Ram

oldagetraveller

I have an Acer Aspire 3, A315-21-9188 laptop. About 18 months old.
Sold as having 8gb DDR4 RAM. There's also an original sticker on the palm rest indicating that RAM fitted. I checked the system information and that also has 8gb RAM showing.
However, there is a cover that, when opened to access the RAM, reveals one module slot and one 4gb DDR4 RAM module.
Will there be another module lurking somewhere else? I have looked online, Youtube etc. with regards increasing RAM but there is nothing to indicate that RAM is installed anywhere else other than under said cover.
Any ideas?

John_Gray

Download, unzip and run HWiNFO (either the portable or installer version). This will tell you more than you ever want to know about the hardware in your laptop, including much detailed information about Memory.

unforeseen

There is 4GB buried inside that is non-removable. The remaining slot can take up to an 8GB module to give a maximum of 12GB.

https://uk.crucial.com/gbr/en/compatible-upgrade-for/Acer/aspire-a315-21

EveryWhere

RAM won't help, you need to fit an SSD.

Very easy on your model and the best money you will spend on your laptop;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B00PoiHxJqw

Take a look for yourself;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qn6zxoh3oK4

Unless you are using very specific applications, more than 8GB of RAM won't be necessary. Money spent on an SSD will make the biggest difference to performance.

EveryWhere

You also have the option to fit an M.2 SATA SSD, but unless you like tinkering, I wouldn't bother;
https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/532296/aspire-3-a315-51-has-m-2-or-msata-slot

https://www.acer.com/datasheets/2017/4876/A315-21/NX.GNVEK.012.html

esuhl

EveryWhere wrote: »

RAM won't help, you need to fit an SSD.

RAM will definitely help! The PC wouldn't even start without it.

50Twuncle

I agree with both of you - you do need RAM to run a PC - However, fitting more than 8Gb is a little pointless and I would also recommend an SSD - It will make a huge difference

It will half (or even less) your boot time and make running Windows 10 a much more pleasant experience
You can buy a suitable SSD for less than £40 - depending on the size
I would recommend a 250Gb Crucial MX500
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0764WCXCV?aaxitk=QBD4PG3ltFz7l0tOv2xrdg&pd_rd_i=B0764WCXCV&pf_rd_p=0e11f8c9-98e1-4a93-bd5e-367420b613ee&hsa_cr_id=2659911830602&sb-ci-n=productDescription&sb-ci-v=Crucial%20CT250MX500SSD1Z%20250%20GB%202.5%20Inch%207%20mm%20MX500%20SATA%20Solid%20State%20Drive
@£41.12 inc delivery

Here are your original specs
https://www.acer.com/ac/en/GB/content/model/NX.GNVEK.019

EveryWhere

50Twuncle wrote: »

I agree with both of you - you do need RAM to run a PC - However, fitting more than 8Gb is a little pointless and I would also recommend an SSD - It will make a huge difference

It will half (or even less) your boot time and make running Windows 10 a much more pleasant experience
You can buy a suitable SSD for less than £40 - depending on the size
I would recommend a 250Gb Crucial MX500
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0764WCXCV?aaxitk=QBD4PG3ltFz7l0tOv2xrdg&pd_rd_i=B0764WCXCV&pf_rd_p=0e11f8c9-98e1-4a93-bd5e-367420b613ee&hsa_cr_id=2659911830602&sb-ci-n=productDescription&sb-ci-v=Crucial%20CT250MX500SSD1Z%20250%20GB%202.5%20Inch%207%20mm%20MX500%20SATA%20Solid%20State%20Drive
@£41.12 inc delivery

Here are your original specs
https://www.acer.com/ac/en/GB/content/model/NX.GNVEK.019

Wrong device. I posted the correct link earlier...

Steve_KK

I agree with both of you - you do need RAM to run a PC - However, fitting more than 8Gb is a little pointless and I would also recommend an SSD - It will make a huge difference

As the OP didn't say whether they have a performance issue, or just wanted to know that they have what was sold to them this quote isn't 100% accurate. My work laptop with 16GB RAM often needs more as I run multiple virtual machines on it.

Any upgrades need to fit the purpose and address current performance bottle necks. However upgrading to an SSD, if a regular spinning hard disk is currently fitted, will provide a significant performance boost, which could in turn lead to RAM and/or CPU becoming a bottleneck.

I am going to assume the OP is running Windows 10 and therefore can confirm the amount of RAM installed without opening the laptop. Just click on the Windows logo/Start button (usually in the bottom left hand corner of the screen) and then click on the Settings icon that looks like a cog. When the settings open click on System and then go to About. This will provide some information about the hardware, including Processor (CPU) and Installed RAM. This should say 8.0 GB.

Regards,
Steve