Category: News

Recommended PC spec (2025)

A young individual using a high-performance computer testing interactive digital content – picture by https://www.freepik.com/author/dcstudio

The Yellow lab in the Informatorium provides computers with all the necessary software required to complete the degree. However, the lab facilities are only available during their operating hours (only weekdays and specific times). Having a personal computer at home to work from is more convenient and less restricted. Therefore, it is highly recommended that each student has a computer at their place of residence that can run demanding software used in the Multimedia degree.

The estimated cost for a desktop PC meeting these specifications is R20,000, expected to last for 3 years of study. Equivalent laptops are generally more expensive. This estimate, based on January 2025 component pricing, may vary over time and with available discounts.

Some recommended stores at which you can purchase these components are:

The following is a list of items/software that is required to do multimedia related assessments, but the above-mentioned estimated price excludes these:

  • Windows operating system,
  • any software (used in the Multimedia degree)
  • Standard mouse and keyboard
  • Monitor (full HD 1080p display)
    • Make sure the monitor’s connection matches the ports on the Graphics card
  • Wireless network connection
  • Standard audio devices (earphones/headphones/speakers)

The following list of components is purely for guidance and any desktop or laptop with similar performance/specifications should also last for the 3 years of your studies. It is not necessary to have a new PC that matches the specifications. A PC with slightly older components (within 3 years old) that has similar specifications will do just fine.

A collection of computer components – Photo by Andrey Matveev on Unsplash

Specific components list:

  • Intel 13th Gen Core i5 14400F Processor (LGA 1700 slot)
  • DeepCool LS520 Premium Liquid CPU Cooler
  • Gigabyte GA-B760-GAMING-X-DDR4 B760 Motherboard
    • Supports 12th and 13th (LGA 1700 slot) generation Intel CPUs
  • DDR4 3200 Mhz 16GB RAM (recommended DDR4 3200 Mhz 8GB RAM x 2)
  • GeForce RTX 4060 8GB Graphics Card
  • 1TB Ultra-Fast NVMe M.2 SSD Up to 3100MB/s+ speed
  • Antec AX20 Elite Mid Tower Gaming Case
    • Supports graphics card size (up to 270mm)
    • Support ATX motherboard size (not micro-ATX)
    • Built-in front 120mm fans x3
  • 650W 80 PLUS Gold Power Supply
  • 140mm rear fan x1

The more technical specifications for each component are as follows:

  • CPU:
    • 10 processor cores
    • 16 processor threads
    • Base frequency: 2.50GHz clock speed
    • Max Turbo frequency: 4.70GHz
    • CPU must match motherboard slot (e.g., LGA1700)
  • Motherboard:
    • CPU slot must match the purchased CPU (e.g., LGA1700)
    • At least SATA slot x1 (for the SSD)
    • At least M.2 slot x1 (for the NVMe SSD)
    • At least 2 x DDR4 DIMM sockets supporting up to 64 GB of system memory
    • Supports DDR4 Memory up to 5000+(OC) MHz
    • 1 x PCI Express 5.0 x16 Slot (for the graphics card)
    • Network: 1Gb Ethernet (or more)
      • Wireless LAN for Wi-Fi will make setup easier (recommended but not required, extra ±R500)
    • Form factor must match the case (e.g., Mini-ITX, Micro-ATX, ATX, E-ATX)
  • CPU cooling
    • Vertical air cooling or liquid cooling
  • Memory:
    • 3200 MHz 16GB DDR4 RAM (make sure it is compatible with the motherboard memory slots)
  • Storage:
    • NVMe 500GB SSD
    • 1TB SSD
  • Graphics card:
    • Cores: 3072 Units
    • Boost Core Clocks: 2460 MHz
    • Memory speed: 17 Gbps
    • Memory: 8GB GDDR6X
    • Card Bus: PCI-E 4.0 x 8
    • Power Connectors 8-pin x1
  • Power supply:
    • 650w+
    • 80 Plus Bronze standard
      • (Gold standard recommended but not required, extra ±R1000)
    • Connectors + (6+2 pin for the graphics card)
    • CPU 4+4 Pin x 1
    • PCI-e 6+2 Pin x 2 (for the graphics card)
    • SATA x4 (for SSD)
    • Peripheral 4 Pin x 3
  • Case:
    • 140mm fan placements x3 (front x3, rear x1)
    • Must fit accompanying power supply
    • Must fit accompanying motherboard (e.g., Mini-ITX, Micro-ATX, ATX, E-ATX)
  • Cooling: 120mm/140mm fan x4
    • Breakdown for usage:
      • Front fan x3 (intake)
      • Rear fan x1 (exhaust)

IMY 120 | Animation projects | 2024

After learning some sound editing and animation skills, the first-years in IMY 120 were given a project in which they had to tell a story that begins with a verbal narration and ends with an animation. The best projects are shown below in no particular order.

