HP Pavilion 15 Laptop (15-ab121dx) w/ AMD A10 8700p - What are the supported RAM types/speed/sizes?

[rtowner88]

I bought  a new laptop over the weekend (15-ab121dx - AMD A-10 8700p CPU, 6GB RAM DDR3) and the sales associate could not tell me the max supported RAM.  I assumed I could quickly find the info online, but was weirdly mistaken..  I have searched HP's site and the Internet in general but cannot find what the maximum RAM memory allowed in this laptop.  I am assuming the laptop is so new, the information is just not out there yet?    It only came installed with 6GB or ram (1st SODIMM is 4GB and the 2nd SODIMM is 2GB) and I want to change it to 16GB (2x8GB) SODIMMS or possibly 32GB (2x16GB) SODIMMS.   The problem is I cannot find the maximum supported memory, memory speed, type for my new machine.  One of the main reasons I decided to go with this laptop is I have read good things about the AMD A10 8700p and that it can work with RAM speeds up to 2133mhz...  But before I purchase the fast RAM, I first want to make sure this RAM speed will work in this laptop?  Please list the supported RAM types, RAM sizes, RAM speeds for this laptop.   Also, does it support DDR3L or DDR3 or both?    Thanks!

[banhien]

Hi,

The third manual/guide of the following link will tell you all:

    http://support.hp.com/us-en/product/HP-Pavilion-15-Notebook-PC-series/6529948/model/6622549/manuals/

Two SODIMM customer-accessible/upgradable memory module slots
DDR3L-1600-MHz dual channel support
DDR3L-1600-MHz single channel support
Supports up to 12 GB max system memory (DDR3L-1600MHz module), (select models only)
Supports the following system RAM configurations:
● 12288 MB (8192 MB×1+ 4096 MB×1)
● 8192 MB (8192 MB×1 or 4096 MB×2); not supported on computer models equipped with a 32-bit operating system

● 6144 MB (4096 MB×1 + 2048 MB×1); not supported on computer models equipped with a 32-bit operating system
● 4096 MB (4096 MB×1 or 2048 MB×2)
● 2048 MB (2048 MB×1)

Regards.

[rtowner88]

This guide in your link does not appear to show the same laptop that I purchased.  I just noticed my laptop has no doors on the bottom at all..  the guide shows removing the ram cover, however, mine has no cover...?   And just to confirm, this laptop i purchased will not run with 2133Mhz RAM?  ...and 12GB is the max?  If so, this is all pretty disappointing and depressing.   😞   Its probably going back to the store now.  😞  😞  thanks for the help

[banhien]

Hi,

Sorry, I picked a wrong link, actual link does not show Service guide:

     http://support.hp.com/us-en/product/HP-Pavilion-15-Notebook-PC-series/8499302/model/9111996/manuals/

Most likely no option for you to install RAM yourdelf.

Regards.

[rtowner88 · Accepted solution]

Yeah thanks, but the link you sent (to the 15-ab121dx laptop model on HP site) was the first place I checked when I started searching for information on the laptop.    There is no service guide nor are there any clues on supported RAM configurations.   I knew the machine's price and CPU might be a little too good to be true.  😞   ...Not user upgradable is bad.  It looks like the entire laptop would need to be dissassembled to even just replace the hard drive and further, to install or replace the RAM the laptop's motherboard needs to be removed!    I should have done more research.  But I guess even if I had, I wouldnt have found much (since having to place a post in a forum to find out about these basic things like RAM type and access)..   I will be returning it.  Thanks for the quick replies to the post - this was appreciated.

[Kenaz502]

I just wanted to chime in since I've been looking all over for this same information.  I really wanted to upgrade this ram because 6G just isn't doing it for me.  I finally broke down and took it to Best Buy to see about getting it upgraded.  On a side note, it will cost $40 and I have to bring my own ram.  

Anyway, he looked up the information in their system and came up with this:
Ram Type: SODIMM DDR3L
Speed: 1600mhz
Size: Upgradable to 12G

It is low voltage RAM so it is not something they carry.  Hense the bring my own.

It will have to be taken apart since the RAM is under the motherboard.  I'm a bit irritated at HP for that - I didn't even bother checking because the last 4 HP Laptops I've had (Been a loyal customer for many years) has had a door at the bottom.  Why they changed that I could never guess.  Huge design flaw with this model in my opinion.

 Hope this helps anyone who is having the same problems.