What is the most cost effective way to upgrade my laptop?

yan4321

Estimable
Nov 2, 2014
2
0
4,510
I have an HP Envy 15 laptop that is becoming too sluggish.
It has:
Core I7 4700MQ (Haswell)
8GB DDR8
1TB 5200RPM SATA2 Hard Drive.
Windows 8

What I was thinking is to upgrade to:
16GB DDR3
~500GB SSD (and converting the current drive to an external drive for media)
Windows 10

Does that seem reasonable?
Any specific recommendations for an SSD? Would I be able to install SATA3 SSD even though the laptop support only SATA2?
Would any DDR3 for laptops work?

Thank you!
 

Karadjgne

Distinguished
Herald
I'd be looking at a Crucial mx500 for the ssd, but you might have to be careful when it comes to size. There is a difference between 7,8,9mm thick SSDs. Sata is backwards compatible for the most part, so a Sata3 should work fine in a Sata2 port. Just at whatever speeds the mobo is capable of.

You'll need to look up support for that model to determine what ram size/speeds can be used. For some odd reason, some laptops were limited to just 12Gb (1x8Gb,1x4Gb), and some cap out at just 8Gb. This varied by model and specific load outs.
 

yan4321

Estimable
Nov 2, 2014
2
0
4,510


Thanks so much for this very useful info!
Can you please elaborate regarding the thickness of the drive?
Crucial mx500 seems to come at 7mm thickness.
What do you mean by "There is a difference between 7,8,9mm thick SSDs"?
Do you mean the drive might not fit into the laptop?

Thanks again!
 
Am surprised they even make 9mm SSD drives, why? solid states are tinny, most what's in there is air, just so you swap the HD out and stick the SSD in. 7mm would be universal to everything why bother with an 9mm.