HP ProBook 450 G5 Upgrade Guide

Updated Oct. 19, 2026 · Written from this device's verified specifications

The HP ProBook 450 G5 Notebook PC (15.6-inch) is one of the friendlier business laptops to work on. It takes standard DDR4 laptop memory in two slots, and it has room for both a fast M.2 SSD and a 2.5-inch drive. The processor, sadly, is not on that list. Here's what fits, what the limits are, and how to upgrade without breaking anything.

At a glance

  • Two DDR4 SO-DIMM slots, up to 32 GB total
  • One M.2 2280 slot (SATA or NVMe) plus a 7 mm 2.5-inch SATA bay
  • CPU is soldered — no processor upgrade possible
2x DDR4 SO-DIMM (260-pin), up to 32 GB2 × DDR4 SO-DIMM · up to 32 GB total · 2400 MT/s
M.2 2280 (SATA/NVMe) + 2.5" 7 mm SATA bay2 × M.2 2280 / 2.5" (SATA / NVMe) · max 7 mm thick · up to 1.024 TB
2 × SO-DIMM · DDR4up to 32 GB totalM.2 2280 (SATA/NVMe) + 2.5" 7 mm SATA bay2 × M.2 2280 / 2.5" (SATA / NVMe) · max 7 mm thick · up to 1.024 TB
Schematic of the upgradeable slots (not to scale). Check the owner's manual for their exact positions.

Lifecycle and support

Manufacturer support ended on October 2024 (estimate).

20172018201920202021202220232024202520262027Today11 · Release · September 201722 · End of sale · November 201933 · EOSL · October 202444 · Extended support ends · October 202455 · EOL · 2025
Filled dots: dates published by the manufacturer. Hollow dots: estimates from third-party sources.
MilestoneDate
Release
First available to buy.		 September 2017 Estimate HP's own Maintenance and Service Guide is 'First Edition: September 2017'; a third party (invgate.com) gives August/September 2017 for the G5 series. Japan '/CT' SKUs appeared later (announced 2018-04; one SKU had a planned sales date of 2018-03-31).
Source ↗
End of sale
No longer sold new by the manufacturer (Dell calls this 'End of Life', Lenovo 'Withdrawn').		 November 2019 Estimate Japan '450 G5/CT' channel model (販売終了 2019年11月). Hitachi resells/mirrors HP Japan dates but is a third party; HP published no global end-of-sale date. Dates can differ per product number.
Source ↗
End of standard support (EOSL)
Standard warranty and support contracts can no longer be renewed.		 October 2024 Estimate Same Hitachi table gives 保守期限 2024年10月 (HP 'post-warranty service end date' = 5 years after end of sale). HP policy page confirms the concept but does not publish a date for this model; the date is third-party.
Source ↗
End of extended support
Paid extended support ends; after this there is no manufacturer support at all.		 October 2024 Estimate HP's own policy (official statement of the rule, not of the date): after the post-warranty service end date no repair/service is provided — only a certificate of irreparability — so no paid tier beyond this point. The 2024-10 date itself is the third-party (Hitachi) figure; HP's per-product-number c
Source ↗
End of life (EOL)
The manufacturer stops developing the product: no new BIOS, firmware or driver releases.		 2025 Estimate Only a third-party hedge ('driver/firmware development may cease around 2025'); HP has published no date for stopping BIOS/firmware/driver releases. HP states driver/software downloads remain available after the support end date.
Source ↗

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

Memory (RAM): two SO-DIMM slots, up to 32 GB

The ProBook 450 G5 has two DDR4 SO-DIMM slots (260-pin), and neither module is soldered to the board — both are replaceable. It uses standard non-ECC, unbuffered 1.2 V DDR4, so ordinary laptop memory fits.

The official maximum is 32 GB, made up of two 16 GB modules. One thing worth knowing: HP's EMEA datasheet lists the machine as taking "up to 16 GB", while HP's product specifications page and the Maintenance & Service Guide both state 32 GB with a 2 x 16 GB configuration. The 32 GB figure is the later and better-supported one — owners report 32 GB working — but if you want to play it safe, 2 x 8 GB is beyond any doubt.

Speed depends on the processor in your unit. With an 8th-generation Core CPU the memory runs at DDR4-2400; with 6th- and 7th-generation chips it runs at DDR4-2133. Faster DDR4-2666 or DDR4-3200 modules will work but simply clock down, so don't pay a premium for speed you can't use. If you mix two different speeds, the whole system runs at the slower one.

HP warns that some third-party modules with unusual layouts fail to train, and it nominally recommends HP-branded memory. In practice, well-known 1RX8/2RX8 modules from Crucial or Kingston are widely confirmed working. Matched pairs (same size and speed) give you dual channel and noticeably better performance.

Buying tips:
- For most people, 2 x 8 GB DDR4-2400 is the sweet spot.
- Going to 32 GB means 16 GB SO-DIMMs — update the BIOS first, since 16 GB modules weren't validated when the laptop launched and some kits won't boot on old firmware.
- Buy a matched kit rather than adding one stick to an unknown existing module.

Storage: an M.2 SSD and a 2.5-inch drive

There are two storage options, and they can be populated at the same time.

The M.2 slot takes a 2280 drive (22 x 80 mm) and accepts both SATA and NVMe SSDs — HP shipped the same slot with either type. NVMe drives give you much higher speeds, but they're not available on Celeron-based models, which are limited to SATA M.2 drives.

