HP Omen 16 - c0xxx slowing down and showing FPS drops on games after RAM upgrade

[korikuma]

Hello, I've recently upgraded the RAM of my omen 16 laptop from 8GB to 16GB, however I've noticed that since then it has been presenting some issues, for example internet browsers and microsoft office work somewhat slower at times and also big frame per second (fps) drops while running videogames that i already played with no issues with 8GB of RAM, some of the games that i usuallly play are overwatch, league of legends, Dragons dogma: Dark Arisen and Minecraft. I have asked for some friends and a pc technician about it but haven't found neither the cause or a possible solution.

Here is a small list of the things i remember i've tried so far:

- Updating drivers from windows update, AMD software for the Ryzen 5 processor and Nvidia geforce for the GTX 1650 graphics card
- Uninstalling and reinstalling drivers from AMD and Nvidia

- Reparing, uninstalling and reinstalling the games

- Scanning my computer through the HP hardware diagnostics recivieng no negative results

- changing the new RAM sticks from slot to slot

I thank you in advance for any suggestions and possible solutions you may have and I'll try to stay in touch with this platform.

P.S. I'm considering going back to 8GB of RAM to see if it gets back to normal or doing a factory reset but i'm not sure if it will be worth the time since the startup process hasn't slowed down.

[Sneha_01]

Hi @korikuma,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

Upgrading the RAM in your HP Omen 16 laptop should generally improve performance, so it's concerning that you're experiencing slowdowns and FPS drops after the upgrade. Here are some steps to help diagnose and potentially resolve the issue:

1. Check RAM Compatibility and Installation

Verify RAM Specifications: Ensure that the new RAM sticks are compatible with your laptop. They should match the specifications (type, speed, and voltage) recommended by HP for your Omen 16 model.

Proper Installation: Make sure the RAM is seated properly in the slots. Sometimes, RAM sticks may not be fully inserted. Double-check that both the old and new RAM are securely installed.

Match RAM Modules: If you have different RAM modules (different brands or speeds), it can sometimes cause instability. Ideally, the new RAM should match the specifications and brand of the old RAM.

2. Check for BIOS/UEFI Settings

Update BIOS: Ensure your BIOS is updated to the latest version. Manufacturers often release BIOS updates to improve system stability and compatibility with new hardware.

Check RAM Settings: Enter the BIOS/UEFI settings and check if the RAM is being recognized correctly and running at the correct speed. Sometimes, enabling XMP (Extreme Memory Profile) can help the system correctly detect and utilize higher-speed RAM.

3. Run System Diagnostics

Memory Test: Use built-in or third-party tools to test the RAM for errors:

• Windows Memory Diagnostic: Search for "Windows Memory Diagnostic" in the start menu and follow the prompts.
• MemTest86: This is a more thorough test that you can boot from a USB drive.

System Performance: Check if any background processes are using excessive CPU or memory resources. Use Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) to monitor system performance and identify any anomalies.

4. Check for Thermal Issues

• Overheating: Ensure your laptop’s cooling system is functioning properly. Overheating can cause throttling, which may lead to performance issues. Clean the vents and fans if necessary and consider using a cooling pad.

5. Reconfigure Power Settings

Power Plan: Make sure your laptop is set to a high-performance power plan. Go to Settings > System > Power & sleep > Additional power settings and select the High performance plan.

Battery Management: If you’re on battery power, ensure that battery-saving settings aren’t affecting performance. Plugging in your laptop can sometimes help mitigate performance issues.

6. Check for System Updates

Windows Updates: Ensure that Windows is fully updated. Sometimes, performance issues can be resolved by installing the latest Windows updates.

Driver Updates: While you’ve already updated drivers, double-check for any additional updates or hotfixes that might be available.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

Please mark this post as “Accepted Solution” if the issue is resolved and if you feel this reply was helpful click “Yes”.

Rachel571

HP Support

[korikuma]

Hello @Rachel571, thanks for the reply and tips. I've already tried some of the suggestions but so for i've seen no improvement. These are the ones i've already tried:

1.- checking RAM compatibility and installation: Since i don't know much about pc technology i've checked with a technician about the compatibility of the RAM i bought and we didin't find any compatibility issues. I've also checked that the RAM are properly placed and secured in their slots  and fully inserted. Both RAM sticks are the following model: Kingston Fury Impact DDR4, 8GB, 32000Mhz for laptop. Both are recognized by mi laptop and the task manager shows they are runnning at full speed (32000Mhz).

2.- I've been checking these past two weeks for BIOS via HP support assistant and in the driver download section of HP web site and so far it appears I'm not missing any updates. I've also entered the BIOS to check for the XMP settings however i never found the option to turn it on or off which after sdearching around for a bit on the internet would mean my laptop doesn't allow overclocking, also according to the RAM sticks description on their amazon page they are "XMP ready" which i think means they are always on XMP turned on.

3.- I've tried running multiple diagnostic tests from the HP software and some windows commands but have not gotten any negative results so far, while also cheking memory use on the task manager but haven't found any programs that could be using too much memory; the highest so far has been overwatch using about 5GB of ram running on "low" graphic settings. Also i tried uninstalling some programas that tend to slow down computers like Avast antivirus.

4.- According to the thermal profile diagnostic test there are no overheating issues on my laptop so far, however Omen command center shows in the "vitals" section that my cpu has been reaching temps of 100°C  while i try to run games. I'm not entirely sure if it's not normal but once i get some time on the weekend i was planning on getting canned air to dust off the fans in case thats the issue, Once i've tried that i'll give an update on that.

5.- When attempting to play I usually have my laptop on "Maximum performance" power setting and alternate between plugging my charger and disconecting it as the battery discharges. I've done it this way because to my knowledge charging at about 20% battery and unplugging at about 80% battery  helps extend the battery life. On a side note I haven't noticed major changes on performance while being on battery mode instead of having the charger plugged in though sometimes it feels like perfomance is better while charger is not plugged in.

6.- I did another check on any possible driver updates I could have missed but all seems up to date both Nvidia drivers and AMD drivers are updated and windows update shows that I'm not missing any updates including optional updates.

hopefully this helps narrow down the cause of the issues, thanks again for taking the time to help and i'll stay in touch in case you would like me to proved screenshots of task manager of any photos that i could take.

[Sneha_01]

Hi @korikuma 

I'm sending out a private message to assist you with the next course of action. In order to access your private messages, click the private message icon on the upper right corner of your HP Support Community profile, next to your profile Name.

Hope this helps! Keep me posted for further assistance.

Please mark this post as “Accepted Solution” if the issue is resolved and if you feel this reply was helpful click “Yes”.

Rachel571 

HP Support