Acer Aspire One 521, memory upgrade

I'm considering buying an Acer Aspire One 521 netbook, but it only comes with 1GB DDR3 memory. I want to figure out if I can upgrade it to either 3GB (put in a 2GB module) or maybe 4GB (replace the current 1GB module with 2x2GB modules). As far as I can tell online, it takes DDR3-8500 204-pins, but some say it can be upgraded, others that it can't.

Any thoughts?

 

Worst touchpad I ever used.

I'm sure there's some YouTube videos showing how to do it if you decide to do it.

 

I don't care about the touchpad. I just want to know if I can upgrade the memory, and to how much

 

From what I saw you pretty much have to take the case apart, which may have implications for your warranty. You might want to poke around the Acer forum to see if anyone there has more info.

 

Meh... not a big deal either. I've upgraded several notebooks before. ty though

 

I've read about 7 or 8 reviews of the 521, and while all of them mention the 1GB of RAM it comes with, I only found one discussing a RAM upgrade. That one claimed the 521 will take 4GB of RAM, but didn't say whether it has one RAM slot or 2. It did say that there is easy access to both the RAM and hard drive through panels on the bottom, unlike older versions of the Aspire One.

 

Yeah that's basically what I've found to, but nothing specific yet I guess.

 

And Acer's website doesn't say either. I couldn't even locate the user's guide. Just another reason why I've never been a fan.

 

Yeah. Well to be fair it was basically just released, but it would still be nice to know.

 

Hey Tim,

I'm searching for the same info (upgrading the 521 to 4GB), so I'll keep in touch here if I can find the answer ...

Can you do me a favor too? In Windows, does it currently register as 1GB of RAM or 768MB? My copy of Win XP on my 521 only shows 768MB under winver.

 

Why don't you just open it and see how many slots are in there???Sorry if I have missed something..If there are two slots I would put another 2gb especially if you have a32bit win7 OS.

 

First line of original post:

"I'm considering buying an Acer Aspire One 521 netbook..."

 

I was reffering to "cm1".I got the impression that he already owns a 521 with XP.

 

cm1
I actually haven't bought it yet, so I can't say. But it would make sense that it registers less than 1GB, because it takes a portion for the integrated graphics.

Thanks for keeping me posted I've thought of just buying it, and going to BestBuy and asking them if they could test it or something, before I buy memory from them.

thundernet
There's definitely 2 slots (there's a video of it on YouTube). The thing is though, if you try and google for more info, you get all sorts of info, and nothing concrete. Some say there's only one slot, others that it can only be upgraded to 2GB total, others that you can install a 2GB DDR3/8500, and some that the max is 2x2GB.
It comes with W7 starter, but I was hoping to install W7 Home Premium 64bit on it.

 

My bad. Sorry. When I clicked on the link in the reply email I got, it took me to the top of page 2 for some reason. I didn't realize there were additional replies on page 1.

 

YouTube - Acer Aspire One 521 Ram Upgrade and Dissecting

I don't know if it helps but in this video you can see clearly that it has one slot and it can handle 2gb Ram...

Edit:I haven't seen a netbook yet with more than one slot,so I would be surprised if it has two.

 

1shado1 don't worry about it at all...An honest mix up


Guys when it comes to netbooks this baby makes the Atom based netbooks look like a bad joke.Even with2gb RAM is a powerhouse and definitely an excellent buy in my opinion.

 

Dang... you're absolutely right. It only has one slot. I always thought it had two. More so... that's the very same video I watched, and still I didn't notice that it only had one slot

I guess the question now is if it can handle 1x4GB. If it can only handle 1x2GB, I might as well get the 721 with better resolution, and full size keyboard, since that one comes with 2GB.

 

I know that there is 1GB in my 521's single slot. It's just that WinXP sees 768MB RAM. The 521 is advertised as coming with 384MB of system memory used for video, so 1024-384 = 640MB. If it is indeed using 384MB for video, then shouldn't Windows see 640MB of RAM instead of 768? That's what I'm trying to solve.

 

Hmm .. this website says "For reference, the Acer Aspire 521 ... supports DDR3 memory, and has two RAM slots, which means you can install up to 4GB of memory on this model." However, I could only see one RAM slot when I opened the bottom of my 521 - maybe there's a hidden slot I couldn't see?

 

Often the memory assigned to video is set on "auto" in the bios (you might be able to change that in the bios), so maybe that's why. It might use 256MB (1024-256=768).

Comments on the site you posted suggests that it does indeed only have 1 memory slot. I bet they just made a mistake in the article.

