Acer Swift 3 SF314-54G-87GH M.2 SSD interface?

Hello everyone. My laptop came with a 512GB SSD model HFS512G39TND-N210A. When searching online, I found that it is a SATA3 6.0 Gb/s interface. After testing it in CrystalDiskMark, it achieved the expected speeds.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6029997/uploads/editor/vy/z28mqsuep3yx.jpg

However, I found this thread on Acer Community claiming that SF314-54G has a M.2 slot with PCIe NVMe 3.0 x4 interface:
https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/602240/acer-swift-3-sf314-54g-m-2-slot-and-ssd
In the thread, there is also a picture that shows my SSD model with a PCIe NVMe 3.0 x4 interface.

The only thing that comes to mind is that there might be an additional M.2 slot in my laptop with the NVMe interface, but I'd like it if someone could confirm this before I open the laptop and attempt to upgrade my storage.

Accepted answers

JackE

Yes. It means both SATA3 and NVME cards will fit and work in the socket. It will operate at SATA3 speeds with a SATA3 card. And at about four times faster speed with an NVME card. You can install just about as big a capacity SATA3 or NVME card as you can afford.

Jack E/NJ

All comments

JackE

Download and run hwinfo64 freeware to see maximum lanes or link widths your PCIe bus support. If 2x or 4x, it also supports NVMe. Did you also check if your m.2 slot has one key bump or two key bumps. If two, a single keyslot nvme won't fit. Jack E/NJ

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6029997/uploads/editor/ax/arogrmy6x49n.jpg

A6AC

@JackE This is the report from hwinfo64. I'm not sure how to check maximum lanes my PCIe bus supports.

A6AC

Ok, this is what I found when I expanded PCI Express Root Port #1:

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6029997/uploads/editor/1z/42gq7a17wkr6.png

Does this mean that my laptop supports fast NVMe SSD drives or the port is taken by the graphics card?

JackE

Yes, you should be able to take advantage of an nvme. Jack E/NJ

A6AC

@JackE Thank you, I'll open up the laptop and get back with the confirmation.

billsey

Specs say:

Solid state drive0

512 GB, PCIe Gen3, 8 Gb/s up to 4 lanes, NVMe
256 GB, PCIe Gen3, 8 Gb/s up to 4 lanes, NVMe
128 / 256 / 512 GB, SATA 6 Gb/s
16GB, PCIe Gen3, 8 Gb/s up to 2 lanes, NVMe, supporting Intel OptaneTM Memory

So the NVMe should be no issue. Make sure to clone the existing drive to the new one before installing. And, of course, you are not limited to those sizes, those are just what Acer tested with. I'd get 1TB or 2TB myself...

A6AC

Ok, I disassembled my laptop and took some photos. First, here is a photo of the complete internals (without the battery):

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6029997/uploads/editor/tl/1jg7b279wzp1.jpg

The SSD that is installed has the "B & M key" edge connector, as can be seen in this photo:

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6029997/uploads/editor/m7/v46cvq7y07ix.jpg

The socket that the SSD is connected to looks like this:

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6029997/uploads/editor/dy/c1twa55dmoo3.jpg

It seems like the socket is the "M key" type. I haven't noticed any additional M.2 sockets. Does this mean that the socket supports both SATA and PCIe NVMe SSDs? Is it possible that the socket supports two different interfaces?

JackE

Yes. It means both SATA3 and NVME cards will fit and work in the socket. It will operate at SATA3 speeds with a SATA3 card. And at about four times faster speed with an NVME card. You can install just about as big a capacity SATA3 or NVME card as you can afford.