Lenovo ThinkCentre M710s SFF upgrade guide: RAM, storage and CPU
Updated Oct. 18, 2026 · Written from this device's verified specifications
The Lenovo ThinkCentre M710s Small Form Factor (Type 10MQ/10MR) is an 8.4 litre desktop built on the Intel B250 chipset. Good news for upgrades: nothing is soldered down. The CPU sits in a socket and all four memory slots are standard full-size DIMM sockets, plus you get one M.2 SSD slot and room for SATA drives. A quick ID check first: this is the SFF model, not the M710t (tower) or the M710q (tiny). The Tiny uses laptop memory and a single 2.5" drive; the Tower has more bays and full-height slots. Look for machine type 10MQ or 10MR on the label. Two limits to keep in mind before you plan anything: the power supply is 180 W, and every expansion slot is low-profile. If your machine has the optional front 2x USB-C module, it sits in the PCIe x16 slot and leaves no room for a graphics card.
At a glance
- RAM: 4 x DDR4 UDIMM slots, up to 16 GB per module and 64 GB in total
- RAM speed: DDR4-2400 maximum, but a 6th-gen CPU holds memory at 2133 MT/s
- Storage: 1 x M.2 NVMe SSD slot (PCIe 3.0 x4) plus 3 SATA ports in total
- CPU: socketed LGA 1151, 6th/7th gen Intel only, 65 W maximum
- Case: low-profile slots only, 180 W power supply
- Not to be confused with the M710t tower or M710q tiny
| 4x DDR4 UDIMM (288-pin) | 4 × DDR4 DIMM · up to 64 GB total · 2400 MT/s |
|---|---|
| M.2 NVMe + 3x SATA bays (1x 3.5", 1x 2.5") | 4 × SSD / HDD / HDD M.2 2242 / M.2 2280 / 2.5" / 3.5" (NVMe / SATA) |
| LGA 1151 (B250) - 6th/7th gen Intel | LGA1151 (6th/7th gen) · Core 6th gen, Core 7th gen · max 65 W |
Lifecycle and support
A current model: sold new and supported.
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Release First available to buy. |
Feb. 21, 2017
Estimate
Lenovo Japan announced the ThinkCentre M710s/M910s Small on 21 Feb 2017 and began sales the same day; date taken from press coverage of the manufacturer's own announcement (PSREF 'Announce Date' should match). Source ↗ |
Dates not listed haven't been published by the manufacturer or a reliable third party.
Memory (RAM)
The M710s SFF has four full-size 288-pin DDR4 DIMM sockets (DIMM1 to DIMM4 on the system board). There is no soldered memory, so all four slots are yours to use.
What fits: non-ECC, unbuffered DDR4 UDIMMs running at 1.2 V. These are ordinary desktop modules, not laptop SO-DIMMs and not server memory. ECC or registered modules will not work in this machine.
The limits: 16 GB per module, 64 GB in total (4 x 16 GB). Speed tops out at DDR4-2400 (PC4-19200). With a 6th-generation CPU such as an i5-6500 or i7-6700 the memory controller runs at 2133 MT/s, so the system clocks the RAM down; DDR4-2400 needs a 7th-generation chip. Faster DDR4-2666 modules do work, but only because they downclock to 2400. The B250 chipset does not overclock, so XMP profiles make no difference - the memory simply runs at its standard speed.
Buying tips: buy non-ECC unbuffered desktop DDR4 in matched modules if you can, so the dual-channel support is used properly. If your machine still has a 6th-gen CPU, don't pay extra for speed you won't see - the board will run it at 2133 MT/s until you also upgrade the processor.
Buying tips
- Non-ECC, unbuffered DDR4 UDIMM only (1.2 V) - not SO-DIMM, not ECC/registered
- Maximum 16 GB per module, 64 GB total in the four slots
- DDR4-2400 is the ceiling; DDR4-2666 modules will only run at 2400
- With a 6th-gen CPU, memory runs at 2133 MT/s whatever you install
Storage (SSD and HDD)
There are two ways to add storage: one M.2 slot for an SSD, and three SATA ports shared between the drive bays.
