Lenovo ThinkCentre M710q Tiny upgrade guide

Updated Oct. 11, 2026 · Written from this device's verified specifications

The ThinkCentre M710q Tiny (machine types 10MQ, 10MR, 10MS, 10MT, 10QR) is a small desktop that still gives you room to grow: two RAM slots, an M.2 NVMe slot, a 2.5-inch SATA bay and a socketed CPU. Configurations vary by build, so look up your exact machine type (MTM) on PSREF before buying anything — storage, wireless and rear ports differ from unit to unit.

At a glance

  • RAM: 2 × DDR4-2400 SO-DIMM, 32 GB max
  • Storage: 1 × M.2 2280 NVMe plus 1 × 2.5-inch SATA bay, usable together
  • CPU: socketed LGA 1151, 6th/7th-gen Intel 35 W T-series only
  • No PCIe slots, no 3.5-inch bay, no card reader, no internal optical drive
2× DDR4-2400 SO-DIMM (260-pin), 32 GB max2 × DDR4 SO-DIMM · up to 32 GB total · 2400 MT/s
M.2 2280 M-key PCIe 3.0 x4 NVMe slotSSD M.2 2280 (NVMe)
One 2.5-inch SATA 6 Gb/s bay (Tiny)HDD / SSD 2.5" (SATA)
LGA 1151 (6th/7th gen Intel), 35 W T-seriesLGA1151 (6th/7th gen) · Core 6th gen, Core 7th gen · max 35 W
CPU · LGA1151max 35 W2 × SO-DIMM · DDR4up to 32 GB totalM.2 2280 M-key PCIe 3.0 x4 NVMeslotSSD M.2 2280 (NVMe)One 2.5-inch SATA 6 Gb/s bay(Tiny)HDD / SSD 2.5" (SATA)
Schematic of the upgradeable slots (not to scale). Check the owner's manual for their exact positions.

Lifecycle and support

Standard support ended on May 23, 2022.

20172018201920202021202220232024202520262027Today11 · Release · 201722 · EOSL · May 23, 2022
Filled dots: dates published by the manufacturer. Hollow dots: estimates from third-party sources.
MilestoneDate
Release
First available to buy.		 2017 Estimate No Lenovo launch/announce press release found. Bracketed from manufacturer documents: platform spec sheet stamped '© Lenovo (M710 Tiny-Spec) February 2017' and a datasheet that states 'Intel Optane Memory will be launched in June 2017' (https://psref.lenovo.com/syspool/Sys/PDF/datasheet/ThinkCentre_
Source ↗
End of standard support (EOSL)
Standard warranty and support contracts can no longer be renewed.		 May 23, 2022 Official Lenovo PSREF 'End of Support' for MTM 10MQ001D (MT 10MQ). Other MTMs of 10MQ/10MR/10MS/10MT/10QR may differ by weeks/months; Lenovo sets these dates per model number. Lenovo's PSREF 'End of Support' is the end of the support lifecycle (no further drivers/BIOS/patches or support) — there is no separa
Source ↗

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

RAM: two SO-DIMM slots, 32 GB max

The M710q Tiny takes DDR4 SO-DIMM memory (260-pin) — laptop-style modules, not full-size desktop DIMMs. There are two slots, and none of the memory is soldered, so both slots are yours to use. The supported maximum is 16 GB per module for 32 GB total. Memory must be unbuffered and non-ECC; registered or ECC modules are not supported.

Buying tips

  • Buy DDR4-2400 SO-DIMMs (260-pin). DDR4-2400 is the ceiling; with a 6th-generation CPU the memory controller is limited and the system runs at 2133.
  • 16 GB modules keep you within Lenovo's documented limit. 32 GB modules exceed that documented 16 GB-per-slot figure — whether they work is unconfirmed, so we can't recommend counting on them.
  • Many units ship with a single 4 GB stick, leaving one slot free — check how many modules are already fitted before ordering.

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

You get two storage paths. First, an M.2 2280 (M-key) slot on the system board, wired for PCIe 3.0 x4 NVMe. Second, a 2.5-inch SATA 6 Gb/s bay that takes a hard drive or SATA SSD. Both can be used at the same time, so an M.2 SSD plus a 2.5-inch drive is a perfectly good setup.

