Upgrading [Memory & Storage], HP Notebook - 15-ay010ne (ENERGY STAR)

[ultrak]

Hi Community,  I am planning to upgrade (Memory & Storage) my HP Notebook - 15-ay010ne (ENERGY STAR) - X3M81EA. I did some googling and search in this community, but still not sure on the best approach.

Before anything else, Does it worth upgrading this laptop for couple of years usage? Aware that windows 11 is not supported currently on 6th Gen processor.

Memory: System has 2GB @2133Mhz & 4GB @2133Mhz and supports up to 16GB @2133Mhz. Idea is to replace the 2GB. Crucial suggests some compatible RAMs DDR4 2666 MHz CL19 (4 & 8 GBs).

Q1: Which RAM size/freq I should use to get the Dual Channel Configuration to work efficiently? Will 8GB give an edge to 4GB?

Storage: To replace the HDD (1TB) with 'SATA 2.5 Inch Internal SSD' (256GB/512GB/1TB).

Q2: What is the storage size of supported SSD on this motherboard? Any specific data i should take care in procuring?

It will be of great help if some product/component links can be shared. And, always welcome to get more inputs/ideas in upgrading this laptop.

Thanks and Regards,
Rakesh.

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi, Rakesh:

DDR4-2133 memory is very hard to find, so most folks use the next speed up...DDR4-2400, which will automatically bridge to 2133 MHz.

To get the memory to run in dual channel mode, you will either have to replace the 2 GB chip with a 4 GB chip, or replace both chips and max out the memory to 2 x 8 GB.

Compatible 4 GB memory chip:

Crucial 4GB DDR4-2400 SODIMM | CT4G4SFS824A | Crucial IN

Compatible 8 GB memory chip:

Crucial 8GB DDR4-2400 SODIMM | CT8G4SFS824A | Crucial IN

You will need to decide what you want to do depending on your budget.

2 x 4 GB would be the bare minimum.  Today's programs and Windows 10 eat up memory.

The other thing you could do would be to replace the 2 GB chip with an 8 GB chip and have 12 GB running in single channel mode, and then some day remove the 4 GB chip and replace it with another 8 GB chip.

The worst thing you would want to do is to add a 4 GB chip and then decide you want to max out the memory.

Then you would have thrown away good money on a 4 GB chip you have to remove.

For the SSD, you can replace the existing 2.5" mechanical hard drive with a 2.5" SSD.

You can go up to 2 TB if you want.

I recommend the Crucial MX500 SSD.

These are your options...

MX500 - Crucial Solid State Drives (SSDs) | Crucial US

You should be able to find one of the above drives on Amazon, India.

Below is the link to the service manual where you can find the memory and hard drive removal and replacement procedures.

h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c05087748

[ultrak]

Thank you Paul_Tikkanen for the detailed response. I would like to gather some more info on this.

What is the possibility of using DDR4 2166 MHz, [Crucial RAM 8GB DDR4 2666 MHz CL19 Laptop Memory CT8G4SFRA266 ]? Will this get supported by the motherboard? I could go for 2x8GB of these.

While scanning through the threads, i just noticed this, does this infer max of 32GB?

C:\Windows\system32>wmic memphysical get maxcapacity
MaxCapacity
33554432

Thanks and Regards,
Rakesh.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome, Rakesh.

Yes, DDR4-2666 MHz memory will also work fine.

Yes, you can determine the maximum memory supported by doing this...

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 maxcapacity 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.

[ultrak]

Hi Paul_Tikkanen,

Even though the system spec says a max of 16GB, the system responds having a max capacity of 32GB.

C:\Windows\system32>wmic memphysical get maxcapacity
MaxCapacity
33554432

Anyway I will swap 2GB with 8GB(2666MHz - easier to procure) as of now, and another 8GB as future demands, as you suggested.

On the storage front, Crucial MX500 looks to be ideal, sourcing from a trust-able seller might be difficult. Can you please suggest other compatible models!

Thanks and Regards,

Rakesh.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi, Rakesh.

The crucial India site directs you to Amazon, India.

1 TB:

Amazon.in: Buy Crucial MX500 1TB 3D NAND SATA 2.5 Inch Internal SSD - CT1000MX500SSD1(Z) Online at L...

500 GB:

Amazon.in: Buy Crucial MX500 500GB 3D NAND SATA 2.5 Inch Internal SSD (CT500MX500SSD1) Online at Low...

[ultrak]

Hi Paul_Tikkanen, thanks for sharing the details. It is always tricky to find a genuine seller for a good online buying experience here :). Amazon's own stores provides a hassle free experience. 

Anyway you have provided enough details, to have a go at upgrading this system. Hopefully i will update this thread once the upgrade gets done.

Cheers,

Rakesh.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Anytime, Rakesh.

Glad to have been of assistance.

Cheers,

Paul