HP 255 G7 with Ryzen 5 2500U and RAM options

[Yegor99]

Hello,
I've found a HP 255 G7 Dark Ash Silver (7DF21EA) with the Ryzen 5 2500U, but on the official support page for this laptop there're no Ryzen 5 listed, only Ryzen 3 2200U , A9, A6 and E2. Why is it so?

Also I would like to know how to check before the purchase whether 1x8GB or 2x4GB RAM installed? And how effcicient is the cooling system (since it is active and there are no vents to let hot air escape the chassis)?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

The only resource I can provide is the parts list for that specific product number.

https://partsurfer.hp.com/Search.aspx?searchText=7DF21EA

It definitely comes with the Ryzen 5 2500 processor as is indicated in the parts list.

It comes with 1 x 8 GB of memory as is indicated in the parts list.

I have the 255 G7 with the AMD A4 processor, 8 GB of memory and a 256 MB SATA SSD.

The Ryzen models support NVMe SSD's and you can upgrade the memory to at least another 8 GB of memory.

I think you could go as high as 2 x 16 GB.

My notebook has vent holes on the bottom of the case.

You can see the vent holes in the video review below.

This is a good video review for the Ryzen models in general.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_vk4ZSct4U&feature=emb_logo

I got mine on eBay for $100 in beautiful, used condition.

The performance with the A4 processor, 8 GB of memory and the 256 GB SATA SSD is marginal at best.

Sounds like the 255 G7 Ryzen is a whole different notebook, performance-wise!

[Yegor99]

Thanks for the answer
1x8GB from the part list could be like a "upgrade option" (I hope so, because if it has single channel, that's bad, especially for this CPU) + disassemble process is tricky, since you have to remove rubber feets.

Yeah, $100 is a bargain, but I need a new one, and the new one costs around $450 with Ryzen 5 2500U.

I saw that video, those vent holes are for the intake air, and there are no vent holes for hot air to escape the chassis, those are different things. Personally I think with such a cooling solution combine with Ryzen 5 2500U it will overheat and there will CPU throttling, but this is just a theory...

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

You're very welcome.

My notebook does not run hot but again, it has the weak A4.

I never checked the speaker holes by the display.  It is possible the heat goes up through those.

They go almost the entire length of the top.

There is a fan so the hot air has to vent out someplace.

I am 99% sure there is only a single 8 GB memory chip in there.

Here are the links to the service manual, and video service guides to help you open up the case.

http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c06208876

https://www.youtube.com/c/hpsupportadvanced/search?query=15-da0000

I think new, the one I got was around $400.

I would have been disappointed if I bought it new and paid that much.  It's too slow.

The Ryzen model--especially if you added another 8 GB memory chip and switched the SATA SSD for an NVMe one, would be very nice!

[Yegor99]

Thanks for that manual! According to it there are vents behind the cooler but still, seems like they are leading directly at the hinge cover and up on the display. Questionable design I should say...

Both Ryzen 5 2500U and A4-9125 has 15W TDP, but while A4 has +200 Mhz Boost on 2 cores, Ryzen has +1600MHz on 4 cores + 8 threads, so IMHO it's going to be hotter. But again, just a theory, that need to has a practical confirmation.

You can add memory, which is a "+", but you will void your warranty, since there're one-piece "housing" that has to be removed to do so. And single cahnnel 2400MHz RAM for a Ryzen is almost the worst thing ever, I'd rather have 4+4 or at least 2+4...

Anyway, thanks again for the help! Will continue comparing them to find the better one

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Anytime.

Glad to have been of assistance.