How to upgrade the memory on the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5

The ThinkPad X1 Extreme is one of the most powerful laptops in the Lenovo ThinkPad family, and the latest model is no different. You can configure it with up to an Intel Core i9-12900H CPU, Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 Ti graphics, 64GB of RAM and 4TB of storage (8TB if you opt for a weaker GPU) by default. Luckily, there’s also a degree of upgradability, so if you want to you can buy a lower configuration and upgrade later. In this article, we take a look at how to upgrade the memory of the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5.

There are a few reasons why you might want to upgrade memory later. For one thing, the RAM upgrades in Lenovo’s configurator are very expensive, especially if you want to go beyond 16GB. If you’re willing to put in some work, you can save some money by buying a lower configuration and upgrading it yourself afterwards. You might not need a lot of RAM right now, either, but it may come in handy in a few years. Whatever your motive, we’re here to help.

what you will need

If you want to upgrade the memory in the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5, you need some tools. Here is a short list:

• Phillips screwdriver
• Pry tool (may be optional)
• Antistatic wrist strap
• SODIMM RAM module

A good way to get a Phillips screwdriver and pry tool is with the iFixit Essential Electronics Toolkit. If you work with electronics a lot, then this contains a few tools you might need, including the two we just mentioned. The anti-static wrist strap is also recommended to avoid electrostatic discharge while working on the computer, which can cause damage. Otherwise, you can ground yourself by touching an unpainted metal surface.

Of course, you need a RAM module to install it on your Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme. It is important that the RAM modules match in terms of speed. So if you are just upgrading one module, be sure to look for DDR5 4800MHz RAM. A great option is this one from Crucial, which comes in different capacities depending on your needs:

Prepare to upgrade

Before starting the upgrade process, you should also make sure that you are safe to do it. First, you might want to back up your important data before you start. There’s no reason why you should lose data during this process, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.

You will also want to disable the built-in battery in the laptop. This prevents residual current from flowing through the computer while you are working on it, and prevents damage from possible electrical discharges. That’s how it’s done:

• Go to the control panel and change the view from categories either Big icons or Small icons. The list is sorted alphabetically and you need to find a link called power options.
• Click here Choose what the power buttons do in the side menu on the left.
• click Change settings that are currently unavailable at the top of the page (You must have an administrator account on the PC). Then uncheck the box that says Enable fast startup (recommended) and click save Changes.
  
• Restart your PC and press F1 when the Lenovo logo appears to enter the ThinkPad setup menu.
• Navigate to config > power. Make your selection from this submenu Disable the built-in battery.
• Confirm your choice and the computer will turn off.

You should undo this once you’re done with the RAM upgrade, and you can follow the same steps to do that. Allow the computer to cool down for a few minutes before you start waking it up.

Upgrade the memory in the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5

Now that everything is prepared, we can start upgrading the RAM. Here’s what you need to do:

• Lay the laptop base cover up and use the Phillips screwdriver to remove the seven screws that secure it.
• Starting at the hinge, lift the base cover – a prying tool may help. Then remove the bottom cover completely.
  

  Photo credit: Lenovo

• The memory modules are near the center of the laptop, offset slightly to the left. They are covered with black flaps that you can simply lift up.
• If you have a free slot, you can simply insert the new RAM module in the next step. To remove an installed memory module, gently pull the sides of the metal bracket to release the module, then simply slide the pin out of its slot.
  

  Photo credit: Lenovo

• To insert a new module, slide it into the slot at an angle until the contacts are completely covered. The memory chips and label on the module should face up.
• Push the memory module down until it clicks into place as the bracket snaps it into place. This should not require excessive force.
• If you are installing two new modules, simply repeat the process in the other slot.
• After you install your RAM, replace the base cover, and then tighten the seven screws to reattach it. Be careful not to overtighten as this may damage the computer.

And that’s it! Once that’s done, just plug in your laptop and turn it on to see if everything is ok. You can return to the ThinkPad menu at startup to re-enable the battery and then enable fast startup in Windows as well.

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If you haven’t already and are interested, you can buy the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme from the link below. Lenovo offers a lot of configuration options, and since you can upgrade RAM and storage yourself, you can try to save some money by going for a lower configuration.

If this laptop doesn’t sound like your thing, you can always check out the best Lenovo laptops to find something else. Alternatively, you can check out the best laptops overall to see what else is out there from other brands.