Compatible RAM for my HP Laptop 14s-fq1089AU?

[Nirav09]

My laptop freezes while using some memory intensive programs. 50% memory is consumed by Chrome and FF. I am planning to upgrade my RAM. I have 8 GB inbuilt in 1 slot and other slot is empty.

(AMD Ryzen 3 5300U with Radeon Graphics)

Have couple of questions:

1) If I add another 8 GB, does that sound enough? Not into gaming but some programs like TRAE AI and VS Code freeze my laptop. Even normal browsing is difficult at time if many tabs are open.

2) How do I identify which exact RAM Model is 100% compatible with my laptop? I did some google search and found Kingston and Crucial are ok. I live in India. Which is the best compatible? What all parameters to check while choosing the RAM model? SK Hynix HMAG68EXNSA051N, SODIMM, DDR4, 64 bits. (What is single rank dual rank? How do i find?). 

3) Can I upgrade it myself, buy online and just insert it? I assume I only have to insert and restart the laptop. What are the risks?

Please suggest best products if you have any.

4) Can I buy 16 GB RAM for slot 2?  8 GB in 1 (Current) and 16 GB in slot 2). I read somewhere that it would create some lags. But other link someone says it worked like a charm. 

5) Anything else you want to add, please feel free.

Appreciate your help

[erico]

Upgrade in pairs of modules that are exactly the same in all respects for the best result. 

Adding memory that is not exactly the same in all aspects can result in only one module being recognized as present.

Adding a 16GB module to slot 2 is likely to result in one or the other being recognized and making that possibly an exercise in frustration.

Crucial memory, a major memory manufacturer and vendor, sells memory and ssd produicts in India.

Here is a link to what they have for your laptop.

https://www.crucial.in/compatible-upgrade-for/hp-compaq/hp-14s-fq1083au

[Nirav09]

Hello

Thank you for your quick response. 

I got it. I will buy 8 GB RAM only for now. 

I am still a bit confused. Need your help in below 3 questions:

1) So now, before I read your reply, i read somewhere that some crucial RAM have issues. Below is what I found.  

⚠️Crucial CT8G4SFS832A (8GB DDR4 3200MHz SO-DIMM CL22)

• Cons: Some Crucial RAMs have different memory chip layouts, which may cause dual-channel issues

✅Kingston KVR32S22S8/8 (8GB DDR4 3200MHz CL22 SO-DIMM)

• Pros: Works well with SK Hynix, widely available

The Crucial link you shared has AMD Ryzen 5700. While mine is AMD Ryzen 3 5300U with Radeon Graphics

2) Which out of the two should i go for? There is some CL 22, CL 19, 3200, 2666, which is confusing to me:

Crucial RAM 8GB DDR4 3200MHz CL22 (or 2933MHz or 2666MHz) Laptop Memory CT8G4SFRA32A 

Kingston Value Memory 8GB DDR4 3200Mhz Laptop SO DIMM RAM, CL-22,(KVR32S22S8/8), Green 

G.SKILL Ripjaws 8GB (1 * 8GB) DDR4 3200MHz CL22-22-22 1.20V SO-DIMM Laptop Memory RAM - F4-3200C22S-... 

SP Silicon Power Silicon Power DDR4 8GB 3200MHz PC4-25600 Non-ECC Unbuffered CL22 1.2V 260-Pin SODIM... 

ADATA Premier 8GB 3200MHz SO-DIMM DDR4 Laptop Memory, Single RAM Module, Supports Intel & AMD CPUs, ... 

Local HP retailer said they keep Adata. but the cost was too high.

OR - if you have any other link or brand which works best. Please let me know.

3) What and how do i know what CL22 or 19 is my RAM?

 Below is the SKU: 

SKU 50M59PA#ACJ

serial 5CD25123MX

I would 100% rely on your expertise as these are just googled information.

Appreciate your kind help. 

Thank you

[Nirav09]

@ERICO?? Not sure if you are around. 

@Anybody else can help? 

[erico]

Upgrading in pairs means removing the original memory and installing a pair of identical, in all respects, perhaps even matched by the factory, guaranteed compatible memory modules.

