Acer Aspire 3 A315 Specs — Budget Laptop Upgrade Guide (2023)

/*
POST TITLE: Acer Aspire 3 A315 Specs — Budget Laptop Upgrade Guide (2023)
SLUG: acer-aspire-3-a315
CATEGORIES: Laptop Upgrades, Acer Laptops, Budget Laptops, RAM Upgrades
FOCUS KEYWORD: Acer Aspire 3 A315 upgrade Ryzen DDR4 SSD
META DESCRIPTION: Acer Aspire 3 A315 (2023) Ryzen 5 7520U, DDR4 RAM upgrade (up to 16GB), M.2 SSD upgrade, 45W charger, and budget upgrade guide.
*/

Acer Aspire 3 A315 (2023) Budget Specifications

Acer’s Aspire 3 A315 is a 15.6-inch entry-level laptop from 2023, powered by AMD Ryzen 5 7520U with integrated Radeon graphics. Designed for students and everyday users on a budget, it features upgradeable DDR4 memory and M.2 NVMe storage. The straightforward design makes it excellent for learning DIY upgrades.

Memory Upgrade: DDR4-3200 (Limited on Some Units)

The Aspire 3 A315 uses DDR4-3200 memory configuration that varies by SKU. Some units have 8GB soldered + one empty SO-DIMM slot (allowing upgrade to 16GB total), while others have a single 8GB SO-DIMM (allowing upgrade to 16GB by adding another 8GB module).

Check your configuration: Open Settings → System → About. Look for installed RAM. If 8GB, you likely have one SO-DIMM slot available.

Upgrade path: Add or replace the SO-DIMM with DDR4-3200 8GB to reach 16GB total (maximum).

Recommended upgrades:

• Crucial CT8G4SFS8213 DDR4-3200 8GB — Budget-friendly, reliable
• Kingston ValueRAM DDR4-3200 8GB — Enterprise-class reliability

Single-channel warning: If only one SO-DIMM slot is available, you’ll run in single-channel mode, reducing memory bandwidth by 50%. Upgrading is still beneficial for capacity.

Storage Upgrade: M.2 NVMe SSD

The Aspire 3 A315 includes one M.2 2280 NVMe Gen3 slot. Factory drives use SATA or Gen3 speeds (up to 3,500 MB/s).

Upgrade specifications:

• Form factor: M.2 2280 (standard 42mm length)
• Speed: Gen3 or Gen4 compatible (will work at Gen3 speeds)
• Capacity: Up to 1TB practical for budget models
• Installation: 10 minutes, single screw

Recommended SSDs:

• Kingston NV2 512GB — Budget-friendly, fast Gen3
• Samsung 990 EVO 512GB — Balanced speed and reliability

Upgrade strategy: If factory drive is 256GB, upgrading to 512GB or 1TB doubles capacity affordably.

Power & Charging

The Aspire 3 A315 uses a 45W USB-C Power Delivery charger. Compatible with any 45W or higher USB-C PD charger.

OEM charger: Acer 45W USB-C PD

Compatible third-party chargers:

• Anker 45W Atom PD Charger — Lightweight, compact
• Lenovo 45W USB-C Charger — Enterprise reliability

Ports & Connectivity

The Aspire 3 A315 includes:

• 2× USB-C 3.2 (5 Gbps, power delivery on main port)
• 2× USB-A 3.2 (5 Gbps, legacy devices)
• HDMI 2.0 (1080p@60Hz, no 4K)
• 3.5mm audio jack (headphones/external speakers)

Note: USB-C ports are USB 3.2, not Thunderbolt. Use standard USB-C hubs.

Upgrade Difficulty & Tools

RAM upgrade: Very easy (1/5 difficulty). Bottom panel removal gives direct SO-DIMM access.

SSD upgrade: Easy (2/5 difficulty). One screw holds the M.2 module.

Tools needed:

• Philips screwdriver (no magnetic tip required)
• Anti-static wrist strap (optional, ~£2)

This is an excellent first upgrade project for learning.

Recommended Upgrade Package

• RAM upgrade: Kingston ValueRAM DDR4-3200 8GB — Reach 16GB total
• SSD upgrade: Samsung 990 EVO 512GB — Double storage capacity
• Travel charger: Anker 45W Atom PD — Backup charger

Frequently Asked Questions

Recommended Products

These are the products we recommend based on this guide. All links go to Amazon UK where you can check current prices and availability.

Prices and availability may vary. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Related Guides

• Acer Laptop Upgrades
• Acer Aspire Upgrade Guide
• Ram Compatibility
• Ssd Compatibility
• Charger Compatibility