How to open the Acer Nitro 17 AN17-42 and improve its performance 🚀

Disassembling the Acer Nitro 17

Clue: Make sure your laptop is turned off and unplugged before you begin.

1. Unscrew the 11 Phillips-head screws securing the bottom panel to the chassis.
2. Hold the two plastic grilles on the back and unscrew the back panel.
3. Separate the exhausts from each other, gently separating the bottom cover until it reaches the level of the LAN connector.
4. Use a thin plastic tool to pry up the sides and front and completely release the bottom panel.

More info: The bottom panel interior features a dedicated battery connector and a large dust filter for the two center vents, ensuring better air circulation and less dust buildup.

Battery Removal

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

1. Disconnect the battery by pulling down on the connector.
2. Carefully lift the 90Wh battery 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 long gaming sessions or productive tasks.

Memory Upgrade

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

1. Locate the two SODIMM slots, which support DDR5-5600MHz RAM in dual-channel mode.
2. Install up to 32GB of RAM based on Acer specifications, or consider larger capacities (up to 256GB) depending on your CPU capabilities.
3. The pre-installed RAM module is wrapped in a heat shield with a cooling pad on the bottom for increased thermal efficiency.

More info: Make sure the RAM is installed securely and meets your system requirements for optimal performance.

Storage Upgrade

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

1. Locate the two M.2 slots compatible with 2280 Gen 4 SSDs.
2. The system's NVMe slot and the SSD slot on the right are covered with heat shields. Carefully remove these shields to access the slots.
3. Install the SSDs at a slight angle, ensuring they are properly seated, and replace the heat shields to maintain optimal thermal performance.

More info: The Wi-Fi 6E card is positioned near the left NVMe slot, ensuring improved connectivity.

Connectivity Options

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

Cooling System Summary

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

1. Two large fans provide efficient airflow.
2. Liquid metal is applied to the CPU die to improve thermal conductivity.
3. Rectangular vector heat pipes offer larger contact surfaces, improving heat transfer efficiency.
4. 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.
5. Four heatsinks and two large metal plates, the tallest of which covers the GPU, ensure complete thermal management.

Advice: Regularly clean fans, heat pipes, and heat sinks to maintain optimal cooling performance and longer system life.

In-depth review of the Acer Nitro 17 (AN17-42)

The Nitro 17 (AN17-42) is ideal for those looking for a new full-size gaming laptop but don't want to spend a fortune. In terms of features, this Acer creation is a real powerhouse with its 45W Zen 4 Hawk Point-HS CPU options and RTX 4000 GPUs with robust TGPs. It's great to see that upgradeability isn't compromised despite the lower price: you still get a pair of SODIMMs and M.2 slots. Plus, the port selection is also rich. There are no compromises in terms of extras, as it comes with goodies like G-Sync, Nvidia Advanced Optimus, and a MUX switch. The 1440p option […]

Read the full review

Pros

• Good overall performance for the category
• Without PWM (CSW1704)
• 165Hz refresh rate + wide viewing angles (CSW1704)
• 1440p resolution and 98% sRGB coverage (CSW1704)
• Very good color accuracy when applying our “Design and Office Work” profile (CSW1704)
• Fast pixel response times for an IPS panel (8ms) (CSW1704)
• MUX switch
• G-Sync + Nvidia Advanced Optimus
• 5 USB ports + 2.5 Gbps LAN + HDMI 2.1
• MicroSD card slot
• Excellent 4-zone RGB backlit keyboard
• Solid base
• The Ryzen 9 8945HS stays at ~5GHz even under long loads in “Turbo” mode.
• The RTX 4070 reaches up 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 M.2 2280 Gen 4 slots
• Good sound quality
• Machine beautifully positioned
• Acceptable battery life given the high-resolution display and powerful hardware (~6 hours of video)
• Cooling system capable

Cons

• 1x USB 2.0 port
• Loud noise in “Turbo” mode

In conclusion, the Acer Nitro 17 AN17-42 It's an ideal choice for gamers 🎮 and advanced users looking for a powerful and affordable laptop 💻 with great upgrade possibilities. Its design makes it easy to upgrade key components like RAM and SSD storage, allowing the device to always keep up with the latest demands.

In addition, its robust cooling system ❄️, combined with advanced technologies such as liquid metal and optimized heat pipes, guarantees efficient thermal performance even under intense loads 🔥.

With a high-quality display 🖥️, modern connectivity, and standout features like the MUX switch, G-Sync, and Nvidia Advanced Optimus, this model offers a smooth and versatile gaming experience.

Although it has some limitations, such as a high noise level in turbo mode 🔊 and a limited USB 2.0 port, its advantages far outweigh these details, making it an excellent investment for those looking for a gaming laptop balanced in power, performance, and price 💰.