What is the Acer Aspire 5 a515-54g RAM speed capped at?

Jiub2666 · February 2020

Hello, I have an Acer Aspire 5 (model a515-54g). I was looking to upgrade the RAM to a 16GB single Stick and was wondering what speed would be recommended or this?

2. Also, if I put in a 2.5" SSD can I use both the 500gb nvme that it already came with along side the new 2.5 SSD?

Thank you for the help.

JordanB · February 2020

I agree with @brummyfan2 that the Acer service guide shows 2400 max speed for ram on your model.

But....

Sometimes the service guide can be a little confusing. I noticed that service guide didn't mention Comet Lake. It was only about Whiskey Lake.

And then I noticed on userbenchmark that a few people had DDR4 2666 or DDR4 3200 and it clocked at 2666 for Comet Lake.

https://www.userbenchmark.com/UserRun/24192261

https://www.userbenchmark.com/UserRun/24230410

I don't really know the answer, but if I had Whiskey Lake, I would buy the Kingston ram in link below.

https://www.kingston.com/us/memory/search?model=96710&devicetype=3&mfr=ACE&line=Aspire

If I had Comet Lake, I would buy either of the parts below from Crucial.

https://www.crucial.com/compatible-upgrade-for/acer/aspire-a515-54g

brummyfan2 · March 2020

Jiub2666 said:

do i remove the plastic that came with the HDD bay or is that part of securing it into place?

@brummyfan2

Hi,
If you asking about the thin plastic cover on top of the HDD, it's part of the bracket, it protects the HDD and don't remove it.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6029997/uploads/editor/b3/dkmhwtxx389f.jpg

brummyfan2 · February 2020

Hi,
You can use 2133MHz or a 2400MHz module in this model, yes you can use a 2.5" SSD for storage along with the M.2 NVMe boot drive.

JordanB · February 2020

I agree with @brummyfan2 that the Acer service guide shows 2400 max speed for ram on your model.

But....

Sometimes the service guide can be a little confusing. I noticed that service guide didn't mention Comet Lake. It was only about Whiskey Lake.

And then I noticed on userbenchmark that a few people had DDR4 2666 or DDR4 3200 and it clocked at 2666 for Comet Lake.

https://www.userbenchmark.com/UserRun/24192261

https://www.userbenchmark.com/UserRun/24230410

I don't really know the answer, but if I had Whiskey Lake, I would buy the Kingston ram in link below.

https://www.kingston.com/us/memory/search?model=96710&devicetype=3&mfr=ACE&line=Aspire

If I had Comet Lake, I would buy either of the parts below from Crucial.

https://www.crucial.com/compatible-upgrade-for/acer/aspire-a515-54g

Jiub2666 · February 2020

@JordanB According to CPU-Z, I have installed one 8GB stick of DDR4 SK Hynix 2400mhz. My CPU is an i5 8265U 4 core processor(code name Kaby Lake-U/Y). Under the mainboard tab of CPU-Z it says the Southbridge is Coffee Lake-U/Y PCH.

I am not sure if this further information will help, but it's all I can provide.

Thanks for your help.

JordanB · February 2020

@Jiub2666

ok, it looks like the max ram speed of your laptop is 2400.

Acer and Intel call the i5-8265U Whiskey Lake, but the platform/PCH stuff can definitely be a little confusing. Good luck.

https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/products/149088/intel-core-i5-8265u-processor-6m-cache-up-to-3-90-ghz.html

If I were going to swap out your 8 GB Hynix with a 16 GB stick of ram, I would use the 16 GB kingston part in link below.

https://www.kingston.com/us/memory/search?model=96710&devicetype=3&mfr=ACE&line=Aspire

