The Lenovo ThinkCentre M720q Tiny is an awesome little desktop PC, designed to be not much larger than an old optical drive yet containing an M.2 PCIe solid-state drive (SSD), 2.5-inch hard drive, and dual SODIMM RAM slots, all upgradeable after purchase. If your model didn't come with enough RAM for the tasks you're running on the M720q, this guide will walk you through the process of adding more.
Hardware to get the job done
- Compatible SODIMM RAM: Crucial DDR4-2666 (From $42 at Amazon)
- Prevent damage: Rosewill anti-static wristband ($7 at Amazon)
- All required tools: ORIA PC toolkit ($33 at Amazon)
- Compact desktop PC: Lenovo ThinkCentre M720q Tiny (From $389 at Lenovo)
How to upgrade RAM in your Lenovo ThinkCentre M720q
Note: Before beginning any upgrades on a PC, it's a good idea to back up your data in the unlikely event something should go wrong. You'll also want to ensure you're not working in a static-filled environment, as it can cause damage to a PC's internal hardware. Consider investing in an anti-static wristband to avoid unnecessary damage.
Lenovo's ThinkCentre M720q Tiny, alongside upgradeable M.2 SSD, and 2.5-inch drive, has two slots for DDR4 SODIMM RAM, accessible through a bottom panel on the PC's chassis. You can configure a model with up to 32GB of RAM straight from the factory, but if you'd like to save some money at checkout or don't initially need quite as much, you can go as low as 4GB from a single stick.
As an upgrade or addition, we recommend Crucial DDR4-2666MHz RAM for its reliability, competitive price, and availability in sizes ranging from 8GB up to 32GB. There should also be no compatibility issues with your system.
Once you have the upgrade RAM ready to go and have made any data backups to safeguard when taking apart the PC, power down the ThinkCentre M720q and clear out a well-lit workspace. It's time to upgrade! Our M720q model came with just one stick of SODIMM RAM, leaving the other slot free, but the steps remain the same for taking apart the PC, removing old RAM, and installing new RAM.
- Unscrew the large black fastener on the back of the ThinkCentre M720q.
- Slide the top and front portions of the chassis cover away from the rear. It should separate with relative ease.
- Turn the M720q over to reveal another removable panel.
- Slide the bottom panel away from the rear of the device. It should come away with relative ease.
- Slide the silver arms off of the first stick of RAM. Upon releasing both clips, the RAM should pop up and remain at an angle.
- Remove the RAM from the slot by carefully pulling it away.
- Insert the new RAM into the slot at about a 45-degree angle. Notice it is keyed and will only fit one way.
- Press down on the RAM until it clicks into place. You should see both silver arms clip back into place to hold the RAM securely.
- Slide the bottom panel back onto the M720q main chassis.
- Slide the top and front panels of the M720q back on the main chassis.
- Screw in the single black fastener on the back of the M720q.
You should now be free to power on your ThinkCentre M720q Tiny to ensure the RAM upgrade went according to plan. You can check to see if it's been recognized by your system with the following steps.
- Right-click the Start button.
- Click System.
You should now be able to see the total amount of installed RAM in the Device specifications section. As long as it matches the total amount you have installed, your upgrade was a success.
Our top hardware and software picks
It's not the only option when buying RAM for your laptop, but the Crucial SODIMM RAM we recommend is reliable, competitively priced, and will work in your system. It's available in single 8GB sticks all the way up to dual 16GB sticks for 32GB total.
Reliable and affordable
If you're looking for extra RAM for your Legion Y740, we've had much success with Crucial. It's competitively priced and reliable, checking two of the big boxes when it comes to buying hardware for your PC.
If you're looking for a desktop PC that can stay connected to a monitor, keyboard, and mouse at all times yet doesn't take up much space in your office, Lenovo's ThinkCentre M720q Tiny is an excellent option.
Compact PC with plenty of features
With up to an Intel Core i7 CPU, 32GB of RAM, and 2TB of storage, there's a lot of hardware packed into this little PC. It has a generous port selection, it runs cool, and you can upgrade RAM and storage down the line with relative ease.
Additional Equipment
To make the upgrade process easier and less risky, consider investing in some of these affordable PC tools, and don't forget about Macrium Reflect and an external enclosure for those who want to clone drives.
ORIA PC toolkit ($33 at Amazon)
Having the proper gear to work on your PC will always make the job much easier. Here you get a plethora of tools contained in a portable case.
Rosewill anti-static wristband ($7 at Amazon)
Static electricity can damage sensitive PC parts, so remove the risk with an anti-static wristband. Fasten it around your wrist and clip it onto your PC for peace of mind.
