HP Pavilion Notebook 14-bf012na upgrade RAM SSD

[ysia2000]

I have HP Pavilion Notebook 14-bf012na

I want to upgrade RAM and HDD. Could you please help to clarify that my plan is a feasible option.

1) For RAM, I plan to substitute my one 8Gb RAM stick with two 16Gb sticks. I made a query via my linux terminal and it looks like my machine can handle 32Gb instead of mentioned 16Gb max in HP Pavilion 14 Laptop PC Manual and Service Guide. 

Here is the output of my query:

Handle 0x0026, DMI type 16, 23 bytes

Physical Memory Array

Location: System Board Or Motherboard

Use: System Memory

Error Correction Type: None

Maximum Capacity: 32 GB

Error Information Handle: No Error

Number Of Devices: 2

2) I would like to upgrade HDD to SSD.  I can not understand what will be the best and hassle-free option for me. 

2.1. I am not sure my HDD is in a good state. So, I think to substitute me HDD completely with a SSD. I think I need  1Tb  storage at least. In the manual max SSD is  512 Gb.  However, another user mentioned he upgraded to 1Tb and it works well for him:

https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Hardware-and-Upgrade-Questions/Compatible-SSDs-for-HP-Pavilio...

So I think I shall upgrade to 1Tb SSD like this one:

Crucial MX500 1TB 3D NAND SATA 2.5-inch 7mm (with 9.5mm adapter) Internal SSD

CT1000MX500SSD1

Configuration ID: CT11887679

It looks like to install this SSD I need to buy some brackets. HP website can not locate these items. I do not want to buy used brackets on Amazon as it increases the cost of the upgrade. In the end I just saw a video on Youtube where new a SSD was  fixed to the bottom inside the laptop with a double sided tape. I would rather do this than trying to get the brackets. Is it a completely crazy idea?

Do I need an adapter to connect the new SSD instead of HDD?

2.2.) To add to my confusion it looks like HP Pavilion Notebook 14-bf012na has another slot for a SSD. But it looks like the SSD for that slot shall be smaller in size. Like this one:

Western Digital 1TB WD Blue SN580 NVMe Internal Solid State Drive SSD - Gen4 x4 PCIe 16Gb/s, M.2 2280, Up to 4,150 MB/s - WDS100T3B0E

2.3.)  If I end up having an HHD and SSD is there any limit for the storage capacity? Why there are limits for this in the manual?

I am using Linux with option to boot into Windows. When I installed OS last time on my laptop, I have prepared an installation external drive with  OS I planned to install. I guess I shall do the same this time before the laptop upgrade? In case I  have an HDD and a SSD simultaneously, where I shall install the OS?

Thank you

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Yes, you can replace the existing 1 TB 2.5" mechanical hard drive with a 1 TB 2.5" SATA SSD.

It's just a direct swap.  You don't need any parts.

The person in that other discussion added a 2.5" drive that was not present because the 14-bf103na notebook came with a M.2 SATA SSD and when a notebook does not indicate it came with both a 2.5" drive and a M.2 SSD from the factory, none of the parts are there to add a 2.5" drive.

The 512 GB capacity is for the M.2 SATA SSD which would also be supported.

No doubt you could install a 1 TB M.2 SATA SSD as well.

The M.2 slot for the SSD is empty.  You may need a screw to secure the other end of the SATA SSD.

I don't really see the point in installing a M.2 SATA SSD when a 2.5" SSD will perform just as well.

NVMe would be a different story but your notebook, according to chapter 1 of the service manual, only supports M.2 SATA SSD's.

Theoretically, you should be able to install 2 x 16 GB of memory, but I cannot find any discussions on this forum where someone has actually done that and reported it worked, so the only thing you have to go in is the report you ran, which normally is accurate.

[ysia2000]

Thank you very much for the prompt answer. I have ordered 1Tb SSD (for 2.5" HDD replacement) and 1 8Gb RAM stick from Crucial. 

If I may, a question on that SSD. I have read that the number of times to write on SSD is limited in comparison to HDD. What does it mean for me? Will I need to replace that SSD in like 3 years? How would I know that I have to replace the SSD?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome. 

[ysia2000]

An update. I have upgraded my laptop with 32Gb RAM (2x16Gb). The cards did not fit at the beginning because of some material glued under the RAM cards. Those were black foamy strips. I had to remove those. I am not sure was the material solely for amortization or for isolation too. The laptop works. I would add back the strips of smaller size, if required. 

A comment on the role of the removed strips will be appreciated.

Thank you

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Unfortunately, I would have no idea what the purpose of those strips would be for.

All I can say is it makes no sense to have them if they impede the installation of the memory chip in the empty slot.

I assume the memory would not lock into place with the strips in the way?

[ysia2000]

The thing is that 8Gb RAM and 16Gb cards (bords?) have different designs. 16Gb has more memory chips installed. The chips occupy the space till the very edge of the bord. 8Gb bord has chips located at the central part of the bord.  8Gb bord was installed so that it was supported by the rubber material at the edge of the bord. 16Gb can not click in until the rubber is removed. I guess 16Gb now is kind of hanging in the air.

It looks like I do not have any problems with RAM performance.

Though I still have problems with overall laptop performance. CPU usage often goes up to 100%. I guess the problem is related to Chrome browser. I am investigating the issue. I will try to use Brave browser for now. I am afraid the hardware upgrade I planned (SSD, 32Gb RAM) is the best which could be done to improve the situation.  I already use lightweight OS (Linux Mint). Can I improve something else to extend life of my laptop? Thank you )) 

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Yes, I suppose that all 16 GB memory chips have 8 little black memory chips on each side of the circuit board.

Do you still have the original slow-poke 5,400 RPM 1 TB mechanical hard drive installed or did you replace it with the Crucial 2.5" SSD?

If not the 1 TB drive is something that is definitely slowing down your PC.

If you have already upgraded to a SATA 2.5" drive, then there wouldn't be anything I can think of that you could do to get more performance out of it.