Acer Aspire 5 A514-54 - M.2 SSD, 2.5" SATA, DDR4 RAM and WiFi Upgrade Guide

A guide to upgrading the Acer Aspire 5 A514-54 with a larger M.2 2280 SSD, 2.5" SSD, additional RAM and replacing the WiFi 6 card.
This is a relatively simple process requiring just a small Philips head screwdriver and a plastic pry tool.
Related parts, via Amazon Associate links:
1TB M.2 2280 SSD: amzn.to/3fYU9st
1TB 2.5" SSD: amzn.to/2VpWANs
8GB DDR4-3200 SO-DIMM: amzn.to/3sanu8p
Intel AX200 WiFi 6 Card: amzn.to/3skg8iM
Screwdriver set: amzn.to/2H8yS1x
Pry tools: amzn.to/3kEJyT0

[@thomas1699]

I have an Acer Aspire 5, i-5, similar to this model. I upgraded my RAM from 8 GB to 12, and then to 20 GB. I also installed a 1TB SATA SSD. Now I have the part, I *HAVE installed* (am going to install) a better NVME drive than the factory drive. These Aspire laptops are great for upgrading. Good to start with, Great when everything is upgraded. Cheers!

[@emperorpenguin1456]

Hey. How's it going so far with your aspire 5? Planning to add 16gb to mine right now, hoping for better gaming performance.

[@thomas1699]

@@emperorpenguin1456 Good to go. It does everything well... But I am not a big fan of Windows 11.

[@jaym4577]

Thank you so much!!!! My computer is so fast now.

[@BrueComputing]

Glad it helped!

[@ogspeace]

this instruction set also works with a514-55-* .. thank you for this!!

[@clintdvo]

Thanks for making this video! Does installing a 16 gig ram make any sense or is it best to go with an 8 gig? I already have a 4 gig in the single slot available.

[@BrueComputing]

Depends on what you are using it for. Given they aren't hugely expensive I'd probably put a 16GB module in but may not be a huge benefit vs. the 8GB.

[@tanny_edits]

@@BrueComputing what is the max gb per slot sir?

[@Jake-lc6cc]

@@tanny_edits I believe the laptop supports up to 20gb of RAm, with 4gb soldered to the motherboard that would mean the max is 16gb in that slot.

[@s4chin_verma]

@@Jake-lc6cc yes bro u are right

[@Valk_Core]

Excellent, now I'm more confident about upgrading mine correctly. Thank you sm :)

[@reihanboo]

bro this laptop is all dripped out I can't wait for my upgrades

[@ropaloca3783]

Hello bro, I am about to buy the A514-54-54LT model, the seller tells me that the model has only ONE ram memory slot, occupied by 8gb, and that this can be replaced by a memory of up to 20gb. Is that correct? Does this model only have a single RAM slot? Will I be able to expand to 20GB without problems?Thanks

[@kcmg20]

the question is the machine does not recognize the ssd on sata, dont see any options in BIOS either

[@BrueComputing]

Have you initialised and formatted it in Disk Management after installation?

[@FlexTuneMusic]

I have the same model. Mine doesn't come with a caddy inside the box. I don't know if it's attached inside the laptop cuz I didn't open it yet😅

[@Smiley_elii]

Hi, great video. One question I have, does this motherboard fits to an Aspire A115-32? Found one for sale but I don t know if to buy it or not...

[@peewee297]

I have the installed RAM at 8GB. Can I have it upgraded to 16GB?

[@BrueComputing]

Do you know if that is 8GB soldered to the mainboard, or 4GB soldered + 4GB SO-DIMM? If 8GB soldered you can add an 8GB SO-DIMM for 16GB total. If 4+4GB then you can replace the 4GB SO-DIMM with an 8GB for 12GB total, or a 16GB for 20GB total.

[@peewee297]

@@BrueComputing oh i dont know if it is soldered or not. Let me check. So if its 4gb+4gb, the maximum upgrade i can do is at 20gb?

[@xyraa6718]

can i ask something about this device(acer aspire 5 a514-54 ) sir? Does this laptop have an additional SSD slot like a dual slot or so something?

