ASUS FX53VE-MS74 15.6" Expansion questions

[bythepowerofthor]

hello all this is my first time posting here but I have lurked quite a bit. On to my question though, I recently purchased the ASUS FX53VE-MS74 15.6" from Microcenter while it was on sale about a month ago. I do a lot of traveling for work and love to game, so I wanted a machine that has the power to do that without lugging around a 20 lbs monstrosity. My question is, is this machine's HDD and or RAM upgrade able? I removed the screws on the bottom and couldnt seem to get the panel off, granted I didnt really try in fear of breaking something. Any help or directions where I could find help would be awesome. Thanks!

 

[Barty1884]

It's still a little new to find detailed teardowns, but I believe you should be able to upgrade the HDD....... the RAM too, but it comes with 16GB as standard? That may well be it's limit. RAM is frequently accessed either from the bottom (2xDIMM slots) or 1 underneath and 1 below the keyboard.

HDD upgrades are usually performed by removing the screws and then lifting the 'flap' on the underside - not the whole base panel.
But, without being able to see the underside, it's impossible to say.

Can you post a pic of the underside?

 

[bythepowerofthor]

pic 1
pic 2

 

[Barty1884]

Yeah, removing the two screws and then the cover (with the sticker on it) should be sufficient to gain access.

There might be a lip at some point that needs to 'snap' out of place for it to come out.... but don't worry, you shouldn't damage anything.

I'd expect the cover will lift from the middle towards the back (looks like that's what you were trying anyway as the edges are raised), but may lift in reverse.

 

[bythepowerofthor]

awesome thank you so much! Would you suggest some sort of pry tool?

 

[Barty1884]

Fingernails should be sufficient for most people but, if like me, you don't have a lot of them, a pry tool can be a good idea.

Avoid anything overly sharp, as if you slip you can scratch up the surface (no big deal, just aesthetic, but annoying) or worse, can cut yourself.

A butter knife is something most people should have available to them. A small flathead screwdriver can be useful too.

 

[bythepowerofthor]

youre the best, thanks again!