Upgrading the GPU, CPU and RAM of my Laptop n201ax

Question

This maybe is a really long post but please answer because i really need answers for each one of these questions and i really want to upgrade my laptop to the best configuration If i Can.Let me make this clear first.* In the upcoming content the words "this laptop" always refers to Hp Pavilion 15-n201ax*
Okay so first of all i read somewhere that the maximum Ram of this laptop can be expanded till 16gb but the i came up with this link here -http://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Hardware-Upgrades-Replacements/I-would-like-to-upgrade-memory-of-my-laptop-HP-15-n201ax/td-p/5146905 And then i came to know that it can only be upgraded to 12gb by reading Page #2 Chapter 1 Description of this Guide-http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c04438537.pdfFirst of all i would like to ask is that, 1. Can i buy a ram of any brand but ofc the same clock speed ie 1600mhz?, so can i go for the GSkill 4gb 1600Mhz DDR3 ram?2. Does the size matter to the respective slots? or i can install the 8gb and 4gb ram in any alternate slots? So this was all about the RAM But i need to know if i can change the discrete GPU and APU of this laptop3. And if Yes - Which are the compatible mobile GPU's that i can install by removing the previous one ie AMD 8600M (For example the R9, R7 and R5 Laptop graphics)4. And Which are the compatible APU's that i can install by removing the previous APU ie AMD A10-4655M APU (For example the AMD FX APU for Laptops)5. If i can upgrade the GPU and APU both please tell that does the compatibility matters? like only a specific GPU can work with a specific APU ie like in this laptop AMD A10-4655M APU + AMD 8600M GPU. Please Help Me out, Please.Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

Huffer wrote:
Pavilion 15-n201ax? We are going to need to refer to the Service Manual here: Your Service Manual Officially, it only supports 12 gigs. Your model has a single 8 gig module so you have an open slot. Unofficially, may users here have reported that adding another 8 gigs to make a total of 16 gigs will work fine. But that is something you take the risk of doing, since it is unofficial.  The part numbers for the proper memory are listed on page 42. You need DDR3L-1600 SO-DIMM.  If you are going to go official, the 4 gig module is:   691740-001 This is it on amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/HP-691740-001-1600MHz-PC3L-12800-memory/dp/B00CI08FX4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1437948185&sr=8-1&keywords=691740-001 You should just leave the 8 gig where it is and add the new memory in the open slot.  On your model laptop, the GPU/APU is soldered to the motherboard. In order to do any upgrade you would need to buy a new motherboard. You have a whole incorrect idea that the GPU/APU can be removed and replaced and this is incorrect. The term APU means a processor that has video built in so the whole question about compatibility between GPUs and APUs just misses the mark. On some systems the GPU/APU is socketed and can be replaced which serves to replace/upgrade both the processor and video function but as stated above, on yours this involves pulling and replacing the whole motherboard.  There is a slightly better processor/graphics available using the AMD A10-5745M 8670M (2.9 GHz/2.1 GHz, 2 GB L2, 1333MHz DDR3L Quad 25W) for use with Windows Standard. The motherboard part is 734824-501 HP does not stock the board but I found this online: http://www.discounteddealz.com/product.asp?itemid=327740&gclid=CO78y6rn-cYCFQmCaQodOP0GLQ Never heard of this seller and can't vouch but the price is very reasonable for that board. I expected it to be quite a bit more which makes me wonder about this seller a bit. I would advise keeping what you have. It is very strong for AMD and upgrading to the A10-5745 board will only result in a very small uptick in performance at a very high cost in money and effort.  If this is "the Answer" please click "Accept as Solution" to help others find it. Hey sorry but i should have mentioned this before, I live in India and the links you provided are for amazon.comi tried to search on amazon.in and eneded up with this http://www.amazon.in/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=HP+691740-001+4GB%2C+1600MHz%2C+PC3L-12800+DDR3L+DIMM&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3AHP+691740-001+4GB\c+1600MHz\c+PC3L-12800+DDR3L+DIMM Instead, can i get this one ? beacuse the hp one on the above result costs 41% more than the Transcend one below and that's very much http://www.amazon.in/Transcend-4GB-DDR3L-1600-LAPTOP/dp/B00B5LOOJG/ref=sr_1_2?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1437984575&sr=1-2&keywords=ddr3l+4gb+1600mhz And last thing is that Will the performance be better if i go for Ram branks like Corsair or GSkill same types of memory?