Dell XPS 15 9520 upgrades
RAM is two user-replaceable DDR5-4800 SO-DIMM slots (up to 64 GB) with no soldered memory, and storage is two M.2 NVMe slots. There is also a full-size SD card reader, but no 2.5"/3.5" bays.
- SO-DIMM memory: 2 × DDR5 SO-DIMM · up to 64 GB total · 4800 MT/s
- M.2 slot: 2 × SSD M.2 2230 / M.2 2280 (NVMe) · up to 4.096 TB
SO-DIMM memory 2 × DDR5 SO-DIMM · up to 64 GB total · 4800 MT/s
DDR5 only, so DDR4 modules won't work. Fill both slots with matched modules for dual-channel; a single module runs single-channel. The base cover must be removed, and each module has a DDR jacket cover that slides off and back on. Dell's sources don't mention ECC, but standard unbuffered non-ECC SO-DIMMs are the safe choice.
| $/GB | Price | Capacity | Product | Condition | Store | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $11.87 | $189.99 | 16 GB | Crucial 16GB DDR5-4800 SO-DIMM DDR5-4800 CL40 SO-DIMM | Used | eBay US +2 | View deal |
| $13.42 | $214.69 | 16 GB | Crucial 16GB DDR5-4800 SO-DIMM DDR5-4800 CL40 SO-DIMM | New | eBay US +2 | View deal |
| $16.50 | $527.95 | 2 × 16 GB | Crucial 32GB Kit (2 × 16GB) DDR5-5600 SO-DIMM runs at 4800 MT/s DDR5-5600 CL46 SO-DIMM | New | eBay US +2 | View deal |
M.2 slot 2 × SSD M.2 2230 / M.2 2280 (NVMe) · up to 4.096 TB
Dell lists PCIe Gen3 x4 and Gen4 x4 NVMe only; no SATA M.2 is listed. 2230 drives are listed up to 256 GB (Dell's factory-option limit), and 2280 drives up to 4 TB (Gen4). The entry-level drive may be a short 2230, so you would likely swap in a 2280 for more space. The sources don't cover heatshield or thermal-pad details.
| $/TB | Price | Capacity | Product | Condition | Store | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $75.00 | $299.99 | 4 TB | Crucial P3 Plus 4TB M.2 2280 NVMe M.2 2280 SSD · NVMe Gen4 | Used | eBay US +2 | View deal |
| $107.50 | $215.00 | 2 TB | Crucial P3 Plus 2TB M.2 2280 NVMe M.2 2280 SSD · NVMe Gen4 | Used | eBay US +2 | View deal |
| $119.50 | $239.00 | 2 TB | Crucial P3 Plus 2TB M.2 2280 NVMe M.2 2280 SSD · NVMe Gen4 | New | eBay US +2 | View deal |
| $119.50 | $239.00 | 2 TB | Crucial P3 Plus 2TB M.2 2280 NVMe M.2 2280 SSD · NVMe Gen4 | Refurbished | eBay US +1 | View deal |
| $120.00 | $120.00 | 1 TB | Crucial P3 1TB M.2 2280 NVMe (Gen3) M.2 2280 SSD · NVMe Gen3 | Used | eBay US +2 | View deal |
| $125.00 | $499.99 | 4 TB | Samsung 990 PRO 4TB M.2 2280 NVMe M.2 2280 SSD · NVMe Gen4 | Used | eBay US +2 | View deal |
| $127.99 | $127.99 | 1 TB | Kingston NV3 1TB M.2 2280 NVMe M.2 2280 SSD · NVMe Gen4 | Used | eBay US +2 | View deal |
| $129.99 | $129.99 | 1 TB | Crucial P3 1TB M.2 2280 NVMe (Gen3) M.2 2280 SSD · NVMe Gen3 | New | eBay US +2 | View deal |
| $135.00 | $540.00 | 4 TB | WD_BLACK SN850X 4TB M.2 2280 NVMe M.2 2280 SSD · NVMe Gen4 | New | eBay US +2 | View deal |
| $148.00 | $148.00 | 1 TB | Samsung 970 EVO Plus 1TB M.2 2280 NVMe M.2 2280 SSD · NVMe Gen3 | Used | eBay US +2 | View deal |