[@shimzard]

Could I install an Intel WiFi 6E AX210 M.2 2230? My question stems from the fact that the wifi card on my a515-54 comes with an intel 9560 ac card which is E keyed and the ax210 is an A-E keyed card. I dont know they if the m.2 port on the laptop is compatible with both- Thank you

[@user-ed2hd2nz1f]

When you open the laptop, does it automatically working already?

[@amcrsuamcrsu]

What is the laptop model reference and what is the processor? Mine is an a514-54-52ty, with core i5 1135g7, and the manufacturer says it is compatible with nvme up to 512GB. I would like to install a 1TB, I'm in this doubt.

[@mohammadnaimmariga1806]

My laptop has 8GB onboard memory with 2667MHz speed. Do i have to buy the ram with the same speed? And will adding 8GB ram to the empty slot activate the dual channel or not? Thank you and hoping for your response.

[@BrueComputing]

You can get a DDR4-2667 or 3200 module, either will work. Yes 8+8 should give dual channel.

[@mohammadnaimmariga1806]

@@BrueComputing Thank you

[@BrueComputing]

@@mohammadnaimmariga1806 No problem!

[@Elvispresley_vsmichael_jordan]

Whats your laptops full model name?

[@mohammadnaimmariga1806]

@@Elvispresley_vsmichael_jordan acer aspire 5 a514-54

[@LastWonBeats]

Thank you! So basically is it more efficient to run windows on the SDD and store data on the SATA HDD?

[@thomas1699]

That is correct. Put Windows on the NVME drive. Store other stuff on the SATA drive.

[@markjunesantiago725]

PLS REPLY!!! I have the same laptop, Can you recommend other brand or crucial is the best thing to buy?

[@paulc1014]

What's the maximum capacity 2.5 HDD this laptop will support?

[@oneshotonekill_03]

Please reply plz can i install Samsung's 970 evo plus 500gb nvme ssd is it campatible

[@Meedo_Eg]

Hello bro, I need help This Acer Aspire 5 A515-56G-54JN model comes with 8gb ram , I would like to know if it's 4gb soldered + 4gb in slot or the whole 8gb are soldered to the motherboard ? Also is it 3200mhz or 2666mhz? Thanks in advance❤

[@mageshKumar-gx8kn]

Hii, 4 GB of onboard DDR4 system memory, 4GB of DDR4 system memory, upgradable up to 20 GB of DDR4 system memory. What does this mean ?

[@BrueComputing]

It means the 4GB is soldered to the mainboard, and there is a SO-DIMM slot which you can install up to a 16GB DDR4-3200 SO-DIMM into.

[@bravica1049]

which hard driver are you using, it seems that it is not nwme

[@bagosk8r90]

I just upgraded my Ram to the full 20 gigs. I just wish anybody. Somebody knew how to expand the gpu, externally, in sone way shape or form.

[@halimcaturhikmawan2431]

thanks for making this video. my question now is can a soldered ram run dual channel? cause if it can't i'll just by a 8gb ram instead another 4gb ram

[@BrueComputing]

Yes, adding a 4GB module gives dual channel.

[@noahkun9592]

Where can I find that soldered ram I opened my laptop and couldn't find it?

[@jackhopkinson7005]

Hiya mate in a complete novice with computers. Are all RAM modules the same or do I need a specific brand/model? I want to use a 16gb specifically

[@BrueComputing]

I generally fit Crucial modules - links to compatible ones in the description.

[@clubsport9118]

Excellent. I have the A514-55-511p = it has 8gb. I assume this is 4gb soldered + 4gb in the free slot. Question:- can I add 16gb into the free slot ? Will the BIOS "see" it ? What speed ? 2666 or 3200 ? Thanks - again, excellent :-)

[@cybernetix_1440]

Yes you can add 16GB SODIMM 2667/3200 but it will only run at the speed that your CPU supports. I did this on my A514-54 and it had 4GB soldered and 4GB removable. One thing to note is that there might be a slight delay to startup on your first time after replacing the card.

