The ThinkCentre M700 is a 6th Gen Intel (Skylake) business desktop released in 2016. This guide covers RAM compatibility (DDR4-2133), SSD upgrade options, and recommended components for maximum performance.
Available in SFF (Small Form Factor) and Tower variants, the ThinkCentre M700 supports up to 64GB of DDR4-2133 RAM in the Tower configuration and 32GB in the SFF.
ThinkCentre M700 Quick Specifications
| Specification | SFF | Tower |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | 6th Gen Intel (Skylake) | |
| RAM Type | DDR4-2133 | |
| RAM Slots | 2 | 4 |
| Max RAM | 32GB | 64GB |
| Storage | 2.5″ SATA + M.2 SATA | |
| NVMe Support | No (SATA only) | |
| PCIe Generation | 3.0 | |
ThinkCentre M700 RAM Upgrade Guide
Compatible RAM Specifications
The ThinkCentre M700 requires DDR4-2133 unbuffered DIMMs (UDIMMs). Use non-ECC desktop DIMMs for standard configurations.
Recommended RAM Configurations
| Configuration | Form Factor | Total RAM | Modules |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | SFF/Tower | 16GB | 2 × 8GB |
| Standard | SFF | 32GB | 2 × 16GB |
| Standard | Tower | 32GB | 2 × 16GB |
| Maximum (Tower) | Tower | 64GB | 4 × 16GB |
RAM Installation Steps
- Shut down the computer and disconnect all cables including the power cord
- Press the power button for 5 seconds to discharge residual electricity
- Remove the side panel (SFF: slide release latch; Tower: remove thumbscrews)
- Locate the DIMM slots on the motherboard
- Open the retention clips on both sides of the slot
- Align the notch on the RAM module with the key in the slot
- Press down firmly and evenly until the retention clips snap into place
- Replace the side panel and reconnect cables
- Power on and verify RAM is recognised in BIOS (press F10 during startup)
ThinkCentre M700 SSD Upgrade Guide
The ThinkCentre M700 supports 2.5″ SATA SSDs and 3.5″ SATA hard drives. This generation does not support M.2 NVMe drives natively. A SATA SSD upgrade is the most impactful performance improvement you can make.
SATA SSD Installation
- Power off and open the chassis as described above
- Locate the 2.5″ or 3.5″ drive bay
- Mount the SSD using the drive caddy or bracket (SFF models may need a 2.5″ adapter)
- Connect the SATA data cable and SATA power cable
- Reassemble and boot — initialise the drive in Disk Management if it is a secondary drive
Recommended Upgrade Products
| Product | Type | Best For | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crucial 8GB DDR4-2133 UDIMM | RAM | 8GB stick | Shop |
| Kingston ValueRAM 16GB DDR4-2133 | RAM | 16GB stick | Shop |
| Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB DDR4-2133 Kit | RAM | 16GB kit (2×8GB) | Shop |
| Samsung 870 EVO 1TB SATA | SSD | SATA upgrade | Shop |
| Crucial MX500 1TB SATA | SSD | Budget SATA | Shop |
Prices and availability may vary. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What type of RAM does the ThinkCentre M700 use?
A: The ThinkCentre M700 uses DDR4-2133 unbuffered DIMMs (UDIMMs). The SFF model has 2 DIMM slots supporting up to 32GB, while the Tower model has 4 slots supporting up to 64GB.
Q: Can I add an NVMe SSD to the ThinkCentre M700?
A: No, the ThinkCentre M700 does not have a native M.2 NVMe slot. You can upgrade to a 2.5 inch SATA SSD for a significant performance improvement over a traditional hard drive.
Q: Is the ThinkCentre M700 RAM compatible with the ThinkCentre series?
A: RAM compatibility depends on the specific generation. The ThinkCentre M700 uses DDR4-2133, which is physically compatible with other DDR4 systems but the speed rating must match or exceed the motherboard’s requirement.
Q: How do I check how much RAM is currently installed?
A: Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc), click the Performance tab, then select Memory. This shows total installed RAM, speed, form factor, and how many slots are in use. Alternatively, press Win+Pause/Break to open System Information.
Q: Can I mix different RAM sizes in the ThinkCentre M700?
A: While the ThinkCentre M700 can technically run with mismatched RAM sizes, it is recommended to use identical modules in pairs for optimal dual-channel performance. Mixing sizes will cause the system to run in flex mode, which reduces memory bandwidth.
Related Lenovo Upgrade Guides
- Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Ultra RAM & SSD Upgrade Guide (2024)
- Lenovo ThinkCentre M70s Gen 5 RAM & SSD Upgrade Guide (2024)
- Lenovo ThinkCentre M80t Gen 4 RAM & SSD Upgrade Guide (2024)
- Lenovo ThinkCentre M70t Gen 5 RAM & SSD Upgrade Guide (2024)
- Lenovo ThinkCentre M90q Gen 5 RAM & SSD Upgrade Guide (2024)
- Lenovo Upgrade Guide
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