Lenovo Thinkpad E14 Upgrade (RAM And SSD)

Can you upgrade the Lenovo Thinkpad E14 RAM and SSD?

Yes, the RAM and SSD can be upgraded on the Thinkpad E14 laptop. The E14 has one DDR4 SO-DIMM slot and a couple SSD options.

How Do I Upgrade The RAM and SSD On My Lenovo Thinkpad E14?

The Thinkpad E14 (20RA, 20RB) is a 10th generation Intel™ Core Processor with 16GB max. RAM.
The Thinkpad E14 Gen 2 (20TA, 20TB) is a 11th generation Intel™ Core Processor with 32GB max. RAM.
The Thinkpad E14 AMD Gen 2 (20T6, 20T7) is an AMD Ryzen™ 3 / 5 / 7 Processor with 24GB max. RAM.

The Lenovo Thinkpad E14 Specs Are:

As noted above, the Thinkpad E14 is available in three different offerings. The table below displays each of their specifications.

A new model of the Thinkpad E14 has been released, it is the ThinkPad E14 Gen 3 (AMD). I am including the specs for it is a separate table below.

One SO-DIMM socket and two SSD drive options.

How Do I Upgrade RAM In My Thinkpad E14?

Upgrading the RAM in a E14 is done by removing the back cover, but you need to know a few more things. Follow the steps below for the proper procedure and remember to disable the battery first before you start.

It is good practice to disable the internal battery before starting this procedure.
To do so, boot up the laptop and press F1 to enter the BIOS(UEFI).
Next, select Config -> Power.
Finally, select Disable built-in battery and press Enter.

1. Make sure the E14 is turned off and disconnect the A/C adapter.
2. Close the laptop display and turn the E14 over.
3. Loosen the 7 screws that secure the back panel.
4. Carefully pry up the latches holding the cover in place and remove the back panel.
5. The memory module is in the center of the board, it is probably covered with a plate.
6. Remove the cover plate and the current RAM module.
7. Insert new RAM module and replace cover plate.

Note: Insert the notched end of the memory DIMM into the socket. Press the DIMM in firmly and pivot it downward until it snaps into place. Make sure the DIMM is installed firmly in place.

Be sure to check out my article called:
What’s Better For Multitasking, More RAM Or A Bigger SSD?
It will help you decide on what component to upgrade.

Note: Verify the amount of installed RAM by turning on the E14 and pressing F1. This takes you into the BIOS and displays installed memory.

How Do I Upgrade SSD In My Thinkpad E14?

Depending on your model of E14, it will have a standard 2.5 inch HDD drive plus a M.2 SSD, or two M.2 SSD options preconfigured in the laptop. See the steps above to remove the back cover, then follow these steps to upgrade the drive.

1. For the HDD, disconnect it’s cable from the board and pull it out of the laptop.
2. For an M.2 drive you will need to unscrew and remove the cover over the drive. (see diagram)
3. Remove the drive and replace with your upgrade.
4. Reverse the steps to re-install all components.

If your E14 has a hybrid solid-state drive, follow these steps from Lenovo on how to safely perform the upgrade: Hybrid Solid-State Drive Replacement

Note: something to keep in mind when you do replace your drive, you will need to either clone your current drive or re-install the operating system and all your data and programs. Many drives come with software to help you clone your computer.

Also be sure to read my articles about finding Lenovo parts and diagnostics tools:
–> How To Find Lenovo Parts (2 options)
–> Lenovo Diagnostics Tools (complete set)

Thinkpad E14 RAM And SSD Upgrade Costs

I looked up some costs for the RAM and SSD drives for the E14 laptops. These are from Crucial.com and are current as of this writing.

Thinkpad E14:
Crucial 16GB DDR4-2666 SODIMM $79.99
-DDR4 PC4-21300 • CL=19 • Dual Ranked • x8 based • Unbuffered • NON-ECC • DDR4-2666 • 1.2V • 2048Meg x 64 •

Thinkpad E14:
Crucial P5 1TB PCIe M.2 2280SS SSD $119.99
1TB M.2 SSD • PCIe NVMe Gen 3 • 3400 MB/s Read, 3000 MB/s Write

Thinkpad E14 Gen 2 (Intel) And (AMD):
Crucial 16GB DDR4-3200 SODIMM $84.99
DDR4 PC4-25600 • CL=22 • Dual Ranked • x8 based • Unbuffered • NON-ECC • DDR4-3200 • 1.2V • 2048Meg x 64 •

Thinkpad E14 Gen 2 (Intel) And (AMD):
Crucial P5 1TB PCIe M.2 2280SS SSD $119.99
1TB M.2 SSD • PCIe NVMe Gen 3 • 3400 MB/s Read, 3000 MB/s WriteThinkpad E14 RAM And SSD Specifications

Thinkpad E14 RAM And SSD Specifications

I’ve listed some of the top-selling E14 models in the U.S. and their configurations. Refer to the table below for your specific E14 model to help locate the default configuration. It will tell you how much memory and what type/size of hard drive originally shipped with the laptop.

Can You Add A Graphics Card To A ThinkPad E14?

No, you cannot add a new graphics card to your Lenovo Thinkpad E14 laptop. The Thinkpad E14 being a laptop has built-in graphics, either integrated or discrete. See my table above on the specifications for the different models.

Note that the Thinkpad E14 Intel Gen2 model has a Thunderbolt 4 port, so while you can’t add a graphics card, you can connect an eGPU to this laptop for improved graphics and gameplay.

To get more information about the Thunderbolt interface, read my article called: Thunderbolt 3 Info Guide. I talk about the high bandwidth achieved on just one cable as well as the new Thunderbolt 4 specs.

Summary

If you have been wondering if the Lenovo Thinkpad E14 is upgradable and just what the specs are for your particular model, then hopefully the questions have been answered. You can improve the performance by upgrading the RAM and SSD and get the laptop running like new again.