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/* POST TITLE: Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15 Gen 8 Specs — RAM & SSD Upgrade Guide (2023) SLUG: lenovo-ideapad-3-15-gen-8 CATEGORIES: Laptop Upgrades, Lenovo Laptops, RAM Upgrades, SSD Upgrades, Budget Laptops FOCUS KEYWORD: Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15 Gen 8 upgrade DDR4 META DESCRIPTION: Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15 Gen 8 (2023) soldered LPDDR5-4800 RAM (up to 16GB), M.2 2242 SSD upgrade, 65W round-tip charger, and upgrade guide. */Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15 Gen 8 (2023) Overview
Lenovo’s IdeaPad 3 15 is a 15.6-inch budget-friendly mainstream laptop from 2023, powered by Intel 13th-gen U-series processors. Memory is soldered LPDDR5-4800 (up to 16GB) and cannot be upgraded; storage is a single M.2 2242 PCIe 4.0 SSD slot with no 2.5-inch bay.
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i5-1335U (13th Gen, 10-core) |
| RAM Configuration | Soldered LPDDR5-4800, no SO-DIMM slots |
| Max RAM | 16GB (soldered) |
| Storage | 512GB M.2 2242 PCIe 4.0 NVMe (no 2.5-inch bay) |
| Charger | 65W round-tip (USB-C PD 45-65W also supported) |
| Ports | 2× USB-C 3.2 Gen1, 2× USB-A 3.2, HDMI 2.0, headphone jack |
| Display | 15.6″ FHD (1920×1080), IPS 45% NTSC |
| Weight | 1.65 kg (3.6 lbs) |
Memory: Soldered LPDDR5, Not Upgradeable
The IdeaPad 3 15 Gen 8 uses an unusual memory configuration: LPDDR5-4800 soldered to the motherboard, with no SO-DIMM slot. Maximum capacity is 16GB, fixed at purchase.
Factory configuration:
- 4GB, 8GB or 16GB soldered (not removable)
- No SO-DIMM slot
Upgrade path:
- RAM cannot be upgraded after purchase
- Maximum total: 16GB (soldered)
Recommended SO-DIMM upgrades:
- Crucial CT8G4SFS8213 DDR4-3200 8GB — Not compatible (RAM is soldered)
- Kingston ValueRAM DDR4-3200 12GB — Not compatible (RAM is soldered)
- Corsair Vengeance DDR4-3200 8GB — Premium option with XMP support
Single-channel warning: The RAM is soldered to the motherboard and cannot be upgraded.
Storage: Single M.2 2242 NVMe Slot
The IdeaPad 3 15 Gen 8 has a single M.2 2242 PCIe 4.0 NVMe slot (no 2.5-inch bay). There is no 2.5-inch drive bay.
M.2 NVMe specifications:
- Form factor: M.2 2242 (42mm)
- Speed: PCIe 4.0 x4
- Capacity: Up to 2TB
- Installation: 5 minutes, single screw
2.5″ HDD bay specifications:
- Not applicable: there is no 2.5-inch bay
- Not applicable (no 2.5-inch bay)
- Capacity: Up to 2TB
- Installation: 10 minutes, bracket mounting
M.2 SSD recommendations:
- Kingston NV2 1TB — Budget NVMe, good speed for Gen3 slots
- Samsung 990 EVO 1TB — Balanced performance and reliability
2.5-inch SSDs (not compatible, no 2.5-inch bay):
- Samsung 860 EVO 2TB — Reliable 2.5″ SATA SSD for bulk storage
- Crucial MX500 2TB — Affordable, proven endurance
Hybrid storage strategy: Install a 512GB or 1TB M.2 2242 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD; there is no 2.5-inch bay for a second drive.
Power Delivery & Charging
The IdeaPad 3 15 Gen 8 uses a 65W round-tip charger. It is compatible with any 45W or higher USB-C PD charger.
OEM charger: Lenovo 65W round-tip adapter
Compatible third-party chargers:
- Anker 45W Atom PD Charger — Lightweight, affordable travel charger
- Lenovo 45W USB-C Charger — Original equipment compatibility
- ASUS 65W USB-C Charger — Extra wattage for future-proofing
Ports & Connectivity
The IdeaPad 3 15 Gen 8 includes:
- 2× USB-C 3.2 Gen1 (5 Gbps, power delivery on main port)
- 2× USB-A 3.2 (5 Gbps, backward compatible)
- HDMI 2.0 (1080p@60Hz, no 4K)
- 3.5mm audio jack (legacy audio support)
Note: USB-C ports are USB 3.2 only, not Thunderbolt. Use standard USB-C hubs.
Recommended USB-C hub:
- Hama USB-C Multiport Hub — Affordable, HDMI + ethernet support
Upgrade Difficulty & Tools
RAM upgrade: Not possible. The RAM is soldered to the motherboard and cannot be upgraded.
M.2 SSD upgrade: Easy (2/5 difficulty). One screw holds the M.2 module in the slot.
2.5″ HDD/SSD upgrade: Not possible. There is no 2.5-inch bay.
Tools needed:
- Philips screwdriver (magnetic tip helpful)
- Anti-static wrist strap (recommended)
Service documentation: Lenovo PSREF sheets available online. Panel removal is routine maintenance.
Recommended Upgrade Package
- Memory boost: Kingston ValueRAM DDR4-3200 12GB — Not compatible (RAM is soldered)
- NVMe SSD: Samsung 990 EVO 1TB — Fast OS/app drive
- 2.5″ bulk storage: Samsung 860 EVO 2TB — Not compatible (no 2.5-inch bay)
- Travel charger: Anker 45W Atom PD — Lightweight backup
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Products
These are the products we recommend based on this guide. All links go to Amazon where you can check current prices and availability.
| Product | Why We Recommend It | Amazon |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung 990 Pro 2TB NVMe M.2 2280 | Fastest consumer NVMe — ideal for gaming & editing | View on Amazon |
| WD Black SN850X 2TB NVMe | Excellent Gen4 speed with heatsink option | View on Amazon |
| Crucial P5 Plus 1TB NVMe | Great value Gen4 SSD | View on Amazon |
| Kingston NV2 1TB NVMe | Budget-friendly with solid reliability | View on Amazon |
Prices and availability may vary. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
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Not sure what fits? Use our free Compatibility Checker covering 3,195+ models.
Helpful Guides
Upgrades that fit the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15IRU8
What fits: Memory: LPDDR5 soldered to the board — not upgradeable · Storage: M.2 2242 NVMe PCIe 4.0 · Charger: barrel round-tip (size not stated) 65W (USB-C charging supported)
Spec source: psref.lenovo.com (checked 26 Sep 2026).
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices & availability shown on Amazon.
