RAM memory for HP G7 ?

[PierreHury]

Hello, what could be the maximal RAM memory for my PC HP G7- 2043sf with a Intel Celeron 2957U Pentium B960 processor ?

For the moment, I have 2 x 4 Go DDR3 PC3-10600 1333 MHz.

Could it be also 1600 MHz ? And 2 x 8 = 16 Go ?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

The Crucial memory report for your notebook indicates that you are at the max memory capacity.

HP - Compaq Pavilion g7-2043sf | Memory RAM & SSD Upgrades | Crucial.com

The Intel processor specs indicate that the processor can support 2 x 8 GB of memory.

Intel® Celeron® Processor 2957U

You can use DDR3/DDR3L-1600 memory but it will probably run at 1333 MHz.

If you want to experiment with an 8 GB memory chip in one slot, run this report first to see if it is even worth doing it.

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 report indicates that you can install 16 GB of memory, then this should be a compatible 8 GB memory chip for your notebook:

Crucial 8GB DDR3L-1600 SODIMM | CT102464BF160B | Crucial FR

[PierreHury]

Hi, thank you for your quick response which confirmed to me that I was right to do all what you explained before I even received your news. Like me, you noted the contradiction between the indications of Crucial and Intel ; therefore, I still don't know what to do : to try 2 x 8 Go or let 2x4 Go ? Depending on what you say, I already know that I can put 1600 MHz without damaging my PC. The command prompt says me : MaxCapacity 33554432"  that's to say 32 Go !  (33554432/1024/1024). I'm certain that it's impossible with my HP G7 !

For you, should I try 2 x 8 = 16 Go ?

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

You're very welcome. 

Since the report indicates you can install more memory than what the Intel specifications indicated, it would probably be safe to install 2 x 8 GB.

Since the memory appears to be very expensive, you may want to buy that part number on Amazon if they will accept returns if for some reason it doesn't work. 

[PierreHury]

Thanks for your help ! Last remark : some utilities call my processor "Intel Celeron 2957u" and others "Intel Pentium B960", but I suppose it must be almost equivalent.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Anytime.

Glad to have been of assistance.

I am inclined to believe that your notebook actually has the Pentium B960 and that is because of this comparison chart:

Intel® Product Specification Comparison

The Intel Celeron 2957U processor didn't even exist when your notebook was manufactured.

It is a Haswell family processor and not a Sandy Bridge processor.

The Intel Celeron 2957U is soldered to the motherboard and the B960 is removable.

The 'U' after the processor specification means it is an integral part of the motherboard.

I don't know of any g6/g7 2xxx Intel notebooks that don't have removable processors.

HP never released a service manual for the g7-2xxx models with the Intel processors, but if you look at the manual for the g6-2xxx, it shows the list of processors, and there is no Intel Celeron 2957u.

c03345657.pdf (hp.com)

The g6 is no different than your notebook except it has a smaller display (15.6", instead of 17.1").

[PierreHury]

Hi,

I must apologize because I said something false on 12/18/2022 at 10:44 am : Intel Celeron 2957U 1,40 Ghz processor does exist, but on my other PC which is a Lenovo G70-70. I had analyzed my 2 PCs and made a confusion. My HP G7 2043sf has of course an Intel Pentium CPU B960 2,20 GHz processor. So you were absolutely right in your explanation.

In addition, I put the two 8 GB RAM sticks that were in my Lenovo PC in my HP G7: they are recognized by the HP G7 and functional. The HP G7 therefore accepts 16 GB of RAM. So I will be able to buy 2 x 8GB DDR3L RAM for the HP G7.

Good night.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

No problem.

If you decide to try out 2 x 8 GB of memory, please post back and let us know the results.

You have a good night as well.

[PierreHury]

It works with 2 x 8 GB of RAM, as I mentioned after re-editing my previous answer in my addition that you perhaps didn't have time to read

[Paul_Tikkanen]

No, I didn't read your edited post. 

That's great news. 

Thanks for letting us know.