SSD + extra 8GB RAM for Acer Aspire vn7-791g-562q azerty?

Hey,

I just bought myself a 2ndhand Acer Aspire vn7-791g-562q azerty.
It has a slow 5400rpm hdd sata drive and 8gb ram, but i'd like to upgrade these.

A search on my model gave 0 results so i hope you guys can help me out.

- Can i replace the slow 5400rpm drive with my desktop SATA600 Seagate Barracuda ST1000DM003 1TB 3,5" 7200rpm/64MB cache? or is this original drive faster than my few years old barracuda?

- Can i add an extra HD (prefer a SSD) to the laptop, and if so, which one? I've heared about M2 drives but don't know if these can be added to my specific model + what brand/model of SSD is compatible. Any instructions on this and particular parts, screwdrivers, ... i need to do this except the SSD?

- What brand of 8GB RAM can i add? I know it has to be DDRL 1.35V... isn't it a problem if this extra ram isn't the same brand as the one already inside? Does it have to be with the same latency?

Much appreciate the help and time...

Regards
DrPhyll

 

You won't fit a 3.5" desktop drive in there, and it can probably only fit one 2.5" drive, so go w/ a ~500GB SSD in the 2.5" form factor.

 

Aha, so my barracuda is no option then, thanks.
Think there's no M2 option to attach a SSD drive? I would prefer this then to put OS + main games on, then keep the slower HDD for backup stuff, movies, ...

 

No idea - look up the service manual for your notebook.

 

Here's a review of another VN7-791G (but 759Q suffix, likely just config option differences): http://www.notebookcheck.net/Acer-Aspire-V17-Nitro-VN7-791G-759Q-Notebook-Review.126701.0.html

See inside of it here:

Spoiler: VN7-791G Inside

From what I can tell it supports a single 2.5" hard drive or SSD and according to the review an M.2 SSD as well, but based on that image it looks like you'd have to remove the motherboard because I don't see an M.2 connector or M.2 drive on the accessible side.

 

The service manual doesn't say anyting about upgrades so it's up to us

From the pics i've seen, i have to remove the motherboard for adding RAM aswell :/
Also to add a M.2 SSD.

with motherboard:

motherboard removed:


I can replace the 5400rpm HDD with another SATA 2,5" drive it seems, but if i have to remove the motherboard anyway (for the ram), then it seems better to add a M.2 SSD instead of swapping the SATA HDD.

 

I must say that the laptop runs very slow atm... i believe it's not only the 5400rpm hdd, but the huge amount of crapware coming with it...
Gonna need to take a good look on what to keep or delete. I only like the things to keep the laptop running, but guess i have to keep the dolby drivers aswell.

Also, there seems to be a choice in WiFi drivers and i'm not sure which one to take. I have an atheros, that i know but the types at drivers dont match the type i see in my 'hardware' section...
Other question i have is about the integrated GPU. Why would you use this if there's a beast of a GTX 950m waiting? Good idea to disable this and whats the best way to do this?

 

Not possible; it's an Optimus system. Image runs through the iGPU, even when dGPU is active and running. Disable the HD and you'd probably have no internal display (HDMI is fine). Might give it a try though, perhaps Acer uses a different design ... can disable via BIOS (undo with cmos reset) or Device Manager (have external monitor or auto-registry script standing by). As for the why ... conserve battery, nothing else.

 

It's a shame i have to remove the motherboard to install another 8gb or RAM, otherwise i would just put a new 500GB SSD 2.5" instead of the SATA HDD :/
A bit scared to do something wrong and void my warranty, although i'm normally pretty handy in these things...

 

Try removing keyboard only; sometimes they're considerate enough to leave a gap cut out just so you can access the bank from the top.