Dell Latitude 5490 upgrade guide: RAM, storage and CPU

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 upgrade

Both memory slots sit under the bottom cover, and none of the memory is soldered to the board — everything is socketed, which makes this one of the easiest upgrades on the 5490. The machine takes DDR4 SO-DIMM modules, non-ECC and unbuffered only. The ceiling is 16 GB per module and 32 GB in total, so a pair of 16 GB sticks is as far as this laptop goes. Bigger 32 GB modules are not supported, and ECC or registered server memory will not work here.

Speed is set by the processor, not by the stick you buy. Laptops with an 8th Gen processor run DDR4-2400; those with a 7th Gen processor run DDR4-2133, and faster modules simply downclock to match. So if your unit has a 7th Gen chip, paying extra for 2400 MT/s memory buys you nothing. Factory builds ranged from a single 4 GB stick up to 2 x 16 GB.

For dual-channel performance, fit two matched modules rather than one large stick. If you currently have a single module, adding a second one of the same size and speed is the simplest way to get there.

Buying tips

• Buy DDR4 SO-DIMM, non-ECC, unbuffered — not desktop DIMMs and not ECC memory.
• Aim for 2 x 16 GB for the 32 GB maximum; 2 x 32 GB modules will not be recognised properly.
• Match the speed to your CPU generation, or just buy 2400 MT/s and accept the downclock on 7th Gen machines.
• Two matched modules give you dual-channel; one big module does not.

Storage upgrade

The 5490 offers two storage paths, and configurations shipped with one drive or the other: a 2.5-inch SATA hard drive or SSD, or an M.2 SSD. Your unit may already have both bays usable, or only the one that was populated at the factory — read the caveats below before buying a second drive.

2.5-inch SATA bay. This bay accepts a standard 2.5-inch SATA drive, and Dell's validated maximum is 1 TB, in hard drive, hybrid or self-encrypting (OPAL SED) form. The critical limit is thickness: only 7 mm drives fit. A 9.5 mm drive will not close the case, so check the height of any drive you order. Dell lists capacities up to 1 TB as validated options; larger drives may work, but Dell has not confirmed them.

M.2 slot. There is a single M.2 connector with mounting points for both 2280-length and 2230-length modules, so either size physically fits. It accepts M.2 SATA SSDs as well as PCIe NVMe Gen3 SSDs, up to 1 TB in Dell's validated options. Bigger third-party NVMe drives generally work, though Dell does not validate them. Note that M.2 SATA and M.2 NVMe drives look almost identical but are electrically different — confirm what your slot and firmware support before ordering, using your Service Tag and the Dell documentation.

One thing the sources do not fully agree on: Dell's owner's manual describes the M.2 slot as PCIe x2, while the technical guidebook describes the 2280 NVMe drives as capable of up to four lanes. The conservative reading is that you should not expect full x4-class throughput, even though any NVMe drive will work. The 2230 drives listed by Dell are described as up to two lanes.

Adding a second drive. Whether you can run a 2.5-inch drive and an M.2 SSD at the same time depends on whether your unit has the 2.5-inch caddy and cable. Entry-level builds that shipped with an M.2 SSD only sometimes omit these parts. If yours is missing them, order the Dell bracket and cable before planning dual storage.

There is also an SD 4.0 card reader for SD, SDHC and SDXC cards, but that is removable media, not internal storage.

Buying tips

• For the 2.5-inch bay, buy 7 mm drives only — 9.5 mm will not fit.
• Check whether your unit has the 2.5-inch caddy and cable before buying a second drive; order them from Dell if not.
• Match M.2 SATA vs M.2 NVMe to what your machine supports — they share a connector but not an interface.
• 1 TB is the validated maximum; larger SSDs usually work but are unconfirmed by Dell.
• OPAL self-encrypting drives are available if you need hardware encryption.

How to upgrade

Before you start

• Back up anything you care about before opening the case.
• Shut the laptop down fully and unplug the charger.
• Ground yourself to discharge static, and work on a non-conductive surface.
• Open the case and install the part, keeping screws sorted and connectors seated squarely.
• Close the case, reconnect power and switch on.
• Check that the BIOS and firmware recognise the new part, and update the system if needed.
• For exact disassembly steps and screw locations for your configuration, use Dell's owner's manual and service manual for the Latitude 5490.

Good to know

• Maximum capacities (1 TB HDD, 1 TB NVMe, 512 GB M.2 SATA in some lists) are Dell's validated factory options, not proven hardware limits — larger third-party modules generally work but are unconfirmed.
• Dell's documents disagree on the M.2 NVMe lane count (x2 in the owner's manual, up to x4 in the guidebook). The x2 figure is the safer expectation for real-world speeds.
• Whether a unit can hold two drives at once depends on the presence of the 2.5-inch caddy and cable, which some builds omit.

Frequently asked questions

How much RAM can the Dell Latitude 5490 take?

Up to 32 GB, using two 16 GB DDR4 SO-DIMM modules. Both slots are socketed and user-accessible, and 16 GB per module is the ceiling.

Can I upgrade the CPU in my Latitude 5490?

No. The processor is soldered to the system board, and the graphics are integrated as well. The 5490 shipped with either 7th Gen dual-core or 8th Gen quad-core 15 W Intel U-series chips, and that is what it keeps for life.

Does the Latitude 5490 support NVMe SSDs?

Yes. The M.2 slot accepts M.2 SATA as well as PCIe Gen3 NVMe SSDs, in both 2280 and 2230 lengths. Dell's owner's manual describes the slot as PCIe x2, while the technical guidebook suggests drives capable of up to four lanes, so don't count on full x4-class speeds.

What size SSD fits in the 2.5-inch bay?

Any 2.5-inch SATA drive up to 7 mm thick. 9.5 mm drives will not fit. Dell's validated maximum is 1 TB; larger drives may work but are not confirmed.

Can I run two drives at the same time?

Potentially, one 2.5-inch drive plus one M.2 SSD, but it depends on the parts in your unit. Machines that shipped with an M.2 SSD only may lack the 2.5-inch caddy and cable, which you would need to order separately from Dell.

What RAM speed does the Latitude 5490 use?

DDR4-2400 with 8th Gen processors, and DDR4-2133 with 7th Gen processors. Faster modules work but downclock on 7th Gen machines, so they offer no benefit there.

Official documents and references

• Dell Latitude 5490 Owner's Manual — memory specifications
  Official slot count, module type and capacity limits.
• Dell Latitude 5490 Owner's Manual — storage specifications
  Official drive bay and M.2 slot details, including the PCIe x2 description.
• PDF Dell Latitude 5290/5490/5590 Technical Guidebook (PDF)
  Memory type, validated drive options and processor list.
• PDF Dell Latitude 5490 processor and configuration document (PDF)
  Supported CPU options and platform details.