Dell Inspiron N5050 max upgrade for RAM, Processor and SSD

Question

Hi All,I am from India and have Dell inspiron N5050 with below configuration:Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-2350M CPU @ 2.30GHz 2.30 GHz Installed RAM: 4.00 GB System type: 64-bit operating system, x64-based processorI am trying to upgrade to the maximum configuration allowed on this laptop for RAM, Processor and also to go with SSD with optical drive caddy.Before posting this question, I gone thru multiple threads but it is unclear which hardware specs worked or not. It will be very much helpful if I get some help on this. Thanks in advance.PS: If one can share the link from amazon.in or any online store for the hardware, it helps.Thanks,Richa

Remsoul · Accepted Answer

I upgrade my N5050 with i7 2760qm, 8gb RAM DDR3L 1333mhz, 240gb ssd, caddy 12.7mm, 500gb hdd.

I use Windows 11 Pro and it runs smothly.

The only problem is the TDP from the CPU, is 45W what cause high temperatures. I used liquid metal to reduce the temperature and goes about 70-75 degrees playing Minecraft for example.

Almost all the components I bought it from Aliexpress.

Sorry for my English, it's not my first language, I hope it's enough to help you.

ejn63 · Answer

8G is max RAM; i7-2650m fastest CPU, any 2.5" SATA SSD (but the drive must be installed internally to use as a boot drive -- one installed in a caddy will not work as your operating system boot drive.

Be careful in purchasing -- beyond the fact that the CPU is almost 10 years old and will need to be purchased used, the entire system has a value of between $50-100 on the used market. It will be exceedingly easy to have the upgrades cost more than the system is worth.

richaferna · Answer

Thank you for valuable input @ejn63. I really appreciate. I am not thinking to sell this laptop. Since brand new laptops are over the budget for me and starting price is around 50,000 to 60,000 Indian Rupees for same configuration. So trying to upgrade the existing one.

Since you mentioned SSD must be installed internally to use as boot drive, I will move the existing SATA HDD to caddy and install SSD internally.

Is it possible to install windows 11 OS after the upgrade? As of now I have windows 10 working on this laptop. Also do I need to keep an eye on bios after the upgrade or does it work without any issues?

Thanks in advance.

Thanks,

Richa

ejn63 · Answer

Windows 11 will never be supported on this system -- the CPU is too old. And while Windows 11 may install for you, whether it continues to work depends on what Microsoft does -- it has publicly stated there may come update releases that will not run at all on unsupported hardware (that category definitely applies to this system).

Windows 10 has at least another four years to run -- if it's working, stick with it and don't take a chance on Windows 11.

And if the system is working as is, I would not bother with a BIOS update.

U2CAMEB4ME · Answer

Welcome to the Dell Community @richaferna

Staying with the same TPM I would use the i7-2640M CPU with 16GB DDR3/L memory.

As far as W11on a 2nd gen system, it is possible but I have not been successful. "Yet"

Best regards,

U2

richaferna · Answer

Thank you @ejn63 and @U2CAMEB4ME.

@U2CAMEB4ME, I am now little confused with RAM. @ejn63 mentioned that 8 GB is max RAM allowed but you are mentioning 16 GB DDR3/L can be used. May I know if this will be overkill for the laptop or will it sustain without burning the RAM chip? I just want to make sure if this config is tested and working before I can go ahead and take a chance.
If 16 GB DDR3/L RAM is working, can you please confirm if below link is the right one to buy and also can you confirm the specifications?
https://www.amazon.in/Crucial-PC3L-12800-Unbuffered-Memory-CT2K102464BD160B/dp/B0091LG13O

Thanks in advance.

Thanks,
Richa

U2CAMEB4ME · Answer

@richaferna

No not UDIMM, you need SODIMM's.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/373607991231?hash=item56fcc587bf:g:fhMAAOSwWS5gv7KA

I upgrade a 2nd gen system using the CPU and memory posted above.

Your system is very similar.

If I go to the warehouse tomorrow I'll see if I have an N5050 to test for you.

Regards,

U2

Volutedbody993 · Answer

Im using the i7, 16gb, and a 2tb ssd running windows 11 home through AveYos media creation tool. Runs just fine for me.

richaferna · Answer

Hi @Volutedbody993 is this for dell inspiron N5050?

richaferna · Answer

Hi @U2CAMEB4ME, may I know if you were able to test this configuration? Thanks in advance.

Asanas8 · Answer

Bro where are you from?? How much cost for upgrade this laptop???

ejn63 · Answer

The post above indicates the where -- but before buying all sorts of parts, realize that these systems sell complete and used on EBay for as little as $40.

manos61 · Answer

ejn63

dear friend, win 11 runs impeccably on Dell N5050 / i3-2330m / 6gb / ssd-128

but also with dual boot TWO linux: Zorin 16 and Ubuntu 20.04

(the reason i dont upgrade cpu and ram is that i can't get hold of a decent keyboard... and Dell's cost is prohibitive (broken 2 chinese no-name k/bs so far) i'm now using it more of a backup machine

best regards

Anurag0934 · Answer

@Remsoul​ My dell n5050 has a intel pentium b960 @2.20ghz @2.19ghz and 2gb ram and a 240gb wd green sata ssd. It's keyboard got nerfed and now many keys on it doesn't work, so I use an external keyboard and it's screen have black spots. I am currently running unactivated windows 10 pro and it runs smoothly on top of running office softwares except power bi. Even now it runs hot. So much so that when I touch the keyboard, it feels like a ironbar under the sun. And the air that comes out of its vents feel like steam. I don't the temps but i think it is too hot. Is it worth upgrading or should just go for some other laptop?

Wizzkidd577 · Answer

@Anurag0934​ I had the same machine and I upgraded mine with an I5 2540M cpu cleaned everything while apart installed 16gb of memory and SSD 512gb for less than 100 USD running windows 10 on it now and it runs smoothly no problem... Use mainly for YouTube and streaming movies web searching too don't do games at all can't give opinion on the operation of it.

Inspiron

Dell Inspiron N5050 max upgrade for RAM, Processor and SSD

Was this post helpful?