Upgrade help and info

[Gruntwerkz]

Hello folks, I have ordered my first HP gaming laptop. I don’t know the exact model number but it’s the HP Omen 17 inch laptop w/ the i7-9750, 1660ti, 12gb Ram, 128gb NVMe and 1tb HDD.

The units supposed to ship Monday so I’ve been combing over the manual for the 17 inch models that covers this one. I have come up with a few questions about things I’d like to upgrade and have noticed within the manual. First, the 128gb m2 drive, I noticed this model only has the PCIe 3x2 version versus the larger drives coming with 3x4 in other models. Clearly it supports the faster 4 version... but anyway I’d like to go up in size so might as well go up in speed. I also noticed it can hold/house two m2 drives. Question is what drives have you tested out in these later models? A google search shows older threads saying the Samsung Polaris drive works but there’s much faster out there now, like the SN750 or Evos, I see even silicon has some speedy models.

so again what has been working for y’all because I’d like to go larger. Also, I seen some of these models come with 2 in raid 0, is this a faster setup and how does one set that up exactly? Doesn’t it require two identical drives? Just curious here, not something I’d do right away, but if I can I’ll keep the stock 128 in.

next would be a RAM question, it comes with 12 and I see it supports 32. Id like to have 16 however if I was to spend the money to upgrade I may as well buy a 16 gig stick to give me 24. What ram has been working best for you all? Or should I go with a dual channel kit?

i think that’s about it, I understand the process of installing the drives and installing windows, making a hp recovery drive, etc. likely disconnect the other hard drives will booting the new one with windows.

So any input on the drives and RAM?

thanks in advance!!

[Photoray002]

Hello @Gruntwerkz 

Since you don't have the model number, could you post the link to the model page you ordered from so I can see exactly what version you have?

Thanks.

[Gruntwerkz]

@photoray002

https://secure.mdg.com/ProductDetail.aspx?ItemID=6910&CategoryID=2&guide=0

Thank you

[Photoray002 · Accepted solution]

OK that helps.  I recognize it as HP's Omen 17-cb0000 series.

NOTE: The picture shows an RGB keyboard, but the specs only say its a 1 zone red keyboard. HP's data base show the specs for that hardware layout as only having red. So don't expect a multi colored backlit keyboard.

And yes, it has 2 physical M.2 ports now. 😄  But the manual doesn't explain much detail about them other than its compatible with both NVMe and SATA M.2 drives.  Yes the 128GB SSD is only 3x2, but typically when an M.2 port is compatible with both SATA and NVMe, 2 PCIe lanes are shared with SATA so you lose 3x4 speed and only get 3x2. But I don't know if both ports share the PCIe lanes with SATA. My guess is that they both don't. I hate to say one way or the other without a genuine schematic on it. Ill ask around if anyone knows. With that said, prices now days are about equal for both x2 and x4 drives, so go for an x4 drive anyway.

I can help you with a ram upgrade, but personally, paying for an 8GB stick to only obtain 4GB's is not really worth it unless you absolutely need it. I would run the laptop for a while without purchasing ram and see if there are any issues. See if you really need 16GB of memory or not, then make a decision.

Run it anyway without upgrading the SSD also. In other words, try it first before investing in upgrades.

If in fact you don't want a RED keyboard but an RGB 4 zone keyboard, you will want to return it immediately for some other model (or cancel the sale before it ships).

[Gruntwerkz]

Thank you for the help!

[Gruntwerkz]

Wait did you mean cb0000 series? That’s the manual I’ve been looking at, you said cd serious but that seems to be a regular HP gaming laptop not an Omen model based on a quick google search. Just want to clarify quick.

also when you speak of the PCIe lanes, are you saying it’ll drop to 3x2 speed if you were to connect 2 m2 drives? Would you get the 3x4 speeds with just one drive only? Or you’re saying by default most mother boards that accept both SATA and NVMe SSD’s share the lane and will default too 3x2? Sorry to ask specifics as I’m new to most of these gaming laptops. Last time I built my own gaming PC was in 2005 so obviously much has changed with technology. Although it appears the basics remain the same, mother board configs have certainly changed and improved.

