How to open Acer Nitro 16 (AN16-51) – disassembly and upgrade options
Step 1: Accessing the Acer Nitro 16 (AN16-51) Internals
- Ensure the Acer Nitro 16 (AN16-51) is powered off and placed on a soft, clean surface to prevent scratches or damage.
- Remove the 11 Phillips-head screws from the bottom of the laptop.
- Carefully raise the bottom panel by holding the two plastic vents on the back to pop up the plate.
Hint: Be gentle when detaching the bottom panel to avoid damaging the internal components or the clips holding the panel in place.
Step 2: Battery Removal
- Disconnect the battery by unplugging its connector from the motherboard.
- Lift the battery out of the chassis; no screws are holding it due to its dedicated socket with soft padding on the bottom plate.
More info: The optional 90Wh battery offers up to 8 hours and 20 minutes of web browsing or 7 hours and 9 minutes of video playback, providing solid battery life for gaming and productivity.
Memory Upgrade
- Locate the two SODIMM slots capable of supporting up to 32GB of DDR5-4800MHz RAM.
- Note the dedicated thermal pad used for cooling the memory modules, enhancing performance under load.
You can buy DDR5 RAM modules here: Buy from Amazon.com (#CommissionsEarned)
Storage Upgrade
- Identify the two M.2 PCIe x4 slots that support Gen 4 SSDs, allowing for high-speed storage upgrades.
- Consider upgrading or adding SSDs to increase storage capacity and speed, enhancing overall system responsiveness.
Hint: Don’t forget to check out our Top M.2 SSDs Performance Rankings for insights on the best storage options available.
You can buy Gen 4 M.2 SSD modules here: Buy from Amazon.com (#CommissionsEarned)
Cooling System Overview
Examine the cooling system, which includes two fans and two heat pipes shared between the CPU and GPU, with an additional heat pipe dedicated to the CPU and two more for the video card.
Also note the presence of four heat sinks and a couple of heat spreaders, designed to efficiently dissipate heat and maintain optimal performance.