Dell Precision 3240 Compact Upgrade Guide: RAM, SSD and CPU

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

This guide covers adding memory, storage or a new processor to the Dell Precision 3240 Compact desktop. The short answer: RAM and storage are user-upgradable, and the CPU can be swapped for another 10th-generation part from Dell's supported list.

At a glance

  • RAM: 2 DDR4 SO-DIMM slots, up to 32 GB each and 64 GB total, with speed limited by the CPU.
  • Storage: two M.2 NVMe slots plus one 2.5-inch SATA bay.
  • CPU: Dell lists only 10th-gen Core i3/i5/i7/i9 (65 W) and Xeon W-1250/1270/1290 (80 W).
  • An optional PCIe SSD drive card uses the one half-height expansion slot that a graphics card would also need.
  • Update the BIOS before swapping a CPU.
SO-DIMM memory2 × DDR4 SO-DIMM · up to 64 GB total · 2933 MT/s
M.2 PCIe SSD slots2 × SSD M.2 2230 / M.2 2280 (NVMe) · up to 2.048 TB
2.5" SATA bayHDD / SSD 2.5" (SATA) · up to 2.048 TB
CPU socket (LGA1200)LGA1200 · Core 10th gen · max 80 W
CPU · LGA1200max 80 W2 × SO-DIMM · DDR4up to 64 GB totalM.2 PCIe SSD slots2 × SSD M.2 2230 / M.2 2280 (NVMe) ·up to 2.048 TB2.5" SATA bayHDD / SSD 2.5" (SATA) · up to 2.048 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.

20202021202220232024202520262027Today11 · Release · Aug. 25, 2020
Filled dots: dates published by the manufacturer. Hollow dots: estimates from third-party sources.
MilestoneDate
Release
First available to buy.		 Aug. 25, 2020 Estimate Third-party launch coverage (aecmag, develop3d) dated 25 Aug 2020 reports Dell's announcement; cgw.com (26 Aug 2020) says it was available now. Dell's own press release was not retrieved, so this is not an official 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 Precision 3240 Compact has two slots for unbuffered 260-pin DDR4 SO-DIMMs. Dell lists 8, 16 and 32 GB modules per slot, so the maximum is 2 x 32 GB = 64 GB. Dell's minimum configuration is 8 GB, as one 8 GB module or two 4 GB modules. Dell's list of module sizes doesn't mention 4 GB, yet its supported configurations include them. There is no soldered memory.

Your CPU sets the real memory speed, whatever the module is rated for. Core i3-10100, i5-10500, i5-10600 and Xeon W-1250 run at 2666 MT/s. Core i7-10700, i9-10900 and Xeon W-1270 and W-1290 run at 2933 MT/s. Modules rated 3200 MT/s will run at those lower speeds.

ECC memory needs a Xeon CPU. Dell's documents don't say which ECC SO-DIMMs are validated, so check Dell's compatibility information before buying ECC. Kingston also says Xeon processors don't support modules built with x16 components. Registered memory isn't listed for this model.

Dell's memory table says single-channel DDR4 and recommends multiple DIMMs to avoid a performance loss. Kingston says modules should be installed in pairs for dual-channel mode. Either way, fitting two matched modules is the safe choice.

Buying tips

  • Buy a matched pair of unbuffered DDR4 SO-DIMMs, not desktop-size DIMMs.
  • Don't pay extra for speed above your CPU's limit: 2666 MT/s on i3/i5/W-1250, 2933 MT/s on i7/i9/W-1270/W-1290.
  • Non-ECC modules work with any listed CPU. Choose ECC only if you have a Xeon.
  • With a Xeon, avoid modules built with x16 components. Kingston flags part numbers like KCPxxxS6/xx.
  • Kingston lists KCP432SD8/32 for 32 GB, KCP432SS8/16 and KCP432SD8/16 for 16 GB, and KCP432SS8/8 for 8 GB.

