We have set up recommended specifications for a PC for 2022.
The Yellow lab provides computers with all the necessary software required to complete the degree. However, due to the COVID-19 lockdown regulations, the computer labs cannot be guaranteed to be available to students throughout the year. 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 20,500 and will last you for 3 years of your studies. Laptop prices that match these specifications will be higher.
Some recommended stores at which you can purchase these components are:
- Evetech.co.za (based in Centurion and online)
- Takealot.com (online store)
- Titan-ice.co.za (based in Pretoria East and online)
- Wootware.co.za (based in Somerset West and online)
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 Core i5-11400F CPU 11th gen (LGA 1200 slot)
- the stock cooler is sufficient, but a closed loop liquid cooler is recommended (extra ±R1100)
- ASUS TUF GAMING H470-PRO Intel ATX Motherboard (LGA 1200 slot)
- Supports 11th generation Intel CPUs
- DDR4 3200 Mhz 16GB RAM (recommended DDR4 3200 Mhz 8GB RAM x 2)
- Palit GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER Gaming Pro OC 6GB GDDR6
- ACER FA100 256GB M.2 PCIe 3 x 4 NVMe
- Maximum Read Speed 1950MB/s
- Maximum Write Speed 1300MB/s
- 1TB internal HDD (7200RPM, 64MB Cache, 6.0 Gb/s)
- Antec NX400 Tempered Glass Gaming Case
- Supports graphics card size (340mm)
- Support ATX motherboard size (not micro-ATX)
- Antec EA550G PRO 550W 80 Plus Gold Power Supply
- 140mm fan x3 (x2 Front, x1 Rear)
The more technical specifications for each component are as follows:
- CPU:
- 6 physical cores
- 12 threads
- Base frequency: 2.60GHz clock speed
- Max Turbo frequency: 4.40GHz
- Motherboard:
- CPU socket must match the purchased CPU.
- SATA slot x1 (for the HDD)
- M.2 slot x1 (for the NVMe SSD)
- 4 x DDR4 DIMM sockets supporting up to 64 GB of system memory
- Supports DDR4 Memory 3200/3600 MHz
- 1 x PCI Express 3.0 x16 Slot (PCIE2: x16 3.0) (for the graphics card)
- Network: 1Gb Ethernet (or more)
- Wireless LAN for Wi-Fi will make setup easier (recommended but not required) (extra ±R500)
- Memory:
- 3200 MHz 16GB DDR4 RAM (make sure it is compatible with the motherboard memory slots)
- Storage:
- NVMe 256GB SSD
- 1TB HDD
- Graphics card:
- Cores: 1530 Units
- Boost Core Clocks: 1830 MHz
- Memory speed: 14 Gbps
- Memory: 6GB GDDR6
- Card Bus: PCI-E 3.0 x 16
- PCB Form: ATX
- Power Connectors 8-pin x1
- Power supply:
- 550w+
- 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 HDD)
- 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
- Cooling: 140mm fan x3
- Breakdown for usage:
- Front fan x2
- Rear fan x1
- Breakdown for usage: