HP EliteBook 840 G7 Upgrade Guide: RAM, SSD and CPU

Updated Oct. 8, 2026 · Written from this device's verified specifications

This guide covers what you can upgrade on the HP EliteBook 840 14 inch G7 Notebook PC: memory, the internal SSD and the processor. The short answer: RAM and the single M.2 SSD are user-accessible, while the CPU is not confirmed as upgradeable and is probably soldered.

At a glance

  • RAM: 2 DDR4 SO-DIMM slots, up to 32 GB each and 64 GB total, running at 2666 MT/s.
  • Storage: one M.2 2280 slot that takes SATA or PCIe NVMe drives; factory drives go up to 1 TB.
  • There is no 2.5 inch bay and no second internal storage slot.
  • CPU: HP's documents don't say whether it is socketed. 10th-gen Intel U-series chips are normally soldered.
SO-DIMM memory2 × DDR4 SO-DIMM · up to 64 GB total · 2666 MT/s
M.2 SSD slotSSD M.2 2280 (NVMe / SATA)
2 × SO-DIMM · DDR4up to 64 GB totalM.2 SSD slotSSD M.2 2280 (NVMe / SATA)
Schematic of the upgradeable slots (not to scale). Check the owner's manual for their exact positions.

RAM: two DDR4 SO-DIMM slots, up to 64 GB

The EliteBook 840 G7 has two customer-accessible DDR4 SO-DIMM slots (260-pin). Each slot takes up to 32 GB, so the maximum is 64 GB (2 x 32 GB). Memory runs at DDR4-2666 in dual-channel mode. No soldered memory is listed, so all of the RAM can be replaced.

For best performance, fit a matched pair so the laptop can use dual-channel. If you mix modules of different speeds, the system runs at the lower speed. HP recommends HP-branded modules. If you install only one module, put it in the slot labelled DIMM 1.

Depending on your configuration, you may need to remove a metal shield or plastic cover to reach the memory. HP's documents don't say whether ECC or registered memory works. This is standard DDR4 SO-DIMM hardware, so stick to ordinary unbuffered non-ECC modules.

Buying tips

  • Buy DDR4 SO-DIMM rated for 2666 MT/s or faster; it will run at 2666.
  • Buy a matched pair (for example 2 x 16 GB) rather than mixing different modules.
  • Check what is already installed first: used and refurbished units often ship with one or two modules.
  • Avoid ECC and registered modules; they are not confirmed to work.

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Storage: one M.2 2280 SSD slot

There is a single M.2 slot for a 2280-size SSD (22 mm wide). It must be a single-sided drive, 2.3 mm high. Factory drives are either SATA or PCIe Gen3 NVMe, so both interface types are in use on this model. The service manual shows just one SSD location.

Factory capacities go up to 1 TB. Larger 2280 drives may work, but this is not confirmed, so treat anything above 1 TB as unverified. Only one internal drive is possible: no 2.5 inch bay or second M.2 storage slot has been found. The optional WWAN M.2 slot (3042-S3, Key B) is for a cellular radio, not storage.

Some units ship with an Optane/QLC drive (256 GB with 16 GB Optane, or 512 GB with 32 GB Optane). Swapping to a standard NVMe TLC drive is the usual upgrade, but check which drive your unit has first. Factory Gen3 x4 TLC drives read at roughly 3,100 to 3,500 MB/s, and the 256 GB Optane/QLC drive reads at only about 1,450 MB/s.

Buying tips

  • Choose a single-sided M.2 2280 drive; double-sided drives may not fit under the 2.3 mm limit.
  • An NVMe drive is the faster choice; PCIe Gen3 is what the factory options use.
  • Drives up to 1 TB are the confirmed range; go larger at your own risk.
  • Remember a single slot means you replace the old drive, you can't add a second one. Clone or reinstall to move your data.
  • Formatted capacity is lower than the label, and a recovery partition can take up to 30 GB.

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How to upgrade

Before you start

  • Back up your files, and make a recovery USB if you plan to reinstall Windows.
  • Check the installed RAM and SSD in Windows (Task Manager, Performance tab) or in the BIOS, so you know what you are replacing.
  • Have a small screwdriver ready and a clean, static-free work surface.
  • Keep the HP service manual open for exact screw positions and cover removal.
  • Consider updating the BIOS before the upgrade so the system is current.

Steps

  1. Back up and shut down
    Save your data, then shut the laptop down completely (not sleep or hibernate).
  2. Unplug everything
    Disconnect the AC adapter and any USB devices or docks.
  3. Ground yourself
    Touch bare metal or use an anti-static wrist strap before handling any internal parts. Hold modules and drives by the edges.
  4. Open the case
    Remove the bottom cover following the HP service manual for the exact screws and release method. If the battery needs to be disconnected first, the manual will say so.
  5. Install the RAM
    If a metal shield or plastic cover sits over the memory, remove it. Seat the SO-DIMM(s) firmly. If you fit only one module, use the DIMM 1 slot. Use a matched pair for two.
  6. Install the SSD
    Remove the existing M.2 drive, fit the new single-sided 2280 drive in the same slot and secure it as the manual describes.
  7. Close up
    Refit any covers or shields, put the bottom cover back and replace all screws.
  8. Check that the system sees the new parts
    Reconnect power and start the laptop. Check in the BIOS or in Windows that the new memory total and the SSD are detected. If the memory isn't recognised, reseat the modules.

Good to know

  • The processor is not confirmed as socketed. We list no CPU upgrade path, and the Intel U-series chips fitted are normally soldered. Check HP's service manual if you need certainty.
  • Larger than 1 TB M.2 SSDs are not confirmed to work.
  • ECC and registered memory are not confirmed; use standard non-ECC DDR4 SO-DIMMs.
  • HP's documents disagree on some CPU details: the i7-10810U turbo is listed as 4.0 GHz in one and 4.9 GHz in another, and the i5-10310U turbo as 4.4 GHz in one and 4.8 GHz in another. vPro support also varies by model.
  • Memory configuration listings differ slightly between HP documents (for example, 16 GB as 1 x 16 or also 2 x 8), so check what your unit actually contains.
  • Always follow the HP service manual for exact disassembly.

Frequently asked questions

How much RAM can the HP EliteBook 840 G7 take?

Up to 64 GB, using two 32 GB DDR4 SO-DIMMs. Each slot supports a maximum of 32 GB, and memory runs at 2666 MT/s.

Does the EliteBook 840 G7 use DDR4 or DDR5?

DDR4. It uses standard 260-pin DDR4 SO-DIMMs. DDR5 modules will not fit.

Can I add a second SSD to the EliteBook 840 G7?

No. There is only one M.2 2280 slot for storage, and no 2.5 inch bay was found. The other M.2 slot is for the optional WWAN module and is not for storage.

Does the EliteBook 840 G7 support NVMe SSDs?

Yes. The M.2 slot supports both SATA and PCIe NVMe drives. Factory NVMe options are PCIe Gen3.

What is the biggest SSD I can fit?

The largest factory option is 1 TB. Bigger 2280 drives might work, but this is not confirmed.

Can I upgrade the CPU in the EliteBook 840 G7?

HP's documents don't say whether the processor is socketed. The 10th-gen Intel U-series chips used here (Core i5 and i7) are normally soldered to the board, so plan on the CPU being fixed and choose the model you want when you buy.

Official documents and references

This guide was written with AI assistance from the compatibility data PartsPrices verified against the manufacturer's documents. Always check your exact model and the owner's manual before buying or opening your computer.