Question Was I scammed?

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
scooobydoobydoo

scooobydoobydoo

Jul 17, 2025
3
0
10
As someone who is still familiarizing myself with system hardware fundamentals, I’ve been exploring my device’s memory configuration to better understand its current setup and potential for upgrades. Upon reviewing the System Information, I noted the following details:
  • Installed Physical Memory (RAM): 8.00 GB
  • Total Physical Memory: 7.34 GB
  • Available Physical Memory: 1.49 GB
  • Total Virtual Memory: 16.5 GB
  • Available Virtual Memory: 7.24 GB
  • Page File Space: 9.21 GB
  • Page File: C:\pagefile.sys
Additionally, the system reports that 1 of 2 RAM slots is currently occupied. This has raised a few questions that I hope you can help me with:
  1. Does this indicate that my system has a single RAM module installed and one slot available for expansion?
  2. Would adding a second RAM module be advisable for enhancing overall system performance?
  3. Is there any chance that I may have unintentionally altered system settings or configurations that could impact memory usage or performance\
I would greatly appreciate your guidance on this, as I’m eager to ensure my system is optimally configured. :)
 
Sort by date Sort by votes
Welcome to the forums, newcomer!

1| Take off the side panel and see if your motherboard indeed has one of it's slots populated, if so, then yes that single stick is 8GB in capacity.

2| Depends on what platform you have but you shouldn't mix/match or adda random stick of ram in hopes of an upgrade.

3| I doubt.

Use CPU-Z, then pass on screenshots of what you see on each tab/drop down menu. You should host your images on a site akin to Imgur then pass on links for us to see.

The PSU is the only part you'll need to inspect after taking off the side panels of your case and then taking a picture of the stickered info on said PSU. We'll also need to know the age of the PSU.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
As advised, I’ve installed CPU-Z and captured screenshots from all the relevant tabs. I’ve uploaded them to Postimages for easy viewing:

🔗 Image Gallery: https://postimg.cc/gallery/3YzhWGP
Please feel free to take a look and let me know if you spot anything noteworthy or if there’s anything else I should check. I truly appreciate the support as I work to understand my system better.

Thanks again!
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
scooobydoobydoo said:
As someone who is still familiarizing myself with system hardware fundamentals, I’ve been exploring my device’s memory configuration to better understand its current setup and potential for upgrades. Upon reviewing the System Information, I noted the following details:
  • Installed Physical Memory (RAM): 8.00 GB
  • Total Physical Memory: 7.34 GB
  • Available Physical Memory: 1.49 GB
  • Total Virtual Memory: 16.5 GB
  • Available Virtual Memory: 7.24 GB
  • Page File Space: 9.21 GB
  • Page File: C:\pagefile.sys
Additionally, the system reports that 1 of 2 RAM slots is currently occupied. This has raised a few questions that I hope you can help me with:
  1. Does this indicate that my system has a single RAM module installed and one slot available for expansion?
  2. Would adding a second RAM module be advisable for enhancing overall system performance?
  3. Is there any chance that I may have unintentionally altered system settings or configurations that could impact memory usage or performance\
I would greatly appreciate your guidance on this, as I’m eager to ensure my system is optimally configured. :)
Click to expand...
Go here and run the scanner see what it shows.

Crucial
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
The short answer is this: Yes, you can add in another 8gb ram stick to make it 16gb total, but also more importantly for that Ryzen CPU, is that your memory will be running in dual channel mode. This will give a really good kick in performance. Up to 20 or 25%. The boost also applies in gaming.

In terms of what ram to purchase, your current ram is running at 3200mhz, so you can get another DIMM and it should run fine. Normally on desktop PC's, mixing ram is a no-no, as it can cause major issues. However, with laptops, they are much more forgiving. So you can often mix and match ram, with good results ie. They work together at their rated speeds.
 
  • Like
Reactions: CountMike
Upvote 0 Downvote
Roland Of Gilead said:
The short answer is this: Yes, you can add in another 8gb ram stick to make it 16gb total, but also more importantly for that Ryzen CPU, is that your memory will be running in dual channel mode. This will give a really good kick in performance. Up to 20 or 25%. The boost also applies in gaming.

In terms of what ram to purchase, your current ram is running at 3200mhz, so you can get another DIMM and it should run fine. Normally on desktop PC's, mixing ram is a no-no, as it can cause major issues. However, with laptops, they are much more forgiving. So you can often mix and match ram, with good results ie. They work together at their rated speeds.
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Roland Of Gilead
Upvote 0 Downvote
I don't know if this is your laptop, but videos on Youtube can give an idea of what's involved in a memory upgrade.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7aidnvFwNk


The "fun" part is trying to remove the plastic base from the laptop. Some come off easily after you've removed all the tiny screws. Others are more stubborn and stay firmly in place, requiring careful use of thumbnails or a plastic spudger.

It's wise to exercise ESD (Electro Static Discharge) precautions and avoid touching the gold-plated contacts on SODIMM memory modules. Zap the memory with static and the RAM might stop working in 6 months time.

I don't know what games you play, but your existing 8GB is nearly full. 16GB (2 x 8GB) should see a big improvement.

Better still (if you can afford it and the laptop design permits) 2 x 16GB (32GB total) might be even better (or total overkill and a waste of money).

In answer to your original question, HP scammed your father by fitting a miserly 8GB RAM in what they call a "gaming laptop". As the guy in the Youtube video states, 8GB is not enough for many modern games.

The big manufacturers tempt you with a low price, without mentioning lack of RAM might restrict some programs and games. They'd much rather sell you an under-specced machine, than lose the sale to a competitor.

If you want to see the other end of the spectrum, take a look at the Asus ROG Strix Scar at $4,426.69. Your dad might have to sell the car, mortgage the house or win the lottery.
https://www.amazon.com/ASUS-Strix-Gaming-Laptop-Nebula/dp/B0DW1WX8H2
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: scooobydoobydoo
Upvote 0 Downvote
Thank you, it's the same laptop! :)
Misgar said:
I don't know if this is your laptop, but videos on Youtube can give an idea of what's involved in a memory upgrade.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7aidnvFwNk


The "fun" part is trying to remove the plastic base from the laptop. Some come off easily after you've removed all the tiny screws. Others are more stubborn and stay firmly in place, requiring careful use of thumbnails or a plastic spudger.

It's wise to exercise ESD (Electro Static Discharge) precautions and avoid touching the gold-plated contacts on SODIMM memory modules. Zap the memory with static and the RAM might stop working in 6 months time.

I don't know what games you play, but your existing 8GB is nearly full. 16GB (2 x 8GB) should see a big improvement.

Better still (if you can afford it and the laptop design permits) 2 x 16GB (32GB total) might be even better (or total overkill and a waste of money).

In answer to your original question, HP scammed your father by fitting a miserly 8GB RAM in what they call a "gaming laptop". As the guy in the Youtube video states, 8GB is not enough for many modern games.

The big manufacturers tempt you with a low price, without mentioning lack of RAM might restrict some programs and games. They'd much rather sell you an under-specced machine, than lose the sale to a competitor.

If you want to see the other end of the spectrum, take a look at the Asus ROG Strix Scar at $4,426.69. Your dad might have to sell the car, mortgage the house or win the lottery.
https://www.amazon.com/ASUS-Strix-Gaming-Laptop-Nebula/dp/B0DW1WX8H2
Click to expand...
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom