PC Builder Videos

As an Amazon Associate, techvideos.net/ earns from qualifying purchases. The Acer Aspire TC-780-UR11 desktop is powered by an Intel Core i7-7700 quad‑core processor running at 3.6 GHz, with Hyper‑Threading enabled for a total of eight threads. This configuration makes it well suited for multitasking and content creation. The system comes equipped with 8 GB of memory and a 1 TB 7200 RPM hard drive. I purchased this PC just over a month ago, and it has been running flawlessly. Initially, I was considering one of Acer’s lower‑cost systems, starting with the i5‑6400 and later the i5‑7400 models. While researching those options, I came across this i7‑7700 version at an excellent price—under $700. At that cost, I simply could not have built a comparable system myself for less money.

Before buying, I thought I had a good idea of what to expect inside the case. I had watched several teardown and review videos of similar Acer i5 systems on YouTube channels such as Tech Deals and Lon.TV, both of which provide excellent coverage of Acer’s budget desktops. I was fully prepared to use one of the Acer i5 machines as my budget content‑creator PC—until I discovered Acer’s newer i7‑7700 offering. After a month of use, my plan is to gradually upgrade this system to better suit my needs. The upgrades I have in mind include adding another 8 GB of memory, installing an EVGA GTX 1050 2 GB graphics card, and adding M.2 storage. These upgrades would complete my vision of an affordable yet capable content‑creation PC. Before purchasing any additional components, however, I wanted to confirm exactly what hardware and expansion options are available inside the case. That’s the reason for this video—to show you what’s actually inside this Acer i7 system.

Based on Acer’s published specifications, I expect to find a single 8 GB memory module with an open slot available for a second 8 GB stick. I’m also looking for a PCI‑Express x16 slot for a graphics card, a PCI‑Express x1 slot, and an M.2 connector for faster storage. I’ve chosen the EVGA GTX 1050 specifically because of its low cost and modest power requirements. The system’s power supply is rated at only 300 watts, and I don’t expect to find any unused auxiliary power connectors inside the case. In the video, we open up the system and take a close look at what’s actually inside to see how well it matches Acer’s specifications and how upgrade‑friendly this desktop really is.

As an Amazon Associate, techvideos.net/ earns from qualifying purchases. A SATA external HDD docking station can be a very handy tool, especially if you have a collection of old hard drives from retired PCs or laptops. If you want to check whether those drives still work—or if you suspect there may be important data left on them—this device allows you to quickly and easily access their contents. You can even repurpose older hard drives for backup storage.

I don’t recommend any specific brand. Be sure to read customer reviews, and look for a model that supports USB 3.0 or better. Ideally, choose a docking station that also supports SSDs. In this video, we also take a look at USB hubs and an external PC memory card reader. A USB hub expands a single USB port into four ports, though other configurations are available. As with other devices, look for USB 3.0 or better for optimal performance. An external memory card reader is useful if you have older memory cards that aren’t supported by your computer’s built-in reader—or if your PC or laptop doesn’t have a card reader at all, or the existing one is broken. Look for a USB 3.0 (or better) model that supports a wide variety of card formats.

As an Amazon Associate, techvideos.net/ earns from qualifying purchases.. Levetron L70 LED Backlit Gaming Keyboard. The Levetron L70 LED Backlit Gaming Keyboard by Azio – I have been using this keyboard every day for three months and it has proven itself to be a reliable performer for all PC tasks and for entertainment. At this price range, these are not mechanical keys. Still, all the keys work well and there is no sign of any wear. There is a volume dial on the right and a side light at each end, which can be very helpful in low light situations. Of course, the Azio L70 has Multi-Key Rollover. I have never used a palm rest before. The Azio Palm Rest is easy to attach and I have learned to like it a lot. I also like the indicator lights for num lock, caps lock and scroll lock. This backlit keyboard is a good, low cost alternative for content creators as well as gamers. As of the time this video is made, this keyboard is priced in the $25 to $35 range depending on the retailer.

As an Amazon Associate, techvideos.net/ earns commissions from qualifying purchases. Featured here is the Rosewill RTK‑015 Computer Toolkit, a versatile and reliable toolkit designed for computer and electronics work.