Buying tips

  • For the M.2 slot, buy a 2280 NVMe drive. Lenovo documents the slot as PCIe NVMe only; some owners report M.2 SATA (B+M key) drives working, but that isn't documented by Lenovo, so treat NVMe as the safe buy. The separate M.2 2230 slot is for the Wi-Fi/Bluetooth card, not storage.
  • Lenovo doesn't state a maximum drive capacity anywhere in its documentation — retail configurations topped out at 512 GB NVMe. Larger drives are commonly used but go beyond what Lenovo documents.
  • Intel Optane M.2 modules are supported only on configurations with a 7th-generation Core CPU.
  • For the 2.5-inch bay, plan on buying the drive caddy/bracket and the SATA cable as well — they're typically separate parts on the Tiny. Lenovo doesn't state the maximum drive height (the 9.0 mm figure you'll see is for the external USB optical box); Lenovo's own kits are low-profile, around 7 mm, so verify the fit before buying a 9.5 mm or 15 mm drive.
  • There's no 3.5-inch bay, no memory card reader and no internal optical drive. Optical drives are external USB boxes only, and they take one of your USB ports.

Cheapest compatible right now

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CPU: socketed LGA 1151, 35 W T-series only

The processor is socketed (LGA 1151, Intel B250 chipset), so it can be replaced. The supported list is 6th-generation (Skylake) and 7th-generation (Kaby Lake) 35 W T-series chips: Pentium G4400T, G4560T and G4600T; Core i3-6100T and i3-7100T; Core i5-6500T, i5-7400T, i5-7500T and i5-7600T; Core i7-6700T and i7-7700T. The top of the range is the Core i7-7700T.

Buying tips

  • Only 35 W T-series chips are supported. Standard 65 W desktop chips are not — the cooling and the power supply (a 65 W adapter, with a 90 W adapter optional) aren't designed for them.
  • If you're moving between 6th- and 7th-generation chips, a BIOS update may be needed first — check Lenovo's support page for your machine type before you swap.
  • Windows 7 was offered as a downgrade only on 6th-generation configurations, and these platforms are not officially supported by Windows 11. Support for these machines has ended (around May 2022 for the models we checked), so don't expect new BIOS or driver releases.

How to upgrade

Before you start

  • Back up anything you care about before opening the case.
  • Shut the computer down fully and unplug the power cable and all peripherals.
  • Ground yourself to avoid static damage — touch a metal part of the case or use an anti-static strap.
  • Open the case. On the Tiny, the memory sits behind a toolless service door. For every other step, follow the owner's manual for your machine type — it shows the exact disassembly, screws and release points.
  • Install the new part, close the case and reconnect everything.
  • Power on and enter the BIOS/firmware to confirm the new memory, drive or CPU is recognised before booting into your operating system.

Steps

  1. Installing RAM
    Access the two SO-DIMM slots through the toolless service door, press each module into its slot until the retaining arms click, then close the door. Check the BIOS reports the expected total.
  2. Installing storage
    The M.2 2280 drive goes into the M.2 storage slot on the system board; the 2.5-inch drive needs its bracket and SATA cable. Use the hardware maintenance manual for the exact mounting and routing.
  3. Installing a CPU
    The socket and cooler need careful handling — open the socket lever, seat the chip without bending pins, refit the cooler and apply fresh thermal compound per the manual. Consider a BIOS update beforehand if you're changing CPU generation.

Good to know

  • Specifications vary by machine type and build — check your exact MTM on PSREF (https://psref.lenovo.com/Detail/ThinkCentre_M710_Tiny?M=10MQ001D**) before ordering parts.
  • Don't confuse this Tiny chassis with the larger M710q SFF or tower models.

Frequently asked questions

How much RAM can the Lenovo ThinkCentre M710q Tiny take?

32 GB total, in two 260-pin DDR4 SO-DIMM slots (up to 16 GB per slot, the documented limit). Nothing is soldered, and the memory must be unbuffered non-ECC.

Can I fit 32 GB SO-DIMMs in the M710q Tiny?

32 GB modules are beyond Lenovo's documented 16 GB-per-slot limit. Whether they work is unconfirmed, so the reliable upgrade is 2 × 16 GB.

Does the M710q Tiny support M.2 SATA SSDs?

Lenovo documents the M.2 2280 slot as PCIe 3.0 x4 NVMe only. Some community reports say M.2 SATA drives work, but that's unconfirmed by Lenovo — buy NVMe to be safe. The other M.2 slot (2230, E-key) is for Wi-Fi only.

Which CPUs fit the M710q Tiny?

6th- and 7th-generation Intel 35 W T-series chips on the LGA 1151 socket — up to the Core i7-7700T. Standard 65 W processors are not supported. A BIOS update may be needed when swapping CPU generations.

Can I use an M.2 SSD and a 2.5-inch drive together?

Yes. The M.2 2280 slot and the 2.5-inch SATA 6 Gb/s bay are separate and can be populated at the same time. The 2.5-inch bay normally needs its caddy/bracket and SATA cable.

What size 2.5-inch drive fits the Tiny chassis?

Lenovo's documents don't state a maximum height — the 9.0 mm figure applies to the external USB optical box. Lenovo's own drive kits are low-profile, around 7 mm, so confirm the clearance before buying a 9.5 mm or 15 mm drive.

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.