HP Envy RAM Upgrade

Hi, sorry if this is the wrong place to post this, I have ordered a HP Envy and want to upgrade the RAM to 6GB. The only problem is I don't have the laptop yet and there are 2 bids on ebay ending today which I hope will go cheap. What I need to know is is the RAM in the envy DDR3-10600 or DDR3-10666? and can I put either anyway? and the RAM I am looking at are samsung and corsair. Would they be alrite or does it need to be HP branded?

Thanks

 

You can put in either type of RAM. There is no branding limitation.

Your Envy will run perfectly well with 4GB of RAM, so I would suggest holding off until you get it to see what kind of RAM is in it (timings and such) and then match that when you order it.

 

Since you're buying the version with an i5 in it, the memory will be DDR3-8500 (1066 mhz). The i5's FSB supports 1066 mhz as a max, so no reason to buy 1333 mhz ram.

 

Do you think it would be worthwhile upgrading to 6GB? Would it make much of a difference. I thought 4GB might not be enough as I intent to use the laptop for gaming, 3d modelling, photoshop work, quite intensive tasks.

 

Are you sure the i5 versions come with DDR3-8500? I thought it was DDR3-10600.

 

It may be. I have mine upgraded. Best thing to do is use it for a while and see if you routinely run out of RAM. 4GB is quite a bit, and will do everything you list easily, but it depends on what sizes of 3D models and such as to how much RAM you'll use.

 

it would really be pratical for u to hold out.. u can find good RAM deals all the time.. also do u really need more than 4GB? if u really don't , then no point in upgrading.. anyways , with envy , since u have 4 slots , might be better to upgrade to 8GB instead of 6.. as u can get 2 2X2GB RAM kits cheapily compared to 1 kit and 1 extra stick.

 

The model I'm getting with the i5 I think is only 2 dimm so I would have to get 2x4GB which would be very pricey.

 

You are correct sir. Not "very pricey", around $300, but I'd rather spend $300 on an SSD instead of RAM, depending on what's the bottleneck.

 

Well when I got the laptop for $890, $300 is quite a lot for RAM. Anyway do you think a SSD would be more beneficial. I would need a 128GB minimum though and they are quite expensive.

 

For the money, an SSD will generally provide more of a boost in performance than extra RAM. That depends a lot on the application, if the application is not RAM bound, then the SSD is the best bet. If it is limited by the amount of memory, then more RAM will help.

Best bet is to get your machine and test it. See if you do run out of RAM using your most complicated 3D models and largest Photoshop images. 4GB of RAM is more than enough for any current game.

If you don't run out of RAM and start swapping, an SSD will give you a very noticeable speed boost (I'm looking at one toward the end of the year here), whereas more RAM won't change much of anything if you aren't swapping.

 

Ok thanks for the advice. I will look into getting SSD maybe instead of the ram. And for the dual config do both HDD's need to be 1.8" drives?

 

Yes, the Envy will either support one 2.5" drive or two 1.8" drives.

 

Heh. Now, the other thing to take into account is how willing you are to open your Envy up. You can upgrade to 6GB of RAM very, very easily. To upgrade the hard drive, you need to be VERY comfortable with opening up a computer and working in it. It's got some fiddly ribbon cables that are a pain to insert/remove properly. I just opened mine up last night. It's definitely doable, but if you're not totally comfortable with very delicate repair work, upgrading to an SSD may be more than you want to do.

 

This might be a little irrelevant but does only the i7 envy have 4 slots?

 

Yes. It's also the only one to have USB3.