HP 250 G1 Laptop -- maximum RAM that can be installed?

[rbz37]

Hi, I recently purchased an HP 250 G1 (H6E24EA#ABU) laptop:   Processor: Intel® Core™ i3-2348M 2.3GHz    • 3 MB cache    • 2 cores    • Mobile Intel® HM75 Express;     Memory: (PRE-INSTALLED) 4GB 1600MHz DDR3 SDRAM   • 2 x SODIMM

Wanted to upgrade the RAM -- have read conflicting amounts -- 6GB max from HP site and reseller's sites (perhaps they are simply copying and pasting from HP site?) -- BUT 8GB on other "techy" sites and also RAM sites such as Crucial when I research this EXACT model.

Q1: which is correct?

Q2: if both possible or nobody is sure, would it hurt/be detrimental to laptop if i chose to install the 8GB (even if it really only can access 6GB)? In other words, is it bad/harmful to laptop/processor/etc if i were to OVERINSTALL ram (8GB instead 6GB HP spec)? 

Q3: should the RAM chips on both slots match (eg. need same #GB in each slot; or in spec (e.g. CL, voltage etc.); and/or even in RAM brand?

I ask because some of Adobe CC's (e.g. Indesign, Illustrator) programs CAN work on the existing pre-installed ram but Adobe recommends 8GB. And yes, I do realize that an i5 or i7 cpu would have been better for my needs than an i3 to run things like photoshop etc., but i really needed to keep my purchase within a very limited budget and still within Adobe CC's minimum specs. And yes I understand that overinstalling RAM may be a simple waste of a bit of cash, but was wondering all the same.

Many thanks.

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi:

Below is the link to the service manual for your notebook.

The supported memory info is listed in chapter 1 on page 2.

http://h20566.www2.hp.com/portal/site/hpsc/template.BINARYPORTLET/public/kb/docDisplay/resource.proc...

It appears to me that they just left out the 2 x 4096 config since the first thing that is written is 8 GB is supported.

Memory 2 customer-accessible/upgradable memory module slots

Supports dual-channel memory 

Supports up to 8192 GB of system RAM

So, I believe that anywhere you are seeing that info, they are copying the memory config specs from this source.

Too bad they just didn't install 1 x 4GB of PC3-12800 memory.

Now you will have to remove both 2 Gb memory modules and install 2 x 4 GB memory modules.

[rbz37]

many many thanks!  

i hadn't yet opened the box (just in case i couldn't get the 8gb max, i would have considered another laptop option...). still, that doesn't excuse me from not thinking and not downloading manual from hp site... feel a bit stupid... though i must admit, i would still have been confused by the conflicting info in the manual, as you noted. and yeah, bit frustrating that the other slot wasn't left open for a cheaper consumer upgrade option.  

again, thanks!

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

Yes it is confusing, and my assumption is that most folks don't know where to find the information about their new PC's online.  I am of the opinion that there is never a stupid question.

There is a consumer PC support site, and a business PC support site, and there are disconnects between them sometimes.

I was glad to be of assistance.