Liane Hanekom

Liane Hanekom

Anica Ferreira

Anica Ferreira

IMY 120 | Digital self-portrait | 2024

To finish off the section on Photoshop, the first years in IMY 120 were tasked with creating a digital self-portrait around a main idea about themselves. The best submissions are shown below in no particular order.

Anica Ferreira

Main idea: This is a representation of me because it captures my tendency to get lost in my daydreams and how I see the world differently. The wings represent the freedom I feel when I get lost in my own imagination. I am inspired by authors and artists who create fantasy worlds like this, which fuels my own creativity.

Noah Dollenberg

Main idea: I aspire to become a filmmaker and director, much like Christopher Nolan. Filmmaking is all that I do and all I want to do in the future and his films have inspired me to embrace creativity and seize every opportunity to achieve this dream. We share a similar mindset and approach, as he also didn’t study film but used his degree as a backup plan and a tool to pursue his filmmaking goals.

Liane Hanekom

Main idea: The cloaked figure represents my introverted nature, gazing into a fantasy world that reflects my passion for art mythology and storytelling. The portal signifies my curiosity and tendency to daydream, always seeking ways to escape and discover new ideas. The incorporation of elements such as, dragons, runes, paintings etc. Ties into my love for creativity, fantasy and art.

Recommended PC spec (2024)

The Yellow lab in the Informatorium provides computers with all the necessary software required to complete the degree. However, the lab facilities are only available during their operating hours (only weekdays and specific times). Having a personal computer at home to work from is more convenient and less restricted. Therefore, it is highly recommended that each student has a computer at their place of residence that can run demanding software used in the Multimedia degree.

The estimated cost for a desktop PC that matches these specifications is
R 21,000 and will last you for 3 years of your studies. Laptop prices that match these specifications will be higher. Please note that the estimated cost stated above is based on component pricing as of January 2024 but may fluctuate as time progresses.

Some recommended stores at which you can purchase these components are:

The following is a list of items/software that is required to do multimedia related assessments, but the above-mentioned estimated price excludes these:

  • Windows operating system,
  • any software (used in the Multimedia degree)
  • Standard mouse and keyboard
  • Monitor (full HD 1080p display)
    • Make sure the monitor’s connection matches the ports on the Graphics card
  • Wireless network connection
  • Standard audio devices (earphones/headphones/speakers)

The following list of components is purely for guidance and any desktop or laptop with similar performance/specifications should also last for the 3 years of your studies. It is not necessary to have a new PC that matches the specifications. A PC with slightly older components (within 3 years old) that has similar specifications will do just fine.

Specific components list:

  • Intel 13th Gen Core i5 14400F Processor (LGA 1700 slot)
  • DeepCool LS520 Premium Liquid CPU Cooler
  • Gigabyte GA-B760-GAMING-X-DDR4 B760 Motherboard
    • Supports 12th and 13th (LGA 1700 slot) generation Intel CPUs
  • DDR4 3200 Mhz 16GB RAM (recommended DDR4 3200 Mhz 8GB RAM x 2)
  • GeForce RTX 4060 8GB Graphics Card
  • 1TB Ultra-Fast NVMe M.2 SSD Up to 3100MB/s+ speed
  • Antec AX20 Elite Mid Tower Gaming Case
    • Supports graphics card size (up to 270mm)
    • Support ATX motherboard size (not micro-ATX)
    • Built-in front 120mm fans x3
  • 650W 80 PLUS Gold Power Supply
  • 140mm rear fan x1

The more technical specifications for each component are as follows:

  • CPU:
    • 10 processor cores
    • 16 processor threads
    • Base frequency: 2.50GHz clock speed
    • Max Turbo frequency: 4.70GHz
    • CPU must match motherboard slot (e.g., LGA1700)
  • Motherboard:
    • CPU slot must match the purchased CPU (e.g., LGA1700)
    • At least SATA slot x1 (for the SSD)
    • At least M.2 slot x1 (for the NVMe SSD)
    • At least 2 x DDR4 DIMM sockets supporting up to 64 GB of system memory
    • Supports DDR4 Memory up to 5000+(OC) MHz
    • 1 x PCI Express 5.0 x16 Slot (for the graphics card)
    • Network: 1Gb Ethernet (or more)
      • Wireless LAN for Wi-Fi will make setup easier (recommended but not required, extra ±R500)
    • Form factor must match the case (e.g., Mini-ITX, Micro-ATX, ATX, E-ATX)
  • CPU cooling
    • Vertical air cooling or liquid cooling
  • Memory:
    • 3200 MHz 16GB DDR4 RAM (make sure it is compatible with the motherboard memory slots)
  • Storage:
    • NVMe 500GB SSD
    • 1TB SSD
  • Graphics card:
    • Cores: 3072 Units
    • Boost Core Clocks: 2460 MHz
    • Memory speed: 17 Gbps
    • Memory: 8GB GDDR6X
    • Card Bus: PCI-E 4.0 x 8
    • Power Connectors 8-pin x1
  • Power supply:
    • 650w+
    • 80 Plus Bronze standard
      • (Gold standard recommended but not required, extra ±R1000)
    • Connectors + (6+2 pin for the graphics card)
    • CPU 4+4 Pin x 1
    • PCI-e 6+2 Pin x 2 (for the graphics card)
    • SATA x4 (for SSD)
    • Peripheral 4 Pin x 3
  • Case:
    • 140mm fan placements x3 (front x3, rear x1)
    • Must fit accompanying power supply
    • Must fit accompanying motherboard (e.g., Mini-ITX, Micro-ATX, ATX, E-ATX)
  • Cooling: 120mm/140mm fan x4
    • Breakdown for usage:
      • Front fan x3 (intake)
      • Rear fan x1 (exhaust)

