Here’s a quick guide to help you find the information you need.
A: Core i7-3770 (Ivy Bridge) after BIOS update, but note the VRM (voltage regulator) on this board is weak—do not use 95W+ CPUs for long periods.
Remember: always download the official service guide from Acer using your PC’s model number, not just the motherboard model. If you intend to upgrade to an Ivy Bridge i7, update the BIOS first. And if you are stuck on the front panel connectors, refer to the pinout table above—it has saved thousands of frustrated builders.
If you just need the basics, here’s what the manual would tell you:
Because the H61 chipset lacks SATA 3 (6Gbps), your SSD is capped at SATA 2 speeds (~250 MB/s real-world). The manual does not hide this—look for “SATA 2.0 3Gb/s” in the storage section. The only fix is a PCIe-to-SATA 3 adapter card in the PCIe x1 slot.
6-channel High Definition Audio and Realtek Gigabit Ethernet. Front Panel Header Pinout