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Storage: two M.2 NVMe slots and one 2.5-inch SATA bay

There are two M.2 slots for NVMe SSDs. Dell says 2230/2280, and the data sheet describes one 22x80 mm slot and one 22x30 mm slot. Which slot takes which size isn't clear, so check the owner's manual or look at your motherboard before buying. M.2 2280 drives run at PCIe Gen 3 x4. Dell lists Class 40 drives up to 2 TB, Class 50 up to 1 TB, and self-encrypting Class 40 up to 1 TB. An installed M.2 SSD becomes the primary drive. Without one, the 2.5-inch drive is primary.

There is also one internal 2.5-inch SATA 3.0 (6 Gbps) bay, and no 3.5-inch bay. Dell lists 5400 RPM hard drives up to 2 TB, 7200 RPM up to 1 TB, and FIPS self-encrypting drives up to 512 GB. A 2.5-inch SATA SSD is a natural fit, though Dell doesn't list SSDs by size here. The maximum drive thickness (7 mm versus 9.5 mm) isn't documented, so a 7 mm drive is the safer choice. Intel RST supports RAID 0 and 1 on SATA.

Dell also offers an optional Precision Ultra-Speed drive card for one additional PCIe SSD. It uses the single half-height PCIe expansion slot, so you can't fit it and a graphics card together. Dell's documents describe that slot differently: the data sheet says x8 Gen 3, while a Dell graphics page says x16 Gen 3. This may be physical versus electrical width, but they don't say.

The data sheet claims up to 4 TB in total, but Dell's per-drive maximums could add up to more. Dell's own configuration list is the place to confirm your exact mix of drives.

Buying tips

  • For the best speed, choose an NVMe M.2 SSD, not a SATA M.2 drive.
  • Check the size (2230 or 2280) against the slot you plan to use.
  • For the 2.5-inch bay, a 7 mm drive avoids thickness worries.
  • If you plan to add a graphics card, skip the Ultra-Speed drive card.
  • Cloning your old drive first makes the switch easier, since an M.2 SSD takes over as the primary drive.

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CPU: 10th-gen Core and Xeon W only

Dell lists only 10th-generation processors: Core i3-10100, i5-10500, i5-10600, i7-10700 and i9-10900 (65 W), and Xeon W-1250, W-1270 and W-1290 (80 W). The chipset is Intel W480. Dell's documents don't name the socket; these CPUs use LGA1200. Dell's service manual has removal and installation procedures for the processor, so it is a replaceable part. Dell lists nothing newer than 10th generation, so don't assume 11th-gen CPUs will work.

The data sheet lists an i3-10300 where Dell's manual lists the i3-10100, and gives slightly higher boost clocks for the i7-10700 and W-1270. Dell's manual is the more reliable guide.

Dell doesn't publish the power supply or cooler ratings for this model. In a compact desktop, stay within the listed CPUs, because Dell designed the cooling and power for those parts. Dell doesn't document a minimum BIOS version for each CPU either, but updating the BIOS before swapping is sensible.

Your CPU choice also affects memory: i7/i9/W-1270/W-1290 run memory at 2933 MT/s, and the others at 2666 MT/s. ECC memory works only with a Xeon.

Buying tips

  • Stick to the eight CPUs Dell lists, and check the exact model number.
  • Don't buy an 11th-gen or newer CPU. Dell lists no support for them.
  • Core i7/i9 and the higher Xeons give the faster 2933 MT/s memory speed.
  • Buy a Xeon only if you want ECC memory.
  • Check what your PC currently has before paying for a small step up.

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How to upgrade

Before you start

  • Back up your important files. Swapping drives or updating the BIOS can put data at risk.
  • Find out which CPU you have, because it decides your memory speed and whether ECC is possible.
  • If you use BitLocker, suspend it before updating the BIOS.
  • Keep the owner's or service manual at hand for the exact disassembly steps.
  • Have a small screwdriver ready. Dell's service manual uses an M2x3.5 screw for an M.2 2280 drive.

