Can I upgrade my HP Laptop?

[paulphonak]

I am finding my laptop running slow when dealing with apps.  I have had it for only 8 months, it has been optimized a few times.  There is a 4.00GB SODIMM in slot #1 and slot #2 is empty.  I run a couple of RAM scanners to see what upgrade I could have but the results came back saying 8GB and 16GB upgrades are possible, either individually or in pairs.

Please advise on what upgrade I can do.

Thanks.

Paul

[Huffer]

The model number you have provided is a generic designation of a whole series of laptops. It would help us to know exactly which model you have. If it is a Intel Core 7th or 8th gen model you can actually install up to 32 gigs (2 x 16) but if it is a Celeron or Pentium model it maxxes at 8 gigs and has only a single slot but many memory scanners will still read it as 2 slots since the traces for a second slot are there but the factory just does not install the plastic slot where the memory plugs in. 

The exact model will also tell us if you want DDR4-2400 or DDR4-2666 modules. 

I would recommend upgrading to 8 gigs but the best upgrade in 2019 is a solid state drive and the model number again would tell us if you have one already and which upgrade slots you have for what kind of SSD. 

[paulphonak]

Thanks for your reply.  

Details as follow:

Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-7020U CPU @ 2.30GHz, 2300 Mhz, 2 Core(s), 4 Logical Processor(s)

7th generation.

Laptop Model 15-da0511sa

Model: RTL8821CE

Does it help?

[Huffer]

Its DDR4-2400 memory and up to 32 gigs even though the Service Manual:

Manual

says 16 gigs. 

Also has a slot for an M.2 SSD; the fastest kind, a PCIe/NVME 2280 form factor or you can have an Optane module. This is far and away the best upgrade. You cannot install enough memory to make it run as fast as it will with a PCIe/NVME M.2 boot disk. 

Post back with any more questions and please accept as solution if this is the info you needed. 

[paulphonak]

Thanks for your help.  As the laptop is still under warranty, I will seek a professional upgrade.