General enquiry about upgrading my Pavilion G6

[rreeve]

I would like to ask your advice about upgrading my laptop. Here is the current spec...

Laptop Model: HP Pavilion G6 Notebook PC
Processor: AMD E2-3000M APU with Radeon HD graphics 1.80ghz
Current RAM: 1x 4GB DDR3 (1x empty slot)
System: 64-bit windows 7 Home Premium

I intend to upgrade my RAM to 8GB tomorrow by adding another 4GB card in the second slot but can I go futher than 8GB with this laptop? For example, upto 12GB or even 16GB?

Also, I've just seen a YouTube video where someone replaced their E2-3000M processor with a AMD quad core APU A8-3500M and I was wondering if I could do this too and if so, would I notice a marked improvement? and if I changed my processor, would it allow for more RAM?

Finally, could you possibly tell me how far I can go with my upgrades? What I mean is, could I upgrade the motherboard on this laptop to something better?

I use Photoshop on an almost daily basis so I need the best proformance I can get within a budget below the cost of a new laptop. Hope that makes sense. I'd really appriciate any advice you guys could give me.

[lasvegaswireman]

When requesting assistance, please provide the complete product number of the HP computer in question. HP/Compaq makes thousands of models of computers that are all different. Without this information it may be difficult or impossible to assist you in resolving your issue.

The above requested information can be found on the bottom of your computer or in the battery compartment.

Upgrading to 8GB should be possible but beyonf that wee would we the complete model name and/or product number. Upgrading the CPU may be possible but again, we need the requested information. Upgrading the systemboard is unlikely and the only thing that may change would be the graphics sub-system.

Please click the white KUDOS star to show your appreciation

[rreeve]

Sorry, here is the info under the battery compartment.

Model Number: G6-1325ea

Product Number: A9B69EA#ABU

[lasvegaswireman]

Here are the specs for your HP Pavilion g6-1325ea Notebook Computer. Here is the HP Pavilion G6 Notebook PC - Maintenance and Service Guide  for your HP g6-1325ea.

Based on the above documents, this model supports up to 8GB of system memory in the following configurations:

6144 MB (4096 MB × 1 + 2048×1)
4096 MB (4096 MB × 1)
4096 MB (2048 MB × 2)
2048 MB (2048 MB × 1)

Please note the docs state 8GB but only list up to a 6GB configuration.

It looks like the following CPUs are compatible with your systemboard;

653348-001 AMD A Series APU A4-3300M (2.5 GHz/1.9 GHz, 2 MB L2 cache), Dual 35 W
653349-001 AMD A Series APU A6-3400M (2.3 GHz/1.4 GHz, 4 MB L2 cache), Quad 35 W
653350-001 AMD A Series APU A8-3500M (2.4 GHz/1.5 GHz, 4 MB L2 cache), Quad 35 W
653351-001 AMD A Series APU E2-3000M (2.4 GHz/1.8 GHz, 1 MB L2 cache), Dual 35 W
669686-001 AMD A4-3320M (2.0 GHz/12.6 MHz, 2 MB L2 cache), Dual 35 W
669688-001 AMD A6-3420M (1.5 GHz/2.4 MHz, 4 MB L2 cache), Quad 35 W
669690-001 AMD A8-3520M (1.6 GHz/2.5 MHz, 4 MB L2 cache), Quad 35 W
672093-001 AMD A4-3305M (1.9 GHz/2.5 MHz, 2 MB L2 cache), Dual 35 W
677628-001 AMD A Series APU E2-3000M (2.4 GHz/1.8 GHz, 1 MB L2 cache), Dual 35

Honestly, replacing anything beyond the memory and hard drive is very expensive and a lot of work. Replacing the CPU is difficult but doable and you should just buy a new computer if you are at the point of replacing the systemboard.

Please click the white KUDOS star to show your appreciation

[rreeve]

Brilliant Lasvegaswireman, THANK YOU so much.

Just one more thing if it's okay, I'm of course going to research each of them CPU's you've listed for me but could you tell me which one you think would be best for me... (I'd probably use AMD OverDrive too to get even better speeds.)

Oh yes, what about Graphics?

The way I look at it, I'm prepared to spend upto £300 on upgrades because anything more than this and I might as well buy a new laptop. I've stripped quite a few laptops and PC's in the past so I'm fully capable of doing the upgrades myself.

[lasvegaswireman]

I am guessing that the strongest APU is the A8-3500M but you may wish to do some benchmark comparisons.

The graphics are either integrated (commonly referred to as UMA) into the AMD APU (CPU+GPU) or are a combination of a fixed discrete GPU and the AMD APU (CPU+GPU). These variations all require a different systemboards depending on exactly what combination is desired. Possible systemboards are listed below;

For use in AMD UMA computer models 638856-001
For use in AMD 6470 discrete, 512 MB computer models 638854-001
For use in AMD 6470 discrete, 1 GB computer models 638855-001
For use in AMD A60M UMA computer models 649948-001
For use in AMD A60M HD6470 discrete, 512 MB computer models 649949-001
For use in AMD A60M HD6470 discrete, 1 GB computer models 649950-001

Notice that there are two UMA versions, two 512MB versions, and two 1GB versions... currently you have one of the UMA versions in your computer. In theory, the best graphics will be on one of the two HD 6470 1GB boards. If your current board is 638856-001... I believe 638854-001 or 638855-001 will be what you want. If your current board is 649948-001... I believe 649949-001 or 649950-001 will be what you want.

Just so you are completely aware... I don't work for HP. The information I have provided, to the best of my knowledge, is accurate based on the HP Maintenance and Service Guide provided for your model. You understand that you assume all risk undertaking the installation of components not factory installed in your computer.

Please click the white KUDOS star to show your appreciation

[rreeve]

Very helpful. Thank you.