HP 15-da0000 (HP 15 Laptop PC) upgrade guide: RAM, SSD/HDD and CPU

Lifecycle and support

A current model: sold new and supported.

Dates not listed haven't been published by the manufacturer or a reliable third party.

RAM: two DDR4 SO-DIMM slots, up to 32 GB

The laptop has two user-accessible DDR4 SO-DIMM sockets (260-pin), and there is no soldered memory on the Intel Core configurations — everything is in the slots. The type you need is DDR4-2400 (PC4-19200), 1.2 V, non-ECC, unbuffered. DDR3 and DDR5 physically will not fit. Faster modules are fine; they will simply clock down to what the platform supports. Note that 7th-gen Core (i3-7020U, i7-7500U) and Gemini Lake (Celeron N4000, Pentium Silver N5000) variants may run memory lower than 2400.

How much can you install? HP's own documentation and Kingston cap the machine at 16 GB (2 × 8 GB), which were the largest modules available at launch. In practice, 2 × 16 GB = 32 GB is verified working and matches the processor's 32 GB limit, and third-party upgrade listings also state 32 GB. We have seen a 64 GB claim online — treat it as wrong, since it exceeds the CPU's memory controller. If you want to be sure on your own unit, the command `wmic memphysical get maxcapacityEx` reports the platform maximum. Celeron and Pentium Silver (15q-ds, 15g-dr and some 15-da) models may ship with smaller or single-channel configurations, so what you have now isn't a reliable guide to the ceiling.

Buying tip: get a matched pair of 260-pin DDR4 SO-DIMM modules of the same size — a matched pair enables dual-channel, which meaningfully speeds up the integrated graphics. Non-ECC unbuffered only.

Buying tips

• 2 × 16 GB DDR4-2400 SO-DIMM is the practical maximum; 2 × 8 GB is the officially documented config
• Matched pair for dual-channel; some Celeron/Pentium SKUs may run single-channel
• Faster DDR4 (e.g. 2666/3200) works but runs at 2400 or below

Storage: an M.2 SSD and a 2.5-inch drive, both at once

There are two storage positions and they can be populated simultaneously — for example, a 1 TB hard drive plus a 256 GB NVMe SSD was a factory configuration.

M.2 slot: one socket 1, M-key, 2280 (22 × 80 mm) only. It accepts both PCIe NVMe and SATA-3 M.2 SSDs. It is a Gen 3 slot, but community testing on this chassis reports it is wired for only two PCIe lanes, so NVMe drives top out around 1.7 GB/s regardless of what the box says. That means Gen 4 or Gen 5 drives cost more with no benefit here — buy a sensibly priced Gen 3 NVMe drive. Even limited to x2 lanes, NVMe is still much faster than a SATA SSD. Two caveats: 2242 and 2260 drives don't fit without an adapter, and while most SATA M.2 SSDs work, some are detected unreliably — NVMe is the safer buy.

2.5-inch bay: takes SATA drives up to 7 mm thick — HP's own spare drives are all 7 mm. 2.5-inch SATA SSDs are supported and are a cheap way to replace a slow hard drive. If your laptop shipped without a drive in this bay, you'll need HP's mounting parts to add one: bracket L20455-001, hard-drive connector board L20454-001 and cable L20456-001. Some builds also use SSD bracket L20458-001 and connector board L20457-001 for the M.2 position. Check whether your unit already has the hardware fitted before ordering.

There is no documented capacity limit. A 1 TB NVMe drive is confirmed working, and third-party listings go up to 2 TB per drive, but larger sizes are simply untested rather than forbidden. There's also a multi-format SD card slot (SD/SDHC/SDXC) for cheap overflow storage.

Buying tip: a mid-range Gen 3 NVMe SSD in 2280 size is the best fit. If you want maximum space, pair it with a 7 mm 2.5-inch SSD or hard drive and make sure you have the HP bracket and cable.

