Is ram memory upgradable?

[lemeshovich]

I have 16gb (2x8gb) RAM in my laptop. I want to change one of two ram sticks to 16gb so it will be 24gb in sum. Is it possible? Any advice on memory timings and memory chip developer? Any guides/videos about my laptop how to do this? (any cleaning/dissasemble videos)

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi:

According to chapter 1 of the service manual, the notebook supports 2 x 8 GB of DDR4-3200 memory.

Maintenance and Service Guide (hp.com)

You can run this command to see if your notebook can support more than 16 GB of memory.

1. In the search box, search for cmd and click Run as administrator.

This will open the command prompt.

2. Once command prompt is opened, type wmic memphysical get maxcapacityEx and hit enter.

There, it will show the maximum RAM capacity your PC's motherboard can support.

The capacity is shown as Kilobytes, so you have to convert it to Gigabytes by dividing the number provided in the report by 1,048,576.

If the command report indicates your notebook will support 32 GB of memory, then you would want to install a 16 GB DDR4-3200 memory bar with a timing specification of CL22.

This is what I recommend if you can buy Crucial memory in Ukraine:

Crucial 16GB DDR4-3200 SODIMM | CT16G4SFRA32A | Crucial.com

In addition to the service manual, there is this service teardown video for the model series:

Removing & replacing parts for HP 17-cn0xxx Laptop | HP Computer Service - YouTube

[TzortzisG]

Hello lemeshovich.

Generally speaking, it's not a good idea to install RAM modules that aren't identical when it comes to their specifications (max frequency, timings, size). When it comes to modules of different sizes, you will not have a correctly functioning dual-channel RAM config, and that means you're limiting your CPU and your iGPU to half the speed at which they can access your memory.

The manual Paul_Tikkanen EXPERT Level 22 linked to is actually for the 17-cn1000 models and their CTO counterparts (17t-cn100). HP doesn't have a version of this manual for your exact model (17-cn0000). However, when it comes to RAM, mobile 11th gen Tiger Lake CPUs usually support up to 64GB of 3200 RAM -unless otherwise limited by the BIOS code. Since Crucial on its page for the 17-cn0015ua model , lists 64GB as the max memory and offers a 2x32GB kit for it, and most importantly your model's CTO version (17t-cn000) is sold on various stores upgraded with the 64GB RAM (take a look at offers by Amazon , Walmart , Sears , Bestbuy) I'm pretty confident that 64GB is the actual maximum allowed RAM on your system. Running the above mentioned command will confirm this.

About RAM modules and brands: The 2x32GB kit "CT2K32G4SFD832A" on Crucial's page is obviously dual-rank and will work perfectly fine. However, the 2x16GB kit "CT2K16G4SFRA32A" or the single 16GB module "CT16G4SFRA32A" might not work correctly on HP laptops due to the fact that it's available in either dual-rank or single-rank versions, and the single-rank has been reported to sometimes have compatibility issues due to a strange chip-organization (HP CT16G4SFRA32A compatibility issues). It's really a "lottery" when it comes to what module Crucial will send you. If you want Crucial 16GB RAM, I would suggest getting this (more expensive but better quality and always dual-rank) 2x16GB kit "CT2K16G4SFD832A" or the 16GB module "CT16G4SFD832A" from Amazon, or wherever you can find it. Otherwise, just get any non-gaming (preferably dual-rank) 3200 ddr4 cl22 module of a reputable brand (Kingston, G.Skill, etc).