IMY 300 | Game Design Projects (2023)

For their year project, IMY 300 students have to create a fully-realised digital game. Thanks to 24bit Games for sponsoring the prizes for the top 3 games!

Sector Zero won 1st place in the 2023 final-year expo

Group name: AteBit Games
Game name: Sector Zero
Technology: Unity
Group members:

  • Dhairiya Chhipa
  • Francois Smith
  • Ross Tordiffe

The game can be downloaded here.

Ode To The Forest won 2nd place in the 2023 final-year expo

Group name: Second Echo
Game name: Sector Zero
Technology: Unity
Group members:

  • Keelan Matthews
  • Tayla Orsmond

The game can be downloaded here.

Continuum won 3rd place in the 2023 final-year expo

Group name: Interpixel Games
Game name: Continuum
Technology: Unity
Group members:

  • Mark Grosvenor
  • Ayaaz Street

The game can be downloaded here.

Group name: That Other Guy
Game name: The King’s Escape
Technology: Unity
Group members:

  • Danie Schoeman

The game can be downloaded here.

Group name: SEA Vision Studios
Game name: Ahoy, Lassie
Technology: Unreal Engine
Group members:

  • Carl de Witt
  • Carlie van Wyk

The game can be downloaded here.

Group name: Hash and Slash
Game name: Psyche Dive
Technology: Unity
Group members:

  • Lucinda Botes
  • Cassim Chifamba
  • Michael Tarr

The game can be downloaded here.

Group name: Cambersoft
Game name: Oblivion
Technology: Unity
Group members:

  • Cameron Brammer

The game can be downloaded here.

Group name: DiversiTARD
Game name: Realmbound
Technology: Unity
Group members:

  • Ashir Butt
  • Jackie Huang
  • Dian Lahouter
  • Areyeng Mpahlehle

The game can be downloaded here.

Group name: Unity & Triumph
Game name: Echoes of the Void
Technology: Unity
Group members:

  • Zivan Haripershad
  • Thomas Isebeck
  • Mashianoke Mashikinya
  • Matthew Penning
  • Matthew Verster

The game can be downloaded here.

IMY 300 | Game Design Projects (2022)

For their year project, IMY 300 students have to create a fully-realised digital game. Thanks to 24 Bit Games for sponsoring the project-day prizes!

High Tide won first place in the 2022 final-year expo.

Group name: Not A Tree
Game name: High Tide
Technology: Unity
Group members:

  • Naderah Limbada
  • Paul Mouton
  • Charl Volschenk

HER won second place in the 2022 final-year expo.

Group name: Femme Fatales
Game name: HER
Technology: Unity
Group members:

  • Andrea Blignaut
  • Angela Goodhead
  • Ayla Inggs
  • Kiara Jaimungal

Euphony won third place in the 2022 final-year expo.

Group name: Reign Network
Game name: Euphony
Technology: Unity
Group members:

  • Ruan Lombaard

Group name: Segmentation Cult
Game name: Wild North
Technology: Unity
Group members:

  • Caleb Groeneveld
  • James Lake
  • Francois Viviers
  • Zelda Wiese

Group name: 3Minute Noodles
Game name: Raziel Rising
Technology: Unity
Group members:

  • Dharshan Moodley
  • Mayur Pillay
  • Matthew Reed

Group name: Poise
Game name: Symbol Miner
Technology: Unity
Group members:

  • Moloko Magwai

Recommended PC spec 2023

We have set up recommended specifications for a PC for 2023.

The Yellow lab in the Informatorium provides computers with all the necessary software required to complete the degree. However, the lab facilities are only available during their operating hours (only weekdays and specific times). Having a personal computer at home to work from is more convenient and less restricted. Therefore, it is highly recommended that each student has a computer at their place of residence that can run demanding software used in the Multimedia degree.

