help regarding upgrading my acer Aspire 315-51_z i like to add an SSD to increase the boot time

Hi i need some help regarding upgrading my acer Aspire 315-51_z
1. i like to add an SSD to my laptop to increase the boot time and speed so searhed through internet and found that there is an support for an M.2 SSD so then i removed my back cover of my laptop and able to locate the ssd slot but the confusion is that "is that a M.2 SATA SSD slot or NVMe slot" for me it looks like an NVMe one but i am not sure (i know that i can add an 2.5 inch SSD by removing and replacing the dvd drive but i dont wanna lose that and where i also have an additional slot so why not i cant utilize it)
2. second thing is that i would like to add an additional 4GB RAM there is been already an 4GB DDR3 1600Mhz ram will that be ok if i add an additional 4GB with different speed (something like 3200Mhz or greater than 1600Mhz)
3. what things should i consider before buying an M.2 SSD and RAM
i have also added the images of the motherboard and closer look of the SSD and RAM slots

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6029997/uploads/editor/hk/1aqu1w2i2asd.jpeg

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6029997/uploads/editor/67/oatnm8iv13an.jpeg

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6029997/uploads/editor/sn/xgu8p45rbqel.jpeg

[Edited the thread to add issue detail]

Accepted answers

JackE

Yes, it seems that you have an earlier mainboard with 4GB DDR3 1600MHz. In this configuration, the replaceable RAM sockets should be a 204-pin DDR3 laptop RAM. DDR4 laptop modules won't fit in a DDR3 socket. I think you had better double-check the number and type of replaceable RAM sockets that you have inside since this particular mainboard sometimes came with two replaceable sockets filled with two 2GB DDR3 modules. Accordingly, a maximum of 16GB RAM is possible with two 8GB DDR3 modules. The speed should preferrably be 2133MHz or greater for maximum benefit.

Yes, the m.2 PCIe is single lane so a SATA3 card would probably be more practical than an nvme card of similar capacity.

Jack E/NJ

PS: Yes, that seems like a DDR3L low voltage laptop memory with two replaceable sockets. So you can add an 8GB for 12GB total or replace the 4GB with another 8GB for 16GB total.

All comments

JackE

Specs say you can add up to 8GB DDR4 2133MHz or higher dual channel module to the 4GB on board RAM for a total of 12GB. The m.2 socket is rated at SATA3 speeds. If it has a single M-keyed slot, an nvme should fit and work at SATA3 speeds. You can check if the PCIe socket will support higher speeds by running hwinfo64 freeware. If it's 2 or 4 links wide, it'll support 2x or 4x Sata3 speeds. Jack E/NJ

v_e_n_k_i_i_

JackE said:

Specs say you can add up to 8GB DDR4 2133MHz or higher dual channel module to the 4GB on board RAM for a total of 12GB. The m.2 socket is rated at SATA3 speeds. If it has a single M-keyed slot, an nvme should fit and work at SATA3 speeds. You can check if the PCIe socket will support higher speeds by running hwinfo64 freeware. If it's 2 or 4 links wide, it'll support 2x or 4x Sata3 speeds. Jack E/NJ

well actually i run through a check with hwinfo64 and found the following details (attached pics) and ended up with another feew doubts...

1. as u say i can add upto 8

G

B

D

DR4 as my lap can support upto 12GB will that be ok if one of the ram is DDR3 and the other one is DDR4(i think it is not possible but i need a clarification) and another one is "if i do an RAM upgrade should i go with the same speed and the same channel RAM which is already present" (there is already an 4GB DDR3 clocked at 1600Mhz single channel well adding up another 4GB DDR3 dual channel RAM clocked at higher speed will that run smoothly will there be no issues in that) and the last thing is that u say that as my lap specs it can added with an DDR4 so till now i have not used the full potential of the slot and been using my lap with a lower configured RAM.

2. i think the SSD slot is single M-keyed slot where in that case can i use an M.2 SATA SSD instead of nvme. (even if i add an nvme SSD its gonna work at the speed of SATA M.2 so spending an additional amount for a SSD which anyways gonna work in a downgraded way will not be a great way in spending money.)

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6029997/uploads/editor/xl/zxgu44q3qygb.png

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6029997/uploads/editor/rm/lambija4iilz.png

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6029997/uploads/editor/qo/a4q6yo2hn2mp.png

JackE

Yes, it seems that you have an earlier mainboard with 4GB DDR3 1600MHz. In this configuration, the replaceable RAM sockets should be a 204-pin DDR3 laptop RAM. DDR4 laptop modules won't fit in a DDR3 socket. I think you had better double-check the number and type of replaceable RAM sockets that you have inside since this particular mainboard sometimes came with two replaceable sockets filled with two 2GB DDR3 modules. Accordingly, a maximum of 16GB RAM is possible with two 8GB DDR3 modules. The speed should preferrably be 2133MHz or greater for maximum benefit.

Yes, the m.2 PCIe is single lane so a SATA3 card would probably be more practical than an nvme card of similar capacity.

Jack E/NJ

PS: Yes, that seems like a DDR3L low voltage laptop memory with two replaceable sockets. So you can add an 8GB for 12GB total or replace the 4GB with another 8GB for 16GB total.

v_e_n_k_i_i_

JackE said:

Yes, it seems that you have an earlier mainboard with 4GB DDR3 1600MHz. In this configuration, the replaceable RAM sockets should be a 204-pin DDR3 laptop RAM. DDR4 laptop modules won't fit in a DDR3 socket. I think you had better double-check the number and type of replaceable RAM sockets that you have inside since this particular mainboard sometimes came with two replaceable sockets filled with two 2GB DDR3 modules. Accordingly, a maximum of 16GB RAM is possible with two 8GB DDR3 modules. The speed should preferrably be 2133MHz or greater for maximum benefit.

