Upgrading Laptop Memory

[off wave surfer]

I recently bought a new laptop, nothing fancy just a productivity daily driver, I went for the 4GB RAM version because the 8GB was over £100/$145 more just for the extra RAM. Now looking to at least double the laptops memory as sometimes 4GB just isn't enough for some of the more demanding workloads, lots of multitasking, tons of browser tabs open or compiling and running some code or even some IDEs. My question really comes in two parts; First off dual channel 4GB modules or single channel 8GB module. And since the factory installed memory is not branded and just has some proprietary HP part number/info on it, do I straight up replace the memory with new stuff or risk any issues of running different branded memory? I know two DIMMs/SODIMMs with the exact same specs shouldn't really have any issues working together but there's a whole host of stories and claims to the contrary out there.

All help and info is greatly appreciated.

 

[MimigaKing]

25 minutes ago, off wave surfer said:

I recently bought a new laptop, nothing fancy just a productivity daily driver, I went for the 4GB RAM version because the 8GB was over £100/$145 more just for the extra RAM. Now looking to at least double the laptops memory as sometimes 4GB just isn't enough for some of the more demanding workloads, lots of multitasking, tons of browser tabs open or compiling and running some code or even some IDEs. My question really comes in two parts; First off dual channel 4GB modules or single channel 8GB module. And since the factory installed memory is not branded and just has some proprietary HP part number/info on it, do I straight up replace the memory with new stuff or risk any issues of running different branded memory? I know two DIMMs/SODIMMs with the exact same specs shouldn't really have any issues working together but there's a whole host of stories and claims to the contrary out there.

All help and info is greatly appreciated.

 

I will assume your new laptop is using DDR3 memory. 

 

Really, if you aren't using that laptop for gaming, putting any ram modules in won't make a difference. as long as it uses the same kind and speed of ram, brands won't matter. 

 

Just make ABSOLUTELY SURE that you use the proper ram. There are DDR3 and DDR3L memory sticks. do NOT confuse them or you'll destroy everything. 

 

DDR3 runs at 1.5V

DDR3L runs at 1.35V

[Narnash]

For a "nothing fancy just a productivity daily driver" .... only bother yourself with questions like ."How much RAM will I need?

... for a productifivity driver, that isn't to powerful I would say = 8GB not more.

 

You can mix the current OEM RAM easy with some of the same specs, compatibility issues are rare and most of the time it is the BIOS wich doesn't accept the RAM stick and not the trouble with the exsisting one. If you run in compatibility issues just send it back and order another one.

 

^{And since you won't need more than 8GB and you have 4GB, I suggest to order 4GB with the same spec's for £10-15 and done}  

 

 

 (BTW even if you pick a stick with a diffrent setting, it is likely that it would be regulate themself to work on the settings of the slower one )

[off wave surfer]

Thanks for that, and I only want to upgrade as pretty much straight after I start doing most of my everyday work tasks RAM usage is almost always above 70% and regularly ends up in the high 90s. Apologies for not mentioning the type, it is DDR3L however I am aware of the difference in voltages.