SSD and RAM upgrade on HP Notebook - 15-ac101tu (N4G35PA#ACJ)

[gchhabra]

Hi Team,

Here's the laptop spec I have:

Intel Core i3-5005U

HDD:  1 TB 5400 RPM SATA

RAM: 4 GB DDR3L SK Hynix (Part # HMT451S6BFR8A-PB)

* Not sure about the RAM speed because I thought it should be 1600 but CPU-Z shows "PC3-12800 (800 MHz)" under SPD section.

My laptop is way too slow. Both memory and disk utilization reach 100% way too often. It's terrible experience using it now. Du to this, I want to explore upgrading both the RAM and hard disk. I tried checking the Maintenance and Service Guide manual (http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c04653884.pdf) but I am not too sure what's the max RAM support and whether SSD (if yes, what's the spec)  is supported.

Can anyone kindly help clear the confusion? I don't want to end up ordering wrong spec RAM and SSD (if it's supported in the first place).

Regards

[banhien · Accepted solution]

@gchhabra 

Its specs

             https://support.hp.com/au-en/document/c04803037

1. RAM: It has 4 GB DDR3L-1600 SDRAM (1 x 4 GB) of RAM now and supports up to 16GB (2 x 18GB). You can use standard DDR3L RAM or  https://www.crucial.com/memory/ddr3/ct102464bf160b/ct10753987

2. STORAGE: It has 1 TB 5400 rpm SATA now. You can upgrade to 1TB or 2TB of standard 2.5" SSD or  https://www.crucial.com/ssd/mx500/ct2000mx500ssd1/ct11366183 or https://www.samsung.com/au/memory-storage/sata-ssd/870-evo-500gb-sata-3-2-5-ssd-mz-77e500bw/

Regards.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi, @gchhabra 

You can replace the 2.5" mechanical hard drive with a 2.5" SSD.

You can install up to 2 x 8 GB of DDR3L-12800 (1600 MHz) memory.

You take the report and multiply the 800 MHz by 2 to get the 1600 MHz number.

When you install an equal amount of memory in the empty slot (2 x 4 GB, 2 x 8 GB), the memory will run in the higher performing dual channel mode (1600 MHz) but you will still need to double 800 MHz in the report.

The difference will be the report will indicate the memory is running in dual channel mode instead of single channel mode if you install memory in matching capacities.

Run the free utility that I zipped up and attached below and see the summary report window of my PC which shows the memory running in dual channel mode but it still reports 800 MHz (798.2 MHz to be exact).

[gchhabra]

Thanks a lot @Paul_Tikkanen for the explanation! It was really helpful.

Thanks @banhien for sharing the link. I can now confidently place order for RAM and SSD. 🙂 I really appreciate your help!

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.