ASUS VivoBook 15 X512DA upgrade guide: RAM, storage and CPU

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

The VivoBook 15 X512DA is the AMD version of the X512 family, sold with Ryzen 3000U-series APUs and Radeon Vega integrated graphics. It is friendly to two upgrades — memory and storage — and the processor is not one of them. Here is what fits, what the limits are, and what to watch out for.

At a glance

  • RAM: 4 GB soldered + one DDR4 SO-DIMM slot. 8 GB modules are the official maximum (12 GB total).
  • Storage: one M.2 2280 slot (PCIe 3.0 x2 or M.2 SATA) plus one 2.5-inch SATA bay.
  • CPU: soldered to the board. Not upgradeable — choose your tier before buying.
1x free DDR4 SO-DIMM (4 GB soldered)DDR4 SO-DIMM · 4 GB soldered · up to 12 GB total · 2400 MT/s
1x M.2 2280 + 1x 2.5" SATA bay2 × SSD / HDD M.2 2280 / 2.5" (NVMe / SATA) · max 7 mm thick
1 × SO-DIMM · DDR4up to 12 GB total1x M.2 2280 + 1x 2.5" SATA bay2 × SSD / HDD M.2 2280 / 2.5" (NVMe / SATA) · max 7 mm thick
Schematic of the upgradeable slots (not to scale). Check the owner's manual for their exact positions.

Lifecycle and support

A current model: sold new and supported.

201920202021202220232024202520262027Today11 · Release · 2019
Filled dots: dates published by the manufacturer. Hollow dots: estimates from third-party sources.
MilestoneDate
Release
First available to buy.		 2019 Estimate Earliest first-sale evidence: review of X512DA-EJ312T published 2019-06-18, stated as 'commercialisé en 2019'. No ASUS launch page exists, so the year is the finest precision the source supports (first availability mid-2019 / Q2 2019).
Source ↗

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

Memory (RAM)

Your X512DA has two memory 'slots' in total, but only one of them is yours to use. 4 GB of DDR4-2400 is soldered directly to the motherboard, and there is a single 260-pin DDR4 SO-DIMM socket for expansion. ASUS validates 8 GB modules, which gives a maximum of 12 GB total (4 GB on board + 8 GB in the slot).

Buy standard non-ECC, unbuffered DDR4 SO-DIMMs running at 1.2 V. DDR4-2400 is the native speed; modules rated 2666 or 3200 MT/s work too, but they will simply run at 2400, so don't pay extra for speed you can't use. ECC and registered server memory will not work.

Two things to know before you order. First, many owners report that 16 GB modules (20 GB total) do work in Picasso-based laptops like this one, but that is outside ASUS's validated spec — buy from a seller that accepts returns and test it immediately. Second, the Vega integrated graphics take their video memory from system RAM, so adding memory can improve graphics performance as well as general responsiveness. The memory runs in flex/dual-channel mode up to the amount matched with the soldered RAM; beyond that it's single-channel.

One warning about specs you may see online: ASUS's global X512 page mixes Intel X512FA/UA configurations in with the AMD model, and the '8 GB max' figure shown there belongs to the Intel SKUs. Every AMD source — the ASUS spec sheet, the Japanese spec PDF and Crucial — agrees that the X512DA supports 12 GB.

Buying tips: an 8 GB DDR4-2400 (or 2666/3200) SO-DIMM is the safe, officially supported choice. If you gamble on 16 GB, keep the packaging until you've confirmed it boots and is recognised in the BIOS.

Buying tips

  • 8 GB DDR4 SO-DIMM, non-ECC, unbuffered, 1.2 V
  • Speed 2400, 2666 or 3200 — all run at 2400
  • 16 GB modules are unofficial; buy with returns

Storage

There are two storage positions in this chassis, and both are usable at once.

1. M.2 2280 slot. This is a Key-M slot that takes an 80 mm (2280) NVMe drive over PCIe 3.0 x2 — around 1.7 GB/s at best — and it also accepts M.2 SATA SSDs. Because the slot only has two PCIe lanes, expensive PCIe 3.0 x4 or Gen4 drives give you nothing extra here; a mainstream Gen3 drive is the sensible pick. Shorter 2242 and 2260 drives would need an adapter bracket that isn't supplied. ASUS also warns about surface-mounted components near the M.2 slot, which on similar models restricts which drive layouts fit — check the full note on your regional ASUS support page before buying a double-sided or otherwise thick M.2 drive.

