I need help for upgrading ram and ssd for my Nitro 5 an515-57-55m3

My model : nitro 5 an515-57-55M3, Intel i5 11400h processor with rtx3050ti video graphic card.

I want to upgrade my ram to 16gb dual channel ram but i'm not sure about whether different brands of rams will cause any problems or not even though being same specs.

My current built in ram is A-data ao1p32nc8t1-bgxs 8gb Ddr4 3200mhz cl22 ram. I want to buy Crucial 8GB DDR4-3200 SODIMM CT8G4SFRA32A. Will the difference of brand, even though being the same specs will cause any trouble to the laptop and will they run with dual channel ?

As i looked to the forums with same models, i guess that my model has two Nvme m.2 slots too, the first being gen4 and the second slot being gen3 ssd slots. My current main drive ssd is Sk hynix Hfm512gd3jx016n 512gb ssd.

I want to keep my gen3 sk hynix ssd as my main drive and add 1tb gen3 nvme m.2 ssd to the second slot. I wonder does putting a gen4 ssd to the first slot and moving my boot drive to the secondary slot would improve any gaming performance ? And on the market there is cheaper nvme m.2 ssd's with lower write and read speeds. What is the minimum of the write and read speeds in order to get good gaming performance, or at least same speed as my main drive ? Also what specs of ssd's should i look into in order to be compatible with my laptop, i saw things as M key and B key differences, M.2 2242 vs M.2 2280 etc.?

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Accepted answers

GAMING6698

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/711943/i-need-help-for-upgrading-ram-and-ssd-for-my-nitro-5-an515-57-55m3

RAM Upgrade

You can safely mix different RAM brands in your Acer Nitro 5 AN515-57-55M3, as long as they have the same specifications (DDR4, 3200MHz, CL22). The Crucial 8GB DDR4-3200 SODIMM CT8G4SFRA32A will be compatible and run in dual channel mode with your existing A-data 8GB RAM.

(Still From your side just make sure and confirm both rams have equal frequency, cl rate, voltage and size for best dual channel performance)

SSD Upgrade

Your laptop has two M.2 SSD slots:

Slot 1: PCIe Gen4
Slot 2: PCIe Gen3

To upgrade your storage:

Putting a Gen4 SSD in Slot 1 won't improve gaming performance over your current Gen3 SSD. In future games may get optimize and able to use gen4 ssd fully and more effectively (i heard direct storage feature supported by some gen4 ssd which will improvperformance in future) but for now gen 3 is enough for good gaming performance, look for SSDs with:

Sequential read speeds of at least 2000 MB/s
Sequential write speeds of at least 1500 MB/s

Your laptop supports the following M.2 SSD specs:

M-key connector
2280 (80mm) form factor
PCIe Gen3 or Gen4 interface

Avoid M.2 SATA SSDs, as they are slower than PCIe NVMe SSDs. Cheaper NVMe SSDs with lower speeds may not provide the same performance as your main drive.

Here are some recommended Gen 4 SSDs that meet your desired read and write speeds for gaming:

1. Samsung 990 Pro

Read Speed: Up to 7,450 MB/s
Write Speed: Up to 6,900 MB/s
Capacity Options: Up to 4TB
Notes: Known for excellent performance and reliability, making it a top choice for gaming.

2. WD Black SN850X

Read Speed: Up to 7,300 MB/s
Write Speed: Up to 6,600 MB/s
Capacity Options: Up to 4TB
Notes: Offers great performance in gaming and general use, with an optional heatsink.

3. Kingston Fury Renegade

Read Speed: Up to 7,300 MB/s
Write Speed: Up to 7,000 MB/s
Capacity Options: Up to 4TB
Notes: Designed for gamers, this SSD provides high performance and durability.

4. Crucial P5 Plus

Read Speed: Up to 6,600 MB/s
Write Speed: Up to 5,000 MB/s
Capacity Options: Up to 2TB
Notes: A solid choice for gamers looking for good performance at a competitive price.

These SSDs are well-suited for gaming and will provide excellent performance in your setup, especially when paired with your existing hardware.

Here are some recommended Gen 3 SSDs suitable for gaming:

1. Crucial P3

Read Speed: Up to 3500 MB/s
Write Speed: Up to 3000 MB/s
Capacity Options: Up to 4TB
Notes: A solid choice for budget-conscious users, providing good performance for gaming.