Thanks for the RAM info, I was just curious for future upgrades. I don’t think I’d see much difference from 12gb to 16 or above. The only game I play is the old half life mods, most of all Counter Strike GO which you can play with just about anything now haha. So in general this is way overboard for my gaming needs, but I wanted something with a fast processor and enough ram to multitask quickly. I went back to school full time this semester so sometimes I end up having a lot of stuff going on. Right now all I have is is a cheap laptop (I won’t mention brand since it isn’t HP) that has an A12 9720p, R7 integrated GFX, I put a SSD in it versus the HDD and upgraded it to the max 12gb ram. It browses the web fine but that a12 can’t keep up once I have multiple browser tabs, word and other apps going. Plus the R7 plays CS but struggles to get 50-60 FPS on the lowest settings and resolution, albeit it’s not a gaming PC. I’m sure this omen will play CS on max settings at 1080p and easily stay over 100fps. The only downfall I see is the model this company is shipping has the 60hz display I believe, I really wanted the 144hz but that will be down the road.

I don’t care about the RBG.

thanks again for your help, can you specify to my question about the PCIe speeds?

oh also, if the PCIe system indeed only supports 3x2 with even one drive why would the other models in this series that have larger NVMe drives come with 3x4? Just because that’s what’s readily available? The way it appears is it’s like a price thing on upgrades, the smallest NVMe at 128gb comes with the least expensive model, which is the 1660ti one, as the models progress in hardware and price the next step up NVMe in 256gig is listed as a 3x4.

[Photoray002]

Wait did you mean cb0000 series?

cd was a typo yes. Apologies I fixed it.

are you saying it’ll drop to 3x2 speed if you were to connect 2 m2 drives?

No, I'm saying it would be wired to only run a 3x2 speed because it shares compatibility with SATA.

But I don't know if both are wired this way. Some motherboards only have one M.2 port wired that way, but I don't know for sure what HP has done because this is the first time this year that HP is coming out with Dual M.2 slots and there is no information on how they configured them. The info in the manual is Vague. They might both run at X4 if both are populated, or it might only have one that runs at X4. I said I need clarification from HP on this first, before I can answer.

The only downfall I see is the model this company is shipping has the 60hz display I believe, I really wanted the 144hz.

I would suggest if 144Hz is what you want, I would get that now. I cant guarantee you could upgrade the panel later.

The 60Hz and 144Hz panels use different cables on that series. One could be 30 pin and the other 40 pin and wont be interchangeable on the motherboard.

if the PCIe system indeed only supports 3x2 with even one drive why would the other models in this series that have larger NVMe drives come with 3x4? Just because that’s what’s readily available?

I'm aware of that yes, HP bases hardware installed on price point like any other MFG. I cant answer specifically why HP would choose one over the other, the plant buys in bulk when gathering parts to install. Yes they have installed x4 SSDs in other models that ran at x2 also.

[Gruntwerkz]

It all makes perfect sense now, thank you!

as for the display, I see what you mean that upgrading would be an issue. So my last question would be does the display port or HDMI support a higher refresh rate if you were to connect an external monitor that supports a higher refresh rate? I know in 4K it only supports 60hz, but what about 1080 or lower? I couldn’t find that answer.

thanks again for all your help and clarification!

[Photoray002]

In the manual it states:

HDMI v.2.0 + HDCP 2.2 supporting up to 4096 × 2160 60Hz

DisplayPort 1.4 output up to 7680 × 3840 60Hz

If the graphics card will support 1080p at a higher Hz (and it does) AND the external monitor also support the same Hz via that port, yes those video ports will also. Sometimes a monitors HDMI port (for example) might not support 144Hz because that's how the MFG wired it. Sometimes a monitor might only support 144Hz via DisplayPort. A bad cable can affect it also. There are various factors that can limit the final output, not just the PC's port. But you should be golden as far as the PC goes.

[Gruntwerkz]

Thanks man I appreciate the help! I just double checked some monitors and I see now it specifies what each port can handle.

I was just curious if the system could handle putting out a 144hz refresh rate to math a monitor that’s compatible, I was confused because you said the manual lists the max resolution and the hz it supports on the display options. I figured the 1660ti had no issues with it, just wanted to find out if the ports specifically on the omen would be able to put out that refresh rate so long as the monitor matches.

Thanks for clarifying in so much detail, I’m going to order one of these soon for home. 

https://www.amazon.com/Sceptre-Edge-Less-FreeSync-DisplayPort-C275B-144RN/dp/B07N6ZBCVY/ref=mp_s_a_1...

Other wise the 60hz panel on the model is fine as I’ll mainly be using that display for web surfing and MS word. Other wise for gaming I’ll hook up if needed at my desk to a monitor and mouse.

Thanks again!!