2. 2.5-inch SATA bay. Standard 2.5-inch SATA drives fit here alongside the M.2 drive. If your unit shipped as SSD-only, you may need the ASUS mounting cable and bracket to add a hard drive or second SSD. The thickness limit isn't officially published; the bundled drives are thin 7 mm-class models and the chassis is only 19.9 mm tall, so we'd stick to 7 mm drives — 9.5 mm drives almost certainly won't fit, and thicker 2.5-inch HDDs certainly won't. There is no documented maximum capacity for aftermarket drives.

Ignore the microSD card reader when planning storage — it's handy for photos and files, but it isn't an upgrade slot and full-size SD cards don't fit.

Also check what your unit actually has before ordering. ASUS shipped the X512DA with various combinations — M.2 NVMe SSD, M.2 SATA SSD, a lone 500 GB/1 TB hard drive, or SSD plus HDD — and some sellers' listings blur the line between the X512DA and the different X515DA chassis. Trust the configuration in your own machine.

Buying tips: for the M.2 slot, a mid-range NVMe Gen3 drive in 2280 form is the sweet spot. For the 2.5-inch bay, any 7 mm SATA SSD, plus the ASUS bracket/cable if yours didn't come with one.

Buying tips

  • M.2 2280 NVMe, PCIe 3.0 x2 — a mainstream Gen3 drive is enough
  • M.2 SATA drives also work but are slower
  • 2.5-inch SATA drive, 7 mm thick
  • Bracket/cable may be needed for the 2.5-inch bay

How to upgrade

Before you start

  • Back up your data before opening the case.
  • Shut the laptop down fully and unplug the charger. Don't rely on sleep mode.
  • Ground yourself — touch a metal object or use an anti-static strap — and work on a clean, unclamped surface.
  • Open the case using the exact screw locations and clips in the owner's manual for your region. Don't force anything; if a panel resists, check for a screw you've missed.
  • Install the memory module or drive in its slot, seating it squarely and securing it with the right screw or bracket. For the 2.5-inch bay, remember the ASUS mounting cable and bracket may be required.
  • Close the case and reconnect the power.
  • Boot into the BIOS/firmware and check that the new memory or drive is recognised, then let the operating system finish its own setup. If something isn't visible in the BIOS, reseat it and try again before assuming it's incompatible.

Frequently asked questions

How much RAM can the VivoBook 15 X512DA take?

12 GB in total, officially: 4 GB is soldered to the board and one DDR4 SO-DIMM slot accepts up to an 8 GB module. Owners widely report 16 GB modules working for 20 GB total, but that's outside ASUS's spec — only try it if you can return the module.

Does the X512DA support NVMe SSDs?

Yes. The M.2 2280 slot accepts NVMe drives over PCIe 3.0 x2 as well as M.2 SATA SSDs. Because it's a two-lane slot, a mid-range Gen3 drive gives you all the speed the machine can use.

Can I install two drives at once?

Yes — one M.2 2280 drive and one 2.5-inch SATA drive can run simultaneously. If your unit shipped without the second drive, you may need the ASUS mounting cable and bracket for the 2.5-inch bay.

Can I upgrade the CPU in the X512DA?

No. The processor is soldered to the motherboard, so there's no way to swap it. The same goes for graphics: every version uses integrated Radeon Vega.

What RAM speed does it need?

DDR4-2400 is the native speed. Faster DDR4 SO-DIMMs (2666 or 3200) work but run at 2400. Use non-ECC, unbuffered 1.2 V modules — server memory won't fit or work.

Why do some specs say the X512 supports only 8 GB?

ASUS's global X512 spec page mixes Intel X512FA/UA models with the AMD X512DA. The 8 GB limit belongs to the Intel SKUs; the AMD X512DA is documented at 12 GB in the official spec sheets and by Crucial.

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.