The estimated cost for a desktop PC that matches these specifications is R 20,100 and will last you for 3 years of your studies. Laptop prices that match these specifications will be higher. Please note that the estimated cost stated above is based on component pricing as of January 2023 but may fluctuate as time progresses.

Some recommended stores at which you can purchase these components are:

The following is a list of items/software that is required to do multimedia related assessments, but the above-mentioned estimated price excludes these:

  • Windows operating system,
  • any software (used in the Multimedia degree)
  • Standard mouse and keyboard
  • Monitor (full HD 1080p display)
    • Make sure the monitor’s connection matches the ports on the Graphics card
  • Standard audio devices (earphones/headphones/speakers)

The following list of components is purely for guidance and any desktop or laptop with similar performance/specifications should also last for the 3 years of your studies. It is not necessary to have a new PC that matches the specifications. A PC with slightly older components (within 3 years old) that has similar specifications will do just fine.

Specific components list:

  • Intel 13th Gen Core i5 13400F Processor (LGA 1700 slot)
  • Antec A400i RGB CPU Cooler
  • MSI PRO Z690-P DDR4 Intel Motherboard
    • Supports 12th and 13th (LGA 1700 slot) generation Intel CPUs
  • DDR4 4000 Mhz 16GB RAM (recommended DDR4 3200 Mhz 8GB RAM x 2)
  • GeForce RTX 3050 8GB Graphics Card
  • WD Blue SN570 500GB M.2 PCI-e 3.0 x 4 NVMe Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
    • Maximum Read Speed 3500MB/s
    • Maximum Write Speed 2300MB/s
  • 1TB Ultra-Fast SSD Upto 550MB/s+ Speed Solid State Drive
  • Evetech ARES Gaming Case
    • Supports graphics card size (340mm)
    • Support ATX motherboard size (not micro-ATX)
  • 600W 80 PLUS Gold Power Supply
  • 140mm fan x3 (x2 Front, x1 Rear)

The more technical specifications for each component are as follows:

  • CPU:
    • 10 processor cores
    • 16 processor threads
    • Base frequency: 2.50GHz clock speed
    • Max Turbo frequency: 4.60GHz
  • Motherboard:
    • CPU socket must match the purchased CPU
    • At least SATA slot x1 (for the SSD)
    • At least M.2 slot x1 (for the NVMe SSD)
    • At least 2 x DDR4 DIMM sockets supporting up to 64 GB of system memory
    • Supports DDR4 Memory up to 5000+(OC) MHz
    • 1 x PCI Express 5.0 x16 Slot (for the graphics card)
    • Network: 1Gb Ethernet (or more)
      • Wireless LAN for Wi-Fi will make setup easier (recommended but not required) (extra ±R500)
    • Form factor must match the case (e.g., Mini-ITX, Micro-ATX, ATX, E-ATX)
  • Memory:
    • 4000 MHz 16GB DDR4 RAM (make sure it is compatible with the motherboard memory slots)
  • Storage:
    • NVMe 500GB SSD
    • 1TB SSD
  • Graphics card:
    • Cores: 2560 Units
    • Boost Core Clocks: 1807 MHz
    • Memory speed: 14 Gbps
    • Memory: 8GB GDDR6
    • Card Bus: PCI-E 4.0 x 8
    • Power Connectors 8-pin x1
  • Power supply:
    • 600w+
    • 80 Plus Gold standard
    • Connectors + (6+2 pin for the graphics card)
    • CPU 4+4 Pin x 1
    • PCI-e 6+2 Pin x 2 (for the graphics card)
    • SATA x4 (for SSD)
    • Peripheral 4 Pin x 3
  • Case:
    • length: 425mm+ (to fit graphics card)
    • 140mm fan placements x3 (2 for front, 1 for rear)
    • Must fit accompanying power supply
    • Must fit accompanying motherboard (e.g., Mini-ITX, Micro-ATX, ATX, E-ATX)
  • Cooling: 140mm fan x3
    • Breakdown for usage:
      • Front fan x2
      • Rear fan x1

IMY 774 | Virtual reality experience projects (2022)

For their Semester Project, IMY 774 students had to create an interactive Virtual Reality experience.

VR Hockey experience was created by Daelin Campleman for the HTC Vive using Unreal Engine

Shadow Builder was created by Werner Graaff for the Oculus Quest using Unity

Respite was created by Johannes de Clerq for the HTC Vive using Unity

Look Away was created by De Villiers Meiring for the Oculus Quest using Unity

Mine was created by Callum Harding for the HTC Vive using Unity

Rogue Mission was created by Dean Nortje for the Oculus Quest using Unity

Medieval Village Builder was created by Reinhard Stoop for the Oculus Quest using Unity