Upgrading hardware !!! Acer A315 53g 5968

VinuVPMV · September 2019

Hi guys,
My device is Acer A315 53g 5968
In my system i found a vacant space under the hood which can fit almost 2 hdd. However i am planning to add 1 hdd. Since i have not empty port accessible and there is PCIE 1x port (i am not sure) connected to wireless modules i am planning to make use of it.
But i have a few doubt regarding the port

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6029997/uploads/editor/j5/iqk1sa35kuo0.jpg

Now my plan is

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6029997/uploads/editor/i8/fbpwkplgcfpm.jpg

Materials used

2 Nos PCIE extender
1 Nos Add on card ( PCIE to 2xUSB 3.0 output)
1 Nos male to male USB 3.0
1 Nos USB 3.0 to SATA HDD connector
1 Nos USB 3.0 (F) to PCIE raiser
1 Nos 1 TB 2.5 inch 5400 low profile HDD (storage)
1 Nos wireless card (stock)

Now my question is

What kind of PCIE slot is this ? (PCIE 1x, PCIE 4X, PCIE 8X, PCIE 16x, MPCIE)
What is the output (V) and Input (data speed) of the PCIE ?
Will there be any bios issue?
Can the add on card, HDD and Wifi card be powered by the PCIE slot ?
If it cant be powered is there any part i can share power from without disrupting or destroying the motherboard ( like extra fan port, keyboard backlight port etc)

Thanks for reading and your valuable thoughts.

VinuVPMV · September 2019

@egydiocoelho
@MaClane
@brummyfan2
@JackE

All are welcome to provide your valuable thoughts and information

Commodore_1995# · September 2019

Maybe you can add a ssd mini pcie that serves as a cache?
https://www.amazon.com.br/Msata-Kingston-Suv500ms-480gb-Flash/dp/B07C3YY66G/ref=asc_df_B07C3YY66G/?tag=googleshopp00-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=379728522226&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13760095559839605385&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1001538&hvtargid=pla-563757249002&psc=1

VinuVPMV · September 2019

egydiocoelho said:

Maybe you can add a ssd mini pcie that serves as a cache?
https://www.amazon.com.br/Msata-Kingston-Suv500ms-480gb-Flash/dp/B07C3YY66G/ref=asc_df_B07C3YY66G/?tag=googleshopp00-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=379728522226&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13760095559839605385&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1001538&hvtargid=pla-563757249002&psc=1

@egydiocoelho
i thought of that initially, but i hope i have PCI-E 1X port if that is the case the speed of SSD will be capped by the port. The maximum speed of PCIE 1x is somewhere around 500-600 MBps i am not sure

VinuVPMV · September 2019

@egydiocoelho by seeing the image of wifi port are you able to determine which PCI express is it?
i am having a doubt if it is PCIE 1X or Mini PCIE or PCIE 8x
totally confused on the part

brummyfan2 · September 2019

Hi,
The slot in question is PCIE x1, I am unable to answer other questions, sorry.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6029997/uploads/editor/pi/gwhj2gy9ow83.jpg

Deejay_tech · September 2019

whats the idea of adding another hdd ?
cant can replace your exixting hdd with a higher capacity one.

send pics or links of parts (pcie to usb 3.0 add on card, pcie extender)

btw, why do all this.?
just next to where your wifi card is screwed, there is a blank connector. it is labelled as JODD1(atlest on my m/b). i think ODD stands for Optical Disk Drive, which means it is a sata connector and the 2 nd hdd can be connected there.
just guessing ....

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6029997/uploads/editor/eb/q3hm93blouqw.jpg

if you are hell bent on occupying that space and add weight to the laptop, then a better idea would be to install 3 lithium cells there, connect it to your battery controller board (inside your battery, battery tear down needed). this will substantially boost the battery capacity.

VinuVPMV · September 2019

Deejay_tech said:

whats the idea of adding another hdd ?
cant can replace your exixting hdd with a higher capacity one.

send pics or links of parts (pcie to usb 3.0 add on card, pcie extender)

btw, why do all this.?
just next to where your wifi card is screwed, there is a blank connector. it is labelled as JODD1(atlest on my m/b). i think ODD stands for Optical Disk Drive, which means it is a sata connector and the 2 nd hdd can be connected there.
just guessing ....

@Deejay_tech
Well i have one 1 TB HDD lying around no use ( i don't wanna always connect and disconnect ) simply lazy

Mini PCI-E to Mini PCI-E Extender(male to female)

Mini PCI-E Extender -- https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32613558383.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.735230adWiqZgO&algo_pvid=a41cbdbd-86fa-4b2d-9a9f-18bae067ef8b&algo_expid=a41cbdbd-86fa-4b2d-9a9f-18bae067ef8b-16&btsid=e6247d98-f11f-4aa1-9f6f-6cc58cdcb4a9&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_4,searchweb201603_60

Mini PCI-E to Add-on card (4/2 USB 3.0 port converter)

HighProfile -- https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32997279899.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.75e36aedfLSDkY&algo_pvid=9e89a750-5468-469a-8020-3f5aa6bd0e73&algo_expid=9e89a750-5468-469a-8020-3f5aa6bd0e73-54&btsid=1076adc0-2db3-4f8e-b6ed-d95aee146b04&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_4,searchweb201603_60

