How to open Dell Precision 5690 – disassembly and upgrade options

Undo the eight Torx-head screws on the bottom panel of the laptop.
Since there are no gaps between the plate and the base, you’ll need to create some. Insert a lever tool into the rear exhaust near the top edges.
Gently lift the tool to open a gap in the nearest corner and insert a thin plastic tool into the gap.
Place another plastic tool horizontally along the side between the panel and the chassis.
Push and slide the tool to release the stiff internal clips along the sides and front.
Once the sides and front are loosened, use a lever tool to carefully pop the back panel step by step.

More info: The bottom plate is tightly secured, so patience is required to avoid damaging the clips or the chassis.

Battery Removal

Caution: Handle the battery carefully to avoid damage or electrical hazards.

The battery connector is hidden beneath a small plate secured by two small captive screws. Undo these screws to access the connector.
Detach the battery connector by pulling it upwards, using the plastic handle on top.
Undo the six Phillips-head screws holding the battery in place.
Carefully lift and remove the battery from the chassis.

More info: The 99.5Wh battery provides approximately 13 hours of video playback; the base version comes with a 66Wh battery.

You can find compatible batteries here: Buy from Amazon.com (#CommissionsEarned)

Memory Upgrade

Note: The memory (RAM) is soldered onto the motherboard and is not user-upgradeable.

More info: The laptop can be configured with up to 64GB of LPDDR5x-7467 MHz RAM in dual-channel mode when purchased. Since the RAM is soldered, consider your future memory needs when selecting a configuration.

Storage Upgrade

Hint: Handle SSD components carefully to avoid data loss or damage.

Locate the two M.2 slots compatible with 2230 or 2280 Gen 4 SSDs.
Each slot is covered with a metal plate secured by a single screw. Undo the screw to remove the plate.
Slide the metal shield to the left or right, depending on the slot’s position.
Note the long cooling pad inside the metal cap and the small pre-applied thermal pad in front of the slots.
Insert your new M.2 SSD into the slot at an angle, ensuring it’s fully seated.
Secure the SSD with the screw and replace the metal shield, ensuring the thermal pads make good contact for cooling.

More info: The thermal pads aid in heat dissipation, enhancing the performance and longevity of the SSDs.

You can find compatible SSDs here: Buy from Amazon.com (#CommissionsEarned)

Wi-Fi Card

More Info: The soldered Wi-Fi 7 card is close to the right fan.

Cooling System Overview

More info: The cooling system of the Dell Precision 5690 is robust, designed to handle demanding workloads.

The system includes two sizable fans for efficient airflow.
Two long, thick heat pipes are shared between the CPU and GPU for effective heat transfer.
There are two heatsinks and two metal plates that assist in dissipating heat away from critical components.
Inspect the fans and heat pipes for dust accumulation and clean if necessary to maintain optimal cooling performance.

Dell Precision 16 5690 in-depth review

For users who need a capable workstation for serious work, Dell offers the Precision 5690. The manufacturer mentions that the device is "Dell's smallest footprint 16" mobile workstation". It's not as thin as a premium office machine but this laptop is compact for such a powerhouse. Speaking of which, you can choose from four Meteor Lake CPUs and five NVIDIA RTX Ada Generation GPUs. The maxed-out configurations rely on a 45W Core Ultra 9 185H and a 16GB RTX 5000 Ada Generation at the price of an arm and a leg. The memory is soldered - yep, SODIMMs take more space. Still, the storage upgradabili[...]

Read the full review

Pros

Compact and light for a 16-inch workstation (2.03 kg / 20.50 - 22.17 mm)
Built like a tank
Superb keyboard and touchpad
PWM-free (AUO31A6)
100% sRGB and 98% DCI-P3 coverage + accurate color with our "Design and Gaming" profile (AUO31A6)
Wide viewing angles and a high max brightness of 506 nits (AUO31A6)
3x Type-C ports
Very long battery life given the powerful hardware (more than 13 hours of videos)
HDR 1080p IR Web camera
Fingerprint reader
NFC, Smart card reader, SD card reader (all are optional)
The CPU can maintain ~3.06 GHz / 2.50 GHz P and E core clock in long loads
Fast and well-cooled SSD (Samsung PM9F)
Up to 64GB of LPDDR5x-7467 MHz RAM in dual-channel mode
The NVIDIA RTX 2000 Ada Generation sustains ~ 90W
2x M.2 slots
The fans are almost quiet during heavy loads in "Ultra Performance" mode
Wi-Fi 7 + Bluetooth 5.4