2. Western Digital Blue SN570

Read Speed: Up to 3500 MB/s
Write Speed: Up to 3000 MB/s
Capacity Options: Up to 2TB
Notes: Offers reliable performance and is well-suited for gaming and general use.

3. Samsung 970 EVO Plus

Read Speed: Up to 3500 MB/s
Write Speed: Up to 3300 MB/s
Capacity Options: Up to 2TB
Notes: Known for its high performance and durability, making it a great option for gamers.

4. Kingston A2000

Read Speed: Up to 2200 MB/s
Write Speed: Up to 2000 MB/s
Capacity Options: Up to 1TB
Notes: A budget-friendly option that still provides decent performance for gaming.

These Gen 3 SSDs will provide good performance for gaming, especially if you're looking for a cost-effective solution.

Note- you can use a Gen 3 SSD in a Gen 4 slot without any issues. PCIe slots are backward compatible, meaning that a Gen 3 NVMe SSD will work perfectly in a Gen 4 M.2 slot. The SSD will operate at Gen 3 speeds, which is typically sufficient for most applications and gaming scenarios.

GAMING6698

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1295211#Comment_1295211

When upgrading the SSD and RAM in your Acer laptop, it's essential to take specific safety measures to protect both yourself and the device. Here are the recommended steps:

Power Down and Disconnect: Ensure your laptop is completely powered off and unplugged from any power source. Remove any external devices like USB drives.
Ground Yourself: To prevent static electricity from damaging sensitive components, ground yourself by touching a metal surface or wearing an anti-static wrist strap.
Use Proper Tools: Gather necessary tools, such as a small Phillips screwdriver and a plastic prying tool. Avoid working on fabric surfaces to minimize static risk.
Check Youtube video on upgrading ram and ssd on your laptop
Handle Components Carefully: When installing new RAM or an SSD, handle them by the edges to avoid touching the circuitry.
Do it carefully don'samage any component.

By following these safety measures, you can reduce the risk of damage to your laptop and ensure a smooth upgrade process.

All comments

GAMING6698

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/711943/i-need-help-for-upgrading-ram-and-ssd-for-my-nitro-5-an515-57-55m3

RAM Upgrade

You can safely mix different RAM brands in your Acer Nitro 5 AN515-57-55M3, as long as they have the same specifications (DDR4, 3200MHz, CL22). The Crucial 8GB DDR4-3200 SODIMM CT8G4SFRA32A will be compatible and run in dual channel mode with your existing A-data 8GB RAM.

(Still From your side just make sure and confirm both rams have equal frequency, cl rate, voltage and size for best dual channel performance)

SSD Upgrade

Your laptop has two M.2 SSD slots:

Slot 1: PCIe Gen4
Slot 2: PCIe Gen3

To upgrade your storage:

Putting a Gen4 SSD in Slot 1 won't improve gaming performance over your current Gen3 SSD. In future games may get optimize and able to use gen4 ssd fully and more effectively (i heard direct storage feature supported by some gen4 ssd which will improvperformance in future) but for now gen 3 is enough for good gaming performance, look for SSDs with:

Sequential read speeds of at least 2000 MB/s
Sequential write speeds of at least 1500 MB/s

Your laptop supports the following M.2 SSD specs:

M-key connector
2280 (80mm) form factor
PCIe Gen3 or Gen4 interface

Avoid M.2 SATA SSDs, as they are slower than PCIe NVMe SSDs. Cheaper NVMe SSDs with lower speeds may not provide the same performance as your main drive.

Here are some recommended Gen 4 SSDs that meet your desired read and write speeds for gaming:

1. Samsung 990 Pro

Read Speed: Up to 7,450 MB/s
Write Speed: Up to 6,900 MB/s
Capacity Options: Up to 4TB
Notes: Known for excellent performance and reliability, making it a top choice for gaming.

2. WD Black SN850X

Read Speed: Up to 7,300 MB/s
Write Speed: Up to 6,600 MB/s
Capacity Options: Up to 4TB
Notes: Offers great performance in gaming and general use, with an optional heatsink.

