There's no such thing as the perfect laptop. Typically you need to tweak things here or there to get it to the perfect point for you. Today, that's what we're going to be doing with the Acer Aspire 5 A515-56-347N. Don't get me wrong, this is a solid laptop for casual users. However, for those who want to make the most out of the dual-core Core i3 processor, 15.6-inch display, and 128 GB of SSD it would be very beneficial to push the boundaries by upgrading the RAM.
Today we're going to tackle this very issue and teach you how to quickly and easily upgrade the RAM on the Acer Aspire 5 A515-56-347N so you can get the most out of your laptop and take multitasking to a whole new level. Ready for the challenge? Your life will never be the same.
Acer Aspire 5 A515-56-347N RAM/Memory Upgrade Tutorial
Before we get cracking on the tutorial you're going to need to know exactly what type of memory module is compatible with this laptop and how much memory you can actually install.
What Type of RAM does the Acer Aspire 5 A515-56-347N use? How much can I Install?
Something you should know from the get-go is that oftentimes when it comes to budget laptops, manufacturers don't leave much wiggle room for upgrades. The same can be said of high-end laptops. This is one such time. Specifically, in this case, you'll need to purchase a DDR4 PC4-25600 3200MHz Non-ECC SODIMM memory module.
However, unlike other RAM upgrades, we've covered in the past, such as the most recent Acer Nitro 5 AN515-58-57Y8 RAM Upgrade Tutorial you've only got one available slot to upgrade because the 8 GB that this laptop features are soldered onto the motherboard (thanks Acer).
In that regard, your maximum RAM for this laptop is 40 GB, since you can introduce up to 32 GB of compatible RAM on the available slot.
However, if you care for our recommendation we would suggest upgrading to 16 GB through another 8 GB module. This is because by doing so, by having two identical modules of RAM you can benefit from something called dual-channel RAM which allows the memory controller to split the requests between both modules making the RAM far more efficient.
If that doesn't sway you to upgrade to 16 GB think about it this way, 9to5Gadgets works on commission, we make more money if you buy a bigger RAM module but I hardly think it's the best option for this particular upgrade. Ultimately though, you have your pick of options.
Step-by-step Tutorial on Upgrading the Acer Aspire 5 A515-56-347N Memory
Step 2: Now that you've opened up the laptop by removing the bottom cover you'll notice something like the following image (but without the RAM slot being occupied).
Step 3: If you want, in this step you have the option of disconnecting the battery. However, it's not really a necessary step when upgrading the RAM. When upgrading storage definitely but when upgrading the RAM it's not specifically necessary.
Step 4: With the battery disconnected you'll move on with introducing the RAM module you've bought to perform the upgrade. You need to slide the RAM at a 45-degree angle as if you where landing a plane, making sure that the notch on the module and the notch on the slot align. Since the RAM won't fit otherwise it's pretty easy to introduce it correctly.
In any case, here's an image that illustrates the proper way to introduce the RAM further:
Step 6: Finally, now that you have slid the RAM into the slot you're going to gently press down on it. The slot has a couple of metallic levers located on the sides. Once you press down you'll hear a "click" which signals that they've latched onto the module and you're good to go from there.
Once that's done you have officially upgraded the RAM on the Acer Aspire 5 A515-56-347N. Make sure to re-connect the battery if you've disconnected it in the previous steps. Re-attach the bottom case. Turn the laptop on. Once you do that you should be able to see the new amount of RAM installed either under "Device Specifications" or after launching the "Task Manager".
That's all! Enjoy that fresh "new car" feeling you'll have as you blaze through your programs like their nothing and never have to think again if you're overloading your RAM.