Jiub2666 · February 2020

@brummyfan2

will I need any extra cables to put in with the new 2.5" SSD? Just want to make sure I have everything before purchasing the SSD and something not working.
thanks again for your help

brummyfan2 · February 2020

Hi @Jiub2666
If your laptop didn't come with a HDD, most probably you may have to buy the cable, HDD bracket and screws to install the 2.5" SSD but it's better to open the back cover and inspect because it's hard for me to confirm either way.
Part number for bracket:33.HGLN7.001
Part number for cable:50.HGLN7.003
Screws details are like in the snips:

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6029997/uploads/editor/v7/4a3ywtk36kfd.jpg

Jiub2666 · February 2020

@brummyfan2

thank you for the information
Here is a pic of my internals. Let me know if I need the screws/bay/cable. I don't mind getting them, I just want to be sure I need them. Hope this helps clarify

brummyfan2 · February 2020

Hi,
Yes, you need to buy those parts to install 2.5" SSD.

Jiub2666 · March 2020

do i remove the plastic that came with the HDD bay or is that part of securing it into place?

@brummyfan2

brummyfan2 · March 2020

Jiub2666 said:

do i remove the plastic that came with the HDD bay or is that part of securing it into place?

@brummyfan2

Hi,
If you asking about the thin plastic cover on top of the HDD, it's part of the bracket, it protects the HDD and don't remove it.

Puraw · March 2020

JordanB said:

I agree with @brummyfan2 that the Acer service guide shows 2400 max speed for ram on your model.

But....

Sometimes the service guide can be a little confusing. I noticed that service guide didn't mention Comet Lake. It was only about Whiskey Lake.

And then I noticed on userbenchmark that a few people had DDR4 2666 or DDR4 3200 and it clocked at 2666 for Comet Lake.

https://www.userbenchmark.com/UserRun/24192261

https://www.userbenchmark.com/UserRun/24230410

I don't really know the answer, but if I had Whiskey Lake, I would buy the Kingston ram in link below.

https://www.kingston.com/us/memory/search?model=96710&devicetype=3&mfr=ACE&line=Aspire

If I had Comet Lake, I would buy either of the parts below from Crucial.

https://www.crucial.com/compatible-upgrade-for/acer/aspire-a515-54g

Hi JordanB if I may jump in?
Same model laptop 515-54G-70AG (Part Number: NX.HNBSP.002) but with 10th gen i7 10510U. Windows Task Mngr. reports 2667 MHz speed and 2 slots, I believe 4GB is soldered and only 1 slot (empty) is available. I plan to by this module:
Kingston Impact DDR4 69.6mm x 30mm
HX426S15IB2/16, 16GB 2G x 64-Bit
DDR4-2666 CL15 260-Pin SODIMM
Do you think it will fit in that slot
I have not opened my new laptop yet as it has a warrantee sticker on one of the screws.

JordanB · March 2020

@Puraw

i wouldn’t buy that HyperX part, but if you really want to, I think you should email Kingston and ask about compatibility. I noticed that your laptop had a UK or European SKU. @brummyfan2 knows a lot more about warranty stuff than I do. So hopefully he can answer that.

If I had your laptop, I would buy Industry Standard JEDEC 260 pin SO-DIMM DDR4-2666 CL 19-19-19 memory.
Kingston Customer Support or Crucial Customer Support can help you find the right ram and answer questions about compatibility.

https://www.kingston.com/us

https://www.crucial.com/

If @brummyfan2 can’t help with warranty advice, you can ask Acer. Good luck.

http://www.acer.com/worldwide/support/

Puraw · March 2020

I liked the Cl 15 for more speed for that Hyper X, but I agree it is probably safer to buy?

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6029997/uploads/editor/kn/6fvimvkr2vaj.png

I am in the Philippines and bought the laptop from Acer here, not sure why the UK warranty code?

andylb · March 2020

If you have the Warranty sticker covering one of the screws then you cannot upgrade it yourself. Contact Acer support for a Service Center near you, you can buy the RAM and they will install it

@Puraw said

I have not opened my new laptop yet as it has a warrantee sticker on one of the screws