Upgrading RAM for my OMEN laptop

[Drazzen]

I have an OMEN Laptop (17-w003nm). However I find it choking with even weaker games despite it supposedly being a gaming one.
Laptop specs : 
https://support.hp.com/us-en/product/omen-by-hp-17-w000-laptop-pc-series/10862328/model/13429201/doc...

Current system has a 4gb samsung RAM and a 8gb SK HYNIX one, both showing "2133" speed. Below is the spec for the Samsung one.

https://semiconductor.samsung.com/dram/module/sodimm/m471a5143eb0-cpb/

I saw that system accepts up to 2 RAM units (total 32GB), and I went searching. I found this: 

Gigastone Laptop RAM 32GB (2x16GB) DDR4 32GB DDR4-2666MHz PC4-21300 CL19 1.2V 260 Pin Unbuffered Non ECC SODIMM for Notebook Laptop Memory Module

Wondering if this would work with the current motherboard/processor, as it shows higher frequency.

Any advice would be welcome, as I am unsure how to use the various HP tools to find appropriate upgrades.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

Whether you install DDR4-2133 MHz, 2400 MHz, 2666 MHz or 3200 MHz memory, the fastest speed your notebook's processor can run the memory at is limited to 2133 MHz.

Processeur Intel® Core™ i7-6700HQ

I can't guarantee that specific brand memory is going to work with your PC, but the DDR4-2666 MHz speed is fine.

It will automatically bridge to 2133 MHz.

You can even install DDR4-3200 memory if you want.

[Drazzen]

TY for the quick response, I was generally leaning towards believing it would be so.

What worries me (still searching for chips/modules) is that there is some specification stating (2Rx8) and (1Rx8) and I am unsure what this is. 
Does the "CL-xx" play a role in compatibility (xx being random numbers, usually 17, 19...)?

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

You're very welcome.

According to the Samsung memory spec you posted, your notebook comes with single ranked memory, but dual ranked memory should also be compatible.

See this link for the difference between single and dual ranked memory.

Single vs. Dual-Rank RAM: Which Memory Type Will Boost Performance? - History-Computer

The CL speeds do matter, but not because of the DDR speed. 

As long as you buy the standard CL speed for the memory speed and not the performance memory, you will generally not run into any problems.

Performance memory usually has faster CL speeds than the standard memory for the same MHz speed.

The problem with that is most HP notebooks use standard memory with standard CL speeds, and there is no way to adjust for memory speed/timing in the BIOS.

Let's take for example the memory you are interested in buying...DDR4-2666MHz PC4-21300 CL19.

CL19 is the standard timing for DDR4-2666 MHz memory, so that is good.

Looking at a Crucial Ballistix DDR4-2666 performance chip, you will note that the CL16 speed is faster than the standard CL19.

Crucial Ballistix SODIMM - Kit 32Go (2x16Go) DDR4-2666 Mémoire gamer | BL2K16G26C16S4B | Crucial FR

The standard DDR4-2133 Samsung memory HP installed in your notebook should be CL15.

So, when you install a standard DDR4-2666 MHz memory chip with a CL19 timing, it will bridge to 2133 MHz and the timing will go to CL15.

If you were to install the DDR4-2666 performance memory with the CL16 timing, it is hard to say what will happen when it bridges to 2133 MHz, if it works at all.

Hope that makes sense.

[Drazzen]

Mate, you are an awesome library! 😄

Would you have suggestions for me, what RAM units to buy (less risk, no need for some performance madness).
I know I am pestering, but...If you do have time or good suggestion, do tell 🙂

Thanks a lot!

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

Since I am not in the business of selling memory, and am not a PC hardware engineer, I always recommend Crucial memory because they guarantee compatibility for many notebook models such as yours.

For example:  This is the 32 GB memory kit they recommend for your model notebook:

To me, it kind of takes the guesswork out of figuring out what memory one should buy.

Crucial 32GB Kit (2 x 16GB) DDR4-2400 SODIMM | CT2K16G4SFD824A | Crucial FR

The downside is...the memory is pretty expensive.

Amazon.Fr has the same kit for a little less.

Crucial RAM CT2K16G4SFD824A 32Go Kit (2x16Go) DDR4 2400MHz CL17 Mémoire d’ordinateur Portable : Amaz...

The Crucial memory has a limited lifetime warranty.

But perhaps the memory you have selected will also work just fine. 

Specs-wise, it seems to check all of the boxes.

 It is certainly considerably less expensive than the Crucial memory, but only has a 5 year warranty.

【DDR4 RAM】 Gigastone RAM pour Ordinateur Portable RAM 32Go (2x16Go) DDR4 32Go DDR4-2666MHz PC4-21300...

[Drazzen]

Thank you very much for all the assistance, I am humbled!
Best regards!

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Anytime. 

Glad to have been of assistance. 

Please post back and let us know how your notebook memory upgrade project went. 

Cheers, 

Paul

[Drazzen]

Hi Paul!

I just got the delivery yesterday, went through all the usual panic of finding tools to open the laptop (finding why the hell one thing won't move on youtube, or why is this lock like that...)..

I ended up getting Corsair Vengeance at 2666MHZ (DDR4, CL18, 16gb unit), and replaced the 4GB unit).
Starting up the laptop was already different and the apps that usually act "slow" was noticeably different, but I am yet to test it with the girl of my dreams: Escape from Tarkov (where RAM *REALLY* matters).

The lap (on system bar) shows 24gb installed, and all is well. I will do the windows reinstall first though, since the operating system has not been renewed since I bought the laptop some 4-5 years ago.
Below is the amazon link to the RAM I got.
https://www.amazon.fr/Corsair-Vengeance-2666MHz-Module-mémoire/dp/B07BBQG6FR/ref=sr_1_10?__mk_fr_FR=...


Another question, if I may bother you (guys) with:
Major limitation on this lap is that main M.2 SSD is only 128gb, and I have to use the old fat standard HDD, so any application that has to be installed on it just performs miserably.
The HDD connects through standard old connection (I checked when I opened the laptop yesterday). I was wondering if there is a manner for me to add further M.2 modules instead of the HDD *through whichever means YOU might suggest*, or eventually having to just replace the current M.2 with a bigger capacity one.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

Glad your memory upgrade project went well.

What you can do for the drives:

You would have to remove the 128 GB M.2 SSD and replace it with a larger capacity one, and you can also replace the 2.5" mechanical hard drive with a 2.5" SATA SSD.

Chapter 1 of the service manual for your notebook indicates that both NVMe and SATA M.2 SSD's are supported, so if HP installed a 128 GB SATA SSD in your notebook, you may want to upgrade that to a larger capacity NVMe SSD which would have faster read/write speeds than a SATA SSD would have.

OMEN by HP Laptop PCModels 17-w001 through 17-w099 and Models 17-w201 through 17w299 Maintenance and...