Dell Latitude 5450 Upgrade Guide: RAM, SSD and CPU Options

Lifecycle and support

A current model: sold new and supported.

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

RAM: two DDR5 SO-DIMM slots, up to 64 GB

The Latitude 5450 has two SO-DIMM slots that take DDR5 memory. Each slot accepts an 8, 16 or 32 GB module, so the most you can install is 64 GB (2 x 32 GB). Dell's supported configurations are 8 GB (1x8), 16 GB (1x16 or 2x8), 32 GB (1x32 or 2x16) and 64 GB (2x32). Every configuration is built from SO-DIMM modules, and Dell's documents don't mention any soldered memory.

Speed depends on the processor. Laptops with a 13th Gen Core i3, i5 or i7 run memory at 5200 MT/s, and Core Ultra 5 or 7 models run it at 5600 MT/s. Dell's manual gives one speed per generation and doesn't say whether the H-series Core Ultra chips differ. Faster modules will most likely just run at your laptop's platform speed.

Two modules run in dual-channel mode, while a single module runs in single-channel mode. Some units were sold with only one module, so open the cover and check before buying. Adding a matching second module is the simplest way to get dual-channel. Dell's documents don't mention ECC or registered memory, so treat the slots as standard non-ECC DDR5 SO-DIMM. That is our reading, not something Dell states.

Buying tips

• Buy DDR5 SO-DIMM only. Laptop DDR4 or desktop-size modules won't fit.
• For dual-channel, fit two modules of the same size, such as 2 x 16 GB.
• Don't pay extra for modules faster than 5600 MT/s, as they will most likely run at 5200 or 5600 MT/s.
• Check whether your unit already has one module fitted so you know whether you need one or two.
• Avoid ECC or registered memory, as Dell doesn't document support for it.

Storage: one M.2 2230 NVMe slot, up to 2 TB

The main drive sits in a single M.2 2230 slot. It is PCIe Gen4 NVMe, and Dell lists no SATA support. There is no 2.5 inch or 3.5 inch drive bay, so the M.2 slot is the only place for internal storage. Dell sells 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB and 2 TB options, some labelled Class 35 and others Class 25, and lists 2 TB as the upper limit.

The 2230 size is short, so retail choices are narrower than for the common 2280 drives. A longer 2280 drive will not fit. If your laptop has the self-encrypting (SED) option, that drive is offered only in 512 GB, so a bigger capacity means moving to a standard SSD.

Don't confuse this with the other M.2 slots. The Wi-Fi and Bluetooth card uses its own M.2 2230 slot, and an optional mobile broadband (WWAN) card uses an M.2 3042 slot. Those are not for storage. Dell's documents don't describe the SSD slot's physical limits, such as thermal pad details, so check Dell's service manual for your exact unit before swapping the drive.

Buying tips

• Search specifically for M.2 2230 NVMe drives, and confirm the size before you buy.
• Pick a PCIe NVMe drive. SATA M.2 drives are not listed as supported.
• Don't buy more than 2 TB, since that is the largest capacity Dell lists.
• Plan to clone or reinstall Windows, as there is no second internal bay to copy across from.
• Get an external card reader if you need one, since the laptop has no SD card slot.

How to upgrade

Before you start

• Back up your files, and note your Windows and BitLocker recovery keys if you use encryption.
• Check which CPU your laptop has, since it decides whether memory runs at 5200 or 5600 MT/s.
• Find out whether your laptop has one or two memory modules fitted, and which size.
• Download Dell's owner's manual and service manual for the 5450 for the exact disassembly steps.
• Have a small screwdriver and an anti-static strap or mat ready.

Steps

1. Back up your data
   Copy important files to an external drive or cloud storage. If you're replacing the SSD, also make sure you can reinstall or restore Windows.
2. Power off and unplug
   Shut the laptop down fully, disconnect the charger and any accessories, and wait a moment for it to settle.
3. Ground yourself
   Touch bare metal or wear an anti-static strap before handling any internal part. Hold memory modules and drives by their edges.
4. Open the case
   Follow Dell's owner's manual for removing the base cover and for disconnecting the battery before you work inside. Don't guess at the screws or clips.
5. Install the memory or SSD
   For memory, Dell's procedure has the module slide into the slot at an angle and then get pressed down until it clicks. For the SSD, follow Dell's manual for removing and installing the M.2 2230 drive, and check the service manual for any thermal pad details.
6. Close the case
   Reconnect the battery if you disconnected it, refit the base cover and tighten all the screws.
7. Check that the laptop sees the part
   Start the laptop and open the BIOS setup screen to confirm the new memory size or the new SSD is detected. If a module isn't shown, power off and reseat it.

Good to know

• Dell's documents don't name a CPU socket and don't say outright that the processor is soldered. These are mobile Intel parts, so we expect no CPU upgrade is possible.
• Memory speed is documented only per CPU generation. Dell doesn't say whether the Core Ultra H-series chips differ from the U-series.
• Dell doesn't document ECC or registered memory support. Treat the slots as standard non-ECC DDR5 SO-DIMM.
• Dell doesn't describe the SSD slot's physical limits, such as thermal pad details. Check the service manual for your exact unit.
• The self-encrypting SSD option is 512 GB only, so a larger capacity means switching to a standard drive.

Frequently asked questions

How much RAM can the Dell Latitude 5450 take?

Up to 64 GB, as two 32 GB DDR5 SO-DIMMs. Each slot takes 8, 16 or 32 GB, and the minimum configuration is 8 GB.

Does the Latitude 5450 use DDR5 or DDR4?

DDR5 SO-DIMM. Speed is 5200 MT/s with 13th Gen Core processors and 5600 MT/s with Core Ultra processors.

Can I upgrade the CPU in a Latitude 5450?

Almost certainly not. Dell's documents don't name a CPU socket, and these mobile Intel processors are most likely soldered to the board. Dell doesn't state this outright, so treat it as very likely rather than confirmed. Pick the processor when you buy the laptop.

What size SSD does the Latitude 5450 use, and how big can it be?

It uses a single M.2 2230 PCIe Gen4 NVMe drive. Dell lists up to 2 TB. A 2280 drive will not fit, and no SATA support is listed.

Can I add a second SSD or a 2.5 inch drive?

No. The laptop has no 2.5 inch or 3.5 inch bay and only one SSD slot. The other M.2 slots are for the Wi-Fi card (2230) and an optional mobile broadband card (3042), not for storage.

Is it worth adding a second memory module?

If your laptop shipped with a single module, adding a matching second one enables dual-channel mode, which is usually the better setup. Check the memory slots first to see what is fitted.

Official documents and references

• Dell Latitude 5450 owner's manual: Memory
  Memory type, sizes, speeds and supported configurations
• Dell Latitude 5450 owner's manual: Installing the memory module
  Dell's step-by-step memory installation procedure
• Dell Latitude 5450 owner's manual: Specifications
  Specs plus links to the M.2 2230 SSD removal and installation pages
• Dell Latitude 5450 system guide
  Memory speeds, configurations and the Wi-Fi 2230 slot
• Dell Latitude 14 5450 product page
  Supported CPUs and SSD options
• PDF Dell Latitude 5450 owner's manual (PDF copy)
  Full specifications; a copy hosted on a third-party site