The M.2 slot is an M-key socket for an SSD, wired as PCIe 3.0 x4 NVMe. A 2280 length module is confirmed; Lenovo service material also lists 2242, so check the standoff position on your own board before ordering. SATA M.2 drives are not officially documented - some upgrade sellers list them, but only NVMe is confirmed, so verify before you buy if that's your plan. PCIe 4.0 drives physically fit and work, but they run at Gen3 speeds in this slot, so you pay for speed you can't use. Update the BIOS before or after installing an NVMe drive. Intel Optane memory caching requires a 7th-generation Core CPU.
For SATA drives there are three ports in total, and the bays share them: the slim optical drive bay, an internal 3.5" bay (25.4 mm high), and an optional internal 2.5" bay. Optical drive plus 3.5" drive plus 2.5" drive equals all three ports used - a fourth SATA device needs an add-in controller card, and remember every expansion slot is low-profile. On used units the 2.5" bay may be missing its caddy or bracket, so check inside before you order a 2.5" SSD.
There's no documented capacity ceiling from Lenovo, and the SATA ports accept today's larger 2.5" and 3.5" drives. Factory configurations topped out around 2 TB hard drives and 512 GB SATA SSDs. Note that the separate M.2 slot for the Wi-Fi/Bluetooth card is a Key-E socket - it cannot take a storage drive.
Buying tips: for a big speed jump, an NVMe SSD in the M.2 slot is the upgrade to make. If you're reusing the three SATA ports, count your devices first - the optical drive uses one of them.
Buying tips
- M.2 NVMe SSD, PCIe 3.0 x4 - 2280 confirmed, 2242 may fit depending on your standoff
- No documented maximum drive capacity; large modern SATA drives work
- Only 3 SATA ports in total, and the optical drive is one of them
- Update the BIOS around an NVMe install; Optane needs a 7th-gen CPU
Processor (CPU)
The processor is socketed (LGA 1151, first revision) on the Intel B250 chipset, so you can swap it - within a narrow range.
What fits: 6th-generation (Skylake) and 7th-generation (Kaby Lake) Intel Core i3/i5/i7, Pentium and Celeron chips. The best option Lenovo lists is the Core i7-7700. 35 W 'T' models are supported and run cooler in this small case.
The limits: 65 W is the maximum supported TDP - Lenovo lists no 91 W 'K' processors for this machine, and you should stick to the stock SFF cooler and power supply. The most common mistake is buying an 8th or 9th generation chip: those processors physically fit the socket but will not work, because the B250 chipset and BIOS support only 6th and 7th gen. Check the exact model number of the CPU before you buy, not just the socket.
If you're upgrading from a 6th-gen CPU to a 7th-gen one, you'll also unlock DDR4-2400 memory speed - that's a nice side benefit if you're adding RAM at the same time.
Buying tips: the i7-7700 is the top supported chip; an i5-7500 or i5-7600 is a sensible mid-range choice. A 35 W 'T' model is worth considering if you want a quieter, cooler machine. Ignore any listing that says '8th/9th gen supported'.
