Lenovo ThinkCentre M90q Gen 4 Upgrade & Compatibility Guide
The M90q Gen 4 is Lenovo’s previous-generation professional compact desktop, packing Intel’s 13th Gen Core vPro processors, DDR5-5200 memory, and the full Thunderbolt 4 suite. It’s a formidable machine that’s still very much worth upgrading. Here’s the complete compatibility breakdown.
Quick Specs Summary
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel 13th Gen Core i7/i9 vPro |
| RAM Type | DDR5-5200 SO-DIMM |
| RAM Slots | 2 (max 64GB) |
| Storage | M.2 2280 NVMe + 2.5″ SATA bay |
| Connectivity | Thunderbolt 4, WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Video Out | DisplayPort + HDMI + Thunderbolt 4 |
| Typical Price | £600–£800 (inc. VAT) |
Processor—Is It Upgradeable?
Like the Gen 5, the M90q Gen 4’s CPU is soldered to the main board. There is no BGA socket, and Lenovo doesn’t provide replacement modules. Your processor choice is locked in at purchase—but honestly, with a 13th Gen Core i7 or i9, you’re sat pretty for professional work. These chips handle video editing, 3D rendering, and multi-threaded tasks with aplomb.
RAM Compatibility & Maximum Capacity
The M90q Gen 4 features two DDR5-5200 SO-DIMM slots. You can theoretically push this to 64GB (2x 32GB), though some units ship with as little as 8GB. Upgrading to 32GB or 64GB is one of the smartest investments you can make for this machine.
Key point: This uses DDR5-5200, not DDR5-5600 like the Gen 5. DDR5-5600 modules will work but will run at the slower 5200 MHz speed.
| Capacity | Speed | Type | Amazon UK Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16GB (2x8GB) | DDR5-5200 | SODIMM | DDR5-5200 SODIMM 16GB |
| 32GB (2x16GB) | DDR5-5200 | SODIMM | DDR5-5200 SODIMM 32GB |
| 64GB (2x32GB) | DDR5-5200 | SODIMM | DDR5-5200 SODIMM 64GB |
| 8GB (2x4GB) | DDR5-5200 | SODIMM | DDR5-5200 SODIMM 8GB |
Installation note: The M90q Gen 4 maintains Lenovo’s excellent tool-less design. The bottom panel slides off easily, revealing two clearly marked SODIMM slots. Push the retention clips outward, insert your module at 45°, and press down flat. Done in under two minutes, no tools needed.
Storage Expansion Options
The M90q Gen 4 provides dual storage flexibility: an NVMe M.2 2280 slot and a 2.5″ SATA drive bay. Both are user-accessible and upgradeable without tools.
| Slot | Interface | Max Size | Compatible Products |
|---|---|---|---|
| M.2 Primary | NVMe PCIe 4.0 | 2280 | PCIe 4.0 NVMe 2280 |
| 2.5″ Secondary | SATA III | Up to 1TB+ | 2.5″ SATA SSD |
Real-world setup: Pair a fast PCIe 4.0 NVMe (like a Samsung 980 Pro) with a larger capacity SATA SSD for multimedia libraries. This gives you OS/app performance and ample bulk storage in one compact package.
Power & Thermal Specifications
The M90q Gen 4 ships with a 120W external PSU. This is adequate for the 13th Gen Intel platform. If you’re powering external devices via Thunderbolt 4, the PSU handles it gracefully, though power delivery through the dock may be limited to 60–96W depending on your dock model.
Display Connectivity & Multi-Monitor Setup
Three independent outputs support multiple displays:
- Thunderbolt 4: Video + data + up to 96W power delivery. Pair with a TB4 dock for seamless multi-display support.
- HDMI 2.1: 4K @ 60Hz or 8K @ 30Hz.
- DisplayPort 1.4: Up to 8K @ 60Hz.
Most users pair the TB4 dock with the native HDMI/DP for a three-monitor setup. Brilliant for productivity workflows.
WiFi & Bluetooth Standards
The M90q Gen 4 includes Intel WiFi 6E (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 5.3 as standard. Both are mature, reliable standards. There’s no reason to upgrade either—they’re not user-replaceable anyway, and WiFi 6E is the current professional standard.
Upgradeability Score
7 out of 10. RAM and storage are easily swapped; the CPU and most core components are locked. DDR5-5200 is still future-proof, and the dual-storage design is genuinely clever. Just don’t expect CPU upgrades—this is a sealed platform by design.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the Maximum RAM for the M90q Gen 4?
64GB total (2x 32GB DDR5-5200 SO-DIMM). Most ship with 8GB or 16GB, so upgrading to 32GB or full 64GB is straightforward.
Is DDR5-5600 Compatible with the M90q Gen 4?
Yes, DDR5-5600 modules are backwards compatible. However, they will run at DDR5-5200 speeds due to motherboard limitations. Stick with DDR5-5200 for guaranteed native speed support.
Can I Replace the SSD with a Larger Capacity?
Absolutely. The M.2 2280 slot supports any standard NVMe drive up to 4TB. The 2.5″ SATA bay can accommodate SSDs or hard drives up to 1TB or beyond. Both are user-serviceable.
Does the M90q Gen 4 Come with WiFi 6E?
Yes, all models include Intel WiFi 6E (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 5.3 as standard. This is excellent for modern wireless performance and IoT connectivity.
Is the Power Supply Sufficient for External Docks?
The 120W PSU handles the Gen 4 workload and dock connectivity without issue. Power delivery through TB4 is typically limited to 96W depending on dock design, which is sufficient for most peripherals and USB-powered accessories.
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 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 |
| Crucial DDR5 SO-DIMM 16GB 5600MHz | Affordable single-stick DDR5 | View on Amazon UK |
| G.Skill Ripjaws DDR5 SO-DIMM 32GB 5600MHz | High performance DDR5 for enthusiasts | 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.
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