How can I know the maximum upgradable parts of ProBook 430 G2?

[banpot]

Dear Erico or anybody who know the answer,

I have a 2015 HP ProBook 430 G2 notebook. And I would like to upgrade its CPU, HDD, and RAM.

Erico gave answers to a fellow about compatible SSD and RAM.

However, I'd like to see if I still have room to upgrade the CPU from Intel Core(TM) i5-5200U CPU @ 2.20GHz, 2201 Mhz.

I am sorry that I could not find the notebook specifications that can answer my answer.

Your guide or answer will be highly appreciated.

[tk_srq]

@banpot,

Your i5-5200U processor is soldered on the motherboard and cannot be upgraded, unless you replace the entire motherboard with one with a better processor.

Your service manual (on pages 18-19) lists all compatible motherboards with various types of processors, but you'll see only processors better than yours is i5-5300U and i7-5500U.

HP ProBook 430 G2 Notebook PC Maintenance and Service Guide

[TzortzisG]

Hi!

The CPU part has been covered, but I'd just like to comment on the RAM and storage section. On the manual tk_srq linked to above, page 2 informs us that the maximum RAM is 2x8GB of DDR3L and that there is support for secondary storage in the form of a short m.2 2242 ssd. The QuickSpecs pdf for this system also provides information on this on pages 6 and 15, where we are informed that a 120GB small sata3 SSD was what HP offered for this series. This Notebookcheck review for the 430 G2 system shows the slot on the motherboard:

This is actually the same slot used for the wwan, and there usually was a bios option that had to be enabled on devices from this era. This old 2014 discussion about the identical previous version 430 G1 confirms this, at the end of it someone reports successfully installing a Transcend device. This is what I also use on my similar 10-year old systems, nowadays the ones available are the 430s (up to 1TB with DRAM cache) and the 425s (up to 2TB DRAMless). Just like to point out that these should be used for secondary storage, booting from these slots is a pain and the OS should be installed on the 2.5 primary storage.

Take care!

[banpot1]

@Tk_srq 

Thank you so much for your answer and the link. However, how do you know that the processor is soldered on the motherboard? I believe you but I would like to learn how to read the Maintenance and Service Guide.

Thanks again.

[banpot1]

Hi TzortzisG,

Thank you so much for your detailed answer. You even include the link to a review and images in your answer! I am very impressed. Your direct experience on the matter is valuable for a newbie like me. Without your answer I would surely install the OS in the secondary storage and face a lot of trouble. You are so kind and considerate.

Thank you so much.

[tk_srq]

Page 19 of the manual shows two different types of i5-5200U-based system boards with each having a different part number, as shown below.

-Intel Core i5-5200U processor; models without WWAN 798061-xxx

-Intel Core i5-5200U processor; WWAN models 798066-xxx

You can use PartSurfer to find specs of the boards.

PartSurfer for #798061-601 shows "MB UMA I5-5200U PRO," which means MotherBoard with UMA graphics (integrated graphics)/soldered i5-5200U CPU/Windows 8.1 or 10 Pro.

PartSurfer for #798066-601 shows "WWAN" is added to the motherboard description.

See this eBay listing of #798061-601 which shows the soldered processor and two RAM slots with the rest of the board covered with mylar.

For HP 430 G2 I5-5200U Integrated Motherboard LA-B171P 798061-601 #T8 | eBay

[TzortzisG]

It's actually very simple and there is no need to research HP documentation. The i5-5200U CPU uses the BGA-1168 socket to connect to the motherboard. BGA means "Ball Grid Array" which means soldered-on. Although it's possible to change soldered-on CPUs and RAM chips with new ones, this is an expensive and difficult task -and not always successful- so this is actually done only when a component fails and not for a routine upgrade....