Solved Upgrading Laptop RAM Advice.

Mitch · May 10, 2024

Hi, I will be upgrading the RAM in an old Windows 11 laptop and would appreciate some advice. The PC is a Dell Inspiron 15 5570 and has currently 1 x 4GB Ram module installed which makes it very slow.
I want to install 2 x 8GB modules. I can remove the installed module easily, however the free slot has a plastic bracket covering the arm clips. Is it OK to break this off to be able to seat the module? I don't want to damage the motherboard.

I used the Crucial compatibility checker to ensure I have the correct RAM. If there is an error message or the PC doesn't boot, is there a procedure to get the PC to recognise the new RAM? I would check that its properly seated. This is my first attempt at PC upgrade so I wanted to get it right.
Would appreciate any advice.
Thanks.

Screenshot_20240510_230917_Files by Google.jpg

Ghot · May 10, 2024

I dunno about laptop RAM clips, but this site will find compatible RAM & SSD upgrades for laptops...

SSD & RAM Upgrades | Crucial.com

Upgrade the storage and memory in your with Crucial's compatible RAM and SSD. Use our System Scanner to find the perfect upgrade for your device.

www.crucial.com

SIW2 · May 10, 2024

It is supposed to be like that

Bree · May 10, 2024

Mitch said:
the free slot has a plastic bracket covering the arm clips. Is it OK to break this off to be able to seat the module?

SIW2 said:
It is supposed to be like that

Great video, you can clearly see that the plastic brackets do not in any way hinder fitting the RAM. In fact, they look like they're there to make sure you insert the RAM properly. When correctly inserted they line up with the notches on the edges of the RAM.

Mitch · May 11, 2024

Thanks very much for taking the time to reply. If, after installing the RAM, is there anything I need to do if there's a problem in getting the PC to recognise the RAM? I've seen a couple of videos where you need to use the F1 or F2 (BIOS) keys to proceed but I'm not sure under what circumstances that would be needed? Thanks.

werty · May 11, 2024

Mitch said:
Thanks very much for taking the time to reply. If, after installing the RAM, is there anything I need to do if there's a problem in getting the PC to recognise the RAM? I've seen a couple of videos where you need to use the F1 or F2 (BIOS) keys to proceed but I'm not sure under what circumstances that would be needed? Thanks.

Hi, you will probably need to update the BIOS to the latest one, before upgrading the RAM. Please note that the first boot after installing the ram modules may take longer than usual but this is normal.

When buying the ram chips pay attention to the type - as labeled on the motherboard it should be DDR4, bit also check the Ram frequency.

Mitch · May 11, 2024

Hi werty. The laptop is on the latest available BIOS - it's about 1 year since the last BIOS update as Dell has stopped issuing driver updates for this machine. I've checked the frequency and the new modules are the same as the one installed.
I believe the RAM should be detected automatically but wasn't sure how to proceed if it isn't other than reseat them. Thanks.

werty · May 11, 2024

Mitch said:
Hi werty. The laptop is on the latest available BIOS - it's about 1 year since the last BIOS update as Dell has stopped issuing driver updates for this machine. I've checked the frequency and the new modules are the same as the one installed.
I believe the RAM should be detected automatically but wasn't sure how to proceed if it isn't other than reseat them. Thanks.

I don't think that you can do anything other than try to reseat it in case it's not detected. If it's not automatically detected - it's either incompatible or faulty. You can check your BIOS for settings that can affect RAM.

Mitch · May 11, 2024

Thanks very much. I'll give it a try.

Mooly · May 11, 2024

Mitch said:
The PC is a Dell Inspiron 15 5570 and has currently 1 x 4GB Ram module installed which makes it very slow.

On a different note, does this laptop have an SSD rather than a traditional HDD. If not then fitting an SSD is where your big (massive) gains in speed will come from.

steveg · May 11, 2024

In my experience the chips are normally facing up as the video shows.

hdmi · May 11, 2024

Inspiron 15 5000 Setup and Specifications | Dell US

Amazon.com

hdmi · May 11, 2024

steveg said:
In my experience the chips are normally facing up as the video shows.

The RAM modules shown in the video are double-sided RAM modules. Normally, single-sided RAM modules (i.e. with memory chips only on one side of the PCB) are single rank, which is noticeably faster than dual rank (all else being equal).

hdmi · May 11, 2024

Mitch said:
, is there a procedure to get the PC to recognise the new RAM?

A common practice is to enter the BIOS to let it automatically detect the new RAM, but don't change any settings there, just choose "Save & Exit" (typically by pressing the F10 key).

Bree · May 11, 2024

Mitch said:
I believe the RAM should be detected automatically but wasn't sure how to proceed

I have several Dell laptops. None of them have any settings for RAM in the bios. Whenever I've changed the RAM detection and setup has been automatic.

hdmi · May 11, 2024

The main idea behind still entering the BIOS in spite of the fact that there aren't any settings to be changed in there is just as an easy precaution, to first make sure that the new RAM has been recognized properly before you let the computer start up Windows.

Mitch · May 11, 2024

Hello. Just wanted to say everything went without problem. After installing the RAM there was a message that "The Amount of RAM has changed " so I didn't need to do anything. I checked in both System/About and in BIOS and both show 16GB installed. Bree is absolutely correct. There is nothing to change in Dell BIOS relating to RAM.
I suppose an SSD would be a good option to further boost speed, but this is an old machine with an i5 8th Gen processor.
As always I'm grateful to everyone who replied and offered suggestions.
Thanks again. Jim.

Mooly · May 11, 2024

Mitch said:
I suppose an SSD would be a good option to further boost speed, but this is an old machine with an i5 8th Gen processor.

I still have and use a Dell Vostro 3750 laptop from 2012 (With an i5 of that era) that had 4Gb RAM that is currently running W11.

An SSD fitted many years ago absolutely transformed the overall feel and speed of the machine. Some time after that I did upgrade the RAM to 8Gb and to be truthful it seemed to make very little if any difference, but the SSD was transformational.

I'm sure others here would endorse the SSD option.

Bree · May 11, 2024

Mitch said:
I suppose an SSD would be a good option to further boost speed, but this is an old machine with an i5 8th Gen processor.

Not that old, an 8th gen Intel cpu is a supported device for Windows 11. Yes, an SSD will make a big difference, even my System Two with its 1st gen i5 runs 24H2 well after its SSD upgrade.

Berton · May 11, 2024

Bree said:
I have several Dell laptops. None of them have any settings for RAM in the bios. Whenever I've changed the RAM detection and setup has been automatic.

Same here, older Inspirons and newer Vostro.

In the discussion one thing I didn't see mentioned [probably just missed it] is regardless of whether the chips on the card are visible or not the modules can mount only one way, are indexed to that point by the little slot is the contacts edge. Also makes using the wrong types impossible, DDR2 can't fit DDR3 can't fit DDR4 can't fit DDR5.

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