Lenovo Legion 5 15IMH05 Upgrade Guide

Updated Oct. 18, 2026 · Written from this device's verified specifications

The Lenovo Legion 5 15IMH05 (also sold as the Legion 5i 15IMH05, Type 82B5 or 82AU, the 2020 15-inch Intel model) is refreshingly friendly to upgrades: both RAM slots and both drive bays are user-accessible. The processor, however, is soldered down and is what it is. Before you order anything, check your exact Machine Type (82AU or 82B5) on Lenovo's spec page — the 17-inch Legion 5 17IMH05 shares the name but has different internals, and part lists don't mix. Also note that this is the 2020 Intel model; the newer Legion 5 15ACH6H (AMD) is a different machine entirely.

At a glance

  • 2x DDR4 SO-DIMM slots, both replaceable, up to 32 GB (matched pair recommended)
  • 2 drive bays, configuration dependent: 1x M.2 + 2.5-inch SATA, or 2x M.2
  • M.2 slots take 2242 or 2280 NVMe (PCIe 3.0 x4) drives
  • CPU is BGA soldered — not upgradeable
2x DDR4 SO-DIMM (260-pin)2 × DDR4 SO-DIMM · up to 32 GB total · 2933 MT/s
M.2 NVMe + 2.5in SATA bays (config dependent)2 × M.2 2242 / M.2 2280 / SO-DIMM (NVMe / SATA) · max 7 mm thick · up to 2.048 TB
2 × SO-DIMM · DDR4up to 32 GB totalM.2 NVMe + 2.5in SATA bays (config dependent)2 × M.2 2242 / M.2 2280 / SO-DIMM (NVMe / SATA) · max 7 mm thick ·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 · 2020
Filled dots: dates published by the manufacturer. Hollow dots: estimates from third-party sources.
MilestoneDate
Release
First available to buy.		 2020 Estimate Only indirectly supported: Lenovo's article groups the Legion 5 15IMH05/15IMH05H among 'Lenovo 2020 products' (legacy BIOS boot removed). No PSREF announce date or availability date is present in the notes, so this is a rough estimate, not an official release statement.
Source ↗

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

Memory (RAM)

Your Legion 5 15IMH05 has two DDR4 SO-DIMM slots (260-pin), and neither stick is soldered to the board — whatever is installed can be removed and replaced. The memory is standard unbuffered, non-ECC DDR4 at 1.2V; there's no ECC or registered memory support on this platform.

Capacity is where sources disagree. Lenovo's own spec sheet says 'up to 16GB DDR4-2933 offering', but Kingston lists 32 GB (2x 16 GB) as the maximum for this exact model. Both of those figures come from what was tested with the memory kits on sale at the time, not from a hard hardware limit. In practice, 2x 16 GB (32 GB total) is the safe, well-supported target and is what most owners install. Some units accept 2x 32 GB (64 GB), but neither Lenovo nor Kingston supports that combination — only try it if the seller takes returns.

Speed-wise, the machine runs DDR4-2933. DDR4-3200 modules work fine but clock down to 2933 MT/s because the 10th Gen Comet Lake-H processor limits them, so don't pay extra for faster-rated SO-DIMMs. Buy a matched pair: dual-channel mode needs two identical sticks, and running a single module leaves noticeable performance on the table.

Buying tips

  • A matched 2-stick kit (2x 8 GB or 2x 16 GB) of DDR4 SO-DIMM is the sweet spot
  • DDR4-2933 is the native speed; DDR4-3200 works but runs at 2933
  • If you want 64 GB, buy from a seller with a return policy

Storage (SSD / HDD)

Lenovo built two internal storage configurations, and which one you have decides what you can add:

1. M.2 SSD plus 2.5-inch SATA bay: one M.2 slot and one 2.5-inch SATA bay (SATA 6Gb/s) that accepts a 2.5-inch drive up to 2 TB and no more than 7 mm thick. This is the configuration to have if you want a cheap bulk hard drive or SATA SSD alongside your boot drive.

