Replacing the stock SSD on a SF314-53G87EQ

Well, the original SSD in my laptop went the way of the dinosaurs. I have to admit, I do not know much about SSDs. The last time I seriously worked with computers was back when there were hard drives and you could hear them failing for a country mile.

I tried to find the answers online, but I can't seem to track it down. Two questions if anyone would be so kind:

1. What kinds of SSD could I use to replace the faulty drive? Is there a specific form factor or connector that I need to use?
2. Where is the dang drive even located? Picture attached.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6029997/uploads/editor/22/w58wptdjl6oj.jpg

I already put a 256 GB drive in the empty m.2 slot on the upper left so I could use the laptop while I figure this out. I don't know if that changes anything.

Thank you very much, in advance.

Accepted answers

StevenGen

For your reference, the Acer Swift 3 SF314-53G-87EQ has a storage drive form factor of an M.2/2280 with a SATA drive interface. You can install as referenced by Crucial one of their MX500 1TB ($114.99) or a 500GB (3$69.99) 3D NAND M.2 Type 2280 Internal SSD CT1000MX500SSD4 M.2/NGFF (2280) Double Sided • 560MB/s Read, 510MB/s Write drives. So see if that price range suits you? If not look for other M.2's but and btw, the cheap drives will result in what has happened to your OEM M.2, so be careful and buy a reputable brand! I prefer Samsung SSD;'s but I'm just very partial to these drives as they have never ever given me any problems for over 4+ years!

StevenGen

Yes that area where you circled the space in red is a space for an M.2 SSD. Your laptop comes with 1x SK Hynix 256GB M.2/2280 SSD which supports SATA protocol B&M keyed type M.2/2280 SSD. Be careful with this as most M.2 SSD's are M keyed (5 pins wide atone end) or the B keyed (has 6 pins wide at one end) type SSD's NOT the B&M keyed (where one end has 6 pins and the other 5 pins) see below, that is a typical B&M keyed SSD that fits your laptop.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6029997/uploads/editor/60/1efeeopp1iex.jpg

Have a look at this photo of your Swift 3 underside on the bottom right side, as that is where there is another M.2/2280 SSD slot and spaces for the M.2/2280 SSD's. The OEM must be underneath the battery cant see it from your photo or the other compete photo. take battery out and see where the OEM SK Hynix 256GB M.2/2280 SSD is.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6029997/uploads/editor/y3/h8xxrsh4idx0.jpg

All comments

StevenGen

For your reference, the Acer Swift 3 SF314-53G-87EQ has a storage drive form factor of an M.2/2280 with a SATA drive interface. You can install as referenced by Crucial one of their MX500 1TB ($114.99) or a 500GB (3$69.99) 3D NAND M.2 Type 2280 Internal SSD CT1000MX500SSD4 M.2/NGFF (2280) Double Sided • 560MB/s Read, 510MB/s Write drives. So see if that price range suits you? If not look for other M.2's but and btw, the cheap drives will result in what has happened to your OEM M.2, so be careful and buy a reputable brand! I prefer Samsung SSD;'s but I'm just very partial to these drives as they have never ever given me any problems for over 4+ years!

tages

Thanks for your help. So this model has bays for two M.2 drives? Wow. Times are changing.

This might be a stupid question, but I did succeed in plopping a drive into the spare slot (red circle) last time I cracked it open, but where is the stock drive located so that I can replace it? I can't seem to find it.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6029997/uploads/editor/5t/4palh489d6if.png

R6E7980XE

Do you have more picture of the board please ?

StevenGen

Yes that area where you circled the space in red is a space for an M.2 SSD. Your laptop comes with 1x SK Hynix 256GB M.2/2280 SSD which supports SATA protocol B&M keyed type M.2/2280 SSD. Be careful with this as most M.2 SSD's are M keyed (5 pins wide atone end) or the B keyed (has 6 pins wide at one end) type SSD's NOT the B&M keyed (where one end has 6 pins and the other 5 pins) see below, that is a typical B&M keyed SSD that fits your laptop.

Have a look at this photo of your Swift 3 underside on the bottom right side, as that is where there is another M.2/2280 SSD slot and spaces for the M.2/2280 SSD's. The OEM must be underneath the battery cant see it from your photo or the other compete photo. take battery out and see where the OEM SK Hynix 256GB M.2/2280 SSD is.

brummyfan2

tages said:

Thanks for your help. So this model has bays for two M.2 drives? Wow. Times are changing.

This might be a stupid question, but I did succeed in plopping a drive into the spare slot (red circle) last time I cracked it open, but where is the stock drive located so that I can replace it? I can't seem to find it.

tages said:

Thanks for your help. So this model has bays for two M.2 drives? Wow. Times are changing.

This might be a stupid question, but I did succeed in plopping a drive into the spare slot (red circle) last time I cracked it open, but where is the stock drive located so that I can replace it? I can't seem to find it.