installing another 8gig ram module? which to buy?

[montana2008]

Hi, im trying to upgrade my HP Pavilion Gaming laptop, the 16 inch model. black..

i ran the HP identify prog and i got this HP Pavilion Gaming Laptop - 16-a0033tx. it already has 8gig, i need another 8 gig, which module do i buy? im in thailand at moment and its tricky getting the correct info and where to buy. any ideas much welcome. thanks in advanced.

[banhien]

@montana2008 

Its specs

          https://support.hp.com/au-en/document/c06684250

It has 8 GB DDR4-2933 SDRAM (1 x 8 GB) now. You can add SAME existing 8GB to slot 2 or using the following RAM

You can also upgrade to

(a) 32GB: Using  https://www.crucial.com/memory/ddr4/ct2k16g4sfd832a/ct18863702  will run at 2933 MHz

(b) 64GB: Using  https://www.crucial.com/memory/ddr4/ct2k32g4sfd832a/ct18863707  will run at 2933 MHz

Regards.

[montana2008]

Thanks for the info. When I search on part surfer it says I need 8gig ddr 4 - 3200, Samsung die d, any ideas which is correct? I guess I’m asking how do I get hold of the same 8gig ram module that’s already in the laptop so I can have 16 gigs

[NonSequitur777]

@banhien,

Yes, HP's specs as you referenced (HP Pavilion Gaming Laptop - 16-a0033tx Product Specifications | HP® Customer Support) specifies "DDR4-2933 SDRAM", but I noticed that as per HP Partsurfer [ HP PartSurfer ] for @montana2008's laptop (product number 194W0PA), the RAM is actually, quote: "MEMORY 8GB 3200MHz 1.2v DDR4 SHARED" (p/n: L46598-005).

This is also confirmed, for example, by Crucial: Memory RAM & SSD Upgrades | hp - compaq | pavilion gaming 16 series | Pavilion Gaming 16-a0033tx | C....

Could be another example, I'm afraid, that HP's 'Knowledge Base' is either incomplete or incorrect.

Of course, this has to be confirmed either way by @montana2008: Go to "Task Manager", click on the "Performance" tab, and select "Memory", and look at "Speed".  What is it: 2933 or 3200 MHz? (See example below)

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[NonSequitur777]

@montana2008,

You already answered the question: 3200 MHz RAM it is.

See if you can get the OEM HP 8 GB RAM stick to match your existing RAM via Ebay, for example: hp l46598-005: Search Result | eBay.

Hope this was helpful.

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[montana2008]

thanks for the reply, in my task manager it says: 2933 mhz, form facto SODIM, does that mean i need 8 gig DDR 4 3200 SODIM? and i can use any brand with the existing 8 gig module?

[NonSequitur777]

@montana2008,

There are two possibilities: either your laptop can run 3200 MHz RAM but can't because the RAM stick you have is a 2933 MHz RAM stick, or your laptop can't run 3200 MHz, and even if your existing RAM is rated 3200 MHz, it will default to your motherboard's max RAM speed, 2933 MHz.

So, I need a little more information if you don't mind.  If you don't have it, please download and install the very useful freeware utility program "Speccy" from here: Speccy - Free Download (ccleaner.com). Choose the "FREE" option, download and install. Choose to create a desktop start-up icon only.

Once up and running, go to "RAM", and, if necessary, click on the tiny blue triangle to the left of "Slot #1".  You'll see something like the pic below. Please report the info as outlined in red.

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[montana2008]

thanks for ur help my friend.

Speccy reports:

Manufacturer Samsung
Max Bandwidth DDR4-3200 (1600 MHz)
Part Number M471A1K43DB1-CWE
Serial Number 372254135

[NonSequitur777]

@montana2008,

Both @banhien and I checked what memory speed RAM your motherboard supports by locating your laptop's specs on HP's manufacturer’s websites. The correct supported RAM frequency should have been listed the same throughout all their documentation, but there is a glaring discrepancy as demonstrated.

Summarizing, use the Speccy program to figure out what 8GB RAM brand and part number is installed in your laptop.  The cheapest solution for you would be to purchase the exact same RAM part number module for your slot #2, and you're done.  After all, 2933 MHz is plenty fast.

Why buy the exact same RAM?

Because it is highly recommended to get matching sticks of RAM to be able to run them in Dual Channel Mode to avoid stuttering in games and for best computing performance overall.

Your second option, if your RAM stick happens to be of the 2933 MHz variety, would be to buy two new 8GB 3200 MHz RAM sticks to take advantage of your laptop's 3200 MHz RAM speed capability -which I honestly believe is the case based on HP's reference to "MEMORY 8GB 3200MHz 1.2v DDR4 SHARED" (p/n: L46598-005).

And if you were to entertain option 2, I personally would buy this RAM: Samsung 8GB DDR4 3200 MHz SODIMM PC4-25600 CL22 1Rx8 1.2V 260-Pin SO-DIMM Laptop Notebook RAM Memory, part number: M471A1K43DB1-CWE as seen here, for example: Samsung 8GB DDR4 3200MHz SODIMM PC4-25600 CL22 1Rx8 1.2V 260-Pin SO-DIMM Laptop Notebook RAM Memory ....  This because having tinkered with many HP computers over the years and encountered more times than I would like that HP computers are finnicky at what RAM speed they allow RAM modules to run, Samsung RAM has never disappointed.

Need to go, will check in the morning.

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[NonSequitur777]

@montana2008,

Our responses crisscrossed the globe: please copy and paste the Timing Table, like this: (EDIT: I would use the "print screen" option, paste it in MS Paint, then use "Home", "Select", "Rectangular section", then 'cut' the desired section, back to "Home", then "Cut", and paste your selection image in your reply.)

[EDIT:] As per HP Forum rules, please remove your RAM's serial number.

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777