It is simpler to go by the recommendations of the memory manufacturer which guarantees compatibility with your laptop.

You are better off using mainstream memory, such as Crucial or Kingston. If you buy  compatible memory directly from them the compatibility is guaranteed.

Your laptop uses HP p/n L06334-373 SODIMM, 8GB DDR4-3200, Hynix, RG(E).  That module is quite pricey.

PartSurfer data

https://partsurfer.hp.com/?searchtext=50M59PA

Kingston Memory and SSD upgrades

https://www.kingston.com/en/memory/search/model/105034/hp-hpe-14-series-notebook-14-fq1xxx-14s-fq1xx...

Use a utility titled CPU-Z to see the specifications and timings (primary and secondary) of your currently installed memory module. CPU-Z will give a lot of information.

CPU-Z

https://www.cpuid.com/downloads/cpu-z/cpu-z_2.15-en.exe

I recommend the Kingston
8GB DDR4 3200MT/s Non-ECC Unbuffered SODIMM  
SODIMM CL22 1RX16 1.2V 260-pin

Part Number: KCP432SS6/8

or

Kingston

8GB DDR4 3200 Mt/s Non-ECC
SODIMM CL22 1RX8 1.2V 260-pin
Part number KCP432SS8/8

[Nirav09]

Oh, so you mean to say that I must not just buy 1 new (Kingston/Crucial) RAM. but buy either 2 RAM modules for 8 GB each (both from either Kingston or Crucial)? 

If I just add Kingston, and keep the hynix, will it create issues? in that case I think the best way would be buying a 16 GB Kingston. 

I could not find the timings from CPUZ app. all i could find was the below:

Memory type DDR4
Module format SO-DIMM
SDRAM Manufacturer (ID) SK Hynix (AD000000000000000000000000000000)
Size 8192 MBytes
Max bandwidth DDR4-3200 (1600 MHz)
Part number HMAG68EXNSA051N
Serial number 27C220F8
Nominal Voltage 1.20 Volts

JEDEC timings table CL-tRCD-tRP-tRAS-tRC @ frequency
JEDEC #1 10.0-11-11-24-34 @ 733 MHz
JEDEC #2 11.0-11-11-26-37 @ 800 MHz
JEDEC #3 12.0-12-12-28-40 @ 866 MHz
JEDEC #4 13.0-13-13-30-43 @ 933 MHz
JEDEC #5 14.0-15-15-34-48 @ 1033 MHz
JEDEC #6 15.0-16-16-36-51 @ 1100 MHz
JEDEC #7 16.0-17-17-38-54 @ 1166 MHz
JEDEC #8 17.0-17-17-40-57 @ 1233 MHz
JEDEC #9 18.0-18-18-42-60 @ 1300 MHz
JEDEC #10 19.0-19-19-44-63 @ 1366 MHz
JEDEC #11 20.0-21-21-47-68 @ 1466 MHz
JEDEC #12 21.0-22-22-50-71 @ 1533 MHz
JEDEC #13 22.0-22-22-52-74 @ 1600 MHz
JEDEC #14 24.0-22-22-52-74 @ 1600 MHz

I am still confused on the below 2 aspects:
1) If I keep SK Hynix in one slot, and buy Kingston or Crucial for another slot - Will this work or not work? 

2) Both the Kingston models you suggested are I guess available in the US. I am confused about what parameters to check hence asking again if there is anything I can check and buy from India.  The Kingston one I sent is out of stock today. So I either wait for it to come or buy a Crucial one. But please let me know if the links I shared are the correct ones? Or can you share 2-3 models which are available in India?

I am sorry for asking many questions, but this is my first time and I do not know about all these.

(Though I am a former HP employee)

Awaiting your response

[erico]

1) If I keep SK Hynix in one slot, and buy Kingston or Crucial for another slot - Will this work or not work?

Mixing memory of different brands, types, or formats is an invitation to your laptop not working as expected. 

What about "absolutely identical"  compatible memory modules is not clear?

2 x 8GB is better than installing a single 16GB module.