The 2.5-inch bay takes SATA hard drives, hybrid drives or SSDs, but only up to 7 mm thick. A 9.5 mm drive will not fit, so check the height of any drive you're considering.

HP's documented maxima are 512 GB on the M.2 slot and 1 TB in the 2.5-inch bay. In practice, owners report 1-2 TB NVMe drives working fine in the M.2 slot, with larger ones widely believed to work too — but that's community experience rather than an HP guarantee. The M.2 slot is 2280 only; shorter 2230/2242 drives need a bracket or adapter.

One catch before you buy a second drive: factory configurations ship with either a 2.5-inch drive or an M.2 SSD, and not every unit comes with the 2.5-inch caddy and connector fitted. Open the case and confirm the mounting hardware is there before ordering a drive to go alongside an existing SSD.

Buying tips:
- An NVMe M.2 2280 SSD is the biggest speed upgrade this laptop can take.
- Check whether you have a Celeron model — if so, buy a SATA M.2 drive instead of NVMe.
- Make sure any 2.5-inch drive is 7 mm high.
- If you want both drives, look inside first for the 2.5-inch caddy and cable.

The SD card slot (SD/SDHC/SDXC) is handy for cheap bulk storage of media, but it's a card reader, not a drive bay. On WWAN-ready models there's also an M.2 socket for a mobile broadband module; don't assume it's present on Wi-Fi-only SKUs.

FAQ

How much RAM can the HP ProBook 450 G5 take?
32 GB in total, using two 16 GB DDR4 SO-DIMMs. HP's product specifications and the service guide both state this, although one datasheet lists 16 GB — the 32 GB figure is the supported one and is confirmed by owners.

What RAM does the ProBook 450 G5 use?
DDR4 SO-DIMM (260-pin), non-ECC and unbuffered, running at up to 2400 MT/s with 8th-generation CPUs and 2133 MT/s with 6th- or 7th-generation chips. Faster DDR4 will simply clock down.

Does the ProBook 450 G5 support an NVMe SSD?
Yes — the M.2 2280 slot accepts both SATA and NVMe drives, except on Celeron-based models, where NVMe is not available and you're limited to SATA M.2.

Can I fit both an SSD and a hard drive?
Potentially, yes: there's an M.2 slot and a 2.5-inch bay. But factory configurations ship with one or the other, so open the case first and check the 2.5-inch caddy and connector are present.

Can I upgrade the CPU?
No. The processor is soldered to the motherboard, so there's no way to swap it. Choose the Core i5 or Core i7 variant when buying.

Will faster memory make it quicker?
Only up to a point. The system runs DDR4 at 2400 MT/s at best, so 2666 or 3200 modules add nothing in speed. Buying a matched pair does help, since it enables dual channel.

How to upgrade

Before you start

  • Back up your data before opening the case.
  • Power off completely and unplug the charger.
  • Ground yourself before touching internal components.
  • Consult the owner's manual for the exact disassembly steps for your configuration.

Steps

  1. Back up
    Save anything important before you start — upgrades are low risk, but no upgrade is risk-free.
  2. Power down and unplug
    Shut down fully and disconnect the charger and any attached devices.
  3. Ground yourself
    Discharge static by touching a grounded metal object or wearing an anti-static strap.
  4. Open the case
    Follow HP's Maintenance & Service Guide or your owner's manual for the exact screws and latches. Don't force anything that won't move.
  5. Install the part
    Memory clicks into its slot with the side clips engaged; an M.2 drive slides into the connector and is screwed down; a 2.5-inch drive mounts in its caddy.
  6. Close up and check
    Reassemble, power on, and confirm the BIOS/firmware sees the new memory total or drive before booting into your operating system.

Good to know

  • HP's documents disagree on the memory maximum: the EMEA datasheet says 16 GB, while the specifications page and Maintenance & Service Guide say 32 GB. The 32 GB limit is the later and better-supported figure.
  • Documented storage maxima (512 GB M.2, 1 TB 2.5-inch) are lower than what owners report working with larger NVMe drives.
  • NVMe support is unavailable on Celeron-based SKUs; confirm your processor tier before buying an NVMe SSD.
  • Not every unit includes the 2.5-inch caddy and connector needed for a second drive.
  • HP warns some third-party memory modules can fail to train; known-good modules from major brands are the safe choice.

Frequently asked questions

How much RAM can the HP ProBook 450 G5 take?

32 GB total, in two 16 GB DDR4 SO-DIMMs. HP's specifications page and Maintenance & Service Guide support this, though one datasheet says 16 GB — that appears to be an earlier or 7th-generation-era figure.

Does it support 32 GB of RAM?

Yes, with 2 x 16 GB DDR4 SO-DIMMs, and owners confirm it works. Update the BIOS first for the best chance of booting with 16 GB modules.

Does the ProBook 450 G5 support NVMe?

Yes — the M.2 2280 slot takes SATA or NVMe SSDs, unless your model is Celeron-based, where NVMe isn't available and only SATA M.2 works.

Can I add a second drive alongside my SSD?

There is a 2.5-inch bay (7 mm maximum height), but not every unit ships with the caddy and connector fitted. Check inside before buying a drive.

Can I upgrade the CPU in the ProBook 450 G5?

No. The processor is soldered (BGA), so it can't be replaced or upgraded.

What RAM speed does it take?

DDR4 up to 2400 MT/s with 8th-generation CPUs, and 2133 MT/s with 6th- or 7th-generation chips. Faster modules clock down to those speeds.

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.