HP 250 G3 -- RAM Upgrade

[DmitrySmirnov]

Hello all! 
I have an old HP 250 G3 Notebook PC (Pentium N3550, RAM 4gB). It is so old that I was not able to fill in product name (serial number) in my profile 😞 
Now I want to upgrade to 8GB RAM. I've made 2 tries  already without any success (black screen). My RAM module is 4GB 1Rx8 PC3L - 12800S - 11 - 13 - B4 (Samsung, Philippines). Both rejected modules were 2Rx8 (can not find 1Rx8 here).

While searching for the subject related info, I've bumped in https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Hardware-and-Upgrade-Questions/DRIVER-UPDATE/td-p/8435406 discussion with a brilliant explanation from Paul_Tikkanen, real expert imho.

But I would like to ask the same question because I have BIOS version F16 ;)) - and the question Paul answered in 2022 was from a guy who had F31. 

F16 vs. F31... and the oldest item inthe list  of changelogs provided by Paul is  F.22 Rev.A

What if there were some RAM issues solved between F16 and F22 I wonder? Or does not matter too?

Hope you've understood my probably buggy English.

Thank you.

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi:

If you read all of the BIOS release note changes in that discussion, none of them addressed any memory issues.

You can also read them by clicking on the Revision History section on the latest BIOS update page for your notebook:

HP 250 G3 Notebook PC Software and Driver Details

I'm surprised the 2Rx8 memory chips didn't work.

Are you making sure that they are DDR3L-1600 (1.35V) CL11 and not DDR3-1600 (1.5V)?

The 1.5V chips won't work.

Visit a local PC shop and see if they have any 8 GB single ranked memory meeting the above specifications you can buy.

Chapter 1 of the service manual does indicate that 1 x 8 GB of memory is a supported configuration:

c04655216.pdf

[DmitrySmirnov]

Yes, I'm sure at least one of the tested modules was ddr3l - 1.35v.
And no 1-rank modules in stock here. Will wait ;))
Thank you.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

[DmitrySmirnov]

>>Chapter 1 of the service manual does indicate that 1 x 8 GB of memory is a supported configuration<<

Yes, and dmidecode told that Maximum capacity of this machine is 8GB.

Thank you very much.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Anytime.

Glad to have been of assistance.

I think the problem with finding memory nowadays is due to the huge chip shortage because of AI demands and that has placed a strain on the memory chip manufacturers, thus driving up the costs astronomically and it is very hard to find memory for sale.

I heard reports that there are folks actually stealing memory chips from store's PC displays, that's how bad it is.

[DmitrySmirnov]

Does the manufacturer really matters here, what do you think?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Not necessarily.

See if you can find any of the lesser known retail memory chips new or used (but tested and working) such as these:

8GB 1Rx8 PC3L-12800S RAM,8 GB DDR3L 1600 Sodimm Memory, 1.35V 1RX8 PC3 1600 DDR3 12800 CL11 204 Pin ...

8GB 1Rx8 PC3L-12800S DDR3L 1600MHz DDR3 RAM SODIMM 1.35V CL11 204-Pin PC3-12800 Memory Upgrade Ram f...

The thing is, your notebook should support DDR3L-1600 2Rx8 memory because most of the mainstream 8 GB DDR3L-1600 memory chips are dual ranked and they don't even offer single ranked 8 GB chips.

Timetec 8GB DDR3L / DDR3 1600MHz (DDR3L-1600) PC3L-12800 / PC3-12800(PC3L-12800S) Non-ECC Unbuffered...

Crucial RAM 8GB DDR3 1600 MHz CL11 Laptop Memory CT102464BF160B at Amazon.com

[DmitrySmirnov]

I've seen both amazon 1R items a couple of days ago already, but they do not want to ship here ;)(((

[davidbarrer]

Hey HP Community Forums!

I totally get your frustration—HP 250 G3 can be surprisingly picky with RAM. Your notebook prefers a single-rank module (1Rx8) like your original Samsung 4GB stick, so dual-rank (2Rx8) modules often fail to boot, which explains the black screens. The trick is to find an 8GB 1Rx8 PC3L-12800S module that matches the voltage (1.35V) and speed. Sometimes the only solution is a specific brand or even buying a used one that’s guaranteed to be single-rank. Patience pays off here; the wrong module just won’t work, no matter the size.

Good luck, you’ll get that upgrade eventually!