[@johniitjodhpur]

​@@cybernetix_1440but the max is 12 gb only

[@virus9450]

Do you need to disconnect the battery?

[@BrueComputing]

It is not ESSENTIAL, but it is recommended to minimise risk of any damage

[@virus9450]

Um I have installed ram but the screen isn't turning on. the fan is working its heating but the screen isn't? Do I need to wait?

[@moh.dwiramdhani8031]

@@virus9450 same..,how to fix this?

[@virus9450]

@@moh.dwiramdhani8031 what you do is get rid of the ram and put it ba ck in again

[@keropipoo]

Hi ! Good day sir . I have same laptop. Im so confused on what ram to buy. Is there anything in particular about ddr4 that i should buy?

[@BrueComputing]

I buy Crucial DDR4-3200 SO-DIMMs.

[@lolxduffles5657]

I have the A514-54-50LX model and it comes with 8gb 2133mhz ram. Should I buy ram with the same speed or is it okay to go higher? And is it possible to match the brand?

[@Elvispresley_vsmichael_jordan]

my dude i have the same shit can i ask u something is the 8gb ram on board or is it already in the slot

[@noahkun9592]

I recommend you to match the speed of the ram that you already have but it won't gurt if you go for a higher speed as long as your Bios and motherboard support it

[@mohammadnaimmariga1806]

I just recently found out that the actual speed of my module is 3200 but it only use 2667. Is there a way to tweak this and get the best performance out of it? Thank you and hoping for your response.

[@BrueComputing]

No, it will only run them at 2666 speed and this can't be changed by the user as far as I'm aware.

[@mohammadnaimmariga1806]

@@BrueComputing I see, Thank you. I have one more question, would it be better to buy 3200 or 2667 module? If considering the budget...

[@james2687]

Is it okay to use sata 3 "2.5 ssd in this laptop?

[@awesomemangaming4514]

Hi sir . What type laptop is this , is this Aspire 5 A514-54-5164?

[@BrueComputing]

It is the A514-54. The 5164 bit indicates other aspects of the configuration, but for the purpose of this video all A514-54 machines should be basically the same.

[@hanifimam9692]

sir how to check the memory voltage in this laptop? because my same laptop is have blank spd tab in cpuz app, is it always 1.2V or what?

[@noahkun9592]

Yeah always 1.2V all DDR4 rams work with this voltage

[@sagarkane9310]

Can we put one 16gb ram along with the on board 4 gb to make it 20gb ram totally?

[@BrueComputing]

Yes, that should work fine.

[@erlangga1953]

@@BrueComputing Is it work as Dual Channel ram with that configuration?

[@callmerel2809]

@@erlangga1953 dont

[@staddtwo3762]

is this the same with A514-55?

[@CyberMew]

Is this same as A514-54G-78Z6?

[@guru_foryou]

Ram increase or not in future

[@farteater69]

Could I add a 1TB ssd?

[@insearchof6845]

Question on the ssd upgrade... the info I found said that the max size is 258gb for expandability. Your link goes to a 1T ssd drive and a 1T hdd... can you upgrade to a 1T vs 258gb?

[@icenters]

good brother

[@rasureru]

Hello, I tried to follow the steps regarding on the installation of the RAM module. I bought the same RAM which is also the same from the description. But when I successfully installed the RAM, I encountered black screen issues. Is there a way to fix this? Note: The laptop works fine when I uninstalled the RAM.

[@wonderchiken9883]

this is most likely due to the speeds of the ram that you have installed. if they are above what the bios is capped at you will need to update the bios software. this is done by finding out what type of bios you have and basically update the pc that way. search it up on youtube homie.

[@johnjonathansalud285]

is the soldered 4gb RAM also 3200mhz?

[@TONY_STAN]

ram on task manager run 2666Mhz ... not sopported?

[@ifdhairfan4722]

More zooming

[@johniitjodhpur]

Thanks 1tb ssd ✓ 20gb ram✓

[@noahkun9592]

Where is the other Ram Slot?

[@shanu9140]

Sir plz upgrade this laptop .. 512 gb ssd and hhd