ASUS TUF Gaming A16 (2024) upgrade guide: RAM, SSD and CPU

Lifecycle and support

No longer sold new. The manufacturer hasn't published an end-of-support date.

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

RAM upgrade

There are two DDR5 SO-DIMM slots, and nothing is soldered to the board, so whatever memory your machine shipped with can be removed and replaced. Maximum total is 64GB as 2x32GB per ASUS's own spec sheets. Some third-party listings say 32GB, but ASUS's pages are the more authoritative figure and 2x32GB kits are widely reported to work — so treat 64GB as the practical ceiling.

Use standard unbuffered, non-ECC DDR5 SO-DIMMs. ECC and registered modules aren't supported and won't validate. For best performance, install a matched pair of identical modules so the memory runs in dual channel; plenty of configs ship with a single stick, which leaves one slot free and gives you an easy upgrade.

The one detail people get wrong is speed. Modules are sold as DDR5-5600, but ASUS warns that the actual ceiling depends on the CPU in your specific config: Dragon Range machines (Ryzen 9 7940HX / 7845HX / 7745HX) cap out at 5200 MT/s, while Rembrandt-based configs (Ryzen 7 7735H, Ryzen 5 7535HS and similar) cap out at 4800 MT/s. Faster RAM simply downclocks, so don't pay a premium for 5600 modules you can't run at full speed. If you're not sure which CPU you have, check the sticker on the box, your order confirmation or the system information in Windows before shopping.

Buying tips: buy two matched sticks if your machine has one module installed; ignore ECC and registered memory; and don't overspend on speed beyond what your CPU supports.

Buying tips

• Matched pair of unbuffered, non-ECC DDR5 SO-DIMMs
• Up to 2x32GB = 64GB total
• DDR5-5600 modules work but will run at 5200 (Dragon Range) or 4800 (Rembrandt) — don't overpay
• Check which CPU your config has before choosing speed

Storage upgrade (SSD)

You get two M.2 2280 slots (22x80mm, the standard full-length laptop SSD size), both PCIe NVMe Gen4 x4. There is no SATA support in these slots and no 2.5-inch drive bay anywhere in the chassis — extra bulk storage means USB. There's also no memory card reader.

The critical warning is physical: ASUS states that due to surface-mounted components near the M.2 slot, only single-sided SSDs are supported. Double-sided drives with chips on both sides won't seat properly. This matters most for high-capacity 4TB drives, some of which are double-sided — check the drive's layout before buying. ASUS's India store lists expansion as up to 2TB per slot, so 2TB drives are the safe, officially supported bet; larger single-sided drives are unconfirmed territory.

Another config-specific catch: on machines with the Ryzen 7 7445HS processor, motherboard limitations restrict the bandwidth of the second SSD slot. If that's your config, put your boot drive in slot 1 and use the second slot for storage or a game library. On all other configs the two slots are equivalent Gen4 x4.

Buying tips: stick to M.2 2280 NVMe Gen4 drives and confirm they're single-sided. Gen3 drives work too but leave performance on the table; faster-than-Gen4 drives just run at Gen4 speed.

Buying tips

• M.2 2280 NVMe PCIe Gen4 x4 only
• Single-sided SSDs only — check 4TB drives carefully
• ASUS lists up to 2TB per slot
• Ryzen 7 7445HS configs: boot drive goes in slot 1

How to upgrade

Before you start

• Back up anything important before opening the case.
• Shut the laptop down fully and unplug the AC adapter.
• Ground yourself (touch a metal object or use an anti-static strap) so static doesn't damage components.
• Open the bottom panel — see ASUS's owner's manual for the exact disassembly steps and screw locations for your model. A third-party teardown of the FA607 also shows the internals if you want a visual guide.
• Install the new RAM or SSD, making sure modules are fully seated and SSDs lie flat.
• Close up the case and reconnect power.
• Boot into the BIOS/firmware or check system information to confirm the new memory and drives are recognised.

