RAM Evolution Across OMEN Laptop Generations: What You Need to Know
RAM stands for Random Access Memory, and both its type and speed are crucial for your computer's performance, especially for gaming computers like the HP OMEN. RAM serves as a temporary storage area that stores the data your CPU needs. The faster it is, the shorter the game loading times, the better your system's responsiveness, and the smoother applications that require processing large amounts of data, such as open-world games, will run.
HP OMEN laptops, designed for gamers, use different types and speeds of RAM This evolution, starting with DDR3, continuing with DDR4, and currently culminating in DDR5, has consistently provided gamers with satisfying speed and performance. However, if you are using older generation RAM, you may want to upgrade it. This can provide you with a significant performance boost, as long as you make the right choices and execute the upgrade correctly.
In this laptop memory upgrade guide, we'll discuss how to upgrade your OMEN's RAM, share detailed information about gaming laptop RAM specifications, and cover the most important things to consider during the HP OMEN RAM upgrade process – let's get started.
Understanding RAM Types and Evolution
In the 1990s, there was SDRAM (synchronous dynamic random-access memory), which could perform a single read/write operation per CPU clock cycle. DDR (double data rate), which emerged in 2000, began to transfer data twice per CPU clock cycle and became the new modern standard. The number at the end indicates which generation of this standard is being used. Here's what each generation offers:
DDR3:
The Foundation Introduced in 2007, DDR3 offers a clock speed of up to 2133 MHz —high for its time but low by today's standards. This allows for a transfer rate of up to 14.9 GB/s. It is no longer used today (except in specific cases, such as legacy servers).
DDR4:
The Current Standard Introduced in 2014, DDR4 remains the most common generation as of 2025. Its clock speed can reach 5100 MHz, enabling a transfer rate of 25.6 GB/s. Moreover, it consumes less energy compared to DDR3.
DDR5:
The Future Launched in 2021, this generation is so different that it can be described as a "revolution." It consumes less energy, has a clock speed of 8400 MHz, and its transfer rate has increased to 51.2 GB/s. It is rapidly replacing DDR4 and is becoming the new standard.
Before discussing how different types of RAM affect gaming performance, let's compare them directly:
DDR3 vs DDR4
| DDR3 | DDR4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Clock Speed | 1066 - 1600 MHz | 2133 - 5100 MHz |
| Bandwidth | 8.5 - 14.9 GB/s | 17 - 25.6 GB/s |
| Module Capacity | 16GB | 64GB |
| Power Consumption | 1.5V | 1.2V |
DDR4 vs DDR5
| DDR4 | DDR5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Clock Speed | 2133 - 5100 MHz | 3200 - 8400 MHz |
| Bandwidth | 17 - 25.6 GB/s | 38.4 - 51.2 GB/s |
| Module Capacity | 64GB | 128GB |
| Power Consumption | 1.2V | 1.1V |
How RAM Type Affects Gaming Performance
So, what do these differences between RAM generations mean for your gaming laptop?
• Clock speed and bandwidth affect data transfer speed. The higher these are, the less stuttering you experience, the shorter the loading times, and the smoother the gameplay becomes. You can achieve higher FPS in almost every game.
• Lower power consumption means your system will consume less energy (and generate less heat) even while delivering high performance.
• Module capacity affects multitasking efficiency. The higher the capacity, the more processes you can run smoothly at the same time, such as having your web browser and Discord open while gaming.
Before continuing, remember that the types of RAM you can use (and upgrade) are determined by your CPU and motherboard.
Review the tables below:
AMD SOCKET TYPES
| LAUNCH DATE | SUPPORTED RAM TYPE | |
|---|---|---|
| AM3 | 2009 | DDR3 |
| AM4 | 2016 | DDR4 |
| AM5 | 2022 | DDR5 |
INTEL SOCKET TYPES
| LAUNCH DATE | SUPPORTED RAM TYPE | |
|---|---|---|
| LGA115x+ | 2011 | DDR3 |
| LGA1200 | 2020 | DDR4 |
| LGA1700 | 2021 | DDR5 |
OMEN Laptop Generations and RAM Specifications
First launched in 2014,the HP OMEN series has a history spanning over a decade and has used all the RAM types listed above across different generations. The series' first laptop used Intel-compatible DDR3 (1600 MHz) RAM, which is true for most early HP OMEN models. Mid-generation models transitioned to DDR4, while the latest models have started using DDR5. For example, the OMEN 17 AMD Gaming Laptop uses up to 32GB of DDR5 5600 MHz RAM.
You can find different HP OMEN laptop RAM configurations in different models, but DDR5 has been used in almost every model produced after 2023 to ensure maximum speed and performance. If you are considering an HP OMEN RAM upgrade, we recommend choosing DDR5 due to the advantages mentioned above. However, you must first check whether your system is compatible with DDR5, meaning you need to check HP OMEN memory compatibility.
How to Check Your Current RAM Configuration
The easiest way to determine "what type of RAM you have" is to use the HP OMEN Gaming Hub. Designed to optimize your system for maximum gaming performance, this tool can also provide information about your RAM type and speed. Launch the HP OMEN Gaming Hub, click on MY PC in the menu on the left, and switch to the "System Information" view. Along with other information, you will see the RAM type, speed, and capacity.
