Is there an empty drive bay for the Swift 3, specifically SF315-51G-51CE ? Support says there isn't!

Abstracted
Abstracted Member Posts: 20 Troubleshooter
edited November 2023 in 2018 Archives
Chatted with level 1 support and they say that there is not an empty HD bay for model SF315-51G-51CE . 

Can anyone confirm this?

Best Answers

  • ven98
    ven98 ACE Posts: 4,073 Pathfinder
    Answer ✓
    All sf315-51g have the same motherboards, the last 4 digits are about how the laptop is configured. For example how much RAM and amount of storage is installed. So if 518S has 2 M.2 ports, then 51CE has the same amount, including all other sf315-51g laptops.
    Always post the following characterisitcs of the device:
    -Model number
    -Part number(not required, but helpful)
    -CPU
    -GPU
    -Operating system

    Helios 300 and Nitro 5 users DO NOT update the BIOS to version 1.22 if you don't want the keyboard's backlight to turn off after 30 seconds even when the device is plugged in.


    Hit 'Like' if you find the answer helpful!   
    Click on 'Yes' if the comment answers your question!

  • ven98
    ven98 ACE Posts: 4,073 Pathfinder
    Answer ✓
    Yes, you can only fit 2.5inch Sata drive up to 9.5mm thickness and recommended amount of storage up to 2TB.
    Always post the following characterisitcs of the device:
    -Model number
    -Part number(not required, but helpful)
    -CPU
    -GPU
    -Operating system

    Helios 300 and Nitro 5 users DO NOT update the BIOS to version 1.22 if you don't want the keyboard's backlight to turn off after 30 seconds even when the device is plugged in.


    Hit 'Like' if you find the answer helpful!   
    Click on 'Yes' if the comment answers your question!

  • brummyfan2
    brummyfan2 ACE Posts: 28,459 Trailblazer
    Answer ✓

    Hi,
    I there's an empty space for HDD, your model comes with two M.2 SSD slots and an empty space for HDD. You can find it in this discussion:htts://community.acer. com/en/discussion/comment/542099#Comment_542099

    Thanks for the quick reply.

    I'm familiar with that thread. But I'm concerned that my SF315-51G-51CE is different than the SF315-51-518S in that post.

    There seems to be a lot of SF315 versions with multiple configurations.

    I apologize, but are you 100% certain that the 
    SF315-51G-51CE has two M.2 SSD slots and an empty space for HDD?

    Hi,
    No need to apologize, it's better to clear the doubts before you buy, yes there are different MBs are installed in this model, if the acer support says there's no space for HDD, it could be related to in which region it's sold.
    https://www.notebookcheck.net/Acer-Swift-3-SF315-8250U-MX150-FHD-Laptop-Review.258594.0.html

«1

Answers

  • Hi,
    I there's an empty space for HDD, your model comes with two M.2 SSD slots and an empty space for HDD. You can find it in this discussion:https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/542099#Comment_542099

  • Abstracted
    Abstracted Member Posts: 20 Troubleshooter

    Hi,
    I there's an empty space for HDD, your model comes with two M.2 SSD slots and an empty space for HDD. You can find it in this discussion:htts://community.acer. com/en/discussion/comment/542099#Comment_542099

    Thanks for the quick reply.

    I'm familiar with that thread. But I'm concerned that my SF315-51G-51CE is different than the SF315-51-518S in that post.

    There seems to be a lot of SF315 versions with multiple configurations.

    I apologize, but are you 100% certain that the 
    SF315-51G-51CE has two M.2 SSD slots and an empty space for HDD?
  • ven98
    ven98 ACE Posts: 4,073 Pathfinder
    Answer ✓
    All sf315-51g have the same motherboards, the last 4 digits are about how the laptop is configured. For example how much RAM and amount of storage is installed. So if 518S has 2 M.2 ports, then 51CE has the same amount, including all other sf315-51g laptops.
    Always post the following characterisitcs of the device:
    -Model number
    -Part number(not required, but helpful)
    -CPU
    -GPU
    -Operating system

    Helios 300 and Nitro 5 users DO NOT update the BIOS to version 1.22 if you don't want the keyboard's backlight to turn off after 30 seconds even when the device is plugged in.


    Hit 'Like' if you find the answer helpful!   
    Click on 'Yes' if the comment answers your question!

