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.

The post Building a Budget AM4 Office PC in the InWin BQ656 appeared first on tektoc.

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.

Mechanical drives, SATA drives and NVMe drives are all out there vying for your attention and a spot inside your shiny new PC case. Which is right for you? How different are they, really? Where will you get the biggest bang for your upgrade buck?

In this video we look at the popular Western Digital Blue line of drives and compare how the various drive types perform and what the costs of each are. The key is to make sure that your choice of drives isn’t destroying the overall performance of your PC!

Chapters in this video:
00:00 Intro
00:53 About Mechanical Hard Drives
04:50 About Solid State Drives (SSDs)
06:17 The Differences Between Mechanical Drives and SATA and NVMe SSDs
10:26 Why Are Mechanical Drives Still So Common Today?
13:09 How Does Pricing Currently Compare Across Drive Types?
15:28 Other Benefits to SSDs Over Mechanical Drives

The post Is Your Hard Drive Destroying Your PC Performance? appeared first on tektoc.

I recently built a gaming PC in the very economically-priced Thermaltake Versa H18 TG micro-ATX PC case. I have some definite thoughts on the value proposition presented by the Versa H18. Join me as I unbox my new PC case, discuss some of the features and talk about the build and the end results. Is the Thermaltake Versa H18 a case for you?

00:00 Introduction
00:57 Unboxing
01:46 First Impressions and Features
04:01 Build Considerations
07:34 Completed Build and Post-Build Impressions
09:32 Build Issues and Problems
13:06 Pricing is Key on This Case
14:32 Is This a PC Case for You?

The post Thermaltake Versa H18 TG PC Case: How Good It Is Totally Depends on How Little You Pay For It 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.

The InWin CK709 is a small form factor HTPC case suitable for mini-ITX and micro-ATX motherboards. It comes packaged with a 300-watt TFX PSU. In this video, we recycle parts from my former gaming PC and add an AMD APU and cooler to create a small, efficient home theatre PC that will fit neatly in my TV stand. I’ll give my thoughts on working with the case, the one big, irritating issue I have with it, and how I modified this case to better meet my needs and expectations.

Lastly, I’ll answer the most important question: Is this case worth the money?

00:00 Introduction and About This Build
05:50 The One Big Problem I Have With The InWin CK709
07:40 Modding This Case To Better Meet My Expectations
11:02 Changing Out The CPU Cooler
14:55 Tips For Mounting a Motherboard In a New Case
17:13 The Finished Build
19:08 Final Thoughts: Is The InWin CK709 Worth It?

The post InWin CK709 HTPC Case – Build and Review appeared first on tektoc.