Steps

  1. Back up your data
    Copy anything important to an external drive or cloud storage. If you are replacing your main drive, plan to clone it or reinstall Windows.
  2. Update the BIOS (CPU swaps especially)
    Install the latest BIOS from Dell's support page first. Suspend BitLocker beforehand, don't interrupt the update, and note that a BIOS can't be downgraded after you upgrade it. Dell doesn't document a minimum BIOS for each CPU.
  3. Power off and unplug
    Shut the PC down fully, unplug the power cable and all other cables, then hold the power button for a few seconds to drain residual power.
  4. Ground yourself
    Work on a clean, flat surface and touch bare metal on the chassis before handling parts. Hold components by their edges.
  5. Open the case
    Follow the Dell service manual for removing the cover and reaching the memory, drives or processor.
  6. Install the new part
    For RAM, fit two matched SO-DIMMs. For an M.2 SSD, Dell says to insert a 2280 drive at a 45-degree angle and secure it with an M2x3.5 screw. For a 2.5-inch drive, use the SATA bay. For a CPU, follow Dell's processor removal procedure and remove the old processor before installing the new one.
  7. Close the case and reconnect
    Refit the cover and reconnect power and peripherals.
  8. Check that the BIOS sees the part
    Power on and open the BIOS setup. Confirm the new memory, drive or CPU is listed, then boot into Windows and check it appears there too.

Good to know

  • Dell's documents don't name the CPU socket; these CPUs use LGA1200.
  • Which M.2 slot takes the 2230 drive and which takes the 2280 isn't clear from Dell's documents.
  • The maximum 2.5-inch drive thickness isn't documented.
  • The data sheet claims up to 4 TB of total storage, but Dell's per-drive maximums could add up to more.
  • Dell doesn't document a minimum BIOS version for each CPU, or the PSU and cooler ratings.
  • The data sheet dates from around early 2020, so its option lists reflect launch-time configurations. Check Dell's current configurator for what is on offer.
  • Dell's documents describe the PCIe slot differently (x8 Gen 3 versus x16 Gen 3), and Dell and Kingston disagree on single- versus dual-channel memory.

Frequently asked questions

How much RAM can the Dell Precision 3240 Compact take?

Up to 64 GB, as two 32 GB DDR4 SO-DIMMs. Dell's minimum configuration is 8 GB. Memory is not soldered.

What speed of RAM does the Precision 3240 Compact support?

It depends on your CPU. The i3-10100, i5-10500, i5-10600 and Xeon W-1250 run memory at 2666 MT/s. The i7-10700, i9-10900, Xeon W-1270 and W-1290 run it at 2933 MT/s. Faster-rated modules will run at those speeds.

Does the Precision 3240 Compact support ECC memory?

Yes, but only with a Xeon CPU. Dell's documents don't say which ECC SO-DIMMs are validated, so check Dell's compatibility information first. Kingston also warns that Xeon CPUs don't support modules built with x16 components.

Can I add an NVMe SSD to the Precision 3240 Compact?

Yes. It has two M.2 NVMe slots, and 2280 drives run at PCIe Gen 3 x4. Dell lists up to 2 TB for Class 40 drives. Which slot takes the 2230 and which the 2280 isn't clear, so check your manual.

Can I upgrade the CPU in the Precision 3240 Compact?

Yes, within limits. Dell lists only 10th-gen Core i3/i5/i7/i9 (65 W) and Xeon W-1250/1270/1290 (80 W). It lists no 11th-gen support. Update the BIOS before swapping.

Can I fit a graphics card and a PCIe SSD card together?

No. The optional Dell Precision Ultra-Speed drive card uses the single half-height PCIe expansion slot, which a graphics card would also use. The data sheet lists graphics options as one PCIe Gen 3 card up to 75 W.

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.