LowProfile --  https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32997363310.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.75e36aedfLSDkY&algo_pvid=b29bf863-fa45-430b-a8ac-c0439125252f&algo_expid=b29bf863-fa45-430b-a8ac-c0439125252f-38&btsid=afdc7cae-7a6f-48c4-bd46-5554bb22d1a0&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_4,searchweb201603_60

USB 3.0 to SATA III converter(2 Nos)

22pin SATA III connector --  https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32979975057.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.429826c6tr2Tz7&algo_pvid=ece8c64a-cb1e-4608-91c9-330ee4548a9c&algo_expid=ece8c64a-cb1e-4608-91c9-330ee4548a9c-0&btsid=a92531b2-898b-41f1-a8bf-edee198e3128&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_4,searchweb201603_60

SATA III to Mini PCI-E converter

Mini PCI-E connector --  https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32984855299.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.75e36aedfLSDkY&algo_pvid=546b7738-db21-414d-aeab-f29f0885ba21&algo_expid=546b7738-db21-414d-aeab-f29f0885ba21-7&btsid=e154a7b8-61b0-4f17-ac62-cd3bf7f228ce&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_4,searchweb201603_60

these all are the connectors in order of connection.

I too have this port JODD1 or JHDD2 we can have any of this installed, but those ***** guys didn't solder a port there to use. Hand soldering in a motherboard is an easy-way to kill it right ? i don't wanna take the risk.

Now i am attaching all the images downside in the order above given

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6029997/uploads/editor/g0/6vk8khickbz7.jpg

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6029997/uploads/editor/ww/zwzkx22w4ebn.jpg

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6029997/uploads/editor/yk/swkt7yynfsfi.jpg

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6029997/uploads/editor/dh/y4i6jdo8jhxx.jpg

What you think is it possible to attatch HDD and Wireless card together in Mini PCIE port. Will the port be able to power all this.
I know either of the HDD or Wireless card currently cant throttle PCIE bus speed alone, what about together ?

Thanks for the support, correct me always if i am wrong.

Deejay_tech · September 2019

your add on card has a molex power adapter which takes in 12V & 5V.
from where are you going to get the 12v ?
directly from battery ?
now this power molex could be needed only when all 4 usb ports are heavily loaded. or not needed for normal use , i dont know.

also the pcie extender cable has some resistance /capacitance, this may weaken the signals from the m/b pcie connector to the add on board. cant exactly tell until do actual trial.

but if that JODD1 connector is actually a SATA port (do your research, i dont know, just guessing) then just buy the connector from aliexpress and get it soldered from any reasonably good soldering shop, for e.g. mobile hardware repair shop or pc service centre etc ... it would take 5-10 mins for soldering.(check the position of pin 1 of the connector)
this is by far the easiest, cheapest and most optimum solution to your extra HDD issue.
btw, another hack, while you are at it, why dont you attach a type C usb connector to the mainboard.? there is place for it on the m/b. (right next to the ethernet lan port)

Deejay_tech · September 2019

The output power of m/b pcie connector is 10w as per HWinfo program.

VinuVPMV · September 2019

Deejay_tech said:

your add on card has a molex power adapter which takes in 12V & 5V.
from where are you going to get the 12v ?
directly from battery ?
now this power molex could be needed only when all 4 usb ports are heavily loaded. or not needed for normal use , i dont know.

also the pcie extender cable has some resistance /capacitance, this may weaken the signals from the m/b pcie connector to the add on board. cant exactly tell until do actual trial.

but if that JODD1 connector is actually a SATA port (do your research, i dont know, just guessing) then just buy the connector from aliexpress and get it soldered from any reasonably good soldering shop, for e.g. mobile hardware repair shop or pc service centre etc ... it would take 5-10 mins for soldering.(check the position of pin 1 of the connector)
this is by far the easiest, cheapest and most optimum solution to your extra HDD issue.
btw, another hack, while you are at it, why dont you attach a type C usb connector to the mainboard.? there is place for it on the m/b. (right next to the ethernet lan port)

@Deejay_tech
I researched a bit, the add on card wont work without 12V connector, thank you so much for pointing it out. I deeply and sincerely appreciate your efforts on helping me on this foolish doubts.
but with power connected it is providing a hell lot of speed from pcie x1 slot, people tried connecting ssd and hdd in usb 3.0 it have good read and write in crystal-mark, unlucky me. no power cord.

Now about JHDD1 (inbuilt primary drive) it have an 12 pin HDD-SSD FFC cable connector, however the socket is un-identified if it is FPC/FFC socket 0.5mm or 1.0mm, how many pins, i know it is horizontal hinge connector. If i find the socket i can solder it down in JODD1/JHDD2 since i have the 12 pin HDD-SSD FFC cable connector already.

I saw the space for type C we have a possibility however if i fix USB type C. I have to cut out the socket opening in the laptop case. I feel insecure to do that. sorry.

However i wanna try the JHDD2 since it is the easiest, cheapest and most optimum solution as you explained. Need to put more brain and time on to it find the form-factor of the socket.

VinuVPMV · October 2019

Hi guys,
@Deejay_tech
@brummyfan2
@egydiocoelho
Thanks for stopping by to help me out on all my concern, however i found the product i have is not meeting my expectations.
So i upgraded to Acer Nitro 5 Gaming laptop. I feel myself proud. Thanks for all your wonderfull help and support.