Aspire 5 A515-45 Can I use a different power adapter for better performance?

ConceptIA

Hi,

The Acer Aspire 5 A515-45-R2A3 ships with a default A/C power supply of only 45w.

My question is, can I use a power adapter that's compatible with the notebook model with higher wattage? If so, will that increase performance?

Thanks!

Thread was edited to add model name to the title

JackE

Yes, you can use the 65watt adapter that often comes with the A515-45G model. This will increase playing time at the maximum performance allowed by the CPU/GPU. However, it will not increase the maximum performance allowed by the CPU/GPU. The 65watt part nos. are KP.06501.012
KP.06503.018
KP.0650H.013

ConceptIA

JackE said:

Yes, you can use the 65watt adapter that often comes with the A515-45G model. This will increase playing time at the maximum performance allowed by the CPU/GPU. However, it will not increase the maximum performance allowed by the CPU/GPU.

What? What do you mean increase playing time?

I'm not talking about battery life.

JackE

Maximum performance is achieved when the battery is near 100% charged and plugged in. Under heavy gaming loads the battery sometimes must help the charger supply CPU/GPU power demand. At those times the battery is actually intermittently discharging even though plugged in. When battery charge level discharges to below about 50% under heavy loads, the battery charging takes precedent over CPU/GPU power demands and CPU/GPU throttling behavior may appear. So the maximum performance playing time between 100% and 50% battery charge level can be increased with a higher power charger.

ConceptIA

I was actually talking about CPU TDP specifically, but thanks for the additional info because that brought me some more questions on battery behavior.

For example, what happens if I physically disconnect the battery from the motherboard? Am I still going to be able to use the Acer notebook? I intend to use it plugged in most of the time, so in order to effectively keep the battery integrity for longevity purposes I'd rather have it physically disconnected if not in use.

JackE

CPU & GPU are integrated in this A515-45 model. So they are one and the same chip. Only the A515-45G model has the separate discrete GPU in addition to the integrated CPU/GPU.

Some mainboards won't power on plugged in with the battery disconnected. Battery longevity isn't affected much by not using it since it has a shelf life. It typically loses between 10-20% of its full charge capacity every year. Furthermore, it also self dischareges with time. If it self-discharges to below the critical 5% charge level without being charged, the battery can be destroyed.

So I'd advise not disconnecting the battery.

ConceptIA

JackE said:

Some mainboards won't power on plugged in with the battery disconnected. Battery longevity isn't affected much by not using it since it has a shelf life. It typically loses between 10-20% of its full charge capacity every year. Furthermore, it also self dischareges with time. If it self-discharges to below the critical 5% charge level without being charged, the battery can be destroyed.

Well I hope this motherboard version will power on without any battery connected then, because I know for sure that if I use the notebook plugged in with the battery charging at 99-100% all the time, it will affect the battery's overall life and health not only due to accumulated heat but also because it's trying to keep it full at all times, and batteries don't really like any either extremes (empty or full).

If possible, I plan on physically removing the battery at 100% and then recharging it periodically, but not keeping it connected all the time if not in use.

JackE

>>>because I know for sure that if I use the notebook plugged in with the battery charging at 99-100% all the time,>>>

How do you know this for sure? Did you read it somewhere on the internet? So that means it must be true?

You are asking for trouble by not regularly cycling the battery and only relying  on the charger to provide power needed for heavy gaming loads. Sometimes the load will be so great the charger can't provide it. The battery is needed as an electrical ballast for system stability.

I'm not quite sure why you are fixating on the battery longevity at the risk of destabilizing or damaging the rest of the laptop. Brand new replacement batteries for this model are only about $30usd. Damaging other laptop components can be a lot more expensive.

ConceptIA

JackE said:

>>>because I know for sure that if I use the notebook plugged in with the battery charging at 99-100% all the time,>>>

How do you know this for sure? Did you read it somewhere on the internet? So that means it must be true?

You are asking for trouble by not regularly cycling the battery and only relying  on the charger to provide power needed for heavy gaming loads. Sometimes the load will be so great the charger can't provide it. The battery is needed as an electrical ballast for system stability.

I'm not quite sure why you are fixating on the battery longevity at the risk of destabilizing or damaging the rest of the laptop. Brand new replacement batteries for this model are only about $30usd. Damaging other laptop components can be a lot more expensive.

Well, first off I'm talking about the battery because you brought it up in the first place. Secondly, battery longevity is something I really like and am passionate about, especially because of smartphone manufacturers decision to go "non-removable batteries" now, and one can assume why that is.