Steps

1. Step 1: Back up your data
   Make a backup before you touch anything. If you're replacing the boot SSD, plan how you'll clone or reinstall your system first.
2. Step 2: Power off and unplug
   Fully shut down the laptop and disconnect the AC adapter. Don't work on a sleeping machine.
3. Step 3: Ground yourself
   Discharge static by touching a grounded metal surface or wearing an anti-static strap. Laptop components are sensitive to static.
4. Step 4: Open the case
   Remove the bottom panel to reach the two SO-DIMM slots and two M.2 slots. Follow the owner's manual for your exact model for screw positions and panel removal — the FA607 family covers several SKUs.
5. Step 5: Install the parts
   Click RAM modules into the slots at an angle and press down until the clips hold them. Slide M.2 SSDs into their connectors and secure them flat — remember that only single-sided drives fit.
6. Step 6: Close up
   Replace the bottom panel and screws, then reconnect the adapter.
7. Step 7: Verify in the BIOS
   Power on and check the BIOS/firmware or your system information to confirm the new total RAM and both SSDs are detected at the expected size and speed.

Good to know

• Memory speed limits differ by CPU config: 5200 MT/s on Dragon Range, 4800 MT/s on Rembrandt — check your CPU before buying RAM.
• ASUS's spec sheets say 64GB maximum RAM while one third-party guide references an official 32GB figure; ASUS's own pages state 64GB and 2x32GB kits are widely reported to work.
• Only single-sided M.2 SSDs fit — double-sided high-capacity drives may not seat at all.
• The CPU is soldered and cannot be upgraded in any FA607 config.
• Region and SKU naming varies (FA607UV, FA607IV, FA607NU and others), and shipped RAM/SSD sizes and speeds differ by market — but the 2x SO-DIMM + 2x M.2 layout is the same.
• Opening the bottom panel for RAM or SSD upgrades is normal user servicing, but keep your original parts and check your local warranty terms.

Frequently asked questions

How much RAM can the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 (2024) take?

Up to 64GB total as 2x32GB DDR5 SO-DIMMs, per ASUS's own spec sheets. Some listings say 32GB, but ASUS's figure is the one to trust and 2x32GB kits are widely reported to work.

Does it support DDR5-5600 RAM?

Physically yes, but it won't run at 5600. Dragon Range configs (Ryzen 9 7940HX / 7845HX / 7745HX) max out at 5200 MT/s and Rembrandt configs (Ryzen 7 7735H, Ryzen 5 7535HS and similar) at 4800 MT/s. Faster modules simply downclock.

Can I add a second SSD?

Yes — there are two M.2 2280 NVMe Gen4 x4 slots. The catch is that only single-sided SSDs fit, and on Ryzen 7 7445HS configs the second slot has restricted bandwidth, so keep the boot drive in slot 1.

What is the maximum SSD size?

ASUS lists expansion as up to 2TB per slot. Larger drives exist, but some are double-sided and won't fit — ASUS restricts this laptop to single-sided SSDs.

Can I upgrade the CPU?

No. The processor is soldered (BGA) to the motherboard across the FA607 line, so there's no CPU upgrade path.

Does it have a 2.5-inch drive bay or a card reader?

No to both. There's no SATA bay or SATA connector and no SD/microSD slot — extra storage or card reading has to go through USB.

Official documents and references

• ASUS TUF Gaming A16 (2024) — official tech specs (Global)
  Full spec list: 2x DDR5 SO-DIMM (64GB max), CPU-dependent RAM speed limits, 2x M.2 PCIe slots and CPU options.
• ASUS TUF Gaming A16 (2024) — official tech specs (US)
  Confirms memory/storage specs and the Ryzen 7 7445HS second-slot bandwidth caveat.
• ASUS TUF Gaming A16 (2024) — official tech specs (India)
  Explicitly confirms 2x M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe slots.
• ASUS support — FA607PI service information
  States the single-sided SSD restriction due to nearby surface-mounted components.
• FA607 teardown and upgrade guide
  Visual disassembly guide and physical layout of the 2 SO-DIMM + 2 M.2 slots.