Buying tips

• M.2: 2280 M-key, Gen 3 NVMe (SATA M.2 works but detection can be flaky)
• Don't pay for Gen 4/Gen 5 — the slot can't use the extra speed
• 2.5-inch drives must be 7 mm thick; budget for the HP bracket, connector board and cable if the bay is empty

How to upgrade

Before you start

• Back up anything you care about before opening the case.
• Shut down fully and unplug the AC adapter; remove any connected devices.
• Ground yourself — touch a metal object or use an anti-static strap — before handling the memory or drives.
• Open the case following the Maintenance and Service Guide (L19674-002). Its Chapter 1 covers disassembly and the upgrade procedures; use it for the exact screw locations and cable handling for your chassis.
• Install the part, close the case and reconnect power.
• Turn the laptop on and check that the BIOS/firmware sees the new memory or drive, then boot into the system and confirm the capacity in the OS. If a drive isn't detected, reseat it and confirm the firmware is up to date before assuming the part is faulty.

Good to know

• Variant differences matter: Celeron/Pentium SKUs may run memory single-channel, ship smaller configs and lack the MX130. Confirm your exact product number before buying parts.
• The 32 GB RAM figure is verified by users and platform reporting but goes beyond HP's official 16 GB documentation.
• The PCIe x2 wiring of the M.2 slot comes from community testing rather than an official statement; it explains why NVMe drives don't reach their rated speeds in this chassis.
• Opening the back panel doesn't void the warranty in most regions, but HP's official stance varies by country — check the terms for your unit.

Frequently asked questions

How much RAM can the HP 15-da0000 take?

HP and Kingston document 16 GB (2 × 8 GB), but 2 × 16 GB = 32 GB is verified working and matches the processor's limit. Claims of 64 GB are wrong — the CPU's memory controller caps at 32 GB. To check your own machine, run `wmic memphysical get maxcapacityEx`.

What RAM does the HP 15-da0000 use?

260-pin DDR4 SO-DIMM, non-ECC unbuffered, rated DDR4-2400 (PC4-19200). There is no soldered memory on the Intel Core models — both sticks live in the two slots. Faster modules work but run at 2400 or lower.

Does the HP 15-da0000 support NVMe SSDs?

Yes. The M.2 slot is M-key, 2280, and accepts PCIe NVMe drives (as well as SATA M.2). It's Gen 3 but reportedly wired for only two lanes, so real-world speeds top out around 1.7 GB/s — a good-value Gen 3 drive is all you need. SATA M.2 SSDs can be detected unreliably, so NVMe is the safer buy.

Can I add a second drive?

Yes. The M.2 slot and the 2.5-inch bay work at the same time. The 2.5-inch position takes 7 mm drives only. If your unit shipped without a drive, you'll need HP's bracket L20455-001, connector board L20454-001 and cable L20456-001 to fit one.

Can I upgrade the CPU or GPU in the HP 15-da0000?

No. The processor is soldered to the motherboard and is not user-replaceable, and the optional NVIDIA GeForce MX130 is likewise fixed. The effective upgrades are RAM and storage.

Which M.2 SSD sizes fit?

Only 2280 (22 × 80 mm) fits directly. Shorter 2242 and 2260 drives would need an adapter. The slot is M-key and takes NVMe or SATA-3 drives; a 1 TB NVMe drive is confirmed working and there's no documented capacity cap.

Official documents and references

• PDF HP 15 Laptop PC Maintenance and Service Guide (L19674-002) — PDF
  Covers the 15-da0000/da1000, 15q-ds, 15g-dr and 15t-da chassis. Chapter 1 has the disassembly, memory and drive procedures, and the full parts list.
• HP product specifications — HP 15-da0000 Laptop PC (15-da0032wm)
  Official specs for one variant; useful for confirming what your model number includes.
• HP support document — 15-da1000nl specifications
  Shows a factory dual-drive config (1 TB HDD + 256 GB NVMe) and standard memory.
• HP Support Community — M.2 NVMe SSD on the 15-da0xxx
  Confirms 2 × 16 GB RAM acceptance and the 32 GB platform limit, and reports the M.2 slot running at PCIe x2.
• Kingston memory configurator — HP 15-da0xxx (Intel Core)
  Confirms 2 removable SO-DIMM sockets and DDR4-2400 non-ECC modules.
• HP 15-da000 parts list breakdown
  Lists the HP bracket/cable/connector part numbers for adding a 2.5-inch drive and the M.2 mounting hardware.