Can you upgrade beyond your maximum RAM?
Posted by James Hopkin on
Every computer manufacturer publishes the maximum RAM that can be installed on their system. This is usually based on what was the maximum RAM available at the time.
If 32GB was the biggest module available then the notebook was given a maximum RAM of 64GB (2 x 32GB).
Now we have 48GB DDR5 notebook RAM...does that mean you can upgrade to 96GB of RAM?
In the current range of DDR5 notebooks, this maximum is usually 32GB or 64GB. Two 16GB modules or two 32GB modules is the standard maximum.
For desktop systems it is a bit different, you have more room for more RAM slots. With a 32GB module and four slots you can have 128GB of RAM.
What if I told you you can upgrade to more RAM?
That notebook can be upgraded to 96GB! And desktops to 192GB.
Below are some of the published maximum RAM from Intel on their latest Processors. Other than the LPDDR5X RAM, which is soldered on the motherboard and not upgradeable, all these CPUs should be able to use the new higher density memory modules.
| Processor | Max. RAM | RAM Type | RAM Channels |
| Intel® Core™ Ultra 9 Processor 288V (12M Cache, up to 5.10 GHz) | 128GB | LPDDR5X | 2 |
| Intel® Core™ Ultra 9 Processor 285T (36M Cache, up to 5.40 GHz) | 256GB | Up to DDR5 6400Mhz | 2 |
| Intel® Core™ Ultra 9 Processor 285K (36M Cache, up to 5.70 GHz) | 256GB | Up to DDR5 6400Mhz | 2 |
| Intel® Core™ Ultra 9 Processor 285HX (36M Cache, up to 5.50 GHz) | 256GB | Up to DDR5 6400Mhz | 2 |
| Intel® Core™ Ultra 9 Processor 285H (24M Cache, up to 5.40 GHz) | 128GB | Up to LPDDR5/x 8400Mhz Up to DDR5 6400Mhz |
2 |
| Intel® Core™ Ultra 9 Processor 285 (36M Cache, up to 5.60 GHz) | 256GB | Up to DDR5 6400Mhz | 2 |
| Intel® Core™ Ultra 9 Processor 275HX (36M Cache, up to 5.40 GHz) | 256GB | Up to DDR5 6400Mhz | 2 |
| Intel® Core™ Ultra 7 Processor 268V (12M Cache, up to 5.00 GHz) | 32GB | LPDDR5X | 2 |
| Intel® Core™ Ultra 7 Processor 266V (12M Cache, up to 5.00 GHz) | 16GB | LPDDR5X | 2 |
| Intel® Core™ i5-110 Processor (12M Cache, up to 4.30 GHz) | 128GB | DDR4-2666 | 2 |
| Intel® Core™ 9 processor 270H (24M Cache, up to 5.80 GHz) | 96GB | Up to DDR5 5600Mhz Up to DDR4 3200Mhz |
2 |
| Intel® Core™ 7 Processor 251TE (36M Cache, up to 5.40 GHz) | 192GB | Up to DDR5 5600Mhz Up to DDR4 3200Mhz |
2 |
| Intel® Core™ 7 Processor 251E (36M Cache, up to 5.60 GHz) | 192GB | Up to DDR5 5600Mhz Up to DDR4 3200Mhz |
2 |
| Intel® Core™ 7 processor 250U (12M Cache, up to 5.40 GHz) | 96GB | Up to DDR5 5600Mhz Up to DDR4 3200Mhz |
2 |
| Intel® Core™ 7 processor 250H (24M Cache, up to 5.40 GHz) | 96GB | Up to DDR5 5600Mhz Up to DDR4 3200Mhz |
2 |
| Intel® Core™ 7 processor 240H (24M Cache, up to 5.20 GHz) | 96GB | Up to DDR5 5600Mhz Up to DDR4 3200Mhz |
2 |
| Intel® Core™ 7 processor 160UL (12M Cache, up to 5.20 GHz) | 96GB | Up to DDR5 5600Mhz Up to DDR4 3200Mhz |
2 |
| Intel® Core™ 7 processor 160HL (24M Cache, up to 5.20 GHz) | 96GB | Up to DDR5 5600Mhz Up to DDR4 3200Mhz |
2 |