SO CONFUSED! What RAM should I get for HP Omen 870-2XX?

[zettler]

Been running tests to see what is already installed in my HP Omen 870-2XX {a Walmart special} and when I go to sites like Crucial, Amazon etc., they do not register the HP model BUT suggest it has two 8GP modules of DDR4-2400 and can handle a maximum of 32GB...

So, I run scans {UserBenchmark.com) it comes back that I supposedly have two 8GB modules comprised of MICRON chips {Micron 8ATF1G64AZ-2G6H1 8ATF1G64AZ-2G6H1 16GB} running at 2667 MHz, not 2400???

Again, it's been a LONG time since I built a PC and am not up to date on the differences but does this seem right?

I am wanting to upgrade to the MAX of 32GB of RAM but am wondering if I need to since the Benchmarks came back sterling IMHO, or, just go ahead and get some more RAM as I started out to do BUT want to make sure I buy the "Right" kind.

UserBenchmarks: Game 81%, Desk 81%, Work 54%
CPU: Intel Core i7-7700 - 85.3%
GPU: Nvidia GTX 1070 - 84.1%
SSD: Sandisk SD8SB8U-256G-1006 256GB - 77.3%
HDD: WD Blue 1TB (2012) - 102.8%
RAM: Micron 8ATF1G64AZ-2G6H1 8ATF1G64AZ-2G6H1 16GB - 78.2%
MBD: HP OMEN by HP Desktop PC 870-2XX

Anyway, that's what I have and would appreciate all input.

Thank you in advance from an old-timer here at Anandtech....

 

[VirtualLarry]

Well, what do you do with the PC that uses more than 16GB of RAM?

 

[zettler]

LOL. Probably nothing but you know how guys can be...just trying to future proof the PC but not sure I need to as it is fast.

I do not game.
I do use it to edit videos.
I do play Solitaire....

;}

 

[bbhaag]

Sounds like 16GB will be fine for you so I wouldn't worry to much about upgrading to 32GB just yet. If you would like to know the true speed of your ram I would suggest dl'ing CPU-Z or HWiNFO. Either of these two programs will tell you the real speed(frequency) your ram is running at.

 

[zettler]

Thank you.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Crucial guarantees compatibility, and have an excellent track record, so I wouldn't worry about their spec being wrong, per se (inasmuch as your system will work with 2400MHz RAM.)

But it's entirely possible that your machine's factory batch was equipped with slightly faster-than-spec RAM from the factory, just due to parts availability. It happens.

Even if you haven't built a PC in years, the tradeoffs will probably be familiar: as long as the types match, different speeds will work together. Mixing RAM speeds will cause all RAM to run at the lower speed. Benchmarks can spot the speed difference between 2400 and 2667, but in most* real-world scenarios, there's no downside the slightly slower RAM. But if you don't actually need more RAM (if you're not running out, or doing very specific sorts of ram-eating workloads) then there's also no upside to upgrading either. (True back when it was PC100 vs. PC133 and still true. Broadly.)

 

[zettler]

I read you both. I doubt if I get a new laptop in the near future so I am trying to make the best of a credit at Amazon.

As for my other PC, the HP Omen, criminy it’s fast, so I am rethinking adding more Ram there.




My big problem right now is similar to the last big ask I had here two years ago, and that is I recently bought a Lenovo Ideapad 330 from Walmart for my daughter, a display, and the damn thing is locked by the friggin WalMart demo software and does not have a partition with the restore.....................

I have the download from Lenovo on a USB right now to do a restore but am concerned I might be hosing the laptop!!!!!

I can get into the BIOS at least but need to make sure of what I need to do and do it properly...

While I like that I got the Lenovo laptop for $100, my time and effort ain’t free even though I am retired....and then there’s the frustration!

 

[VirtualLarry]

I wouldn't have accepted a laptop with "demo mode" software enabled. I bought an open-box/floor-model laptop at Staples. They said, "Give us a couple of days to restore the laptop, and then you can pick it up". Which was the responsible thing to do.

Take that Demo model back, and demand that Walmart restore it.

