HP311C memory specs discrepency

[xwb]

I've got an HP 311c-1030 with 1GB memory. If I open up the back, there is a blank slot. If I check the HP website, it says the max is 1Gb DDR3.

I was a bit curious, so I checked the other 311c models.

1020 Max 1Gb DDR2
1101 Max 3Gb DDR3

On Mr Memory, it says Max 2Gb DDR2 533
On Crucial, it says the same thing

When they say max, do you think they mean on top of what is already there? Machine has 1Gb, + max of 1Gb = 2Gb.

Only problem now is trying to figure out whether it is DDR2 or DDR3. If I order the memory and open the packet, I can't return it.

 

[tf1]

You HP mini has an nVidia MCP79 chipset that supports 3 GB DDR3 memory .

You can install either 1GB or 2GB module into the empty slot.

But it should be PC3-10600 or PC3-8500 1204-pin, unbuffered, non-EEC SODIMM. Is that what the current installed module reports?

(If you cannot get at the current module, use CPU-Z to confirm what is installed.)


Regards: Terry

 

[goombawaho]

Right, good call - CPU-Z will tell you about the installed memory stick if you want to match it exactly.

 

[xwb]

Finally got round to doing this. Anyway, CPU-Z just tells me that there are 2 blank slots. If I open the back, I can only see one slot. Wonder where the other one is.

Just went back to the Crucial website. It now says I can add 10600 MHz DDR3 2Gb module. I'm well confused.

I'm guessing that

1Gb max is incorrect.
2Gb max is the maximum expansion
3Gb max = 1Gb on board + 2 Gb expansion

 

[tf1]

That summary sounds correct. The 1GB it came with is inaccessible and thus not upgradable. HP (and other vendors) often fit a minimum amount of memory (usually sufficient to run the OS) onto the motherboard as it saves space. There isn't actually a slot as that memory is soldered directly to the board.

So you can add either a 1GB or 2GB module to the empty accessible slot. Are you sure that CPU-Z says that there are two EMPTY slots rather than two empty banks? And does it confirm that the memory fitted is PC3-10600?



Regards: Terry

 

[xwb]

Just rechecked - CPU-Z says there is 895Mb fitted. Presumably that is the 1 Gb but doesn't say anything about the speed etc.

On the slots, it doesn't say anything: just that there are 2 blank ones. It doesn't say anything about banks. It doesn't say anything about the speed - that was from the Crucial website.

 

[tf1]

The 'missing' memory from the 1GB is reserved for the on board graphics, so that is often normal. But when you run CPU-Z, don't you get a page tab like the linked screen shot?




Regards: Terry

 

[goombawaho]

If you look in CPU-Z under the SPD tab, it will tell you EXACTLY the speed and type of memory that it is. You can select (from the pull down) each slot and look at what inhabits it.

 

[xwb]

The information in the SPD tab is a bit strange. It says there is 894Mb memory. All the other boxes are greyed out and blank. It is probably soldered on and not a slot. There is no pulldown on that page.

Guess every PC gives different results.

 

[tf1]

You're probably correct. The different 'architecture' of the soldered on module must be confusing CPU-Z.

I'd be confident that either a 1GB or 2GB PC3-10600 module will work fine.


Regards: Terry

 

[goombawaho]

I never looked up the product. It's a mini. But I've never seen that where CPU-Z can't show the individual memory stick status, manufacturer, speed. That's a new one.

 

[tf1]

Me neither. I've seen errors on the Memory page but not on the SPD page. I recently purchased a Jetway Barebones mini-TOP and it was the latest version: the only minor change was it now takes DDR3 memory instead of DDR2. When I run CPU-Z, the Memory page reports DDR2 installed but the SPD page correctly reports DDR3. I can only presume that some of the information collected up by CPU-Z is from the BIOS and Jetway forgot to edit the BIOS info correctly. I guess something similar is happening here.

Regards: Terry

 

[goombawaho]

It's really interesting and it applies to many programs - we download and use FREE software and then find some minor fault with it.

If all software cost you money, it would be like the gum and candy at the store checkout, you'd look at a lot of it but actually get very little.

 

[xwb]

I'll take the risk - it is £17 for a 2Gb stick. I can always reuse it on one of the in-law's machines if it doesn't work.

 

[xwb]

I read on the HP site that you can acutally upgrade it with a 4Gb stick. The OS will use 1Gb + 3Gb. The extra 1Gb remains unused. Somehow this didn't seem right: 1 Gb sitting there unused.

Anyway, I just got the 2Gb stick from Crucial, plugged it in and it worked. Now on to the next fun job: overclocking.

 

[tf1]

A glutton for punishment?!!!

Regards: Terry

 

[goombawaho]

Now that someone else bumped this thread, I want to amend this comment I had made:

"But I've never seen that where CPU-Z can't show the individual memory stick status, manufacturer, speed. That's a new one."

I saw this on another machine recently - where the individual memory sticks weren't enumerated under SPD, but generally speaking CPUID gives the scoop you need, even if it's the general information on the memory. OR it will give the motherboard brand/model, which you can then look up directly.

 

[xwb]

The Crucial memory check was quite good - before it told me my memory configuration and 1 slot free. Now it tells me 1Gb + 2Gb and -1 slot free. Not sure if that is meant to be 0 or -1 (meaning that I can take some out and put some in).

Maybe for the fun of it I'll try CPUZ and the crucial check on my older P1s (yes - they still work so I can't throw them away).