Lenovo ThinkCentre M75q Gen 2 Compatibility & Upgrade Guide
The M75q Gen 2 is Lenovo’s previous-generation AMD-powered compact desktop, featuring Ryzen Pro 5000 series processors and DDR4-3200 memory. It’s a capable machine that still delivers solid performance for office, creative, and everyday computing. Here’s the complete upgrade breakdown for this underrated little workstation.
Quick Specs Summary
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Processor | AMD Ryzen Pro 5000 Series (5/7 cores) |
| RAM Type | DDR4-3200 SO-DIMM |
| RAM Slots | 2 (max 64GB) |
| Storage | M.2 2280 NVMe + 2.5″ SATA bay |
| Connectivity | WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Video Out | DisplayPort + HDMI |
| Typical Price (used) | £300–£400 |
Processor—Is It Upgradeable?
No. The Ryzen Pro CPU is soldered to the motherboard. Your processor choice is locked at purchase. However, Ryzen Pro 5000 series chips are remarkably capable, offering excellent multi-core performance for professional workflows. They remain competitive with contemporary Intel offerings in many real-world scenarios.
RAM Compatibility & Maximum Capacity
The M75q Gen 2 features two DDR4-3200 SO-DIMM slots, supporting up to 64GB total. Most units shipped with 8GB or 16GB, making RAM upgrades one of the smartest investments for multitasking and memory-intensive applications.
Critical note: This is DDR4, not DDR5. The Gen 2 pre-dates DDR5 adoption. Confirm your module type before purchasing.
| Capacity | Speed | Type | Amazon UK Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16GB (2x8GB) | DDR4-3200 | SODIMM | DDR4-3200 SODIMM 16GB |
| 32GB (2x16GB) | DDR4-3200 | SODIMM | DDR4-3200 SODIMM 32GB |
| 64GB (2x32GB) | DDR4-3200 | SODIMM | DDR4-3200 SODIMM 64GB |
| 8GB (2x4GB) | DDR4-3200 | SODIMM | DDR4-3200 SODIMM 8GB |
Installation: Lenovo’s tool-less design makes this trivial. Remove the bottom panel, push the retention clips, insert your SO-DIMM at 45°, and press flat. No screwdriver required—takes about two minutes.
Storage Compatibility & Expansion
The M75q Gen 2 includes dual storage flexibility: an M.2 2280 NVMe slot for performance and a 2.5″ SATA bay for capacity. Both are user-accessible and independently upgradeable.
| Slot | Interface | Max Size | Compatible Products |
|---|---|---|---|
| M.2 Primary | NVMe PCIe 3.0 | 2280 | PCIe 3.0 NVMe 2280 |
| 2.5″ Secondary | SATA III | Up to 1TB+ | 2.5″ SATA SSD |
Smart setup: If your original M.2 drive is slow or small, upgrade to a faster PCIe 3.0 or PCIe 4.0 NVMe (Gen 4 drives will work but operate at Gen 3 speeds). For the SATA bay, a 1TB SSD is ideal for media libraries or backups.
Power Supply & Thermal Efficiency
The M75q Gen 2 ships with a 120W external PSU. Ryzen Pro processors are notably efficient, and this power supply comfortably handles the system’s demands. Power draw under typical office workloads is modest, leaving headroom for USB-powered peripherals and expansions.
Display Connectivity
Two video outputs provide dual-monitor flexibility:
- DisplayPort 1.4: Up to 8K @ 60Hz (in practice, 4K @ 60Hz is the standard).
- HDMI 2.0 or 2.1 (depends on config): 4K @ 60Hz.
This pair handles dual 4K displays comfortably or a single ultra-wide setup. No VGA is present—a modern omission fitting the Gen 2’s contemporaneous design.
WiFi & Bluetooth Standards
The M75q Gen 2 includes Intel WiFi 6 (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 5.0. WiFi 6 is excellent for modern office and creative environments, offering better throughput and range than WiFi 5. Bluetooth 5.0 handles peripherals and IoT devices reliably. No upgrades needed or possible—both are integrated into the board.
Upgradeability Score
7 out of 10. RAM and storage (both NVMe and SATA) are easily user-serviceable, providing good flexibility for future-proofing. The CPU is locked. DDR4-3200 remains relevant, and the dual-storage design is practical for most workflows. For a machine from the previous generation, upgradeability is solid.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much RAM Does the M75q Gen 2 Support?
Up to 64GB total (2x32GB DDR4-3200 SO-DIMM). Most stock units shipped with 8GB or 16GB, so there’s room for significant upgrades.
What’s the Difference Between M75q Gen 2 and M75q Gen 5?
Gen 2: AMD Ryzen Pro 5000, DDR4-3200, PCIe 3.0, WiFi 6. Gen 5: AMD Ryzen Pro 7000, DDR5-5600, PCIe 4.0, WiFi 6E. The Gen 5 is significantly faster and features newer memory technology, but the Gen 2 remains capable for most professional work.
Can I Install PCIe 4.0 NVMe in the M75q Gen 2?
Yes, physically it will fit. However, it will operate at PCIe 3.0 speeds due to motherboard limitations. There’s no performance benefit—stick with PCIe 3.0 drives or accept that a newer drive will be underutilized.
Is the M75q Gen 2 Still Worth Upgrading?
Absolutely. A RAM boost to 32GB or 64GB, paired with a fast PCIe 3.0 NVMe and SATA SSD, can extend the machine’s useful life by 2–3 years. Ryzen Pro 5000 is still competitive for professional work.
Does the M75q Gen 2 Have Thunderbolt 4?
No. Thunderbolt 4 support began with the Gen 3/Gen 5 tier. The Gen 2 relies on standard DisplayPort and HDMI for video connectivity.
Recommended Products
These are the products we recommend based on this guide. All links go to Amazon UK where you can check current prices and availability.
| Product | Why We Recommend It | Amazon UK |
|---|---|---|
| Corsair Vengeance DDR4 SO-DIMM 32GB (2×16GB) 3200MHz | Best overall DDR4 upgrade kit | View on Amazon UK |
| Kingston Fury Impact DDR4 SO-DIMM 32GB (2×16GB) 3200MHz | Reliable alternative with tight latency | View on Amazon UK |
| Corsair Vengeance DDR5 SO-DIMM 32GB (2×16GB) 5600MHz | Top-rated DDR5 kit for gaming & productivity | View on Amazon UK |
| Kingston Fury Impact DDR5 SO-DIMM 32GB (2×16GB) 5600MHz | Excellent DDR5 alternative with XMP support | View on Amazon UK |
| Samsung 990 Pro 2TB NVMe M.2 2280 | Fastest consumer NVMe — ideal for gaming & editing | View on Amazon UK |
| WD Black SN850X 2TB NVMe | Excellent Gen4 speed with heatsink option | View on Amazon UK |
| Crucial P5 Plus 1TB NVMe | Great value Gen4 SSD | View on Amazon UK |
| Kingston NV2 1TB NVMe | Budget-friendly with solid reliability | View on Amazon UK |
Prices and availability may vary. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