3. Kingston Fury Renegade

Read Speed: Up to 7,300 MB/s
Write Speed: Up to 7,000 MB/s
Capacity Options: Up to 4TB
Notes: Designed for gamers, this SSD provides high performance and durability.

4. Crucial P5 Plus

Read Speed: Up to 6,600 MB/s
Write Speed: Up to 5,000 MB/s
Capacity Options: Up to 2TB
Notes: A solid choice for gamers looking for good performance at a competitive price.

These SSDs are well-suited for gaming and will provide excellent performance in your setup, especially when paired with your existing hardware.

Here are some recommended Gen 3 SSDs suitable for gaming:

1. Crucial P3

Read Speed: Up to 3500 MB/s
Write Speed: Up to 3000 MB/s
Capacity Options: Up to 4TB
Notes: A solid choice for budget-conscious users, providing good performance for gaming.

2. Western Digital Blue SN570

Read Speed: Up to 3500 MB/s
Write Speed: Up to 3000 MB/s
Capacity Options: Up to 2TB
Notes: Offers reliable performance and is well-suited for gaming and general use.

3. Samsung 970 EVO Plus

Read Speed: Up to 3500 MB/s
Write Speed: Up to 3300 MB/s
Capacity Options: Up to 2TB
Notes: Known for its high performance and durability, making it a great option for gamers.

4. Kingston A2000

Read Speed: Up to 2200 MB/s
Write Speed: Up to 2000 MB/s
Capacity Options: Up to 1TB
Notes: A budget-friendly option that still provides decent performance for gaming.

These Gen 3 SSDs will provide good performance for gaming, especially if you're looking for a cost-effective solution.

Note- you can use a Gen 3 SSD in a Gen 4 slot without any issues. PCIe slots are backward compatible, meaning that a Gen 3 NVMe SSD will work perfectly in a Gen 4 M.2 slot. The SSD will operate at Gen 3 speeds, which is typically sufficient for most applications and gaming scenarios.

Zatastralis

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1295201#Comment_1295201

Hello, thank you so much for your quick and very informative respond. You answered all the things i was wondering.

One more thing i want to know is that is there anything that i need to be cautious of during the new component installation since this is my first attempt of installing components, like avoiding possible short circuit problems or any possible physical damage(possible parts that i might need to be super careful) etc. If so, how can i avoid them ?

And also is there any additional steps that i need to follow after installing the new ram and ssd, like changing some settings ?

GAMING6698

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1295211#Comment_1295211

When upgrading the SSD and RAM in your Acer laptop, it's essential to take specific safety measures to protect both yourself and the device. Here are the recommended steps:

Power Down and Disconnect: Ensure your laptop is completely powered off and unplugged from any power source. Remove any external devices like USB drives.
Ground Yourself: To prevent static electricity from damaging sensitive components, ground yourself by touching a metal surface or wearing an anti-static wrist strap.
Use Proper Tools: Gather necessary tools, such as a small Phillips screwdriver and a plastic prying tool. Avoid working on fabric surfaces to minimize static risk.
Check Youtube video on upgrading ram and ssd on your laptop
Handle Components Carefully: When installing new RAM or an SSD, handle them by the edges to avoid touching the circuitry.
Do it carefully don'samage any component.

By following these safety measures, you can reduce the risk of damage to your laptop and ensure a smooth upgrade process.

Zatastralis

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1295282#Comment_1295282

Thank you for your help, have a nice day !

Zatastralis

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1295282#Comment_1295282

Hello, after upgrading with the ram i linked, total of 16 gb's, the ram speed is decreased to 2933mhz. Is there any way to get back my old 3200 mhz ?

GAMING6698

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1296373#Comment_1296373

This shouldn't be happening with compatible RAM. I believe you might have fake or faulty RAM. Try removing your Adata RAM and booting only with the Crucial RAM to see if the speed is still the same or if it changes to 3200 MHz.

Zatastralis

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1296375#Comment_1296375

I removed the a-data 8gb ram, left the crucial 8gb ram and booted. It shows the speed as 3200mhz so it is correct. What should i do now ?

GAMING6698

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1296383#Comment_1296383

Then both RAM modules are somehow incompatible. This is probably an internal issue, which is rare. You can either return this RAM and buy an A-DATA RAM that matches the OEM specifications, or sell the A-DATA RAM and purchase another pair of the same Crucial RAM.