RAM upgrade HP Pavillion

[FrancescoP97]

Hi!
I'm looking to Ram upgrade on my laptop and I would like to replace the current 8GB of RAM with a 16GB one but I really don't know which one to get and how to mount it. Especially if something changes by inserting only one 16gb stack or two 8gb stack.

I saw on the official HP website that Crucial would be the most compatible, but not being an expert on the subject, I ask you for all this info!

Here's my PC info:
HP Pavilion Gaming Laptop 16-a0xxx Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-10300H CPU @ 2.50GHz 8gb ram nvidia geforce gtx 1660 ti max q-design

And my Ram info:

Number Of SPD Modules 2
Slot #1
Type DDR4
Size 4096 MBytes
Manufacturer SK Hynix
Max Bandwidth DDR4-3200 (1600 MHz)
Slot #2
Type DDR4
Size 4096 MBytes
Manufacturer SK Hynix
Max Bandwidth DDR4-3200 (1600 MHz)

Thanks all!

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi:

Your notebook supports 2 x 16 GB of DDR4-3200 memory.

This would be a compatible 16 GB memory chip for your notebook:

Crucial 16GB DDR4-3200 SODIMM | CT16G4SFRA32A | Crucial IT

You can add a 16 GB memory chip and remove one of the 4 GB memory chips, or you can install 2 x 8 GB memory kit.

Crucial 16GB Kit (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 SODIMM | CT2K8G4SFRA32A | Crucial IT

Personally, I think you should install a 16 GB chip for now and have 20 GB and then you can add a second 16 GB memory chip and max out the memory, so you have plenty of memory to spare.

Or if you can afford to max out the memory now, you can buy 2 of the 16 GB memory chips.

Buying two 16 GB chips separately seems to be less expensive than buying the 32 GB kit.

Chapter 5 of the service manual has the memory removal and replacement procedure.

Maintenance and Service Guide (hp.com)

[FrancescoP97]

Thanks you so much, you have been super exhaustive!

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome. 

[FrancescoP97]

I'm asked you another things... if i build one stack of 16gb ram and one stack of 4gb (total 20gb) i should take the performance of the weaker stack or i can work normally (due to dual channel)?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

For best performance, the memory should be installed in matching capacities  

If you feel that you will never upgrade the notebook to 32GB, then buy the 2 x 8 GB kit. 

2 x 8 GB would perform better than 1 x 16 GB.