Need help upgrading my Predator Laptop (PH315-52) SSD. Do I take a risk?

So, I have a Predator Helios 300 (2019): PH315-52. It has a RTX 2060 (6 GB) and a 16 GB RAM.

I have always wanted to upgrade the storage. Currently, I have a 1 TB HDD installed (and this is where all my 800 GB of games are), and a 250 GB SSD. On the SSD, I have Windows installed and nothing else. This was how the system came, right off the bat.

Now, here comes the tricky part:

This laptop has 2 m.2 slots - at least by all specs online and opening/upgrade videos online. I am not sure if the second is also nVME, but it may be…

I want to add a 2 TB SSD in one slot. I am reading mixed opinions, saying that this will /not/ work, as the slots can only hold 1 TB per slot. Is this true? And I am also reading people have been able to add a 2 TB in one slot with it working…so, I am confused.

I desperately need the space - I will be off to graduate school soon, and I barely have 100 gigs on this laptop combined. Plus, I would absolutely love to game on a SSD…but, if I do install a 2 TB SSD (it's not cheap either, but I haven't bought it…) could it harm my laptop?

I am not very technically inclined, so please help.

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brummyfan2

Hi,

Yes, the second slot is for PCIe/SATA M.2 SSD, you can use either a M.2 NVMe SSD or a M.2 SATA SSD in the second slot, as for the capacity of the SSD question, Crucial have adverised 2TB and even a 4TB M.2 NVMe SSD as compatible with this model, so I think you can use a 2TB NVMe SSD in the second slot but make sure to check the returns policy of the retailer, I would suggest you buy from Amazon because they have a very good returns policy, I am confident that 99% you will be fine with a 2TB SSD but I haven't seen anyone installed a 2TB M.2 NVMe SSD in this model.

https://uk.crucial.com/compatible-upgrade-for/acer/predator-ph315-52

https://www.userbenchmark.com/UserRun/46372300

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/584939/predator-ph315-52-78vl-2nd-m-2-nvme-and-ssd

https://www.memorycow.co.uk/laptop/acer/predator-helios-300-series/acer-predator-helios-300-ph315-52-78vl-laptop

WraithX

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1191605#Comment_1191605

Hello,

Thank you so much for this!

I can't find this exact model on Amazon India, though - the one available is pricey, and also I read this in the FAQ:

Your Acer helios 300 2019 laptop comes with PCIe 3.0 NVMe M.2 and Intel 9th Gen processor.
You cannot get the full power of this Crucial P5 Plus SSD, so you better try to get a cheaper PCIe 3.0 NVMe M.2 instead.

Is this true?

Here's the link: https://www.amazon.in/Crucial-Plus-PCIe-NAND-6600MB/dp/B098WKQRDL

99% does bode well, but I'm honestly very nervous. I too think it should work but I really don't know, and there is no returns policy on this one :(

Can I/should I try other, cheaper options? Could you help with selection, if possible?

brummyfan2

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1191614#Comment_1191614

Yes, your motherboard supports Gen 3 M.2 SSDs but Gen 4 SSD will work because it's backward compatible, Gen4 SSD will only run at Gen 3 speeds and you will not benefit the high speeds provided by the Gen 4 SSDs.

You could consider a 2TB used drive at a cheaper price on any auction sites or even a M.2 SATA SSD because you are going to use the second SSD as a storage device.

https://www.onlyssd.com/buy/wd-blue-sn570-m-2-2280-2tb-pci-express-3-0-x4-tlc-nvme-ssd-wds200t3b0c/

https://www.onlyssd.com/buy/evm-2tb-nvme-ssd-evmnv-2tb/

WraithX

Oh wow. Thank you for this!

So, that WD Blue should also work, right? The one you linked is at a pretty good price…I hope it is not the case that only the Crucial one is compatible?

I have been wanting to upgrade for a very long time and I am nervous. Have all sorts of irrational thoughts in my head. There is no way that inserting that can harm my laptop, right?

And will it be as simple as installing it? Do I have to do some configuration after insertion to get Windows to read it, or will it automatically be read?

brummyfan2

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1191641#Comment_1191641

Yes, it's very easy to upgrade and it won't damage the laptop, watch few videos like in the link and familiarise with the procedure, take your time opening the back cover and use a anti-static wristband like in the link to avoid any static electricity damage to the motherboard components, Windows should recognise the SSD straight away as shown in the video, once you open the base cover disconnect the battery, press power button to discharge any electricity, then install the SSD.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/TRIXES-Anti-static-Wristband-Wrist-Discharge/dp/B004TQRFPE/ref=asc_df_B004TQRFPE/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=218230750958&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=8278246579342384479&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9045529&hvtargid=pla-402835850534&psc=1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdwSzRLftFE

WraithX

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1191680#Comment_1191680

Hi

Just wanted to ask - and sorry for the late reply, but I still haven't bought it yet - would this SSD also work? Because if it does, I will buy it today.