Upgrade Latitude 7280 to 32GB RAM?

System specs:

Dell Latitude 7280, Latin American version

Windows 10 Pro Version 10.0.18363 Build 18363

Intel i5 6300U (64-bit Skylake)

16GB RAM (single slot, upgraded)

I've recently started doing graphically-intensive work in Power BI and quickly maxed out the 16GB I have installed on my machine.

Manufacturer says max RAM is 16GB, but the processor is rated for 32GB.

Does anyone have experience trying to upgrade a 7280 to 32GB, or with a similar issue on another 6th/7th gen Latitude? Why does the manufacturer give a lower max spec, and is there a (safe) workaround?

Closest topic I could find was this, but looks like the conclusion was the user didn't really need the RAM upgrade:

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/t/716613/latitude-e6430-upgrade-question/?p=4973840

In my case, PowerBI is using about 80%-90% of my RAM capacity, even with reduced graphics.

Thanks!

Edited by dj866, 07 May 2020 - 11:43 AM.

All the information I have found, said the maximum memory is 16GB's of ram.

Where do you get info, that the processor takes 32GB's ram. It might take 32GB,

but that doesn't mean that the motherboard does.

So I would stick with what the motherboard takes and what it can be upgraded to.

And that is 16GB's of ram.

Intel's spec sheet gives max memory as 32GB:

https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/products/88190/intel-core-i5-6300u-processor-3m-cache-up-to-3-00-ghz.html

I once looked into a similar issue with an older Lenovo laptop. In that case the processor was rated for 16GB and the motherboard for 8GB. However, the consensus seemed to be the MB could handle 16GB, and I was able to upgrade it without a problem. However, every manufacturer is different.

I think the problem here is that the computer has a single memory slot.  I suspect it would be unable to support 32 Gb on a single memory channel.

I think the problem here is that the computer has a single memory slot.  I suspect it would be unable to support 32 Gb on a single memory channel.

Do you mean the processor would need 2X16GB to be able to support 32GB? 

The processor would have to be installed on a board that supports at least 32GB.  The CPU is not going to override the board specs.

https://www.dell.com/support/manuals/us/en/04/latitude-12-7280-laptop/latitude_7280_ownersmanual/memory-specifications?guid=guid-7e544f69-3861-412b-a330-75a2a71d7b2c&lang=en-us

I have a Optiplex 790 where the stated max is 16GB, but I put another 16 in...result is system recognizes 16GB but there is no negative impact.

Louis

Edited by hamluis, 07 May 2020 - 01:01 PM.

The processor would have to be installed on a board that supports at least 32GB.  The CPU is not going to override the board specs.

 

I have a Optiplex 790 where the stated max is 16GB, but I put another 16 in...result is system recognizes 16GB but there is no negative impact.

 

Louis

Good to know! Thanks all for the replies.

 

I think the problem here is that the computer has a single memory slot.  I suspect it would be unable to support 32 Gb on a single memory channel.

 

Do you mean the processor would need 2X16GB to be able to support 32GB? 

 

Yes.  The processor has a dual channel memory controller.  I suspect (but don't know for sure) that in order to support 32 GB, it would have to be across the two channels.  That system however, cannot have dual channel memory as it only has one memory slot.

 

 

I think the problem here is that the computer has a single memory slot.  I suspect it would be unable to support 32 Gb on a single memory channel.

 

Do you mean the processor would need 2X16GB to be able to support 32GB? 

 

 

Yes.  The processor has a dual channel memory controller.  I suspect (but don't know for sure) that in order to support 32 GB, it would have to be across the two channels.  That system however, cannot have dual channel memory as it only has one memory slot.

 

Very helpful to know. When I bought this computer, I was more concerned about portability and didn't worry too much about the single memory slot. But now will be more careful with future purchases, as I usually max out memory capabilities before getting a new machine.

Hey, folks, I know this is a very old post, but I found it after I bought a refurb Dell Latitude 7280 on Amazon. I had already ordered a 32GB DDR4-3200 memory stick, and didn't really expect it to work, but I can confirm that it did. Full 32GB is recognized by both BIOS and Windows 11 Pro, and so far the performance is more than satisfactory.

I hope this is useful for anyone else seaching Google for info about upgrading this specific system.

Charles