2. Dual M.2: two M.2 slots and no 2.5-inch drive. Units in this configuration may not include the caddy and cable the 2.5-inch bay needs, so open the bottom cover and look before ordering a 2.5-inch drive — or check your Machine Type first.

Both M.2 slots accept 2242 and 2280 length drives (keyed M) over PCIe NVMe, PCIe 3.0 x4. Lenovo's tested capacity ceilings are 512 GB for a 2242 drive, 1 TB for a 2280 drive and 2 TB for the 2.5-inch bay. As always with Lenovo's figures, those are the sizes tested at the time rather than firm limits — larger M.2 drives generally work. NVMe is the only M.2 interface documented here; SATA M.2 drives aren't listed, so verify before trying to reuse one. Watch the mounting post position when fitting a short 2242 drive into a slot set up for 2280.

Buying tips

  • M.2 2280 NVMe (PCIe 3.0 x4) is the easiest upgrade — 1 TB and 2 TB drives are the practical picks
  • Before buying a 2.5-inch drive, confirm your unit actually has the caddy and cable
  • 2.5-inch drives must be 7 mm thick or they won't close up

How to upgrade

Before you start

  • Back up anything important before opening the case.
  • Shut the laptop down completely, unplug the charger, and remove any connected devices.
  • Ground yourself (touch a metal object or use an anti-static strap) so you don't damage the parts with static.
  • Open the bottom cover carefully, following the exact procedure in the Lenovo User Guide for the Legion 5 (15-inch, 05) — screw locations and clip positions vary, and the manual is the authority on disassembly.
  • Install the RAM or drive, taking care with SO-DIMM latches and the M.2 screw.
  • Close the case, reconnect power, and switch on.
  • Check that the BIOS/firmware recognises the new part and that the capacity looks right. Some Lenovo models need a BIOS update for newer hardware — check Lenovo's support page for your Machine Type if anything isn't detected.

Good to know

  • Lenovo's maximum memory and storage figures are based on its own test results, not hard ceilings — larger parts often work but aren't guaranteed.
  • The referenced configuration reaches official End of Support on 2026-05-27, after which official parts and service wind down.

Frequently asked questions

How much RAM can the Lenovo Legion 5 15IMH05 take?

Lenovo states up to 16 GB, while Kingston lists 32 GB (2x 16 GB) as the maximum for this model. 32 GB is the safe, widely proven target. Some owners run 64 GB (2x 32 GB) successfully, but that combination is unsupported by both companies, so buy it only with a return option.

Is the RAM soldered?

No. Both DDR4 SO-DIMM slots are user-accessible and replaceable — there's no soldered memory at all in this model.

Can I upgrade the CPU in my Legion 5 15IMH05?

No. The 10th Gen Intel Comet Lake-H processor is soldered to the motherboard and was never available as a socketed part, so it can't be swapped for a faster one.

Does the Legion 5 15IMH05 have space for a second drive?

It depends on your configuration. Some units have one M.2 slot plus a 2.5-inch SATA bay; others have two M.2 slots and no 2.5-inch bay (and may be missing the caddy and cable). Check your Machine Type and open the bottom cover to see which layout you have.

Do I need DDR4-3200 RAM, or is 2933 enough?

DDR4-2933 is the native speed. DDR4-3200 modules work but run at 2933 MT/s because the processor limits the memory clock, so there's no reason to pay a premium for 3200-rated SO-DIMMs.

What size M.2 SSD fits?

Both M.2 slots accept 2242 and 2280 form factor NVMe drives (PCIe 3.0 x4). Lenovo tested up to 512 GB in a 2242 drive and 1 TB in a 2280 drive; larger drives usually work, but 2242 models above 512 GB are rare. SATA M.2 drives are not documented for these slots.

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.