And oh well, yes I've read things on the internet the same way I am reading your posts here. What's the difference anyway?

I also wonder how would physically removing the battery cause any damage to other components, I can't see the logic in your statement. Quite the contrary. That would be one less component emitting heat. And if your statement is actually true about the battery being a "electrical ballast for system stability", which I actually never heard of, perhaps using a more powerful than stock charger would do it. Wouldn't it?

ConceptIA

JackE said:

>>>because I know for sure that if I use the notebook plugged in with the battery charging at 99-100% all the time,>>>

How do you know this for sure? Did you read it somewhere on the internet? So that means it must be true?

You are asking for trouble by not regularly cycling the battery and only relying  on the charger to provide power needed for heavy gaming loads. Sometimes the load will be so great the charger can't provide it. The battery is needed as an electrical ballast for system stability.

I'm not quite sure why you are fixating on the battery longevity at the risk of destabilizing or damaging the rest of the laptop. Brand new replacement batteries for this model are only about $30usd. Damaging other laptop components can be a lot more expensive.

Well, first off I'm only talking about battery because you brought it up in the first place. Secondly, I'm not sure why you are talking about risk of destabilizing or damaging laptop components, your logic doesn't make sense as physically removing the battery means one less component emitting heat inside the laptop.

And oh yes, I've read about battery usage on the internet the same way I'm reading your posts here. What's the difference? Should I not believe in your words too?

The reason I am passionate about battery usage and longevity is because of smartphones manufacturers not making removable batteries anymore, and one can easily assume why that is. Also I've never heard of laptop batteries acting as an "electrical ballast for system stability". If that really is the case, then using a more powerful power adapter could solve the "issue". Don't you think?

JackE

You've posted multiple threads with questions on the ntegrated cpu/gpu, tdp, power supply, mainly to try to increase performance. Quite simply, the battery and the charger go hand in hand when trying achieve max performance from this machine.

This is not a laptop designed for gaming. So it has certain limitations. As mentioned earlier, max performance possible for the longest play time can be achieved with a fully 100% charged battery and plugged in BEFORE starting gaming. This is because the battery and charger must both supply power at times of very high loads between 100% and about 50% level. Without both being available, the system becomes unstable at high loads.

Also mentioned earlier, you can increase the play time but not performance  at max load with the bigger 65watt A515-45G charger. But even the higher power charger at times may be stressed and overheated.  So the battery kicks in again as a power ballast to complement the charger and stabilize the system. A charged battery is quite capable of delivering far more power for limited time than even the 65watt charger if need be

If it was my machine, I would keep the battery connected, regularly cycled and not risk collateral damage by repeatedly opening & closing the base cover because of some notions about what's best for the battery. But it's not my machine. So it's your decision to do what I'd do or not.     

ConceptIA

So I ran a little test yesterday removing the battery and oh boy the laptop became sluggish. Not sure if it was because of the lower clock frequency or what, but I noticed the fans did not kick in the way it normally would and that kind of concerned me.

I still haven't got the chance to test it with a bigger power adapter though. Would you be so kind to also recommend compatible power adapters ranging from 90-125w?

My Acer laptop model is the A515-45-R2A3.

ttttt

@JackE and @ConceptIA

Both @ConceptIA and I have other brand laptops with easy removable batteries. Removing the battery and just using AC is just fine with my old Dell laptop, and it has longevity, estimated to be eight years old and going.

I'll try to take out the battery of my A515-46-R14K the next time I open the back of it. Unlike other batteries that are just around USD $20-$30 range, for possible replacement cost estimate, I found out that the battery probably cost close to USD $90, which is a significant percentage of the laptop's cost ( bought it for USD $360 only). I doubt if I'll keep the laptop in case I need to replace the battery.

That is why both @ConceptIA and I do not like about Acer's design must have the battery connected for the laptops, and I think @ConceptIA is trying to use a higher power charger to bypass the battery. I'll probably do the same if @ConceptIA succeed.

When I chose my cell phone, I intentionally looked for those with removable batteries too. Manufacturers go for non-removal batteries on cell phones or laptops are for their benefits.

JackE

>>>Would you be so kind to also recommend compatible power adapters ranging from 90-125w?>>>

You can try --- but I don't recommend --- a universal 120w charger like shown below. There are many manufacturers of adapter like these. Google search keyword universal laptop charger for vendors and prices to ship to your location.