How to upgrade the RAM in the Dell XPS 17 (2023)

Mar 17, 2023

You can configure the Dell XPS 17 (2023) with plenty of RAM, but if you want to save some money upfront, you can upgrade it later. Here's how.

Out of the box, the 2023 Dell XPS 17 is already a very powerful laptop. It comes with 13th-generation Intel Core H-series processors with up to 14 cores and 20 threads, up to an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop GPU, and it can even be configured with up to a whopping 64GB of RAM. You can't really ask for much more, but the thing with laptops like this is that those high-end configurations get pretty expensive. What if you don't want to spend over $3,000 to get 64GB of RAM right now? Thankfully, you can upgrade the RAM in the Dell XPS 17 (2023) later.

Indeed, buying a lower RAM configuration out of the box can save you quite a bit of money, and Dell gives you the option to upgrade it yourself later on when money is a less of a concern. Plus, there's a good chance you can find cheaper RAM on your own compared to buying it from Dell. So here's what you need to do to upgrade it.

Upgrading the RAM on the Dell XPS 17 requires a few tools, starting with the RAM itself. You'll need one or two SODIMM modules to install inside the XPS 17, but we always recommend buying a two-pack. RAM can be finicky, so you need the two modules ot have the exact same speeds and specs, and preferably, even the same brand. Crucial is a reliable RAM manufacturer that makes kits of DDR5 RAM at 4800MHz speeds, the same that comes inside the XPS 17. You can check out the different sizes below.

Other tools you need include a Torx T5 screwdriver and plastic prying tool to open the base of the laptop, as well as an anti-static wrist strap. This one is useful to help prevent damage to the laptop due to electrostatic discharges from your skin. The iFixit Essential Electronics Kit includes both the Torx T5 and plastic prying tool, as well as a few other tools that might come in handy for operations like this in the future.

Once you have all the tools you need, you can get started replacing the RAM in the Dell XPS 17. Here's how:

And that's it! Your Dell XPS 17 (2023) now has more RAM, depending on the modules you bought. You can go as high as 128GB if you can find a kit of two 64GB modules. Most go up to 64GB in total, which is still far more than most people will need.

Upgradeability is a big focus of the XPS 17, but if you want a different kind of laptop, or something more portable, there are many other Dell laptops that may be more suited for you. Otherwise, you can buy the Dell XPS 17 below, if you haven't yet.

The Dell XPS 17 (2023) doesn't bring any design differences, but it's packing 13th-generation Intel CPUs and RTX 40-series graphics. It also comes with up to 64GB of RAM, but you can upgrade it yourself.

I've been covering the tech world since 2018, and I love computers, phones, and - above all that - Nintendo videogames, which I'm always happy to talk about.