 

Kingston's take on the AO521:

http://www.ec.kingston.com/ecom/configurator_new/modelsinfo.asp?id=3&SysID=65291&mfr=Acer&model=Aspire+One+AO521&search_type=&root=us&LinkBack=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kingston.com&Sys=65291-Acer-Aspire+One+AO521&distributor=0&submit1=Search

 

Hello people,

im having the exact issue with the Acer Aspire One 521 i bought at Bestbuy 2 weeks ago...this laptop is amaizing though runs a bit hot for a netbook and the fan is a little loud like a Laptop....mah...for the Ati Radeon 4225 performance its normal i guess..

now to the point... i have 766 MB not 768mb usable (check that if you made a mistake).... yes i also calculted 1024 - 384mb = 640 mb...wierd.. the advanced graphics options tell me that 384 mb is dedicated to the card so its surely not a 256mb card...though it makes sense that 1024-256 = 768mb..

(but i have 766mb)...im planning to upgrade it to 4 Gb ram...i know that its a 32 bit system and im fine with Win 7 Starter..though im aware that 2.93 GB OR 3.25 GB will be detected (im more sure to be 2.9Gb)..now we also have to consider..wath will happen to the graphics dedicated card??? if it detects the ram change automacticly.do you guys think it will becaume 2.5 GB usable???

please consider my reply and reply to it

id apreciate it.
thanks

Joe

 

**this post has been deleted**

 

Meh...

yes Bestbuy still has it.

You should call them to check stock. Problem is that...if Newegg sends you a defective netbook..and blablabla..you gotta deal with them ..meh link.

Acer 10.1" Netbook featuring AMD K Series Processor K125 - Brown - Best Buy Canada

I when to a local compeuter shop, they told me that their disbtributor says Windows Starter 32 bits dosent accept more than 1 Gb of ram...

I dont think sooo and im pretty sure it can accept 2 Gb of ddr3 ram AND DDR2 if the pins are the same.

some websites say it accepts up to 4 gb some say 1Gb some say 2Gb..
meh...only one slot ..me too i was disapointed...

and by the way...if i where you..

GET THE ACER ASPIRE ONE 721!!!

COSTCO HAS IT FOR 399$ ...(instead of 450$) ITS REALLY WORTH IT
has 2 GB ram..with Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bits.

REALLY!!!

ill get some more news for the ram upgrade.

 

.look my reply.

 

............................................

 

Oh ..well the Bestbuy version dosent have Bluetooth...
Newegg one probably does have it (i think i saw it)...>

Im running Win 7 Starter its enough for me i dont need XP anymore.

 

**this post has been deleted**

 

I just dropped a 4gb module in and it reads it fine. I am still running 32bit 7 pro system so only 3gb used after vidram. Now have to figure how to go to 64bit professional for better ram use. but this is great and the streaming of netflix is now instant.

 

wiremite:

to go to Win 7 x64 you will need to do a clean install (can't upgrade from x86 versions).

 

thanks, as a student I downloaded the 64bit win 7 pro but when I put in upgrade key it only unlocked the 32bit version, gave me no option for custom. So now I am not sure how to even get to a menu to request a custom clean install, or if the key I used for the 32 bit. can be used on the new machine for the 64

 

As far as I know, you must have downloaded the 32bit version as the key should be good for either 32bit or 64bit installs.

Unless; you downloaded the retail version which should contain both.

In that case, then you did not do a clean install - you simply did an upgrade over your existing O/S.

 

I downloaded and saved the 64 bit Windows 7 Pro as an iso. I then used Microsoft's USB boot program to create a USB boot . I then changed my start up to boot from the USB. But I need the 32 bit bootsect.exe to do the clean install. Hope I have a copy on the harddrive. So am running the 7 Pro 32 until I try this. Will let you know.

As it stands now, my netbook with this 4gb chip has a much higher Microsoft Experience number than my son's WOW machine. So I had to give him cash to go and build a new gamer machine. $89 for the Acer's 4 gig stick, $30 for Windows 7 64 professional updrade and $700 for my son's game machine and the balance of power has been restored.

 

wiremite, I'll be interested to know how that works for you (bootsect.exe).

$819 spent, but "... the balance of power has been restored." = Priceless

 

It's done. The 521 now has 3.75gb usable RAM. Clean Install Windows 7 64 Professional (just pulled the 32bit setup files to the USB boot) and used the ACER driver disc I burned to load drivers, then web downloads for updates. Very tangible speed improvement. Its great. Still have to run 32bit for Netflix and Silverlight.

 

What was the spec on the 4gb you purchased. I'm looking to load Win7-64 bit tonight. DDR3 4gb PC8500 or PC1333?

