Acer Aspire 5 A515-57 upgrade guide: RAM, SSD and CPU

Updated Oct. 12, 2026 · Written from this device's verified specifications

The Aspire 5 A515-57 (also sold as A515-57-59SS, A515-57-78R3 and other sub-models) is one of the friendlier laptops to upgrade. Memory is socketed in two SO-DIMM slots, there are two M.2 NVMe slots for storage, and the service manual lists memory and SSD modules as user-serviceable parts. The one thing you cannot change is the processor: it is soldered to the board. A quick warning before you start: Acer states that damage caused by self-repair — or by a careless or unsuccessful attempt — can void the standard warranty, so work carefully and consider Acer-certified parts where possible.

At a glance

  • RAM: 2x DDR4 SO-DIMM, officially up to 32 GB, 64 GB kits confirmed in real configs
  • Storage: 2x M.2 2280 NVMe (one Gen 4, one Gen 3), no 2.5-inch bay
  • CPU: soldered, no upgrade path
2x DDR4 SO-DIMM, up to 64 GB total2 × DDR4 SO-DIMM · up to 64 GB total · 3200 MT/s
2x M.2 2280 NVMe PCIe x4 (Gen 4 + Gen 3)2 × SSD M.2 2280 (NVMe) · up to 2.048 TB
2 × SO-DIMM · DDR4up to 64 GB total2x M.2 2280 NVMe PCIe x4 (Gen 4 + Gen 3)2 × SSD M.2 2280 (NVMe) · up to 2.048 TB
Schematic of the upgradeable slots (not to scale). Check the owner's manual for their exact positions.

Lifecycle and support

A current model: sold new and supported.

202220232024202520262027Today11 · Release · 2022
Filled dots: dates published by the manufacturer. Hollow dots: estimates from third-party sources.
MilestoneDate
Release
First available to buy.		 2022 Estimate Acer's own Aspire 5 (A515-57/A515-57G) product sheet, copyright 2022; first availability narrowed to H1 2022 only by third-party sources (CES Jan 2022 launch, May 2022 review), so the date is kept at year precision.
Source ↗

Dates not listed haven't been published by the manufacturer or a reliable third party.

RAM upgrade

There are two socketed 260-pin DDR4 SO-DIMM slots running at 1.2 V, non-ECC and unbuffered. Nothing is soldered down, so both slots are yours to use. The official rating is DDR4-3200 (PC4-25600), and the platform runs dual-channel with two modules fitted. Some SKUs ship with slower DDR4-2666 kits, and Acer notes that actual memory speed can vary with the CPU, chipset or memory fitted.

How much fits? Acer officially lists 2x 16 GB for a 32 GB maximum. In practice 2x 32 GB (64 GB) is confirmed in shipping configurations and is supported by the processors' memory controllers — but treat 64 GB as beyond Acer's official specification.

What to watch out for: many A515-57 configurations leave the factory with a single 8 GB module, which runs single-channel and noticeably limits the Iris Xe integrated graphics. If that describes your machine, budget for a matched second module rather than one big stick. Also remember that on integrated-graphics models the GPU shares system memory, so Windows will show less memory than you installed.

Buying tips: order DDR4 SO-DIMM (260-pin, 1.2 V) modules only — not desktop DIMMs — and skip ECC or registered memory, which is not supported here. A matched pair of the same size and speed is the safest way to get dual-channel performance.

Buying tips

  • DDR4 SO-DIMM, 260-pin, 1.2 V, non-ECC unbuffered
  • Buy a matched pair to get dual-channel (big win for the integrated GPU)
  • 3200 MT/s is the official speed; slower modules may run below spec

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SSD / storage upgrade

You get two M.2 2280 (22 x 80 mm) slots, and both are PCIe x4 NVMe — one is Gen 4 and the other Gen 3. That's the whole story for internal storage: there is no 2.5-inch bay (the chassis is too thin) and the M.2 slots are NVMe/PCIe only, with no SATA M.2 support. If you want a big, cheap secondary drive, plan around two NVMe SSDs instead of a hard disk.

For speed, put a Gen 4 drive in the Gen 4 slot. A Gen 4 drive will still work in the Gen 3 slot, just at reduced bandwidth.

