Dell sells laptops under many names, and the memory inside changes almost every model year. A Latitude 5430 takes DDR4. The Latitude 5440 that replaced it takes DDR5. A Dell G15 can take one of four different types depending on the exact model. This guide shows what each popular Dell laptop takes, how to confirm your own, and the rules that stop a module from working.
The short answer
- Almost every Dell laptop takes SODIMM, the compact module, in DDR4 or DDR5. The generation depends on the exact model, not the product line.
- Newer models take DDR5. Latitude 5440 and 5540, Precision 5570, Alienware m16 and m18, XPS 15 9520 and later all take DDR5 SODIMM. Older ones take DDR4.
- ECC is rare. Only some Precision mobile workstations with Xeon processors take ECC SODIMM. Everything else takes non-ECC.
- Some Dell laptops cannot be upgraded. Many thin models have soldered memory. If your model is not listed on our site, check Dell's specification for it first.
NEMIX RAM lists memory by exact Dell model. Browse Latitude, Precision mobile workstations, Alienware, XPS, Inspiron and Vostro.
How to find out what your Dell takes
- Find the exact model. It is on the bottom of the laptop and in Settings under System, About. Match the whole name. "Alienware m16" is not enough, because the R1 and R2 and the Intel and AMD versions differ.
- Check what is installed. In Windows, open Task Manager, then Performance, then Memory. It shows the speed, the form factor (SODIMM) and how many slots are used.
- Read the generation. The speed tells you: DDR4 laptops show 2400, 2933 or 3200 MT/s, and DDR5 laptops show 4800, 5200 or 5600 MT/s.
- Look up the model in the tables below, or on Dell Support using your Service Tag.
Dell Latitude memory
Latitude is Dell's business laptop line. The 5420, 5430, 5520 and 5530 take DDR4-3200, while the newer 5440 and 5540 take DDR5-4800. The rugged models take DDR4 as well, at 2400 or 3200 depending on the generation. Browse the Latitude memory collection.
| Model | Memory it takes | ECC |
|---|---|---|
| Latitude 3420, 3520 | DDR4-3200 SODIMM | No |
| Latitude 3440, 3540 | DDR4-3200 SODIMM | No |
| Latitude 5420 | DDR4-3200 SODIMM | No |
| Latitude 5430 | DDR4-3200 SODIMM | No |
| Latitude 5520 | DDR4-3200 SODIMM | No |
| Latitude 5530 | DDR4-3200 SODIMM | No |
| Latitude 5440, 5540 | DDR5-4800 SODIMM | No |
| Latitude 5420 Rugged | DDR4-2400 SODIMM | No |
| Latitude 5430 Rugged | DDR4-3200 SODIMM | No |
Dell Precision mobile workstation memory
Precision mobile workstations are the one Dell laptop line that includes ECC memory. The 7560, 7670 and 7770 take ECC SODIMM, and the others take non-ECC. The 3561 and 7560 are DDR4, and the 3571, 3581, 5570, 7670, 7680, 7770 and 7780 are DDR5. For the desktop Precision line, see our Dell Precision memory guide. Browse the Precision mobile workstation collection.
| Model | Memory it takes | ECC |
|---|---|---|
| Precision 3561 | DDR4-3200 SODIMM | No |
| Precision 3571 | DDR5-4800 SODIMM | No |
| Precision 3581 | DDR5-5200 SODIMM | No |
| Precision 5570 | DDR5-4800 SODIMM | No |
| Precision 7560 | DDR4-3200 SODIMM | Yes |
| Precision 7670 | DDR5-4800 SODIMM | Yes |
| Precision 7680 | DDR5-5600 SODIMM | No |
| Precision 7770 | DDR5-4800 SODIMM | Yes |
| Precision 7780 | DDR5-5600 SODIMM | No |
Alienware memory
Alienware laptops are DDR5 SODIMM from the m15 R7 onward, and the exact speed varies by model and by Intel or AMD version. The m16 R1 takes DDR5-5600 on Intel and DDR5-5200 on AMD. The Aurora desktops are different again: they take full-size UDIMM, not SODIMM. Browse the Alienware memory collection.
| Model | Memory it takes | ECC |
|---|---|---|
| Alienware m15 R7 | DDR5-4800 SODIMM | No |
| Alienware m16 R1 (Intel) | DDR5-5600 SODIMM | No |
| Alienware m16 R1 AMD | DDR5-5200 SODIMM | No |
| Alienware m16 R2 | DDR5-5600 SODIMM | No |
| Alienware m18 R1 (Intel) | DDR5-5600 SODIMM | No |
| Alienware m18 R2 | DDR5-5600 SODIMM | No |
| Alienware x17 R1 | DDR4-3200 SODIMM | No |
| Alienware x17 R2 | DDR5-4800 SODIMM | No |
| Alienware Aurora R15 (desktop) | DDR5-4800 UDIMM | No |
| Alienware Aurora R16 (desktop) | DDR5-5600 UDIMM | No |
Dell G15 and G16 gaming laptops
The G15 is the clearest example of why the model number matters. The 5510 takes DDR4-2933, the 5511 and 5515 take DDR4-3200, the 5521 takes DDR5-4800 and the 5535 takes DDR5-5600. All of them are SODIMM, but a DDR4 module will not work in a DDR5 slot, so confirm your exact G15 model. The G16 takes DDR5-4800.
