Compatible larger SSDs for Omen 15cd019dx

[SATX-1160]

I couldn't find any threads here specifically regarding installing a larger SSD in my Omen 15ce019dx.  According to the Maintenance and Service Guide (page 37), the 128gb drive currently installed is described on HP PartSurfer as:

GNRC SSD128GB 2280 PCIe-3x4 NVMe TLC PRT (912322-006).

There are two other larger SSDs listed, both of which refer to "M.2" in their description on PartSurfer; for example, the 512gb is:

GNRC SSD512GB 2280M2PCIe3x4SS NVMeTLCPRT (847110-020)

So my questions are:  Will the Samsung 970 Evo 500gb or 970 Pro 512gb work?

Will it be able to function as a NVMe drive, taking advantage of the increased speed?  (I don't know where to find the interface information on this laptop; I'm a seasoned citizen with modest technological skills.)  Is there a better, more cost-effective choice of SSDs?

Do you have any suggestions on migrating the contents of the current 128 drive over to the new SSD?  There is abundant space on the 1 TB hard drive to "park" the approximately 90gb of the 128.  The 128 also houses the Windows 10 Home and is the boot drive.

BONUS (for me) Question:  Any suggestions on memory upgrade as to manufacturer?  It now has 8gb, but I think that a second 8gb could be added in an available slot (can't confirm in the M&SG; maybe I'm overlooking).  Add one 8gb stick or replace with 2 of the same?

Thanks for the patience and assistance.

[Huffer]

Here's the Service Manual:

Manual

Start on p. 37 to remove the rear cover. Note the title of Section 5. Customer self-repair. Accessing hard drive, SSD and RAM is fully OK and will not affect the warranty. 

Here is what you see inside with rear cover removed:

M.2 slot circled in red. Memory to the left of that.

Samsung 970 Evo is absolutely the way to go and the laptop fully supports NVME speed. You might find a less expensive consumer NVME M.2 but you will not find a better one. 

https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-970-EVO-500GB-MZ-V7E500BW/dp/B07BN4NJ2J/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=154914...

If you have added apps setting and files to the 128 gig M.2 then your best bet is to get an external USB hard drive and use cloning software like Macrium Reflect Free to make an image of the existing drive, store it on the usb drive then use a Macrium bootable usb thumb drive to boot the system and restore the image contents to the new blank, larger capacity M.2. 

If you have an internal SATA hard drive you can even use that to hold the cloning image of the 128 gig M.2. 

Memory is DDR4-2666 SO-DIMM such as:

https://www.amazon.com/Crucial-Single-PC4-21300-SODIMM-260-Pin/dp/B071KNKBQ1/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8...

Yes you can add a second 8 gig module and in fact it could handle 2 x 16 = 32 gigs total RAM but that is overkill for most users. 

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

[SATX-1160]

Thanks for the quick response and information, Huffer.  As I've searched the Community, I've seen your posts on this upgrade question with similar laptops and my battery issue with the same laptop (battery depletion at a disappointing rate for simple usage) and appreciated your knowledge.

So I can use the already installed 1 TB 7200 rpm hard drive to hold the cloning image of the 128 SSD, correct?

The specs for the currently installed 8gb from HP PartSurfer are:

8GB, 2400MHz, PC4-17000, 1.2v DDR4 SODIMM (862398-850)

The specs for the Crucial memory are different:

Crucial 8GB Single DDR4 2666 MT/s (PC4-21300) SR x8 SODIMM 260-Pin Memory - CT8G4SFS8266

Just to confirm, the Crucial part will work, correct?  This stuff is where I REALLY get lost.

Should I buy 2 x 8gb of Crucial memory to be certain of proper functioning and replace the existing 8gb (especially given the different specs for the Crucial part)?

Again, thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[BrianTan]

Huffer given you the wrong link for service manual. This is the right one OMEN by HP 15 Notebook PC - Maintenance and Service Guide

You can usually use slower RAM than the max supported which is DDR4-2666 for your notebook (page 1).

If you mix different speed RAMs (2400 and 2666), they will run at the lower speed of the two (2400).

[SATX-1160]

Thanks for the input!  Actually, I have the M&SG for my Omen from the HP website.  The link you provided is for Omens with 8th gen processors.  (Huffer's link took me to a web page in German.)  Mine has the i7-7700HQ.  According to the guide I have, the supported system memory is DDR4 2400MHz.  So can I assume that I can't go to 2666?

[BrianTan]

You can go with DDR4-2666. It will just run at 2400 speed.

[Huffer]

I actually posted a German eBay page instead of the Manual. Sorry for the error. The Manual HP has on your Model Homepage is the one I would have posted but indeed on further review it does not actually cover your model. Install memory like what you have in the laptop. Good luck.