Or just put Linux on it, if you can.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Probably needs the BIOS reset too/first.

 

[zettler]

Well the Lenovo was a “deal” for around a $100 but I did think it had already been cleared - my bad.

I was able to register it AND download the restore and install it on a USB dongle but too much going on today to work on it. Hope to tomorrow night.

I did read somewhere that I ought reset in BIOS to “Legacy ———-“ and will research some more tomorrow to make sure I approach this the right or proper way.

Again, it’s a backup laptop for family and I hope it works out....

THANK YOU ALL for your input and consideration.

 

[nosirrahx]

When it comes to laptops I always do the same thing.

1. update everything (BIOS, OS, Drivers)
2. export the installed drivers
3. build an install image with the current OS, updates and the drivers you just exported
4. delete all partitions and install the image you just built

Some of these steps can be time consuming. If you are interested I or may of the other experts here could give you a quick rundown.

The main reason to do this is to have a 100% fresh install that is also 100% update to date.

 

[zettler]

When it comes to laptops I always do the same thing.

1. update everything (BIOS, OS, Drivers)
2. export the installed drivers
3. build an install image with the current OS, updates and the drivers you just exported
4. delete all partitions and install the image you just built

Some of these steps can be time consuming. If you are interested I or may of the other experts here could give you a quick rundown.

The main reason to do this is to have a 100% fresh install that is also 100% update to date.

Thank you.

That's what I have been doing over past two years for two HP OMEN gaming PCs and a couple laptops. And if you check my history, two years ago I got my son in law a HP Star Wars laptop from Walmart where I had to clear the crap demo stuff BUT that was easier. It had a partition and once I got in there I was able to do a complete restore thereby deleting all the Walmart stuff...

This Lenovo didn't have a partition BUT I was able to download and create a restore on a 32GB USB dongle from Lenovo.

HOWEVER, I read somewhere that I need to reset something in BIOS and that's what I need a research before attempting...

Again, thank you!

 

[zettler]

Well, the restore program from Lenovo appears to have worked!

In addition, I had a working 330 model that I was able to compare BIOS's with and most were the same; just a couple of differences since the working one had updated it's firmware (and BIOS).

I was able to then update Windows 10 Home and then started the updating of Lenovo stuff, including, it's firmware. Had to go to bed before it finished but hope all is well.

The big difference on this model is has no CD/DVD drive, nor a SSD. There is a slot for the CD drive but I now wonder if I could replace it with an SSD to "quicken" boot....

Anyway, I am glutton for punishment and picked up a HP 360 (HP 15-bp152wm 15.6" FHD Touchscreen Laptop, Intel i7-8550U, 4GB SDRAM, 16GB RAM, 1TB HDD), another Walmart "deal" and will work on it next.

You know, these "deals" end up costing you more BUT it's difficult to pass on a $1,100 MSRP laptop for more than 80% off when you have family members that can use one...

Again, thank you all for your assistance AND input.

 

[zettler]

AN UPDATE.

Well, I have restored and updated the Lenovo 330. I then created a backup on a USB dongle, so it's ready to go - except Lenovo said it's out of warranty. I guess that since it's a floor model, they activated it. I did buy an extended warranty so hopefully it's covered....

As for the HP, I was able to get into BIOS but not Windows. Trying to recall all that I did after that and recall getting into RESTORE and the first step was to wipe the hard drive partition where Windows was located. It said it would take up to "3 minutes" but 25 minutes later the guage showing progress remained at zero, so I cancelled. Bad move.

It seemed like it had wiped out much of the Windows partition but left alone the part where HP placed a backup. However, as everything was wonky now, the restore wouldn't work, nor any of HP's crappy support webpages.

I then downloaded a MS Windows backup onto another USB dongle and tried to boot to restore that way. No go, as it said no hard-drive, or, no drivers.

Back to HP "s website for the drivers, loaded onto a different USB dongle, and between the two I was somehow able to install Windows, update it AND begin updating the HP crap and driver's.

I had to quit for it was 2 am and will double-check today.