Recommended PC spec 2020

We have set up recommended specifications for a PC for 2020.

It should be noted that Multimedia students are not expected to have their own desktop or laptop. The Yellow lab provides computers with all the necessary software required to complete the degree. It is however, convenient to be able to work at home since the computer lab closes at 8pm on week nights and it is not open on weekends.

The estimated cost for a desktop PC that matches these specifications is R 19,000 and it 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 parts are:

  • Evetech.co.za (based in Centurion and online)
  • Rebeltech.co.za (based in Midrand and online)
  • Takealot.co.za (online store)
  • Titan-ice.co.za (based in Pretoria East and online)

Please note that this estimated price excludes the costs of the Windows operating system, any other software, mouse, keyboard and audio devices (earphones or speakers), but these items are still required.

The following list of components is purely for guidance and any desktop or laptop with a similar performance/specification should also last for the 3 years of your studies.

Intel+Nvidia build:

  • Intel Core i5-9400F CPU 9th gen (1151 slot)
    • the stock cooler are sufficient but a closed loop liquid cooler is recommended (extra ±R900)
  • MSI MAG B365M Mortar Intel Motherboard (1151 slot)
    • Supports 8th and 9th generation CPUs
  • Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 2666 Mhz 8GB x2 RAM
  • Nvidia Geforce MSI RTX 2060 Ventus 6GB OC Graphics card
  • Seagate FireCuda SSHD 1TB HDD/8GB SSD 3.5″ SATA6G
    • NVMe 250GB SSD + 1TB HDD – good for future proofing (extra ±R1200)
  • Antec DP301M Dark Phantom Tempered Glass Gaming Case
  • Antec VP650 Plus Power Supply
  • 120mm fan x5 (x3 Top, x2 Side)

AMD+Radeon build:

  • AMD RYZEN 5 3600X Processor
    • Stock cooler is sufficient but closed loop liquid cooler is recommended (extra ±R900)
  • ASUS ROG STRIX B450-F GAMING AMD Ryzen Motherboard
    • Supports 5th generation CPUs
  • Corsair Vengeance RGB PRO 16GB (2x 8GB) 3200MHz
  • MSI Radeon RX 5700 XT MECH OC 8GB GDDR6
  • Seagate FireCuda SSHD 1TB HDD/8GB SSD 3.5″ SATA6G
    • NVMe 250GB SSD + 1TB HDD – good for future proofing (extra ±R1200)
  • Antec DP301M Dark Phantom Tempered Glass Gaming Case
  • Antec HCG750 750W Gamer Power Supply
  • 120mm fan x5 (x3 Top, x2 Side)

The more technical specifications for each component are as follows:

  • CPU:
    • Socket: 1151
    • 6 physical cores
    • 6 threads
    • Base frequency: 2.90GHz clock speed
    • Max Turbo frequency: 4.10GHz
  • Motherboard:
    • 1151 CPU slot
    • SATA slots x4 (for the HDD)
    • 4 x DDR4 DIMM sockets supporting up to 64 GB of system memory
    • Supports DDR4 Memory 2666/2400/2133 MHz
    • 1 x PCI Express 3.0 x16 Slot (PCIE2: x16 3.0) (for the graphics card)
  • Memory: 2666 MHz 16GB DDR4 RAM
  • Storage: 1TB HDD/8GB SSD SATA6G Hard drive
    • NVMe 250GB SSD + 1TB HDD – good for future proofing (extra ±R1200)
  • Graphics card:
    • Cores: 2176 Units
    • Boost Core Clocks: 1695 MHz
    • Memory speed: 14 Gbps
    • Memory: 8GB GDDR6
    • Power Consumption 175W
    • Power Connectors 8-pin x1
  • Power supply:
    • 600w+
    • 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: 230mm+ (to fit graphics card)
    • 120mm fan placements x2 (1 for front, 1 for rear)
    • Must fit accompanying power supply
    • Must fit accompanying motherboard
  • Cooling: 120mm fan x5