How big can the drives be? Acer documents up to 2x 1 TB. In practice 4 TB per slot works, and larger drives are sold with this model — but how the BIOS handles drives over 2 TB is untested. If you are installing a large drive, apply the latest BIOS/firmware from Acer's support page first.

One more thing to check before you buy anything: whether your unit has an SD card reader varies by SKU — some spec pages list none at all.

Buying tips

  • M.2 2280 NVMe PCIe drives only — no SATA M.2, no 2.5-inch drive
  • Match a Gen 4 SSD with the Gen 4 slot for full speed
  • Update the BIOS before fitting drives larger than 2 TB

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How to upgrade

Before you start

  • Back up your data and, if you are replacing the boot drive, have a way to clone or reinstall your system ready.
  • Shut the laptop down completely and unplug the AC adapter.
  • Ground yourself — touch a metal object or use an anti-static strap — before handling modules.
  • Open the case using the owner's manual or Acer's Lifecycle Extension Guide for exact disassembly instructions for your sub-model. Acer's guide shows the DIMM modules being released by two retaining clips; the same document covers the SSD module.
  • Install the new memory module(s) or SSD, then close the case.
  • Power on and check that the BIOS/firmware sees the new part and the correct capacity before booting into your system.

Steps

  1. Install RAM
    Fit DDR4 SO-DIMM modules at an angle into the slot and press down until the retaining clips snap into place, as shown in Acer's Lifecycle Extension Guide. If you are adding to a single stock module, fit a matching module of the same size and speed for dual-channel.
  2. Install an SSD
    Slide the M.2 2280 NVMe drive into the slot and secure it as described in the manual. Put a Gen 4 drive in the Gen 4 slot. If the drive is larger than 2 TB, update the BIOS before installing it. Note there is no SATA M.2 or 2.5-inch bay to fall back on.

Good to know

  • 32 GB is Acer's official RAM maximum; 64 GB works but is beyond official specification.
  • SSD capacities above Acer's documented 2x 1 TB work in practice, but BIOS support for drives over 2 TB is untested — update the BIOS first.
  • Self-repair damage can void the standard warranty; use Acer-certified parts where possible and follow the owner's manual for your exact sub-model.

Frequently asked questions

How much RAM can the Acer Aspire 5 A515-57 take?

Acer officially lists 32 GB (2x 16 GB DDR4 SO-DIMM). 64 GB (2x 32 GB) is confirmed in retail configurations and is supported by the processors' memory controllers, but it sits outside Acer's official specification.

Does the A515-57 support 64 GB of RAM?

Unofficially, yes — 2x 32 GB configurations are sold and work. Acer's own specification, however, tops out at 32 GB, so treat 64 GB as beyond the official spec. Both slots are socketed DDR4, so the modules are a straightforward swap.

What RAM does the A515-57 use?

DDR4 SO-DIMM, 260-pin, 1.2 V, non-ECC unbuffered, officially DDR4-3200 (PC4-25600). Desktop DIMMs and ECC or registered memory are not supported. Some SKUs ship with DDR4-2666, and the actual speed can vary with the CPU and chipset fitted.

How many SSDs can I install?

Two M.2 2280 NVMe PCIe x4 drives — one Gen 4 slot and one Gen 3 slot. There is no 2.5-inch bay and no SATA M.2 support, so expansion is NVMe only. Acer documents up to 2x 1 TB; 4 TB per slot works in practice, while BIOS support for drives over 2 TB is untested.

Can I upgrade the CPU?

No. The processor is soldered to the motherboard (BGA), with no socket. The A515-57 name covers 12th-gen Intel U-series, P-series and H-series SKUs depending on the configuration you bought, and they cannot be swapped later.

Will adding RAM improve gaming performance?

If your machine has the typical single 8 GB module, adding a matching second module turns on dual-channel mode and makes a noticeable difference to the Iris Xe integrated graphics. Also note the GPU shares system memory, so the amount Windows reports will be slightly less than what you install.

Official documents and references

This guide was written with AI assistance from the compatibility data PartsPrices verified against the manufacturer's documents. Always check your exact model and the owner's manual before buying or opening your computer.