  • Abstracted
    Abstracted Member Posts: 20 Troubleshooter
    One is a SF315-51G and the other is a SF315-51. They both have the same motherboards?
  • ven98
    ven98 ACE Posts: 4,073 Pathfinder
    The only difference I can find is that sf315-51g has dedicated GPU GTX 150MX, unlike sf315-51, which has only integrated GPU-Intel HD graphics 620. Otherwise the ports for storage are the same:

    M.2 2280 SATA SSD (SATA 3.0) up to 512GB
    M.2 2280 up to 512GB NVMe SSD (PCIe Gen3 x 4)

    Always post the following characterisitcs of the device:
    -Model number
    -Part number(not required, but helpful)
    -CPU
    -GPU
    -Operating system

    Helios 300 and Nitro 5 users DO NOT update the BIOS to version 1.22 if you don't want the keyboard's backlight to turn off after 30 seconds even when the device is plugged in.


    Hit 'Like' if you find the answer helpful!   
    Click on 'Yes' if the comment answers your question!

  • Abstracted
    Abstracted Member Posts: 20 Troubleshooter
    ven98 said:
    The only difference I can find is that sf315-51g has dedicated GPU GTX 150MX, unlike sf315-51, which has only integrated GPU-Intel HD graphics 620. Otherwise the ports for storage are the same:

    M.2 2280 SATA SSD (SATA 3.0) up to 512GB
    M.2 2280 up to 512GB NVMe SSD (PCIe Gen3 x 4)

    And most importantly for me, as I have a 2.5" SATA SSD I'd like to install, there's an open space to mount a third 2.5" HDD as long as I get the requisite bracket?
     
  • ven98
    ven98 ACE Posts: 4,073 Pathfinder
    Answer ✓
    Yes, you can only fit 2.5inch Sata drive up to 9.5mm thickness and recommended amount of storage up to 2TB.
    Always post the following characterisitcs of the device:
    -Model number
    -Part number(not required, but helpful)
    -CPU
    -GPU
    -Operating system

    Helios 300 and Nitro 5 users DO NOT update the BIOS to version 1.22 if you don't want the keyboard's backlight to turn off after 30 seconds even when the device is plugged in.


    Hit 'Like' if you find the answer helpful!   
    Click on 'Yes' if the comment answers your question!

  • brummyfan2
    brummyfan2 ACE Posts: 28,459 Trailblazer
    Answer ✓

    Hi,
    I there's an empty space for HDD, your model comes with two M.2 SSD slots and an empty space for HDD. You can find it in this discussion:htts://community.acer. com/en/discussion/comment/542099#Comment_542099

    Thanks for the quick reply.

    I'm familiar with that thread. But I'm concerned that my SF315-51G-51CE is different than the SF315-51-518S in that post.

    There seems to be a lot of SF315 versions with multiple configurations.

    I apologize, but are you 100% certain that the 
    SF315-51G-51CE has two M.2 SSD slots and an empty space for HDD?

    Hi,
    No need to apologize, it's better to clear the doubts before you buy, yes there are different MBs are installed in this model, if the acer support says there's no space for HDD, it could be related to in which region it's sold.
    https://www.notebookcheck.net/Acer-Swift-3-SF315-8250U-MX150-FHD-Laptop-Review.258594.0.html

  • Abstracted
    Abstracted Member Posts: 20 Troubleshooter
    Thanks everyone for your input!

    This laptop is really amazing: 3 HDD options, and with 2 up-gradable RAM slots. WOW!
  • Roen
    Roen Member Posts: 1 New User
    edited January 2018
    Which 256 GB SSD came in the 51G-51CE? A M.2 SATA or an M.2 NVMe?

    Additionally, why can the laptop not support more than 2 TB or a faster spinning HDD than 5400 RPM?
  • raghavk
    raghavk Member Posts: 12

    Tinkerer

    edited April 2018
    Hi,

    @brummyfan2 I wanted to ask a few questions below. Thanks for all your above replies. Really helpful.
    1)which drive does the laptop come installed with : M.2 Nvme (PCIe gen 3x4) or M.2 Sata? 
    2)And how easy is it to fit the ssd inside the laptop. ?
    3)do i need to disconnect the io ffc cable and any other ffc cable to put the new ssd inside?
    4) Is the ram by any chance upgradable from 8gb to 16gb ? Are there any more slots for ram or is it soldered to the motherboard?

    Thanks
  • brummyfan2
    brummyfan2 ACE Posts: 28,459 Trailblazer
    Hi,
    1.Most probably with a M.2 SATA SSD.
    https://www.notebookcheck.net/Acer-Swift-3-SF315-i5-7200U-GeForce-MX150-Laptop-Review.257492.0.html
    2. It's not very difficult but at the same time it's not straight forward as well. Once you remove the back cover, you will have to remove two screws to fold back a Aluminium cover to access the SSD slot, insert the SSD and secure it with the screw, cover it with the mylar tape, then cover it with the Aluminium foil, tighten with 2 screws which you removed initially.

