How to open Lenovo LOQ 17IRX10 (17″, Gen 10) – disassembly and upgrade options

Power off the laptop and unplug the charger. Press and hold the power button for a few seconds to discharge any residual electricity.
Turn the device upside down on a soft surface.
Undo the ten Phillips/JIS screws that secure the bottom panel.
- Four screws are shorter (around 4.5 mm).
- Six screws are longer (around 8.5 mm).
Carefully note where each screw length is used so you can reinstall them in the correct positions.
Use a thin plastic pry tool to release the ring of plastic clips around the perimeter of the bottom panel.
Lift the cover away to expose the internals.

Hint: Keep the short and long screws grouped separately (e.g., on a white sheet or magnetic mat) to avoid overtightening the wrong length into a standoff during reassembly.

Battery

Locate the 60 Wh Li-ion battery pack (model L24B4PK4) at the front of the chassis.
Gently pull the battery connector straight out of its socket on the motherboard.
Undo the six screws that secure the battery to the chassis.
Lift the battery out of the laptop.
When installing a new battery, seat it flat, reinstall all six screws, and reconnect the cable firmly.

More info: The 60 Wh pack supports Rapid Charge Pro, which can replenish the battery to about 50% in roughly 30 minutes.

Memory (RAM) upgrade

Find the spring-steel memory shield near the center of the motherboard.
Carefully peel back the metallized tape that grounds the shield to the chassis. Try not to tear it so it can be reused.
Release the shield from its spring clips and lift it away to reveal the two DDR5 SO-DIMM slots.
Press the side latches of a slot outward to release an installed module (if present), then pull it out at an angle.
Insert the new DDR5 module at about a 30° angle, align the notch with the key in the slot, and push it in until the contacts are fully engaged.
Press the module down gently until both side latches click into place.
Reinstall the memory shield, ensuring it is properly seated in its clips, and re-apply the conductive tape so the shield and chassis remain well grounded.

More info: The two SO-DIMM slots support DDR5-4800 or DDR5-5600 memory in dual-channel mode. The tested configuration uses two 16 GB Samsung modules at DDR5-5600. There is no soldered memory, so both modules can be replaced.

You can buy DDR5 SO-DIMM RAM modules here: Buy from Amazon.com (#CommissionsEarned)

Storage upgrade

Locate the two M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 slots near the middle of the motherboard.
Identify Slot 1 (typically occupied by the factory SSD) and Slot 2 (often empty and ready for expansion).
To remove an existing SSD:
- Undo the mounting screw at the end of the drive.
- Let the SSD spring up slightly, then pull it out of the slot at an angle.
To install a new SSD:
- Slide the M.2 2280 PCIe Gen 4 NVMe drive into the connector at about 30°.
- Press the drive down gently and secure it with the mounting screw.
Repeat the steps for the second slot if you are adding a second drive.

More info: In our test unit, a WD PC SN7100S 1 TB PCIe 4.0 drive occupies the first slot, with the second bay free for expansion.

You can buy Gen 4 NVMe SSDs here: Buy from Amazon.com (#CommissionsEarned)

Hint: Consider reviewing our Top M.2 SSDs Performance Rankings to select the best storage solution for your needs.

Wireless and other replaceable components

Locate the M.2 Wi-Fi card (Wi-Fi 6 802.11ax, 2×2, Bluetooth 5.2) near one of the fans.
To replace the wireless module:
- Carefully detach the two antenna leads labeled “Main” and “Aux” by lifting them straight up.
- Undo the single screw holding the card.
- Pull the card out at an angle.
- Install the new card in reverse order and reconnect the antennas (Main to Main, Aux to Aux).
Both fans can be replaced by disconnecting their cables and undoing their mounting screws.
The two M.2 SSDs and both SO-DIMMs are fully user-replaceable, making future upgrades simple.

More info: When reinstalling the memory shield, make sure it is centered in its spring clips and the conductive tape is firmly pressed down to maintain proper ESD grounding.

Cooling system

The cooling assembly spans the CPU and GPU with multiple shared heatpipes.
Two fans exhaust air toward the rear and sides of the chassis.
There is no vapor chamber, but the footprint and fin area are generous for this class of gaming laptop.
If you plan to repaste, follow the same screw order markings (if present) when removing and reinstalling the heatsink, and tighten the screws gradually in a cross pattern.

Summary: The Lenovo LOQ 17IRX10 (17″, Gen 10) is easy to service thanks to its accessible bottom panel, dual DDR5 SO-DIMM slots, two PCIe 4.0 M.2 bays, replaceable Wi-Fi card, and screw-mounted 60 Wh battery. There is no soldered memory, so RAM and storage upgrades are straightforward and future-proof.

Lenovo LOQ 17IRX10 (17", Gen 10) in-depth review

Lenovo's LOQ line has always been about smart, value-focused gaming, and the new LOQ 17IRX10 is a perfect embodiment of that philosophy. It avoids flashy, expensive materials to deliver a robust, practical desktop replacement that's packed with power and user-friendly features. However, its most impressive feature isn't the powerful CPU or the stable GPU; it's a small, deliberate design choice that shows a deep understanding of what gamers actually want: the keyboard. This machine makes a compelling case for being the most thoughtfully designed budget gamer on the market, but does its focu[...]

Read the full review