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Hardware Builds

PC build guides, component reviews, and upgrade recommendations for every budget.

99 articles
Hardware Builds

Best PSU Tier List and Buying Guide 2026

Power supply tier list for 2026 builds — top-rated PSUs by wattage, efficiency ratings, and what to avoid for ATX 3.1 and PCIe 5.0 builds.

7 min read
Hardware Builds

Best Streaming PC Build Guide for 2026

Build the best streaming PC in 2026 — hardware picks, OBS settings, NVENC vs AV1 encoding, dual-PC vs single-PC setup, and audio recommendations.

7 min read
Hardware Builds

Custom Water Cooling Loop Build Guide 2026

Step-by-step guide to building a custom hardline or softline water cooling loop in 2026, including parts, fittings, filling, and leak testing.

7 min read
Hardware Builds

ARM Mini PCs Compared for 2026

Apple Mac mini M4, Raspberry Pi 5, Orange Pi 5 Plus, and ARM mini servers compared for performance, OS support, and use cases.

7 min read
Hardware Builds

Budget AM5 PC Build Guide for 2026 Under $700

Build a capable AM5 gaming PC for under $700 in 2026. Ryzen 5 7600 or Ryzen 7 7700, B650 motherboard, DDR5, RX 7600, and a full parts list with prices.

7 min read
Hardware Builds

DIY Custom Water Cooling Loop Build Guide

How to build a custom water cooling loop for your PC. Components, tubing, coolant, fittings, filling, leak testing, maintenance, and temps vs AIO.

7 min read
Hardware Builds

HDD Shucking for NAS Builds: Guide and Risks

How to shuck external HDDs for NAS use. Best drives, WD label types, the 3.3V pin fix, warranty implications, and how to test shucked drives safely.

7 min read
Hardware Builds

Setting Up a Home Network Rack in 2026

Complete guide to building a home network rack in 2026. Rack sizing, patch panels, managed switches, UPS, cable management, and ventilation tips.

7 min read
Hardware Builds

Intel Arrow Lake and LGA1851 Platform Explained

Deep dive into Intel Arrow Lake and LGA1851. Architecture, Z890 vs B860 vs H870 chipsets, DDR5 support, overclocking, PCIe 5.0, and comparison with AMD AM5.

7 min read
Hardware Builds

Building a Proxmox Home Lab Server in 2026

How to build a capable Proxmox home lab server in 2026. Component selection, ZFS vs ext4, IOMMU passthrough, and creating your first VM and LXC container.

7 min read
Hardware Builds

Air Cooler vs AIO Liquid Cooling in 2026

Noctua NH-D15 vs 360mm AIO: noise levels, longevity, pump failure risk, and which cooling solution is best for your use case and PC case size in 2026.

7 min read
Hardware Builds

Best 1440p Monitors Under $300 in 2026

Top 1440p gaming monitors under $300 in 2026: LG 27GP850-B, AOC Q27G3XMN MiniLED, Samsung Odyssey G5 compared on panel type, response time, and HDR.

7 min read
Hardware Builds

Best AM5 X870 Motherboards 2026

Top AM5 X870 and X870E motherboards for Ryzen 9000 builds: ASUS ROG Crosshair X870E Hero, MSI MEG X870E ACE, Gigabyte X870E Aorus Master compared.

7 min read
Hardware Builds

Best eGPU Enclosures in 2026

Best eGPU enclosures 2026: Razer Core X, Sonnet Breakaway 750ex, AKiTiO Node Pro compared by Thunderbolt support, GPU clearance, and price.

7 min read
Hardware Builds

Best Laptop Docking Stations 2026

Top laptop docking stations 2026: CalDigit TS4, OWC Thunderbolt 4 Dock, and Anker 777 compared by ports, power delivery, and compatibility.

7 min read
Hardware Builds

Home Lab Fiber Optic Cabling Guide

Home lab fiber optic cabling guide: OM3 vs OM4 vs OS2, SFP+ transceivers, LC vs SC connectors, pre-terminated vs field-terminated fiber, and cost vs benefit.

7 min read
Hardware Builds

Home Network Patch Panel Setup Guide

Step-by-step guide to setting up a 24-port Cat6A patch panel at home: punch-down technique, cable labeling, switch connections, and cable testing.

7 min read
Hardware Builds

KVM Switch Guide for Multi-PC Setups 2026

Complete KVM switch guide: HDMI vs DisplayPort for 4K 144Hz, USB hub switching, best picks like TESmart and ATEN CS1942DP, plus software KVM alternatives.

7 min read
Hardware Builds

DIY Custom PC Cable Sleeving Guide 2026

Learn how to sleeve your own custom PC cables from scratch. Covers tools, materials, heatshrink, and combing techniques for a clean professional finish.

7 min read
Hardware Builds

Ultimate Gaming Desk Setup Guide 2026

Build the ultimate gaming desk setup in 2026. Monitor placement, cable management, peripherals, lighting, and ergonomics for performance and comfort.

8 min read
Hardware Builds

How to Install a GPU Water Block Step by Step

Complete guide to installing a GPU water block for custom water cooling. Covers teardown, thermal paste, block mounting, and leak testing for beginners.

7 min read
Hardware Builds

How to Set Up a Fiber Internet Home Network

Set up a fiber internet home network from ONT to router to switch. Covers fiber types, router selection, Wi-Fi 6E/7 setup, and whole-home coverage tips.

8 min read
Hardware Builds

Low-Profile PC Build Guide 2026

Build a powerful low-profile PC in 2026. This guide covers slim cases, low-profile CPU coolers, short GPUs, and complete build recommendations by budget.

8 min read
Hardware Builds

$2500 High-End Gaming PC Build Guide 2026

Build the ultimate $2500 gaming PC in 2026 with RTX 5080, Ryzen 9 9900X, DDR5 RAM, and a 4K-capable build guide with full parts list and tips.

8 min read
Hardware Builds

Best 4K Gaming Monitors in 2026

Top 4K gaming monitors in 2026: 144Hz+ OLED and IPS panels, G-Sync and FreeSync support, HDR performance, and our top picks by budget.

7 min read
Hardware Builds

Best WiFi 6E PCIe Adapters in 2026

Top WiFi 6E and WiFi 7 PCIe adapters for desktop PCs in 2026. Intel BE200, Fenvi, TP-Link tested with real-world speeds and install tips.

7 min read
Hardware Builds

How to Build a Streaming PC in 2026

Dedicated stream PC vs single-PC streaming: parts list, OBS settings, and everything you need to go live in 2026.

7 min read
Hardware Builds

Gaming Headset Buying Guide 2026

How to choose a gaming headset in 2026. Wired vs wireless, 7.1 surround sound, open vs closed back, and the best picks at every price.

7 min read
Hardware Builds

ITX vs mATX vs ATX Motherboard Comparison

Mini-ITX, Micro-ATX, or ATX? Compare form factors by size, expansion slots, cooling support, build difficulty, and ideal use cases.

7 min read
Hardware Builds

NVIDIA RTX 5000 Series Overview 2026

RTX 5090, 5080, and 5070 specs, benchmarks, and value breakdown. Find out which Blackwell GPU is right for your 2026 build.

7 min read
Hardware Builds

$1500 Workstation PC Build 2026

Professional workstation build for video, 3D, and content creation. $1500 parts list included.

9 min read