Dell XPS 15 9500 Upgrade Guide: RAM, SSD and CPU Options

Updated Oct. 8, 2026 · Written from this device's verified specifications

This guide covers what you can upgrade in the Dell XPS 15 9500 (P91F). The short answer: you can add RAM and storage, but the processor is most likely soldered to the board and not upgradable.

At a glance

  • RAM: 2 DDR4 SO-DIMM slots, up to 64 GB total (2 x 32 GB), rated 2933 MHz.
  • Storage: 2 M.2 slots (2230 or 2280), PCIe NVMe Gen3 x4 only, up to 2 TB per drive.
  • If you fit one SSD, use the SSD1 slot. A second drive in SSD2 needs its own thermal bracket.
  • CPU: Dell doesn't name a socket, and these 10th-gen H-series chips are normally soldered, so treat it as not upgradable.
  • There are no 2.5 inch or 3.5 inch drive bays.
SO-DIMM memory slots2 × DDR4 SO-DIMM · up to 64 GB total · 2933 MT/s
M.2 SSD slots (SSD1 primary, SSD2 secondary)2 × SSD M.2 2230 / M.2 2280 (NVMe) · up to 2 TB
2 × SO-DIMM · DDR4up to 64 GB totalM.2 SSD slots (SSD1 primary, SSD2 secondary)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.

RAM: two DDR4 SO-DIMM slots, up to 64 GB

The XPS 15 9500 has two SO-DIMM slots and no soldered memory is listed, so both slots can be filled with your own modules. It uses dual-channel DDR4. Dell lists a 4 GB minimum and supports 8 GB (2 x 4), 16 GB (2 x 8), 32 GB (2 x 16) and 64 GB (2 x 32) configurations.

Dell rates the memory at 2933 MHz. A third-party teardown says DDR4-2666 or DDR4-3200 modules also fit, but don't expect the laptop to run faster than 2933 MHz even if faster modules go in. Dell's specification page also shows a per-slot size of up to 64 GB, but the maximum configuration is 64 GB as two 32 GB modules, so the per-slot figure looks like a documentation error. Plan on 32 GB per slot at most.

Dell's documents don't mention ECC. Treat the machine as non-ECC, unbuffered SO-DIMM only.

Buying tips

  • Buy a matched pair of identical DDR4 SO-DIMMs so the laptop runs in dual-channel mode.
  • Choose non-ECC, unbuffered DDR4 SO-DIMMs; ECC is unconfirmed.
  • DDR4-2933 is the rated speed. Faster modules may fit but won't be rated for use beyond 2933 MHz.
  • Don't pay extra for modules faster than 2933 MHz, since the laptop won't run them faster.

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Storage: two M.2 NVMe slots, up to 2 TB per drive

There are two M.2 slots, labelled SSD1 (primary) and SSD2 (secondary). Each accepts a 2230 or 2280 SSD, and Dell lists PCIe NVMe Gen3 x4 only, up to 32 Gbps, with capacities up to 2 TB per drive. No SATA M.2 drives are listed, so stick to NVMe. There are no 2.5 inch or 3.5 inch bays.

If you fit a single drive, put it in SSD1. The laptop ships with one NVMe SSD, so the second slot may be empty.

Dell's documents disagree on whether you can run two drives. Its US storage page says both one drive and up to two drives, and an older spec PDF says one 2230 or one 2280 drive. However, the service manual and a third-party teardown both confirm two physical slots, and the teardown says a second NVMe SSD can be added in SSD2. Expect to need a separate thermal bracket for SSD2 (the teardown cites part 4TW9C), and brackets are length-specific: one for a 2280 drive can't hold a 2230 drive, and vice versa.

Buying tips

  • Buy an NVMe PCIe SSD, not SATA, in 2280 or 2230 length.
  • Match the thermal bracket to the length of the drive you buy.
  • Before planning a two-drive setup, check whether SSD2 already has its bracket and screw.
  • To simply replace the existing drive, use SSD1.

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How to upgrade

Before you start

  • Check which configuration you have: memory, storage and CPU options vary, but the slot layout is the same across the variants we know of.
  • Back up your files before opening the laptop.
  • Have the owner's manual or Dell's service manual open for the exact disassembly steps.
  • Buy the right parts first: non-ECC DDR4 SO-DIMMs and an NVMe M.2 SSD of the correct length, plus a thermal bracket if you're filling SSD2.
  • Use a small precision screwdriver set and work on a clean, static-free surface.

Steps

  1. Back up your data
    Copy important files to an external drive or cloud storage, especially if you're replacing the SSD.
  2. Power off and unplug
    Shut the laptop down fully (not sleep), unplug the charger and disconnect any accessories.
  3. Open the case
    Follow the Dell service manual for removing the base cover. It also covers any steps needed to disconnect the battery before you touch internal parts.
  4. Ground yourself
    Touch bare metal or use an anti-static strap before handling memory or drives, and hold components by their edges.
  5. Install the RAM or SSD
    For RAM, fit a matched pair of DDR4 SO-DIMMs, one in each slot. For storage, fit a single drive in SSD1; if adding a second, fit it in SSD2 with a thermal bracket that matches its length. The service manual shows each procedure.
  6. Close up and reconnect
    Refit the base cover and screws, then reconnect power.
  7. Check that the laptop sees the new part
    Start the laptop and open the BIOS setup screen to confirm the installed memory size and the new drive are listed. A new SSD will also need an operating system installed or your data restored before it shows up in Windows.

Good to know

  • Dell's documents disagree on whether the laptop supports one or two M.2 drives, although two physical slots are confirmed.
  • Dell's per-slot memory entry of 64 GB looks like an error; the maximum is 64 GB total as 2 x 32 GB.
  • The claim that DDR4-2666 or DDR4-3200 modules fit comes from a third-party teardown, not Dell, and Dell's rated speed is 2933 MHz.
  • The SSD2 thermal bracket part number (4TW9C) comes from a third-party teardown, so verify it before ordering.
  • ECC, SATA M.2 and 2.5 inch storage aren't covered in the documents we found, so we can't confirm them either way.
  • Dell doesn't state that the CPU is soldered; this is our expectation for thin laptops with these processors.
  • The SD card reader is for memory cards only and isn't counted as an upgrade slot.

Frequently asked questions

How much RAM can the Dell XPS 15 9500 take?

Up to 64 GB in total, as two 32 GB DDR4 SO-DIMMs. Dell's per-slot 64 GB entry looks like a documentation error, so don't buy 64 GB modules.

Is the RAM soldered?

No soldered memory is listed. Both slots are SO-DIMM, so you can replace or add modules.

What speed of RAM does the XPS 15 9500 support?

Dell rates it at 2933 MHz. A third-party teardown says DDR4-2666 or DDR4-3200 modules also fit, but the laptop isn't rated beyond 2933 MHz.

Can I add a second SSD to the XPS 15 9500?

There are two physical M.2 slots, and a teardown says a second NVMe SSD can go in SSD2. Dell's documents disagree on whether two drives are supported, and SSD2 needs its own thermal bracket (the teardown cites part 4TW9C), so check before buying.

Does the XPS 15 9500 support SATA M.2 or 2.5 inch drives?

Dell lists PCIe NVMe Gen3 x4 only, and no 2.5 inch bay is listed. SATA M.2 isn't confirmed either way, so choose an NVMe drive.

Can I upgrade the CPU in the XPS 15 9500?

Almost certainly not. Dell's documents don't name a socket, and the 10th-gen H-series processors (Core i5-10300H, i7-10750H, i7-10875H, i9-10885H) are normally soldered in thin laptops. Confirm this before buying if it matters to you.

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.