hp 15-r030wm, upgrading RAM, and opening the computer.

[4-Laura]

I have two questions about my hp 15-r030wm notebook.

First, I want to upgrade my RAM, but need to know if I should get 8 or 12 Gs.

Second, the specifications say there is one user accessable slot, but I can not find anything on how to open the computer!  There is no obvious door or access panel anywhere.

Any help is appreciated!!

[visruth]

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@4-Laura wrote:

I have two questions about my hp 15-r030wm notebook.

First, I want to upgrade my RAM, but need to know if I should get 8 or 12 Gs.

Second, the specifications say there is one user accessable slot, but I can not find anything on how to open the computer!  There is no obvious door or access panel anywhere.

Any help is appreciated!!

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Supports up to 8 GB of system RAM in the following configuration: 8192MB total system memory (8192×1)

RAM configuration possible:

DDR3L PC3L-12800 1600MHz SODIMM SDRAM

DDR3L-1333MHz Single Channel Support (DDR3L-1600 downgraded to DDR3L-1333)

DDR3L-1066MHz Single Channel Support (DDR3L-1600 downgraded to DDR3L-1066)

Manual

Go through Page 74 in the above manual - you have to take out for the upgrade to happen:

Keyboard

Top cover

WLAN module

System board

Contact HP or local tech store for assistance if you're new to this kind of disassembly.

Regards

Visruth

[Huffer]

Here is a series of images and videos you may find helpful. It is not precisely your model series but almost exactly the same. It is a Pavilion 15 without a user accessible service panel. Getting to the hard drive will also expose the way to get to the memory, but I believe you have to remove the motherboard to get to the memory slot.. With the Pentium N CPU it is definitely a single slot and you are going to have to settle for 8 gigs...there is no such thing as a 12 gig module. 8 gig modules for that laptop are around $90-100, which is about 40% of the price of the laptop, but I assume you know that. 

http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c04330942

Here is the Service Manual:

http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c04162986.pdf

The Manual says it has 2 memory slots for the Intel models but we have learned that WalMart versions using the N processors have only one slot. 

If this is "the Answer" please click "accept as Solution" to help others find it. 

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

This is the service manual for that model. Memory upgrade info can be found in chapter one on page 2.

http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c04409502.pdf

Upgrading the memory is not a DIY project, and will void the warranty if you break anything in the process.

Be prepared to disassemble virtually the entire notebook.  See chapter 6 for the memory R & R procedures.

[4-Laura]

What is the red L after the DDR3?  Will the one listed below work?  My son builds desktops, and he isn't sure about the notebooks, but this is what he recommended.

Kingston ValueRAM 8GB 1600MHz DDR3 (PC3-12800) Non-ECC CL11 SODIMM Notebook Memory (KVR16S11/8)

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

The L stands for low voltage.

You need notebook memory with a voltage of 1.35, not 1.5.

The memory your son picked out will not work.  From what I could find the voltage specs are 1.5V.

You need memory that stated DDR3L, not DDR3.

I'd go with this one.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231699

If you want to go with Kingston, this would be the one you would want.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820239697

Both of these chips have the L designation at the end of the model #

For example the Kingston...  KVR16LS11/8 

[4-Laura]

Thank you so much.   Is the g.skill better than Kingston?

[visruth]

These brands assemble RAMs from the main manufacturer Samsung or Hynix memory and sell off.
They are both good, though G.skill is the one I too suggest.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

I have always used G.Skill memory in my desktop and notebook PC's.  I've never had a problem with it, and normally it is less expensive than the Kingston.

Yet in this case the Kingston is less expensive than the G.Skill.

The choice is yours.  Kingston is fine memory too.