Can Good PCs Come In Small Packages?

After explaining why AMD’s AM4 platform is still one of the best value options in 2026, it was time to put that idea into practice. In this video, I build a compact AM4 office PC inside the InWin BQ656 mini-ITX case and give a real-world verdict on whether this budget-friendly case is actually worth using.

The goal of this build is simple: create a fast, quiet, and affordable office PC without wasting money on parts that won’t matter for everyday use. The system is built around a Ryzen 5 3400G, which includes integrated Radeon graphics and removes the need for a dedicated GPU. To keep costs down, I reused DDR4 memory and a 512GB NVMe SSD from an older Dell system.

The InWin BQ656 is an interesting option for budget builders because it includes a built-in power supply and has a very small footprint, making it appealing for home and office setups. During the build, I walk through installation, cable management, and airflow limitations, highlighting both the strengths and compromises that come with compact, low-cost cases.

Rather than treating this as a generic “how to build a PC” guide, this video focuses on the real experience of assembling a system in this case. You’ll see what’s easy, what’s frustrating, and what you should know before choosing the BQ656 for your own build.

By the end, I give a clear verdict on who this case is for, who should avoid it, and whether it makes sense as part of a smart AM4 budget PC strategy. If you’re planning a small office or productivity build, this video will help you decide if the InWin BQ656 is the right choice.

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The Longevity of AMD’s AM4 Platform Makes It Ideal For a Budget PC Build

PC building has gotten expensive again, and the frustrating part is that it’s not always the “fun” components causing the problem. Lately, two of the biggest budget killers have been the parts every computer needs: RAM and SSD storage. Even if you’re not building a gaming PC, those rising prices can turn a simple office setup into an overpriced project.

In this video, I break down a smarter approach: build only what you need for your use case and reuse parts that still work perfectly well. For many people, an office PC doesn’t need extreme specs — it just needs to be fast, quiet, reliable, and affordable.

This build is for a real-world home office situation: web browsing, email, spreadsheets, Zoom calls, and everyday productivity. Instead of buying everything new, I’m reusing a 512GB NVMe SSD and DDR4 RAM from an older Dell system. Reusing storage and memory can save a surprising amount of money, especially when pricing is inflated.

For the new components, I’m focusing on value and simplicity. The Ryzen 5 3400G is a great choice because it includes integrated graphics, which means there’s no need to buy a dedicated GPU. Pairing it with an ASRock A520 mini-ITX motherboard keeps the build compact and modern without overspending on features that won’t matter for office work.

This video is Part 1 of a two-part series. Here, I explain the strategy and the parts choices. In Part 2, I’ll assemble everything inside the InWin mini-ITX case and show the finished system running.

If you’re trying to build a cheap, practical PC in today’s market, this is one of the best ways to do it without sacrificing the experience.

The post Build a Budget Office PC by Reusing Old Parts (2026) appeared first on tektoc.

If you’ve been hanging on to an older AM4 motherboard like so many of us have, you’re going to love what AMD just did. In late June 2025 they quietly dropped the Ryzen 5 5500X3D – a brand-new CPU that brings 3D V-Cache gaming magic to a platform that’s almost nine years old. It feels like AMD is saying, “We’ve got your back.”

What Makes the Ryzen 5 5500X3D Special?

This six-core, twelve-thread Zen 3 chip carries the same 96 MB of L3 cache that makes other X3D processors so smooth in games. It runs at a comfortable 105 W TDP, so it drops right into most existing AM4 boards with a quick BIOS update. Clock speeds are a touch lower than the earlier 5600X3D, but the price lands around $150–$200 US, making it one of the most affordable ways to add serious gaming performance without buying a whole new system.

Why Release a New AMD Ryzen on Old AM4 Hardware?

At first it sounds crazy – why support a platform everyone was supposed to abandon? The answer is simple and practical. In places like Latin America, AM5 builds still cost a lot more because of local pricing. The Ryzen 5 5500X3D gives those folks a real upgrade path that actually fits their wallets. Even here at home, thousands of us still run solid AM4 systems with fast DDR4 memory. AMD looked at real-world needs instead of chasing the “newest is always best” crowd, and that decision just makes good sense.

Who Should Grab This AMD Ryzen CPU?

If you game at 1080p or 1440p and want buttery frame times without spending big, the Ryzen 5 5500X3D is worth a serious look. It’s perfect for anyone who already owns a B450, B550 or X570 board and doesn’t want to replace the motherboard, RAM and CPU all at once. The extra cache really shines in modern titles, giving you that extra smoothness you notice every time you play.

Best of all, this move shows AMD’s commitment to longevity and cutting down on e-waste. Instead of forcing everyone onto a new platform, they’re keeping millions of perfectly good PCs useful for years longer. That’s the kind of thinking that keeps your retirement savings safe and your tech upgrades simple.

The bad news? This fantastic, budget-friendly AMD Ryzen CPU is only available in Latin America!

If you’re wondering whether the Ryzen 5 5500X3D makes sense for your setup, pop over to the video and I’ll walk you through everything step by step. You’ll see exactly why this little CPU is proof that AMD still listens to regular users like us.

The post Have the Folks at AMD Lost Their Minds? | New AM4 CPU Released In June 2025! | Ryzen 5 5500X3D appeared first on tektoc.

AMD and Intel are both still in the habit of packaging coolers with some of their CPUs, but does this approach still make sense in 2024? Is anybody buying a CPU based on whether or not there’s an included cooler? What about the economics of it?

Maybe it’s time to quit this practice altogether? What do you think?

00:00 Introduction
00:31 The History of AMD Ryzen Coolers
03:17 Current AMD Ryzen Cooler Offerings
07:39 The Aftermarket Offerings – What Is The Cost For Quality?
09:42 The Bottom Line: Time To Quit The Boxed Cooler And Pass On The Savings?

The post Is It Time To Quit Handing Out “Free” CPU Coolers? appeared first on tektoc.

According to Jack Huynh (AMD’s Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Computing and Graphics Business Group), AMD will be shifting it’s focus away from high-end enthusiast GPUs to focus more closely on the fat middle of the GPU market.

Will the strategy work, or will ceding the flagship GPU space to Nvidia prove to be a huge mistake? What do you think?

The post AMD Changes It’s GPU Strategy – Will It Work? appeared first on tektoc.

With the release of AMD’s AM5 platform almost 2 years ago, and the release of what are assumed to be the last AM4 CPUs last January, conventional wisdom seems to be that the AM4 platform is well and truly dead, and there is zero reason to build a new AM4 PC.

But for budget builders, is that good advice to follow blindly? Or is there more nuance to it? Can a brand-new AM4 be a good choice for you in 2024? Hang out with me for a few minutes and find out!

00:00 Introduction – Time to Upgrade My gaming PC
04:44 Why I Decided To Build a Whole New PC Instead
05:45 AM4 Build Cost
07:50 Comparative AM5 Build Cost
09:22 Why The AM5 Build Would Have Been a Waste of Money

The post I Just Built An AMD AM4 PC – Was That Just a Waste of Time and Money? appeared first on tektoc.