| Model | Memory it takes | ECC |
|---|---|---|
| G15 5510 | DDR4-2933 SODIMM | No |
| G15 5511 | DDR4-3200 SODIMM | No |
| G15 5515 Ryzen Edition | DDR4-3200 SODIMM | No |
| G15 5521 Special Edition | DDR5-4800 SODIMM | No |
| G15 5535 | DDR5-5600 SODIMM | No |
| G16 Gaming Laptop | DDR5-4800 SODIMM | No |
Dell XPS, Inspiron and Vostro memory
The same pattern holds across Dell's other laptop lines: older models take DDR4 and newer models take DDR5. Browse XPS, Inspiron and Vostro.
| Model | Memory it takes | ECC |
|---|---|---|
| XPS 15 9560 | DDR4-2400 SODIMM | No |
| XPS 15 9520 | DDR5-4800 SODIMM | No |
| XPS 15 9530 | DDR5-5600 SODIMM | No |
| XPS 17 9730 | DDR5-4800 SODIMM | No |
| Inspiron 15 3520 | DDR4-3200 SODIMM | No |
| Inspiron 14 7440 2-in-1 | DDR5-5200 SODIMM | No |
| Vostro 3520 | DDR4-3200 SODIMM | No |
| Vostro 7620 | DDR5-4800 SODIMM | No |
Rules that stop a module from working
- DDR4 and DDR5 do not interchange. A DDR5 SODIMM has 262 pins and a DDR4 SODIMM has 260, and the notch sits in a different place so the wrong one will not seat.
- The laptop sets the speed. A faster module runs at the speed the laptop supports, so buy the speed Dell lists.
- Use matched pairs. Most Dell laptops with two slots run in dual-channel when both modules match, which is faster than a single module.
- ECC only where listed. A non-ECC laptop will not take ECC SODIMM, and an ECC-capable Precision takes ECC only when the processor supports it. See the ECC vs non-ECC RAM guide.
- Do not mix generations or types in the same laptop.
For how SODIMM works, see the SODIMM memory guide and the memory types explained guide. For gaming laptops across brands, see the gaming PC and laptop memory guide. For the wider Dell catalog, see the Dell memory buyer's guide.
How to upgrade the memory in a Dell laptop
- Confirm the model and the generation using the steps above.
- Choose matched modules of the right generation and speed, in a pair if the laptop has two slots.
- Power down, unplug and disconnect the battery if the service manual says so.
- Remove the bottom cover and release the retaining clips, so the old module springs up. Seat the new module at an angle and press it down until the clips click.
- Close up and confirm the full capacity in Settings or Task Manager.
Send us your model and Service Tag and we will confirm the module. Or start from memory by manufacturer.
Frequently asked questions
What RAM does a Dell Latitude 5430 take?
The Latitude 5430 takes DDR4-3200 non-ECC SODIMM. Its successors, the Latitude 5440 and 5540, take DDR5-4800 SODIMM instead.
What RAM does a Dell Precision 5570 take?
The Precision 5570 takes DDR5-4800 non-ECC SODIMM. The Precision 7670 and 7770 take DDR5-4800 ECC SODIMM.
What RAM does an Alienware m16 take?
The Alienware m16 R1 takes DDR5-5600 SODIMM on Intel and DDR5-5200 on AMD. The m16 R2 takes DDR5-5600. Check your exact revision.
What RAM does a Dell G15 take?
It depends on the model. The G15 5510 takes DDR4-2933, the 5511 and 5515 take DDR4-3200, the 5521 takes DDR5-4800 and the 5535 takes DDR5-5600. All are non-ECC SODIMM.
What RAM does an Alienware Aurora R16 take?
The Aurora R16 desktop takes DDR5-5600 non-ECC UDIMM, the full-size desktop module, not SODIMM.
Can I use ECC RAM in a Dell laptop?
Only in Precision mobile workstations that support it, such as the 7560, 7670 and 7770. All other Dell laptops take non-ECC memory.
Can I upgrade the RAM in every Dell laptop?
No. Many thin and light Dell models have memory soldered to the board, which cannot be upgraded. Check Dell's specification for your model before buying.
How do I check my Dell laptop's memory type?
Open Task Manager, go to Performance, then Memory. It shows the speed, the form factor and the number of slots used. A speed of 4800 or higher means DDR5, and 3200 or lower means DDR4.
Related guide: CAMM2 vs LPCAMM2: what the new laptop memory modules are and which systems use them
Memory for Dell laptops and fleets
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