HP G42-220BR Possible upgrades

[Jnh-San]

Good morning! I have a question, I have an HP G42-220BR notebook, it is in its original configuration (2GB RAM, Intel T4500) I would like to know which upgrades are possible for it. How much additional RAM can I add (and what is the maximum frequency)? Is it possible to upgrade the processor? If so, what is the best cost-benefit for it?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Good morning:

Below is the link to the parts list for your notebook.

HP PartSurfer

It has the Intel GL40 chipset, which means that it supports 2 x 2 GB of DDR2-5300 (667 MHz) memory.

You can install DDR2-6400 (800 MHz) memory, but it will only run at 667 MHz.

Since it has an Intel GL40 chipset you can only install Intel processors with a maximum FSB speed of 800 MHz.

The best processor you can install that has an 800 MHz FSB would be the Pentium T9500.

Here's a side-by-side comparison of the T4500 and T9500 processors:

Intel® Product Specification Comparison

You can also replace the 2.5" mechanical hard drive with a 2.5" SATA SSD.

Below is the link to the service manual:

c02623161 (hp.com)

[Jnh-San]

So, from what I could see on CPU-Z, the RAM installed on it is DDR3, not DDR2. In that case, wouldn't a bigger upgrade be possible? I was thinking of installing up to 8GB of RAM. Com relação ao armazenamento, não é possível um SSD SATA?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

By golly, you're right.

Even the parts list indicates the memory is DDR3-10600.

I was going off the chipset specs from the Intel website, which indicates the memory is DDR2, max is 2 x 2 GB.

Intel 82GL40 Graphics and Memory Controller Hub Product Specifications

They don't list how much memory the processors support, but I know that the T9500 supported 2 x 4 GB of DDR2 memory.

All I can tell you is that it is very hard to find the right DDR3 memory that will work in your notebook.

It has to be DDR3-1333 (PC3-10600).  1.5V

It has to be 2Rx8 (8 little black memory chips on each side of the circuit board, not 4.)

You can experiment with a 4 GB DDR3 memory chip that has the above specs, but I have no idea if it will work or not.

[Jnh-San]

Thank you very much! I will test some RAM models and come back here with updates. 

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.