourself a total of 32 GB. But usually that is just a waste for the average user.

Unfortunately with HP systems, they are very locked down. You wont be able to add faster clocked ram, the ram wont run at its advertised speed. The system will only operate memory at 2666Mhz (most likely 2400Mhz).

Hope that helps explain it.