Inspiron 15 5558, GPU, WiFi 6 and RAM Upgrade

Question

Hi everyone!

I have the 2015 Dell Inspiron 15 5558 with Intel HD Graphics 5500. It has the Intel Core i5-5250U CPU @ 1.60Ghz, Stock 4GB DDR3 1600Mhz RAM, Stock 1TB HDD and Stock Intel Wireless 3160AC Card [80 2.11AC + Bluetooth 4.0, Dual B and 2.4&5 GHz, 1x1]. I would like to change the motherboard and upgrade to one that supports a dedicated GPU. I saw they support the Nvidia GT 920M GPU. I preferably want to upgrade/change the motherboard to an i5 or i7 that has the dedicated GPU soldered on.

Are the dedicated GPU versions of the 5558 the same size and screw layout as my own laptop? Will those motherboards fit inside my laptop chassis, despite it having the same model number? The only difference would be to change the heatsink right? Get a heatsink that covers the new GPU and such. But then what size and type screws are holding down the GPU side of the heatsink. I see listings on eBay, AliExpress and Amazon that sell the heatsink, but no GPU heatsink screws? Where could I possible get them?

I found a motherboard listing on AliExpress here: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001138585828.html?spm=2114.12010615.8148356.16.5a2c3bbedNTw5I

New GPU heatsink: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001024891874.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.2d89767ctzW6wh&algo_pvid=08cf6c0e-0fcf-44d8-b5d5-d0a64dcb3fc0&algo_expid=08cf6c0e-0fcf-44d8-b5d5-d0a64dcb3fc0-11&btsid=0ab6fa8115950701812943701e695f&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_,searchweb201603_

I also want to upgrade the stock Intel Wireless 3160AC Card to one that supports WiFi 6. I see that the Intel AX200 802.11ax WiFi Card has the same physical connectors, but I am still not sure whether my laptop supports it and whether there is a BIOS or driver update for it. I also don't want to spend money on it, only to discover that it won't work.

I see a listing on Amazon that sells one at: https://www.amazon.com/UFON-MU-MIMO-Wirelss-Bluetooth-Support/dp/B07SH6GV5S/ref=sr_1_4?crid=2J0IPGFH5TBWM&dchild=1&keywords=intel+wifi+6+ax200&qid=1595069619&sprefix=intel+wifi+6+%2Caps%2C391&sr=8-4

Another thing is that I want to upgrade my RAM to 16GB, but the major brands like Crucial and Kingston are out of stock. So the current option I have at my local retailer - is the G.Skill F3-1600C9S-8GRSL Ripjaws 8GB (1x8GB) DDR3L-1600MHz CL9 1.35V SO-DIMM Notebook Memory. I am not sure if it is compatible with my laptop as I tried once using my brother's MacBook Pro 13 inch Mid 2012's old 2GB DDR3 1600MHz RAM module, but it made my Dell laptop not boot and keep beeping until I took out the 2GB RAM module. The RAM module was not faulty as it works on my mom's HP Pavilion 15 e000si laptop. The G.Skill RAM is the best and cheapest RAM option at the moment.

Yeah I know this sounds like building a brand new laptop but laptops where I am from are notoriously expensive and overpriced. I also have already built a Gaming Rig for my brother and I to share last year, and I now need a laptop that can function properly while I am at university. Until I can confirm things, I can do the upgrades in the future. It won't be like, when it is confirmed, I go out and buy the parts the next day or something like that on those lines. It's for the future.

Many thanks to anyone who can confirm this for me. Much appreciated.

Kind regards,

PaperEmperor007

ejn63 · Answer

While all of these should work, beware that in buying used parts you do run the risk of something arriving DOA -- do you have the time and equipment to test everything?

You might also want to compare the cost of your upgrade list with the cost of a complete working, used system. You may well find it's cheaper to upgrade with a good used system (perhaps even one that's newer) than buying the collection of parts you propose to buy.

By the time a system is three years old its resale value drops to about $100 -- $150 or so.

PaperEmperor007 · Answer

@ejn63

Thank you for your reply.

Yes, I understand. There are those dangers. I am currently only limited towards the diagnostic tools provided by Dell and on the BIOS.

But it is good to know, whether or not it is possible to upgrade my laptop with the specified parts. As I said in my first post, this is for the possible future. The WiFi card and RAM especially. I was quite shocked that the RAM from the MacBook Pro did not work with the Dell laptop despite it having the same specifications.

I also believe in the Right to Repair campaign as well, but I will gather a comparison list of upgrades to new/used system and see things out.

Many thanks.

mohsinbiswas143 · Answer

Hi, i am in the process of  upgrading my Dell inspiron 15 5558 as well would love to discuss more and talk to you get your insight

PaperEmperor007 · Answer

Hi there!

Hope you're well.

Note, please do not post your personal email address or cellphone number on a public forum like this, as it could lead you to scams and perhaps something far worst.

I upgraded the laptop to 12GB RAM and a 500GB SSD. Can PM you if you like.

Good luck, stay safe.

Ryan040 · Answer

I hope you didnt upgrade. That dedicated gpu is not for gaming.

And the cpu is weaker than the gpu. So its not worth upgrading in any way unless you are trying to compare the igpu and the 920m. Plus 16gb ram is not needed for this system, unless you are gaming on your igpu.

Dell gave me a throttling system, and because of this im stuck trying to fix it. Everyone said, its not worth it fixing. Just get a new system.

If you are still planning to go for the new mobo with the 920m attached to it, then go for a very recent processor ie 7th 8th gen. You should get much more better performance provided the cpu is not bottlenecked.

This cpu is crippled, and its a waste of time trying to fix it.

Inspiron

Inspiron 15 5558, GPU, WiFi 6 and RAM Upgrade

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