Yes, the m.2 PCIe is single lane so a SATA3 card would probably be more practical than an nvme card of similar capacity.

Jack E/NJ

PS: Yes, that seems like a DDR3L low voltage laptop memory with two replaceable sockets. So you can add an 8GB for 12GB total or replace the 4GB with another 8GB for 16GB total.

then would it be fine if i add an additional 4GB DDR3 dual channel ram of higer speed with addition with the existing ram (4GB DDR3 1600Mhz single channel) will there be any issue if i use RAM of different channels and speed like one is single channel and other is dual one.
and what does the MHz refers to is that something related to power or something else.
[can i get some suggestions on the RAM and M.2 SSD like specific model or brand.]

also i wanted to ask about a weird problem with my laptop's keyboard the thing is only few keys in my keyboard is working (for eg. the keys in "qwerty" row is not working and few keys in the below row is working and when i single press the "enter" "backspace" "spacebar" keys the response i get is like i am being pressing those keys continously thou the keys are not sticky and i don't often use the keyboard of the laptop rather use an additional usb keyboard. is this a issue something related with some sort of loose connection to the mainboard or dust accumulation inside it. or will it be anything serious like i have to change the whole keyboard set.

JackE

The 4GB module should be DDR3L, the L meaning Low voltage. It can be any brand like Kingston, Micron, Crucial, Samsung, Team, etc . It would be best to have a matched 4GB pair but any speed 1600MHz or higher should be fine. As for the m,2 SATA3 card, Adata probably has the best values. Your keyboard key mechanisms are likely contaminated with hygroscopic debris (eg food particles, etc) under the key covers that cause unexpected behavior particularly when weather conditions are warm and humid. You can sometimes improve their operation by gently using a soft facial blush brush to loosen and help lessen the debris under the key covers while blowing compressed air around them at the same time. Jack E/NJ

v_e_n_k_i_i_

JackE said:

The 4GB module should be DDR3L, the L meaning Low voltage. It can be any brand like Kingston, Micron, Crucial, Samsung, Team, etc . It would be best to have a matched 4GB pair but any speed 1600MHz or higher should be fine. As for the m,2 SATA3 card, Adata probably has the best values. Your keyboard key mechanisms are likely contaminated with hygroscopic debris (eg food particles, etc) under the key covers that cause unexpected behavior particularly when weather conditions are warm and humid. You can sometimes improve their operation by gently using a soft facial blush brush to loosen and help lessen the debris under the key covers while blowing compressed air around them at the same time. Jack E/NJ

well what about the channel should that to be matching or dual channel is also ok?
and as for the keyboard i would better take it to the service centre..

JackE

You should be able to use either. Dual channel may perform slightly faster but not worth paying a lot extra for. Just make sure it's 1.35 volts, not 1.5 volts. As for the keyboard, I would try to clean it myself first by gently using a soft bristle facial blush brush to loosen the debris and blowing air on the keyboard. Jack E/NJ

v_e_n_k_i_i_

JackE said:

You should be able to use either. Dual channel may perform slightly faster but not worth paying a lot extra for. Just make sure it's 1.35 volts, not 1.5 volts. As for the keyboard, I would try to clean it myself first by gently using a soft bristle facial blush brush to loosen the debris and blowing air on the keyboard. Jack E/NJ

at first i dont have any tool to blow pressurised air over the keyboard so as the second option i tried to dismantle keyboard safely from the laptop and clean it but unluckly i couldn't remove it is some how fixed complicated to the mainboard i checked youtube for that procedure but i couldn't find my model the videos were other acer models and the keyboard which was fixed in that was different from mine......

Anyways thanks a lot bro......!!! for that detailed explanation with the ram and SSD that was soo clear

JackE

>>> i dont have any tool to blow pressurised air over the keyboard >>>

Use your own lungs to blow air while using soft brush! Use exhaust end from vacuum cleaner! Use a bicycle or auto tire pump. Computer shops sell compressed air in cans. Any source of compressed air is suitable. Your keyboard is part of the entire top assembly and not easy to disassemble. It is much safer and easier to try to dislodge the debris under the keys with a soft brush and any compressed air source. Jack E/NJ

v_e_n_k_i_i_

JackE said:

>>> i dont have any tool to blow pressurised air over the keyboard >>>

Use your own lungs to blow air while using soft brush! Use exhaust end from vacuum cleaner! Use a bicycle or auto tire pump. Computer shops sell compressed air in cans. Any source of compressed air is suitable. Your keyboard is part of the entire top assembly and not easy to disassemble. It is much safer and easier to try to dislodge the debris under the keys with a soft brush and any compressed air source. Jack E/NJ

HaHa

yes... i already tried blowing air between keys and cleaned but that doesn't help even i tried for the second time but no use still the problem continues. in the keyboard only the few keys are working.. and some keys are responding without i pressed it.(once i was typing a document and all of the sudden the backspace key starts to work and it backspaced all the thing which i typed even though i was typing with an external keyboard. the problem is not only with the keyboard but also with touchpad. the touchpad clicks are also not working..

v_e_n_k_i_i_

JackE said:

You should be able to use either. Dual channel may perform slightly faster but not worth paying a lot extra for. Just make sure it's 1.35 volts, not 1.5 volts. As for the keyboard, I would try to clean it myself first by gently using a soft bristle facial blush brush to loosen the debris and blowing air on the keyboard. Jack E/NJ