How to open Acer Nitro 17 (AN17-42) – disassembly and upgrade options

LaptopMedia.com Guides How to open Acer Nitro 17 (AN17-42) – disassembly and upgrade options

From: Dimitar Stalev 02 January 2025 / 21:45 0

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Acer Nitro 17

Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 8645HS
VideoCard: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 (Laptop, 140W)
RAM: 16GB RAM
STORAGE: 512GB SSD

Detailed review

$1199^.99 $1099^.99

Acer Nitro 17

Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS
VideoCard: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 (Laptop, 140W)
RAM: 16GB RAM
STORAGE: 1000GB SSD

Detailed review

$1428^.95

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Opening the Acer Nitro 17

Hint: Ensure the laptop is powered off and unplugged before starting.

Undo the 11 Phillips-head screws securing the bottom panel to the chassis.
Hold the pair of plastic vents at the back and pop the rear of the panel.
Pop the exhausts individually, gently separating the bottom cover until it reaches the level of the LAN connector.
Use a thin plastic tool to pry the sides and the front to fully release the bottom panel.

More info: The inside of the bottom panel features a dedicated socket for the battery and a large dust filter for the two central grills, ensuring better airflow and reduced dust accumulation.

Battery Removal

Caution: Handle the battery with care to avoid damage or electrical hazards.

Disconnect the battery by pulling the connector down towards the battery.
Carefully lift the 90Wh battery away from the base of the laptop.

More info: The 90Wh battery provides approximately 6 hours and 18 minutes of video playback, making it suitable for extended gaming sessions or productivity tasks.

You can find compatible batteries here: Buy from Amazon.com (#CommissionsEarned)

Memory Upgrade

Note: The memory slots are user-upgradeable and come with heat shields.

Locate the two SODIMM slots, which are compatible with DDR5-5600MHz RAM in dual-channel mode.
Install up to 32GB of RAM per Acer’s specifications, or consider higher capacities (up to 256GB) based on the CPU’s capability.
The preinstalled RAM stick is wrapped in a heat shield with a cooling pad on the bottom for thermal efficiency.

More info: Ensure that the RAM is securely installed and matches your system’s requirements for optimal performance.

You can find compatible RAM here: Buy from Amazon.com (#CommissionsEarned)

Storage Upgrade

Hint: Handle SSD components carefully to avoid damage or data loss.

Locate the two M.2 slots compatible with 2280 Gen 4 SSDs.
The system NVMe and the right SSD slot are covered with heat shields. Remove these shields carefully to access the slots.
Install the SSDs at a slight angle, ensuring they are fully seated, and replace the heat shields to maintain optimal thermal performance.

More info: The Wi-Fi 6E card is positioned close to the left NVMe slot, ensuring streamlined connectivity upgrades.

You can find compatible SSDs here: Buy from Amazon.com (#CommissionsEarned)

Connectivity Options

More info: The Wi-Fi 6E card can be seen close to the left NVMe slot.

Cooling System Overview

More info: The Acer Nitro 17 features a robust cooling system designed for high-performance gaming and intensive workloads.

Two large fans provide efficient airflow.
Liquid metal is applied on the CPU die for enhanced thermal conductivity.
Rectangular vector heat pipes offer wider contact surfaces, improving heat transfer efficiency.
A pair of heat pipes is shared between the CPU and GPU, with one additional pipe for the CPU and two more dedicated to the GPU.
Four heat sinks and two large metal plates, with the taller one covering the GPU, ensure comprehensive thermal management.

Tip: Regularly clean the fans, heat pipes, and heat sinks to maintain optimal cooling performance and system longevity.

Acer Nitro 17 (AN17-42) in-depth review

The Nitro 17 (AN17-42) is for people who are on the hunt for a new big gaming laptop but don't want to spend a whole fortune on it. Features-wise, this Acer creation is a true powerhouse with its 45W Zen 4 Hawk Point-HS CPU options and RTX 4000 GPUs with hefty TGPs. It's nice to see that the upgradability isn't hindered despite the lower price tag - you still get a pair of SODIMMs and M.2 slots. On top of that, the port selection is also rich. There are no compromises in terms of extras because goodies such as G-Sync, Nvidia Advanced Optimus, and a MUX switch are on board. The optional 1440p [...]

Read the full review

Pros

Good overall performance for the class
PWM-free (CSW1704)
165Hz refresh rate + wide viewing angles (CSW1704)
1440p resolution and 98% sRGB coverage (CSW1704)
Very good color accuracy when our "Design and Office Work" profile is applied (CSW1704)
Fast pixel response times for an IPS panel (8ms) (CSW1704)
MUX switch
G-Sync + Nvidia Advanced Optimus
5x USB ports + 2.5 Gbps LAN + HDMI 2.1
MicroSD card slot
Great 4-zone RGB backlit keyboard
Solid base
The Ryzen 9 8945HS sustains ~ 5GHz even in long loads in "Turbo" mode
The RTX 4070 boosts to 2625 MHz during gaming in "Turbo" mode
Great "Performance" preset with the same CPU frequency and GPU TGP as the "Turbo" presets + lower noise
The keyboard barely gets warm
Fast SSD (SK Hynix HFS001TEJ9X125N)
2x SODIMMs + 2x 2280 Gen 4 M.2 slots
Good sound quality
Well priced machine
Acceptable battery life given the high-res panel and the powerful hardware (~ 6 hours of videos)
Capable cooling system