Dell Latitude 5500 Upgrade Guide: RAM, SSD and CPU

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

The Latitude 5500 is a friendly machine to work on: the RAM and the drive are both user-accessible, and upgrades here make a real difference to everyday speed. The processor is another story — it's soldered down, so a CPU upgrade is off the table. Below we cover each category, what fits, the limits, and what to watch out for before you buy anything. First, a quick warning about naming: the Latitude 5501, 5510 and 5520 are different machines with different rules, so check your model number (or service tag) before ordering parts.

At a glance

  • RAM: 2x DDR4 SO-DIMM slots, up to 16 GB per module, 32 GB total
  • Storage: one drive only — M.2 2230/2280 (NVMe or SATA) or a 2.5-inch SATA drive, not both
  • CPU: soldered (BGA) — not upgradeable
2× DDR4 SO-DIMM, max 32 GB2 × DDR4 SO-DIMM · up to 32 GB total · 2666 MT/s
1× M.2 (2230/2280) or 2.5" SATA — not bothM.2 2230 / M.2 2280 / 2.5" (NVMe / SATA) · up to 1.024 TB
2 × SO-DIMM · DDR4up to 32 GB total1× M.2 (2230/2280) or 2.5" SATA — not bothM.2 2230 / M.2 2280 / 2.5" (NVMe / SATA) · up to 1.024 TB
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 · May 1, 2019
Filled dots: dates published by the manufacturer. Hollow dots: estimates from third-party sources.
MilestoneDate
Release
First available to buy.		 May 1, 2019 Estimate Announced 2019-04-30; 'available starting tomorrow' per press coverage. Corroborated by https://www.notebookcheck.net/Redesigned-Dell-Latitude-5400-5401-5500-and-5501-now-shipping-with-Wi-Fi-6-and-Intel-XMM-LTE.419721.0.html
Source ↗

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

RAM (memory)

The Latitude 5500 has two DDR4 SO-DIMM slots, both user-accessible, with nothing soldered to the board. It takes standard 260-pin DDR4 SO-DIMMs at 1.2 V, non-ECC and unbuffered. The ceiling is 16 GB per module and 32 GB total (2x 16 GB).

Buying tips

  • Buy a matched pair (2x 8 GB or 2x 16 GB) so the memory runs in dual channel — a single stick leaves performance on the table, especially for the integrated graphics.
  • Plain DDR4-2666 is the sweet spot. Don't pay extra for faster modules: with the 8th-Gen processors the memory runs at 2400 MHz anyway, and faster SO-DIMMs simply clock down to match.
  • ECC and registered memory are not supported.

Storage (SSD / hard drive)

There is one storage position only. You can fit an M.2 drive (2230 short or 2280 full length) or a 2.5-inch SATA drive — but Dell's documents are explicit that the two cannot be installed at the same time. The full-length M.2 2280 slot is NVMe PCIe Gen 3 x4 (SATA and self-encrypting options exist too), while the short 2230 slot is Gen 3 x2 only. Dell validates up to 1 TB on the 2280 NVMe drive; larger aftermarket M.2 drives generally work in practice, though that's beyond Dell's tested figures.

Buying tips

  • Check what's in your unit before buying. If it shipped with a 2.5-inch hard drive, you can't simply add an M.2 SSD alongside it — converting to M.2 requires Dell's mounting hardware.
  • An NVMe drive in the 2280 slot is the biggest speed upgrade you can make. Don't overspend on a Gen 4 drive: this slot is Gen 3, and the shorter 2230 slot is Gen 3 x2, so a Gen 4 drive gains you nothing.
  • The M.2 SSD is held by a single M2x3 screw (plus some cosmetic tape), so swapping one is quick.
  • One note on Dell's own spec table: it quotes the same link speed for the 2230 and 2280 NVMe options, but only the 2280 slot has the four lanes to reach those speeds — the 2230 slot is slower.

How to upgrade

Before you start

  • Back up anything you care about.
  • Shut the laptop down fully and unplug the charger.
  • Ground yourself (touch a metal object or use an anti-static strap) before handling components.
  • Open the case and install the part. For exact disassembly steps and screw locations, follow Dell's owner's manual and service manual for the Latitude 5500 — the M.2 SSD, for instance, is secured with a single M2x3 screw.
  • Close the case, reconnect power and switch on.
  • Check in the BIOS/firmware (and then in your operating system) that the new memory or drive is detected at the expected size.

Steps

  1. General upgrade outline
    Back up your data first. Power off the laptop completely and unplug it. Ground yourself to avoid static damage. Open the case following Dell's owner's manual for exact disassembly instructions, then install the new SO-DIMM or drive. Close everything up, reconnect the charger and power on. Finally, confirm the BIOS/firmware recognises the new part at the expected capacity before you restore your data or reinstall your system.

Good to know

  • Some regional Latitude 5500 builds are reported with 10th-Gen Intel processors; Dell's documents we've seen name only the 8th-Gen Whiskey Lake-U chips. Verify your exact CPU via the service tag before buying memory, since 8th-Gen models run the RAM at 2400 MHz.
  • Don't confuse the Latitude 5500 with the visually similar 5501, 5510 or 5520 — different machines, different upgrade rules.

Frequently asked questions

How much RAM can the Dell Latitude 5500 take?

Up to 32 GB, using two 16 GB DDR4 SO-DIMMs (one per slot). Dell lists 16 GB as the maximum per module.

Does the Latitude 5500 support an NVMe SSD?

Yes. The M.2 2280 slot supports PCIe Gen 3 x4 NVMe drives (with SATA and self-encrypting options also offered). The shorter M.2 2230 slot is Gen 3 x2.

Can I install an M.2 SSD and a 2.5-inch drive at the same time?

No. The Latitude 5500 has a single storage position — Dell's documents state plainly that a 2.5-inch drive and an M.2 SSD cannot be installed together.

Can I upgrade the CPU in a Latitude 5500?

No. The processor is soldered to the motherboard (BGA) and there is no socket. The 8th-Gen Whiskey Lake-U chips Dell lists are the only ones the manuals confirm; a few regional builds may use 10th-Gen parts, so check the service tag.

Why is my new RAM running slower than the speed on the label?

With the 8th-Gen processors the memory runs at 2400 MHz even if you install DDR4-2666 modules — faster SO-DIMMs clock down automatically. 10th-Gen models can use the full 2666 MHz.

Can I put more than 1 TB of storage in it?

Dell's validated maximum for the M.2 2280 NVMe drive is 1 TB, but that's a tested figure rather than a hard limit — larger aftermarket M.2 drives generally work. We can't guarantee every drive, so check user reports for the specific model you're considering.

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.