Predator Triton 300 SE PT316-51s - Disassembly and SSD upgrade

Chris747 · November 2023

Hello all. I have a Predator Triton 300 SE (PT316-51s) and I would like to add a second M.2 SSD. I have a few questions:

Is there a Service Manual available for this machine? I can't seem to find one on the Acer site; and articles/videos on the Predator Triton 300 SE show a variety of different configurations — so it's not clear how to find the right instructions for this model.
What size Torx screwdriver do I need to remove the bottom cover screws?
Is there a slot for a second M.2 drive? If not, can I clone my drive to a larger one and simply replace it?

Thanks very much for any answers that community members can provide. Much appreciated.

[Edited the thread to add model name to the title]

brummyfan2 · November 2023

Hi,

You can view the Torque details in the picture attached, yes you have two Gen 4 M.2 SSD slots in your model, you can upgrade up to 2TB but I have seen users installed 1TB in each slot.

You can install a 2nd larger SSD in the second slot, clone the original drive to it, then swap the larger drive to the original slot and place the second SSD SSD in the second slot, once satisfied with the cloning process, you need to format the smaller original drive.

https://uk.crucial.com/compatible-upgrade-for/acer/predator-triton-300-pt316-51s?gclid=CjwKCAiAmZGrBhAnEiwAo9qHiV5REXoxz-F0ssSUOOSLU29y2ApeNVAQNrY6ZbO-veZD65LoLdxkmBoC-VwQAvD_BwE&cm_mmc=google-_-uk-_-brand-_-pmax&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&ef_id=ZWUk9gAABRBV1XA3:20231127232334:s

https://www.kingstonmemoryshop.co.uk/laptop/acer/acer-predator-triton-300-se-pt316-51s-xxxx-laptop

https://www.userbenchmark.com/UserRun/57787257

StevenGen · November 2023

Predator PT316-51s - Disassembly and SSD upgrade

Chris747

Nov 27, 2023

Hello all. I have a Predator Triton 300 SE (PT316-51s) and I would like to add a second M.2 SSD. I have a few questions:
Is there a Service Manual available for this machine? I can't seem to find one on the Acer site; and articles/videos on the Predator Triton 300 SE show a variety of different configurations — so it's not clear how to find the right instructions for this model.
What size Torx screwdriver do I need to remove the bottom cover screws?
Is there a slot for a second M.2 drive? If not, can I clone my drive to a larger one and simply replace it?
Thanks very much for any answers that community members can provide. Much appreciated.

Just in addition and speaking from personal experience as I'm using the Samsung 990 Pro NVMe M.2 drive in a desktop, your Predator Triton PT316-51s is a high end gaming/editing laptop from Acer, and it has 2x slots for 2x Gen4x4 type M.2 SSD drives. The best and quickest M.2 SSD is the Samsung 990 Pro NVMe M.2 SSD drive, it depends on what you intend to use the 2nd SSD2 M.2 drive for, if you intend to store games and edit video on the 2nd M.2 SSD than install a quick drive like the Samsung 990 Pro NVMe drive if you are not, then install a Crucial P5 M.2 drive or similar.

Chris747 · November 2023

Thank you both, @brummyfan2 and @StevenGen , for your answers. If you don't mind, I have a couple of follow-up questions.

@brummyfan2 - One of my questions was about Torx (not torque). The laptop uses Torx (star-shaped) screws, which require a Torx screwdriver. Those screws & screwdrivers come in a variety of sizes, and I was wondering what size the screws are so I can buy the right screwdriver.

I'm also confused about your statement that "you can upgrade up to 2TB". Does that mean each slot can have a drive with maximum 2TB of capacity — or that the total capacity in both slots cannot exceed 2TB? (I noticed that on the sites [Crucial, etc.] you linked to, there are 4TB drives listed as being compatible.)

@StevenGen , thanks for the recommendation. I used the Samsung in my last desktop build. For the laptop, I actually have a Predator GM7000 2TB NVMe that I was hoping to use.

Finally, I am still looking for a service manual for this machine, so any help finding it would be greatly appreciated.

Again, thank you both for your insights and information.

brummyfan2 · November 2023

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1244239#Comment_1244239

Hi,

It doesn't say anything about the screw driver size, I think you give the information about the screw type in my post to the sales person in the hardware store, they might give you a suitable screw driver.

As for the storage, Acer recommends 1TB in each slot(max 2TB) but as you said Crucial sell 4TB as compatible, it may or may not work, however, they say that they guarantee the upgrades so it's up to you to try a larger size SSD.

Chris747 · November 2023

Thanks again, @brummyfan2 ; much appreciated.

brummyfan2 · November 2023

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1244293#Comment_1244293

You are welcome 🙂

Tulio777 · October 2024

Hi Chris,

Did you upgrade the laptop? I would like to know which SDD had put.
Regards from Argentina

Chris747 · October 2024

Hello Tulio777 - Yes, I did. I used a Predator GM7000 2TB SSD.

StevenGen · October 2024

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1244239#Comment_1244239

The service manuals for Acer products are only available to ranked "Ace members" and we can't pass these SGs onto you but we can answer questions and give you captions on your Acer product from the SG.

If this answers your question and solved your query please "Click on Yes" or "Click on Like" if you find my answer useful👍

Chris747 · October 2024

@StevenGen - Which people are considered "Ace members" (or perhaps you meant "Acer mambers") ? How does one become an "Ace[r] member"?

StevenGen · October 2024

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1302380#Comment_1302380

Yes, I did mean "ACE" as that is a rating on the Acer community that certain members can achieve after many constructive and helpful advice to community members and then the moderators rank you, that is what I meant😁and then once your ranking is at an ACE level, one of the benefits is having access to the Dashboard and the Acer service guides.

If this answers your question and solved your query please "Click on Yes" or "Click on Like" if you find my answer useful👍

lfernandocouto · February 16

Friends,
Sorry for the question that may seem silly. But if I install a second SSD myself, will I lose my laptop's factory warranty?

StevenGen · February 17

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1326730#Comment_1326730

I don’t know which laptop you have, but as this post is regarding the Predator Triton 300 SE PT316-51s laptop which is a 2022 year model and its warranty has expired so it dosent apply to this laptop. But if you have an Acer laptop that is less than 12 months old and still under Acer warranty then it depends if Acer in your country hasn’t got an Acer warranty sticker stuck on the lower case cover or over the M.2 SSD2 slot, as they have this in certain countries where they don't want users to upgrade their laptops within the warranty period. So get into contact with Acer in your country, as that is the best solution as the below does not apply to every country.

If Acer doesn't have these warranty stickers then unscrew the back lid screws and then pry the back cover open and fit the new SSD into the slot yourself. Good luck.