This page sets out the repairs, upgrades and data recovery we carry out on the Dell Precision 5490, with notes on what tends to go wrong and what can and cannot be upgraded. It is a 14-inch mobile workstation from 2024. The SSD can be replaced but the memory is soldered, so storage is the only upgrade.
- Model number
- 5490
- Released
- 2024
- Type
- Mobile workstation
- Screen
- 14-inch
- Storage
- M.2 SSD, two slots on most configurations
- Memory
- Soldered
Dell Precision 5490 repairs and upgrades
Screen replacement
We replace the 14-inch panel like-for-like, matching resolution and connector to the part number on the original.
Price confirmed before work starts
Graphics repair
The graphics chip is soldered to the board. Artefacts, crashes under load and a black screen with the fans running are diagnosed to the chip, its memory or its power stage, and repaired at board level where it is economical.
Windows repair and reinstall
The Dell Precision 5490 shipped with Windows 11. We repair start-up faults, reinstall Windows cleanly with your files kept, and remove malware.
Battery replacement
We replace the internal battery and check the charging circuit and adapter at the same time.
Price confirmed before work starts
Charging port and power repair
We replace worn charging sockets and repair USB-C ports and charging circuits at component level. The adapter is tested first, because it is the cheapest thing to be wrong.
Overheating and fan repair
We strip the cooling system, clean the fans and heatsink fins and renew the thermal compound and pads. We check temperatures under load afterwards.
SSD and storage upgrade
Most configurations of the Dell Precision 5490 have two M.2 slots, so a second SSD can be added, or the existing one cloned to a larger drive.
Price confirmed before work starts
Memory
Memory in the Dell Precision 5490 is soldered and cannot be upgraded. It is worth knowing this before paying anyone for a memory upgrade.
We also carry out keyboard and trackpad repair, motherboard repair, liquid damage repair, hinge and casing repair, virus removal on the Dell Precision 5490, along with USB, HDMI and audio port repair, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth card replacement, webcam and speaker faults, BIOS password removal with proof of ownership and data transfer to a new machine.
What we see on the bench
- Mobile workstations run hot for long periods, so dried thermal compound and dust-clogged fans are behind many of the shutdowns and slowdowns we see.
- Many configurations have two or more drives, sometimes in RAID. Tell us if yours does before any storage work, because it changes how data is recovered.
- Graphics faults on these are board-level repairs: the professional graphics chip is soldered to the motherboard.
Data recovery from the Dell Precision 5490
The SSD in the Dell Precision 5490 can be removed and imaged on our own equipment, so files can usually be recovered even when the machine will not start. Recent Windows machines often have device encryption or BitLocker switched on. If so we will need the recovery key, which is normally saved in your Microsoft account.
Estimate the cost with our data recovery calculator, or read about recovering files after a ransomware attack.
Where the Dell Precision 5490 sits in the range
Its nearest relatives in the Dell Precision mobile workstation range are the older Dell Precision 5480 (2023). It is the most recent 14-inch model of the range that we list.
Questions
Can the SSD or memory in the Dell Precision 5490 be upgraded?
The SSD can be replaced, and most configurations have a second M.2 slot. Memory is soldered and cannot be upgraded.
My Dell Precision 5490 will not turn on. Is my data lost?
Usually not. The drive is separate from the fault in most cases, and we can remove it and copy your files even if the machine itself is not worth repairing.
Why does my Dell Precision 5490 overheat or slow down in games?
Usually dust in the heatsinks and thermal compound that has dried out. A thermal service fixes it in most cases. If temperatures are normal and it still slows down, we test the graphics chip and power delivery.
How much does a Dell Precision 5490 screen replacement cost?
Price confirmed before work starts. The exact figure depends on the part your machine needs, and we confirm it before any work starts.