memory upgrade, RAM and SSD for HP 17-X051NR

[SunsShadow]

Greetings to the Community!

I am in the process of researching for the proper items to upgrade the laptop mentioned above. Hopefully, these will be simple questions to all of you. This laptop was purchased in 2017 for the sole purpose of being my viewport to my telescope.

When researching the wanted components I see what seems to be a conundrum. Currently, the RAM in the laptop is the supplied memory consisting of a 2GB 2133Mhz SoDIMM and a 4GB 2133Mhz SoDIMM. Looking at the manual, there are two types of memory that can be used for this laptop: DDR4-2133-MHz dual channel support, 1.2V and DDR3L-1600-MHz dual channel support, 1.35V. According to sources I've researched, the 1600Mhz have 204 pins whereas the 2133Mhz have 260 pins. Are the sockets for the banks able to take both pin counts? How many pin contacts are there in my laptop model? I'm still searching for these answers but I hope to have a response here as well, thanks all for your time and knowledge.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

According to the HP specs for your notebook, it uses DDR3L-1600 memory.

HP Notebook - 17-x051nr (ENERGY STAR) Product Specifications | HP® Customer Support

The service manual indicates both types of memory (DDR3: or DDR4), but they are not interchangeable.

HP Notebook PC (Intel)Models: HP 17-x000 – 17-x099Models: HP 17-x100 – 17-x199 Maintenance and Servi...

What I recommend you do to eliminate any doubt would be to run the free utility that I zipped up and attached below, and it will tell you the type and speed of the memory installed in your notebook.

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

The service manual indicates there is a M.2 slot for a SATA SSD, but I believe that only the notebooks that came with a M.2 SSD from the factory have that slot.

[SunsShadow]

Thank you for responding, Paul;

I too have seen the specifications pdf that shared the info you mentioned. A little more info for my problem's possible solution: the CPU in this laptop is the Intel i3-6100U @ 2.3 Ghz [a UMA 6th gen cpu]. When looking at the same pdf, it shows that my laptop can take both 1600Mhz DDR3L and 2133Mhz DDR4 - this is odd, since the 1600Mhz DDR3Ls are 206 pin and the 2133Mhz DDR4s are 260 pin. Currently, the factory-installed RAM are a 2GB 2133Mhz and a 4GB 2133Mhz RAM stick. I'm starting to think that I have not 2 banks for RAM, but 4 banks - 204 pin x 2 and 260 pin x 2. To confirm this is why I posted my question in the first place but didn't clearly communicate that in my original post - I apologize for my fractured thought. From all of my research into getting clarification, I cannot find anything indicating this assumption. The one thing I am clear on is that the MB and CPU can only recognize up to a total of 16GB RAM.

And as for the M.2 SATA III SSD possibility, I also see nothing as to the profile type that can or may be installed into this laptop. I know for a fact that I don't have one installed due to it not being present in the file explorer program.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

Your notebook only has two memory slots, and if it has DDR4 memory installed, then that is the only type that will fit in the slots.

2 x 8 GB would be the max.

You can use DDR4-2400 memory because DDR4-2133 memory is hard to find.

The DDR4-2400 memory will automatically bridge to 2133 MHz, which is the fastest speed your notebook's processor can run the memory at.

The parts list for your notebook also confirms that there are two DDR4 memory chips installed.

HP PartSurfer

[SunsShadow]

Actually, Paul, I have found some 2133Mhz RAM:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M4KHBJ9/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A26PVB3960EU85&psc=1

And what you say about the RAM makes sense - that since the laptop already has 2133Mhz installed [260 pin count confirmed on at least the 2GB stick]

I also believe that I have a good choice for the SSD to replace the HDD - looking at a Samsung 860 EVO 1TB, which is the same capacity as the Toshiba HDD currently installed.

I only wish I could do this all myself: there are no specific access panels on the bottom of my laptop - just one big back to the whole enchilada. I'm looking into Geek Squad's prices - or, at least, trying to - for the work to be done.

Any suggestions ? video references? 8)=😊

[Paul_Tikkanen]

The only service guide that I know of I posted for you yesterday.

That has the memory removal and replacement procedures, etc.

The samsung is a very good choice and you may also want to take a look at this one which in my opinion, provides the best performance for the price.

Amazon.com: Western Digital 1TB WD Blue 3D NAND Internal PC SSD - SATA III 6 Gb/s, 2.5"/7mm, Up to 5...

[SunsShadow]

Thanks, Paul:

I'll look more in depth into that service guide - was only looking at the memory page mostly.

Interesting suggestion on the WD...and the Samsung is rated at 550 MB/s - those two are literally neck-n-neck. Only difference that could be applied is the Samsung is a refurbished drive from Geek Squad. Will seriously look at both again.

Thanks again for the immense help and being a sounding board to my thoughts. I'm pretty sure that I have my RAM chosen [previously linked]. If I go with the WD SSD, all purchases can be done through Amazon, whereas if I choose the Samsung SSD, I'll go through my local BestBuy for that. I'll keep the thread open until the work is done on the laptop.  😉

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Anytime.

Glad to have been of assistance.

[SunsShadow]

Got some good news! Replacement RAM and SSD will be arriving tomorrow.

Although, from past experience, I'm wondering if I need to update the BIOS in the laptop to accept the full capacity of 16GB in the RAM slots.

Is that a do, don't or doesn't matter?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

Chapter 6, pages 49 - 50 of the service manual provide no instructions to update the BIOS prior to installing memory.

Some different model notebook service manuals do indicate to update the BIOS first.

So...Before updating the BIOS, I recommend that you read the release notes for the current BIOS and any previous BIOS updates that are newer than the one you have installed now, and see what they fix or enhance.

If your notebook is running fine, I would not update the BIOS just because you are adding additional memory.