i7 processor

[miltaryman]

I want to upgrade my DV7's RAM and processor. Can I go to 16GB RAM, and which model i5 & i7 processor can this laptop support? I currently have the sloooow AMD A6 processor. Thanks.

[NonSequitur777]

@miltaryman,

Welcome to our HP User Forum!

Your HP Pavilion Dv7-6b56nr Entertainment Notebook PC fitted with the AMD processor socket according to: http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c03043778.pdf, can be fitted up to an AMD A8-3550MX (2.70-GHz).  Reference: CPU-Upgrade: AMD A8-3550MX CPU. You cannot fit an Intel processor in an AMD CPU socket.

[EDIT:] It looks like it is possible to purchase an A8-3550MX, but they appear to be very expensive compared with Intel CPU upgrades. Given this pricing limitation, and lackluster AMD-FS1 processor performance in general, perhaps it is time to consider a new(er), faster notebook.

Your laptop has "2 customer-accessible/upgradable memory module slots", and according to this manual, can only be fitted with up to 8GB (such as 2 x 4GB) for AMD processors fitted notebooks, unlike Intel CPU socket-fitted notebooks, which can go up to 16GB.

However, Crucial as per https://www.crucial.com/compatible-upgrade-for/hp---compaq/pavilion-dv7-6b56nr, does not mention this difference of AMD/Intel RAM limits, and claims that you can fit up to 16GB (such as 2 x 8GB to attain dual-channel mode) of DDR3 PC3-12800, 1600 MHz, NON-ECC, SODIMM, 204-pin RAM.  They explain this as follows: https://www.crucial.com/support/articles-faq-memory/crucial-recommends-higher-max-ram-than-manufactu....

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[miltaryman]

Thanks for the response.

Do you think I can go higher than the AMD 8, as in the Ryzen series?

Thanks.

[NonSequitur777]

@miltaryman,

It appears not:

Link: https://www.cpu-world.com/Sockets/Socket_FS1.html

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[miltaryman]

Ok, I guess the A8 will be the ceiling, but maybe Ill try these two steps first, as the only A8s for sale are on sketchy Ebay.

If I were to try a memory card upgrade to 16gb (8X2)(which would cost around $42), should I be looking for DDR3, or 4?

On a different note, does ReadyBoost really work to speed up a laptop?

If I were to buy a 32gb (about $15-$20)USB or slot memory card and activate ReadyBoost, will I see a difference?

And if so, will a higher card (64gb) give me a better result?

thanks

[NonSequitur777]

@miltaryman,

DDR3 [or DDR3L] PC3-12800, 1600 MHz, NON-ECC, SODIMM, 204-pin RAM.

Before I switched to a SATA Solid State Drive (SSD) on my legacy HP ProBook 6560b, I happened to use an 32GB SD card in this laptop's SD slot for ReadyBoost, and I believe it worked quite well.  No, a 64GB memory card is not going to make a difference.

Better still is to upgrade your HDD with an SSD if you haven't done so already.  If your primary (boot) drive is already an (SATA) SSD, then ReadyBoost is not going to help out.

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[miltaryman]

Geez, youre full of bad news...lol.. I did change my drive to SSD 128gb about 5 years ago. Although it now only has about 6gb available. My Windows Experience Index for Calculations Per Second under "Processor" is 3.7..! Ive heard of deleting temporary files as an option, but Im worried I might lose something. When I checked, I have over 65,000 files in my temp folder. Whats your opinion o

[NonSequitur777]

@miltaryman,

This took me a little while, so I do apologize for the delay.

Step #1:

Type CMD in your Windows search bar, and right-click on Command Prompt and: "Run as administrator".

Type or copy/paste:

del /q/f/s %TEMP%*

And hit enter. -No worries, you won't lose anything of importance.

Exit out of CMD or type/paste: exit and enter.

Step #2:

Go to: My Computer

Select the drive that contains your OS (probably C: )

Right-click on it, and select Properties.

Here, go to General tab and select Disk Cleanup to delete all temporary files.

Check off (✓) all boxes and hit OK.

Now click on "Clean up system files".

This may take a while, but eventually a small window named "Disk Cleanup for Windows (C:)" or something like that, will show up. Make sure all boxes (Device driver packages, Recycle Bin, etc.) are all checked off (✓).

Please note: the 'Total amount of disk space you gain' could be quite a bit, meaning several to 10+ GB.

Hit OK.

On: "Are you sure you want to permanently delete these files?", you fearlessly hit: "Delete files".

This will nicely remove all unnecessary files/clutter on your drive.

Btw, this step will likely take even longer to complete -no worries, be patient.

Step #3:

Download the very useful freeware utility named "CCleaner" from here: https://www.ccleaner.com/ccleaner/download.

Choose the "Free Download" option and install: right-click on the "ccsetupxxx.exe" file, and "Run as administrator".

Then: hit "Customize" and un-click "Add Start Menu Shortcuts", then: Install.

Unclick "View release notes" and "Run CCleaner".

If CCleaner offers anything commercial, such as virus protection or making Google Chrome your preferred browser, deny it.

Then hit "Start".

If CCleaner asks you to close any "items" such as your browser, hit "Close & Analyze".

(Sometimes it may take the "force" option to make these programs shut down.)

You will be greeted, so to speak, with: "Your PC feels under the weather".

No worries: hit: "Make it better"

After a short while "Your PC is feeling good now...".

Next: hit "Registry" on the left and hit: "Scan for Issues".

This may take a little while. Then hit: "Review selected Issues".

On "Do you want to back up the registry before making changes?" hit "No", then: "Fix All Selected Issues", then "Close" and exit out of CCleaner.

Step #4:

Back to CMD (Command Prompt) Run as administrator.

Type or copy paste (including the space between sfc and /scannow):

sfc /scannow

And hit enter. This make take while, fetch yourself a cup of Joe or any other beverage of your preference.

After this is completed, type or copy/paste (including the spaces):

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

And hit enter.

Finish your cup of Joe/preferred beverage.

Step #5:

RESTART your computer.

Step #6 (optional)

Buy a 480/500 GB SATA SSD or larger as your wallet may dictate such as this quality priced down example for $36: https://www.amazon.com/TEAMGROUP-T-Force-Vulcan-Internal-T253TZ480G0C101/dp/B09WMQQ68S/ref=sr_1_26_s....

In order to clone your existing drive to a larger SSD, you need a temporary clone tool: a USB to SATA drive adapter, such as this one: https://www.amazon.com/BENFEI-Drive-Adapter-Cable-Compatible/dp/B07F7WDZGT/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=2ES6....

Cloning Software: download the free Macrium Reflect 8 from here: https://www.macrium.com/reflectfree, (choose "Download Free") and run. If by running this tool you need any directions, see this nicely done YouTube tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LClr3FPg4_4.

And there you go.

These steps should fix your lack of drive space.

Run CCleaner at least once a week. Including clearing out the registers as shown.

Hope this was helpful.

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[miltaryman]

Other than the may/may not work because HP doesnt recommend 8GB sticks, are the rest of the specs on these Samsungs correct?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KEAEX54/?coliid=I2G6LJOABTTY8O&colid=3CRZ4M8K2FT43&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig...

If they dont work I will return them. 

What will I experience which will indicate to me that they ARENT working after I insert them?

Thanks again.

[NonSequitur777]

@miltaryman,

Yes, the Samsung DDR3 1600 MHz RAM sticks you referenced should work just fine -excellent choice, IMO. I have had nothing but positive experiences using Samsung RAM, both DDR3 and DDR4 RAM.

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777