 

I used a 4gb 1066mhz ddr3 corsair.

hope that helps

 

I ended up getting the DDR3 4gb 1333MHz chip from Corsair at Fry's. That works too!!

Now I'm sporting 4GB running Win7 Ultimate 64bit with no problem. Just a note about the Acer drivers. I was a bit worried installing the drivers on a 64bit system since Acer only lists x86 32-bit support in their download section for the AO521. All drivers work though. When you unzip the driver folders, most have 64bit references. Their drivers support 64bit, they just don't advertise that.

 

On a side note. I am able to mount ISO images of DVD's across my wireless N-network with SlySoft Virtual Clonedrive(free) and play them no problem with the AO521. The Radeon 4225 seems to do it's job well. Who needs a DVD drive. I am happily surprised with the performance I am getting out of this form factor.

 

I noticed the same but the 721 showed 64bit drivers and they were the same as the 521. It's all good.

 

Anyone know where i can get a uk keyboard for this. i just bought the 521 for my gf.
Ill be getting the 11.6 version myself-the acer 1551 not the 721 one cos i want dual core k625

 

Hello

Anyone, how loud is the fan ? I mean...if you are doing office tasks, or navigating the web, can you hear the fan ?

I'm not talking when you watch a 720p or play a 3d game, but just simple tasks.

Thank you

 

I've had my 521 for a few weeks now. The fan has been pretty much whisper-quiet, barely audible during web-surfing (Though you can feel the warmth of the airflow when you put your hand near the side vent.), word processing and watching non-HD video (Doesn't really pick up during HD video either as that doesn't completely tax the CPU & GPU). I have had it pick up a notch when doing alot of heavy file and directory tasks which required the hard drive constantly rotating, generating more heat.

You only really become aware of the noise when gaming for awhile as the fan is at its maximum (Doesn't bother me noise-wise as I'm wearing headphones when I game).

I do wish it would stop completely though more often than it does. I'm not just worried about the power-drain of the fan, but more aware of the fact that the 521 wouldn't be able to run *at all* without a functioning fan!

But I suppose that's true of any sufficiently powerful notebook nowadays.

Hope this helps a bit.

 

nanobyte, thank you for the very quick reply.

whisper-quiet sounds very good.

Thanks

 

Hi has anyone had any problesm with the netbook not powering on at all?
the charging light still shows but the power button does not light up?
i guess i cant do the bios thing because no method of anything is working and how can i do the bios trick if i cant even power it on?

 

I bought one of these netbooks 3 days ago, followed Wiremites memory upgrade suggestion and used the Windows Anytime Upgrade to move from Win7 Starter to Win7 Professional. OS sees 2.75gb of ram and I'm getting a very comparable experience to my larger HP Pavilion laptop. Whole process took 30 mins. Mem upgrade took about 15 mins (slightly clumsy!) and the OS upgrade took about 15 mins also. Used my MSDN subs to get the upgrade reg key. VERY easy and no messing about with iso's / USB etc. Thanks for the tip on this Wiremite.

EDIT see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbDuYv8yQaw for help on memory upgrade

 

Can anyone here that actually upgraded to a working 4GB post the actual Make and Model number of the memory?

Preferably 1333, but any would be useful for others looking. I ordered one, but haven't received it yet, so I'm just hoping it works or I'll have to return it.

Thanks,

P

 

If you paid more for 1333MHz memory, over 1066MHz, you wasted your money. The 521 con't take memory over 1066MHz. Your 1333MHz will just downclock to 1066MHz. But yes 4GB should work fine.

 

I think you may be incorrect on that. See this from a detailed specsheet of the 521: ( Acer Aspire One 521 specs - gdgt)

Memory details
RAM bus / speed: DDR3 (1333)Memory package: 200-pin SODIMMRAM slots: 1 slots (total)
1 slots (occupied)Maximum RAM: 4 GB (system)
4 GB (per module)

Anyway, for those thinking of upgrading to 4GB, here is the exact memory I purchased, which was plug and play easy and fully functional:

Corsair 4GB DDR3 SDRAM Memory Module - CMSO4GX3M1A1333C9
4GB (1 x 4GB) - 1333MHz DDR3-1333/PC3-10600 - Non-ECC - DDR3 SDRAM - 204-pin SoDIMM

Link at Buy.com where I purchased for $61.74: Buy.com - Corsair 4GB DDR3 SDRAM Memory Module

Good Luck!

By the way...any suggestions for an SDHC card for ReadyBoost? What class/speed can this little 521 handle? Class 10 30GB/s?

~P