Alternative Methods:
Method 1: Task Manager
- Open Task Manager by right-clicking on the Taskbar or pressing Ctrl + Alt + Delete
- Go to the Performance tab
- Click on the Memory option
- In the lower right corner, view basic information about your RAM
Method 2: Command Prompt
If you want to learn more about your RAM, follow these steps:
- Find Command Prompt in the Start menu and run it with the “run as administrator” option
- Type the following command and press Enter: wmic memorychip list full
Finally, to check HP OMEN DDR5 support, for example, you can search for your computer by serial number, product number, or name on the HP Support site and view the official specifications.
HP OMEN RAM Upgrade Compatibility and Options
Start by checking out our blog post on how to upgrade your laptop. The most important things to keep in mind during this process are:
Upgradeable vs. soldered memory
In some laptop models, the RAM is soldered onto the motherboard, meaning it cannot be replaced (or upgraded) by end users. Even if you find compatible RAM, you won't be able to install it. Make sure this is not the case.
Check your CPU socket type
The type of RAM you can upgrade to is determined by the CPU socket type. For example, if you want to upgrade from DDR4 to DDR5, your motherboard must be compatible with it. Here's what you need to know:
To upgrade from DDR3 to DDR4:
Intel systems require the LGA1151 socket type. There is no socket type in AMD systems that allows you to switch between RAM generations. So, if you want to switch from DDR3 to DDR4 in an AMD system, you must change the socket type to AM4, which means you need to buy a new motherboard – this is essentially switching to a new system.
To upgrade from DDR4 to DDR5:
Intel systems require an LGA1700 socket type and a motherboard using the Z690 chipset. Unfortunately, there is no such option for AMD systems: the AM4 socket type is developed for DDR4 and it does not support DDR5. You will need to switch to the AM5 socket type.
| HOW TO CHECK YOUR SOCKET TYPE | |
|---|---|
|
Check the maximum memory capacity
This is important if you plan to stay with the same RAM generation and only increase the memory capacity. For example, if you are using DDR4 RAM and want to increase its capacity, know that this type of RAM supports a maximum of 64GB of memory in a single slot. So, if you already have 64GB of RAM and your motherboard has only one RAM slot, upgrading will not be possible. However, if your motherboard has multiple RAM slots, this remains an option.
Dual channel vs. single channel
Dual-channel memory uses multiple channels for data transfer and achieves higher speeds. This makes the advantages listed above even more noticeable. We recommend opting for dual-channel memory configurations whenever possible, but remember that this requires the motherboard to have multiple RAM slots.
Performance Impact: Gaming and Productivity Benefits
With an HP OMEN laptop upgrade, you can achieve the following:
- Higher FPS: Faster communication between the CPU and RAM allows you to overcome bottlenecks in your system more easily and achieve higher FPS
- Shorter loading times: Level/map loading times will be reduced, providing a more enjoyable experience in games like Starfield that frequently use loading screens
- Less stutter: With increased data transfer speeds, you'll experience less stutter even in open-world games with very large maps
- A more responsive system: System responsiveness will improve, you won't experience issues when switching between different applications
- More efficient multitasking: Content creators, streamers, and gamers use many different applications to communicate and record while gaming, you can run more applications simultaneously
Additionally, by using the OMEN Gaming Hub memory monitoring tool, you can see which applications are using the most system resources, optimize them, and further improve performance. Most importantly, you will be investing in a future-proof system: DDR5 is rapidly replacing DDR4 and will be the new standard for the foreseeable future.
Common Questions About OMEN Laptop Memory
Q: Can I mix different RAM types in my OMEN laptop?
A: No. Each HP OMEN laptop uses a specific CPU socket type and is compatible with only one type of RAM. For example, DDR4 and DDR5 cannot be used simultaneously.
Q: How much RAM do I need for modern gaming?
A: While the answer may vary depending on the resolution you prefer and the graphics settings you use, we recommend using at least 32GB of RAM to future-proof your system.
Q: Is DDR5 worth upgrading to for gaming?
A: Yes. The speed increase that comes with DDR5 allows you to achieve higher FPS, less stutter, shorter loading screens, and a more responsive system. All of these make your gaming experience much more enjoyable.
Q: What's the difference between memory speed ratings?
A: Memory speed refers to the number of bytes your RAM can transfer, and there are 8 bits in 1 byte. Therefore, by multiplying the RAM data rate by 8, you can calculate the transfer speed in MB/s. For example, for DDR5-5600 RAM, the transfer speed will be 44800 (5600 x 8). The higher this value, the faster the communication between the CPU and RAM.
Upgrade Your RAM Today – We Can Help
Take your gaming experience to the next level with an HP OMEN RAM upgrade: achieve more FPS, less stutter, shorter loading screens, and a system that always stays responsive. We strongly recommend using the HP OMEN Gaming Hub to monitor and optimize your system. Browse different HP OMEN laptop configurations to choose the one that best suits your needs, and don't forget that you can take advantage of an HP Care Pack for hardware upgrades, including RAM. Happy gaming!
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