Buying tips
- LGA 1151 (first revision) - 6th and 7th gen Intel only
- Top supported CPU: Core i7-7700
- 65 W maximum TDP; 35 W 'T' models are supported
- 8th/9th gen chips fit the socket but will not boot
How to upgrade
Before you start
- Confirm your machine type is 10MQ or 10MR (M710s SFF), not an M710t or M710q
- Check whether the optional 2.5" bay caddy, media reader or front USB-C module is fitted
- Update the system BIOS/firmware before installing an NVMe SSD
- If your machine has the front 2x USB-C module, it occupies the PCIe x16 slot - no graphics card will fit
Steps
- Prepare and back up
Back up anything you care about first, and update the BIOS/firmware to the current version from Lenovo's support site - especially if you're adding an NVMe drive. - Power down
Shut the system down properly, switch it off and unplug the power cable and any attached devices. - Open the case
Ground yourself (touch the metal chassis or use an antistatic strap) so static doesn't damage the parts. Open the case following the owner's manual / hardware maintenance manual - it shows the exact removal steps for the cover and any brackets. - Install the part
For RAM, seat the modules firmly in the DIMM sockets until the latches click. For an M.2 SSD, fit it in the storage slot at the correct angle and secure it at the standoff. For a 2.5" or 3.5" drive, mount it in the bay and connect one of the three SATA ports. For a CPU, take care with the socket pins and use the stock cooler - the manual describes the cooler and socket handling in detail. - Close and check
Close the case, reconnect the power and switch on. Enter the BIOS/firmware setup and confirm the new memory size, drive or processor is recognised. Then boot into your operating system and check it there too.
Good to know
- Sources disagree on a few fine points. DDR4-2666 module lists from upgrade sellers reflect downclocking to 2400, not a higher supported speed. Claims of PCIe Gen4/Gen5 NVMe support don't match this platform - the slot is PCIe 3.0 x4. SATA M.2 drives are listed by some sellers but only NVMe is officially documented. M.2 2280 is confirmed while Lenovo service material also covers 2242 - check the standoff on your own board.
Frequently asked questions
How much RAM can the Lenovo ThinkCentre M710s SFF take?
64 GB in total. There are four full-size DDR4 DIMM slots and each accepts up to a 16 GB module (4 x 16 GB). Memory must be non-ECC, unbuffered desktop DDR4 UDIMM at 1.2 V.
What RAM speed does the M710s SFF support?
DDR4-2400 is the maximum. With a 6th-generation CPU the memory runs at 2133 MT/s; reaching 2400 requires a 7th-generation chip. DDR4-2666 modules work, but only by downclocking to 2400. The B250 chipset doesn't overclock, so XMP is irrelevant.
Does the M710s SFF support M.2 NVMe SSDs?
Yes - one M.2 M-key slot wired as PCIe 3.0 x4 NVMe. A 2280 drive is confirmed; Lenovo service material also mentions 2242, so check the standoff on your board. SATA M.2 drives aren't officially documented, so verify before buying one. Update the BIOS around the install. Note that PCIe 4.0 SSDs will run at Gen3 speeds here.
How many drives can I install?
One M.2 SSD plus three SATA devices in total. The three SATA ports are shared between the slim optical drive bay, the 3.5" bay and the optional 2.5" bay, so an optical drive plus two drives uses every port. There's no documented capacity ceiling.
Which CPUs fit the M710s SFF?
Only 6th and 7th generation Intel Core i3/i5/i7, Pentium and Celeron processors on the LGA 1151 socket, up to 65 W. The top supported model is the Core i7-7700. 8th and 9th generation chips physically fit the socket but will not work with this chipset and BIOS - a common buying mistake.
Can I add a graphics card?
Only a low-profile one, and the 180 W power supply really limits you to a slot-powered card (the factory option was a 35 W, short low-profile card). If your machine has the optional front 2x USB-C module, it occupies the PCIe x16 slot and there's no room for a GPU at all.
Official documents and references
- PDF Lenovo ThinkCentre M710s hardware maintenance manual (PDF)
Official Lenovo manual - system board layout (DIMM1-DIMM4), the M.2 storage slot and disassembly procedures. - PDF Lenovo ThinkCentre M710s / M910s small form factor specifications (PDF)
Official Lenovo spec sheet covering the M710s small models, including the 64 GB memory maximum and processor options. - PDF Lenovo ThinkCentre M710s SFF quick specs (PDF)
Convenient summary of bays, slots and CPU/memory options; memory speed varies by processor in its tables. - Memorycow - Lenovo ThinkCentre M710s SFF
Useful for module sizes and slots; treat its claims of DDR4-2666 and NVMe Gen4/Gen5 support as generic - this platform tops out at DDR4-2400 and PCIe 3.0 x4.