Dell Latitude 5520 (11th Gen) Upgrade Guide: RAM and SSD

Updated Oct. 9, 2026 · Written from this device's verified specifications

This guide covers memory and storage upgrades for the Dell Latitude 5520 (also sold as Latitude 15 5520, P96F) with 11th Gen Intel CPUs. The short answer: you can add up to 64 GB of DDR4 and fit NVMe M.2 SSDs, but the processor is not a practical upgrade.

At a glance

  • RAM: 2 DDR4 SO-DIMM slots, up to 32 GB each and 64 GB total, running at 3200 MT/s with 11th Gen CPUs.
  • Storage: two M.2 NVMe slots on integrated-graphics models, but only one M.2 2280 slot on discrete-graphics models.
  • Slot 1 is PCIe Gen 3 (2230 or 2280); slot 2 is Gen 4 (2280 only) and runs at Gen 4 speed only with 11th Gen CPUs.
  • CPU: Dell lists no socket or upgrade path, and these chips are soldered, so plan on keeping the one you have.
  • Dell's documents disagree on whether there is a 2.5-inch drive bay, so check your own unit.
SO-DIMM memory slot2 × DDR4 SO-DIMM · up to 64 GB total · 3200 MT/s
M.2 SSD slot (2230/2280)2 × SSD M.2 2230 / M.2 2280 (NVMe) · up to 2 TB
2 × SO-DIMM · DDR4up to 64 GB totalM.2 SSD slot (2230/2280)2 × SSD M.2 2230 / M.2 2280 (NVMe) · up to 2 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.

2021202220232024202520262027Today11 · Release · Jan. 12, 2021
Filled dots: dates published by the manufacturer. Hollow dots: estimates from third-party sources.
MilestoneDate
Release
First available to buy.		 Jan. 12, 2021 Estimate Third-party date: announced 5 January 2021 at CES 2021, available 12 January 2021. Dell gives no release date.
Source ↗

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

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

The Latitude 5520 has two DDR4 SO-DIMM slots. Dell lists module sizes of 4, 8, 16 and 32 GB, so the maximum is 2 x 32 GB, or 64 GB in total. No memory is soldered to the board, so both slots are available to you.

Speed depends on your processor. With an 11th Gen Core i3, i5 or i7, the memory runs at up to 3200 MT/s. With a 10th Gen Core i5 or i7, it runs at 2667 MT/s, so faster modules won't gain you anything there. The memory runs in dual-channel mode, so fit two identical modules for the best performance.

Dell's pages don't say whether the memory is ECC or unbuffered. The listed configurations are ordinary DDR4 SO-DIMMs, so standard non-ECC, unbuffered laptop modules are the safe assumption.

Buying tips

  • Buy a matched pair, such as 2 x 8 GB or 2 x 16 GB, for dual-channel performance.
  • Look for DDR4 SO-DIMMs rated 3200 MT/s if you have an 11th Gen CPU.
  • Don't pay extra for 3200 MT/s modules on a 10th Gen unit; they will run at 2667 MT/s.
  • Choose standard non-ECC laptop memory, not server or ECC modules.

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Storage: M.2 NVMe SSDs only

Models with integrated graphics have two M.2 SSD slots that take 2230 or 2280 drives. Models with discrete graphics have just one M.2 2280 slot, so a second SSD isn't possible on those. Check which version you own before buying a second drive.

Slot 1 is PCIe Gen 3 and accepts a 2230 or 2280 drive. Slot 2 is PCIe Gen 4 and accepts 2280 only. Gen 4 speeds apply only on 11th Gen CPUs; a 10th Gen unit is limited to Gen 3. All listed drives are NVMe. Dell describes no SATA M.2 option.

Dell's listed maximums are 512 GB for 2230 drives, 1 TB for 2280 Gen 3 drives, 2 TB for 2280 Gen 4 drives, and 512 GB for self-encrypting 2280 Gen 3 drives. For 1 TB or more, choose a 2280 drive.

The Wi-Fi card (M.2 2230) and the optional mobile broadband card (M.2 3042) sit in separate slots and cannot hold an SSD. The microSD card reader isn't a practical way to add storage either.