    3. No, I don't thing any FFC cables obstructing the SSD.
    4. There are no slots for memory upgrades as they are soldered to the MB.
    HTH.
  • raghavk
    raghavk Member Posts: 12

    Tinkerer

    Hi,Thanks for your reply.
  • brummyfan2
    brummyfan2 ACE Posts: 28,459 Trailblazer
    raghavk said:
    Hi,Thanks for your reply.

    You are welcome :)
  • raghavk
    raghavk Member Posts: 12

    Tinkerer

    edited April 2018
    @brummyfan2
    Hi,I  have got the computer .Mine is the 8250U model SF315-51G-51CE. I checked that it has Intel NVMe drive (PCIe 3x4) pre installed. So i wanted to know which type of empty slot is available in the pc. As you mentioned above that there are two slots one for SATA and one NVMe so are you sure that with the current situation the empty slot has to be SATA 3.0 or is it possible that because they upgraded the pre installed ssd to NVMe they could have made both slots NVMe ? 

    2) Is there any way I can check which type of empty slot it is without first opening the pc. And I checked two places I dont know if they give some relevant information but I checked in device manager  it says there are three types of storage controllers - Intel chipset sata raid controller, microsoft storage spaces controller, and standard nvme express controller. I checked the BIOS it says HD0 - Intel nvme drive , HD1 - None and i checked (Intel Rapid storage technology desktop app which shows there is some internal empty port 2 for storage but none of them confirm which type of Slot in them . Can you make out anything from the above information? Can i do something or install some software to find the information about the slot?

    Thanks
  • brummyfan2
    brummyfan2 ACE Posts: 28,459 Trailblazer
    edited April 2018
    Hi raghavk,
    1. If you have a NVMe SSD pre-installed, the other slot has to be SATA but now I couldn't find the second slot in the MB, so I am unable to help you to find the exact location at the moment but will try my best to find out.
    It looks like you have only one slot for M.2 SSD but you said 2 empty ports reported by IRST, I think it's better to give a call to Acer Support centre.
    http://www.acer.com/worldwide/support/
    2. You could try using HWiNFO64 Free program to get information about your system but it has given me only the connected ports details.
    I have 2 SATA M.2 SSDs(RAID) and a HDD in my laptop, I have enclosed the readings shown in HWiNFO64.
    Run the program, expand Bus, expand PCI Bus then expand further(by clicking the + signs) to get the details of each port.

  • brummyfan2
    brummyfan2 ACE Posts: 28,459 Trailblazer
    edited April 2018
    @raghavk
    I could find only one M.2 slot on the motherboard, It may be a PCIe/NVMe slot backward compatible with M.2 SATA SSD.

  • raghavk
    raghavk Member Posts: 12

    Tinkerer

    edited April 2018
    @brummyfan2
    hi, Thanks for your response.So i have some more information to share. 
    1) So the image you are showing is of sf315-51g-51ce ? If yes then is the information about two M.2 slots and hdd is not right because i was hoping as being a 15inch pc it would have all the slots.

    2) And I am attaching two images from Hwinfo64 program if this helps in determining if it has an extra port.And two images are from IRST App is of IRST app.




  • raghavk
    raghavk Member Posts: 12

    Tinkerer

    @brummyfan2
    Hi, And as you asked I contacted acer support . They dont have any information about a second M.2 slot also . But there is a review on amazon of the 14 inch model which came with M.2 NVMe ssd and that person reported after opening the cover that there are 2 M.2 slots but he also couldn't check which type it was. And on amazon.com the 15inch model's question and answers section had a similar question to which acer reported 
    "Yes, this model has one M.2 slot supporting : 
    M.2 2280 128GB/256GB/512GB SATA SSD (SATA 3.0) 
    M.2 2280 256GB/512GB NVMe SSD (PCIe Gen3 x 4)
    &
    While the system supports both NVMe and SATA SSD's, this model comes with a SATA SSD drive. There is not a second available slot to add a second drive to this model.    "

    But one person verified purchase on amazon of the 14inch 52G model reported that there are 2 M.2 slots in which one is 256 gb NVMe pre installed and he installed 1tb NVMe to the second M.2 slot and reported that acer's answer was wrong which was the same as above of only having 1 M.2 slot. 

    1)So i really am confused . How do i get to know. ?
    2) Can i go to acer service center and will they open it  and tell me exactly if there is a slot or not. I dont really want to go right now if I can get the information without it but will they help and would i void the waranty if i get it opened by someone else other than acer to see?