RAM configurations

[Murimi64]

HI!
When I purchased my laptop (HP Pavilion 14-dv2028TU) it had 8 GB RAM. I wanted 16 GB RAM and thus asked for an upgrade, which they did (1 x 16 GB DDR4-3200).
I have been looking into upgrading to dual channel, which brings me here.
Since my laptop has UMA graphics, the manual says it supports the following configurations:
16 GB (8 × 2)
12 GB (8 + 4)
8 GB (4 × 2)

But they put a 16 GB (16 x 1). I am wondering, if this is not one of the specified configurations, how is my laptop working? What was there initially? Was it 8 GB (4 x 2) or 8 GB (8 x 1)?.

[erico]

For the memory to run in dual channel mode there would have to be two compatible and identical 8 GB memory modules installed.

Unfortunately, there is no option for there to be 2 x 8GB at the pre-purchase configuration stage at the HP online web store. Configuration options are not so granular that they include dual channel configuration.

However, you are fortunate enough to have aa UMA version that has two soDIMM memory module slots.  The models with discrete graphics have a single soDIMM memory slot.
You will need to purchase two compatible 8 GB memory modules. Remove the 16 GB module and install the new memory module.

Here is an online vendor manufacturer source for guaranteed compatible memory and SSD products for your laptop.

https://www.crucial.com/compatible-upgrade-for/hp-compaq/pavilion-14-dv2028tx

[Murimi64]

Thank you for your reply.

It's all a bit confusing.

You see the link you've provided specifies that the max RAM is 64 GB. But HP manuals says it is 16 GB (HP Pavilion 14 Laptop PC 14-dv2000 series specifications | HP® Support).

But then the same HP manual says the configuration 1 x 16 GB is NOT supported. But it is the configuration that I have.

So I am confused on:

1. What is the true maximum RAM capacity of my laptop?
2. What are the true supported RAM configurations? I.e. if 1 x 16 GB is not a supported configuration, how is it functioning on my laptop?

Thank you!

[erico]

Crucial Memory is a manufacturer and guarantees that the configurations that it recommends will work.

If Crucial says a maximum of 64GB and you purchase directly from them and install and it does not work as guaranteed, they will return your money.

Personally, I wouldn't install more than 32GB in a laptop.

HP is the manufacturer of the laptop. HP is like everyone and everything and is not perfect. Sometimes document mistakes slip through a quality assurance check. That means that mistakes happen in its marketing manuals more so than in its technical manuals. That is something that I and the other HP Experts run into once in a while, but it is not common When HP Experts find documents that have errors that we can prove, we report it to HP internally for correction.

"But then the same HP manual says the configuration 1 x 16 GB is NOT supported."

That is a marketing specification document that shows configurations offered and is not a technical manual.

The specification document that you provided the link to is created by marketing, not by a technical writer or engineer.  It is incorrect.

Your laptop has a single 16 GB module installed and as you know, it works.

[Murimi64]

Thank you for that beautiful explanation!

So, to confirm, when I do " wmic memphysical get maxcapacity" on cmd, it gives me 16 GB. Is this also incorrect and can be surpassed?

Lastly, will dual channel give me a significant boost in performance?

For some background: I currently have Intel UHD Graphics with the option to switch to Intel Iris Xe Graphics by upgrading to dual-channel RAM (please confirm this is true?)

I recently started gaming. I get a good 60 fps at 720p but I would like to play at 1080p settings. When at 1080p, I average 45 fps. Will dual channel RAM achieve this boost or should I just invest in a new PC?

Thank you!

[erico]

"So, to confirm, when I do " wmic memphysical get maxcapacity" on cmd, it gives me 16 GB. Is this also incorrect and can be surpassed?"

If Crucial guarantees that 32GB+ of their memory will work, it is a guarantee backed by their name in the industry.

If that were not the case, they would be getting slammed in the PC enthusiast forums and sued by people buying memory from them.

"For some background: I currently have Intel UHD Graphics with the option to switch to Intel Iris Xe Graphics by upgrading to dual-channel RAM (please confirm this is true?)"

The Intel specifications states that both optional processors are Intel Iris XE graphics and support up to 64 GB maximum memory installed.

Intel Core i5-1235U

Intel Core i7-1255U

However, the capability of a laptop, in terms of memory and graphics, is limited by what the manufacturer has coded into the BIOS ROM file.

If I were you, I would try the Intel Iris XE software to see if it works.

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/products/211012/graphics/processor-graphics/intel-ir...

Dual channel mode is reputed to be more efficient use of memory, but it is not likely to give a big boost in FPS.

[Murimi64]

I saw it here: https://community.intel.com/t5/Graphics/Intel-Iris-XE-shows-Intel-UHD-Graphics/td-p/1430929  and Intel Iris 

I have the Intel Iris Xe Graphics sticker on my laptop but on device manager, display adapters, seetings, etc., they all show Intel UHD Graphics. I've just installed the intel iris xe software and drivers but it didn't change.

---

Dual channel mode is reputed to be more efficient use of memory, but it is not likely to give a big boost in FPS.

---

Oh, so it would be a waste? It's cause I had read this "Integrated GPUs rely on system RAM for video memory, so dual-channel RAM significantly improves their performance by increasing memory bandwidth. This allows the integrated GPU to access data faster, resulting in higher FPS and smoother performance in games compared to single-channel RAM."

[erico]

I asked in the Inner Circle for an explanation for that.

I have been just as puzzled by this as you have so I went to the source.

Today is Monday so I hope to hear something over the next few days.

Ping me if I don't get back to you on this for within a week.

HP Subject Matter Experts, who are HP employees should have an explanation for me to give to you.

[Murimi64]

Alright!

[Murimi64 · Accepted solution]

The Maintenance and Service Guide (hp.com) provided for my device is wrong. It indicates it's for the models: 

14-dv1xxx - 14-dv1999, CTO model number: 14t-dv100

While my laptop is the 14-dv2xxx series (14-dv2028TU).

I therefore don't really have a manual to refer to. So I bit the bullet today and installed a 2nd stick or RAM to make it 2 x 16GB dual channel. I now have 32 GB ram and it works despite the fact that "wmic memphysical get maxcapacity" says my max ram is 16GB.

Intel UHD Graphics changed to Intel Iris Xe Graphics immediately after. So I can confirm that single channel will cause Intel Iris Xe Graphics to revert to Intel UHD Graphics if in single channel memory.