HP Pavilion Power - 15-cb078tx MAX RAM

[PhilKonick]

Hi Paul

Thanks for the link to the manual, it helped a lot, even 2 years later.

I have the cb-005ni so it should be the same to the 078tx. I am looking to upgrade the memory to as much as I can - I am happy that it can only be 16GB max and 2400MHz, however if I run Speccy it tells me that the RAM stick currently installed is 8GB 2666 MHz - although in task manager it is only running at 2400MHz.

My question is if I want to upgrade, should I go for another 8GB 2666MHz or will it not make a difference going for 2400MHz? I know that with RAM it's generally better to make sure your sticks are the same size, speed, brand etc. but I am cautious in case there is some kind of reason why there's a discrepancy.

Here's the info on the installed RAM module according to Speccy:

Type: Unknown
Size: 8192 MBytes
Manufacturer: Kingston
Max Bandwidth: DDR4-2666 (1333 MHz)
Part Number: HP26D4S9S8MD-8
Serial Number: 34206528
Week/year: 09 / 18

Thanks!

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

Since the processor your notebook has can only run the memory at a max speed of 2400 MHz, and your PC came with 1 x 8 GB of memory, just add another 2400 MHz memory module.

What you wrote concerning the memory is generally the best thing to do, but if you can get crucial memory where you live, they guarantee compatibility.

Crucial doesn't have a specific report for your model, but I generated one for a similar model which has the same processor as yours, and would use the same memory.

https://www.crucial.com/usa/en/compatible-upgrade-for/HP-Compaq/pavilion-power-15-cb005ng

Or you can try and find a 2666 MHz memory module to match the one you have in there now.

Going that route will probably be more expensive and provide no ROI, unless you move both memory modules to a newer PC in the future that can run the memory at 2666 MHz.

[PhilKonick]

Thanks for the detailed reply!

I have actually decided to take a chance and have ordered a 32GB kit (2 x 16GB) of 2400MHz. I found a post where someone had tried and it was working for the cb0xx, as 32GB should be supported by the chipset itself. 

I will update back here if it works or not, I just need to wait for the parts to arrive 🙂

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

In theory, it should work since the processor and chipset support 32 GB of memory.

Looking forward to reading about the results.

That is the only way we can find out about things like this when all sources point to that it can't be done.

I am in no position to gamble with your anyone else's money and unless I have personally done upgrades outside of the specs, I can only take the party line--especially when both Crucial and HP state the same thing for the max specs.

Crucial will usually list the max memory possible and often it is more than what the PC manufacturer states what the max is.

I got a free Dell OptiPlex 7020 desktop PC with no HDD or memory.

It has an Intel 4th gen core processor and chipset, and I know that hardware could take 32 GB of memory, but all of the Dell documentation stated the max was 16 GB.

Crucial stated it was 32 GB and so did Intel.

I took the chance, bought 4 x 8 GB of Crucial memory (using the part number and bought from a different vendor for $10 less per chip).

Works just fine, and I hope yours does too.

[PhilKonick]

UPDATE:

My 2x 16GB modules arrived, but one is faulty... I have tested extensively in my machine: With both sticks in it freezes while loading Windows; with the working one it works perfectly (obviously...); with the faulty one it doesn't even get to the boot logo, just stays black and tries to restart on a loop. I have tested both sticks in both slots and it's definitely a faulty module.

The new sticks I ordered are G.Skill Ripjaws DDR4 F4-2400C16S-16GRS.

Interestingly enough, I am running the good module with my previous 8GB module in dual channel (24GB) without issues, so I am fairly certain that 32GB will work when I get another good stick.

I will update with final results hopefully in the next few days. Here's the detailed Speccy stats for the 2 sticks I'm running now, for those that like these sort of things 🙂

RAM
Memory slots
Total memory slots 2
Used memory slots 2
Free memory slots 0
Memory
Type Unknown
Size 24576 MBytes
Channels # Dual
DRAM Frequency 1197.7 MHz
CAS# Latency (CL) 18 clocks
RAS# to CAS# Delay (tRCD) 17 clocks
RAS# Precharge (tRP) 17 clocks
Cycle Time (tRAS) 39 clocks
Command Rate (CR) 2T
Physical Memory
Memory Usage 18 %
Total Physical 24 GB
Available Physical 20 GB
Total Virtual 24 GB
Available Virtual 18 GB
Slot #1
Type Unknown
Size 16384 MBytes
Manufacturer G.Skill
Max Bandwidth DDR4-2400 (1200 MHz)
Part Number F4-2400C16-16GRS

Slot #2
Type Unknown
Size 8192 MBytes
Manufacturer Kingston
Max Bandwidth DDR4-2666 (1333 MHz)
Part Number HP26D4S9S8MD-8
Serial Number 34206528
Week/year 09 / 18

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Thanks for the update.

The good news is at least you know it will work.

The bad news is you had to go through the hassle of returning and replacing the defective memory module.

[PhilKonick]

FINAL UPDATE:

Got my replacement for the second stick, and they both work perfectly! All 32GB usable. No issues after rebooting as some people reported.

So if anyone wants to upgrade, go for it. The 16GB limit that HP states doesn't apply, although the speed is limited to 2400MHz (I have no idea why my laptop came with a 2666MHz stick, I can only imagine it was a reseller that added it as I didn't purchase it direct from HP)

Here's some pics to prove it works:

Screenshot of Task ManagerScreenshot of Speccy

[Paul_Tikkanen]

That is great news.

Thanks for letting us know about the successful results.