Dell's documents disagree on a 2.5-inch drive. One Dell support article lists the 5520 as having one M.2 slot plus a 2.5-inch SATA bay, which needs a cable and a metal bracket. The current specification sheet lists no 2.5-inch bay at all. That article may be older or more generic, so check the service manual for your exact unit before buying a 2.5-inch drive or any parts.

Buying tips

  • Check whether your laptop has integrated or discrete graphics before planning a second SSD.
  • Buy an NVMe M.2 drive, not a SATA M.2 drive.
  • Choose 2280 if you want 1 TB or more; 2230 drives are listed only up to 512 GB.
  • A Gen 4 drive only runs at Gen 4 speed in slot 2 on an 11th Gen model; elsewhere it runs at Gen 3.
  • Don't buy a 2.5-inch bracket or cable until you've confirmed the bay exists on your unit.

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How to upgrade

Before you start

  • Find out whether your unit has an 11th Gen or 10th Gen CPU, as this decides memory speed and whether Gen 4 storage speed applies.
  • Check whether it has integrated or discrete graphics, as this decides how many M.2 SSD slots you have.
  • Back up your files, and note your Windows recovery key if the drive is encrypted.
  • Have the owner's manual or service manual open for the exact disassembly steps for your unit.
  • Work on a clean, hard surface with a small precision screwdriver.

Steps

  1. Back up your data
    Copy important files to an external drive or cloud storage. If you're replacing the SSD, plan how you'll clone it or reinstall Windows.
  2. Power off and unplug
    Shut the laptop down completely, not just to sleep, and unplug the charger and any accessories.
  3. Ground yourself
    Touch bare metal on the chassis or use an anti-static wrist strap before handling any internal part, and hold modules and drives by their edges.
  4. Open the case
    Follow the Latitude 5520 service manual to remove the base cover. Dell's manual has separate sections for memory modules and for the SSD, and it covers any battery disconnect step before you work inside.
  5. Install the memory or SSD
    For RAM, seat the SO-DIMMs in both slots, using a matched pair. For storage, fit the M.2 drive in the right slot: 2230 or 2280 in slot 1, 2280 only in slot 2. Secure it as the manual shows.
  6. Close the case
    Refit the base cover and screws, then reconnect the charger.
  7. Check that the system sees the new part
    Start the laptop and open the BIOS setup screen to confirm the new memory size or the new drive is listed. Then boot into Windows, or install it if you fitted a blank SSD.

Good to know

  • Dell's pages don't state whether the memory is ECC or unbuffered. Standard non-ECC, unbuffered SO-DIMMs are the assumption here.
  • Dell's documents disagree on a 2.5-inch SATA bay. Verify against the service manual before buying a bracket or cable.
  • Dell's spec sheet has a truncated capacity for the self-encrypting drive (it reads 'Up to 512'); it is assumed to mean 512 GB.
  • Dell's documents give no CPU socket details, and the CPU is understood to be soldered, so don't count on a processor upgrade.
  • Disassembly steps vary by unit; follow Dell's service manual for exact procedures.

Frequently asked questions

How much RAM can the Dell Latitude 5520 take?

Up to 64 GB, using two 32 GB DDR4 SO-DIMMs. Dell lists module sizes of 4, 8, 16 and 32 GB.

What RAM speed does the Latitude 5520 support?

11th Gen models run DDR4 at up to 3200 MT/s. 10th Gen models run it at 2667 MT/s.

Can I add a second SSD to the Latitude 5520?

Only on models with integrated graphics, which have two M.2 slots. Discrete-graphics models have one M.2 2280 slot, so there is no room for a second SSD.

Does the Latitude 5520 support PCIe Gen 4 SSDs?

Yes, in slot 2, which takes 2280 drives, and only on 11th Gen models. Slot 1 and all 10th Gen units are limited to Gen 3.

Can I upgrade the CPU in the Latitude 5520?

Practically, no. Dell's documents list only the processor options the laptop shipped with and give no socket or upgrade path. These mobile chips are soldered to the board, so choose the CPU you want when you buy.

Does the Latitude 5520 have a 2.5-inch drive bay?

Dell's documents disagree. One support article mentions a 2.5-inch SATA bay needing a cable and bracket, but the current specification sheet lists none. Check the service manual for your unit.

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.