Recommended PC spec 2021

We have set up recommended specifications for a PC for 2021.

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 18,500 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:

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.

You can download the list here: PC specs 2021.pdf

Specific components list:

  • Intel Core i5-10400F CPU 10th gen (LGA 1200 slot)
    • the stock cooler is sufficient, but a closed loop liquid cooler is recommended (extra ±R900)
  • MSI MAG B460 TORPEDO Intel ATX Motherboard (LGA 1200 slot)
    • Supports 10th generation Intel CPUs
  • Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 3200 Mhz 16GB RAM
  • Nvidia Geforce MSI RTX 2060 Windforce OC 6GB Graphics card
  • Seagate FireCuda SSHD 1TB HDD/8GB SSD 3.5″ SATA6G
    • Alternatively: NVMe 250GB SSD + 1TB HDD – good for future proofing (extra ±R1200)
  • Antec NX120 Mid Tower Gaming Case
    • Supports graphics card size (3500mm)
    • Support ATX motherboard size (not micro-ATX)
  • Antec Neo Eco 650W V2 ATX Modular Power Supply
  • 120mm fan x5 (x2 Top, x2 Side, x1 Rear)

The more technical specifications for each component are as follows:

  • CPU:
    • 6 physical cores
    • 12 threads
    • Base frequency: 2.90GHz clock speed
    • Max Turbo frequency: 4.30GHz
  • Motherboard:
    • CPU socket must match the purchased CPU.
    • SATA slots x2 (for the HDD)
    • 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: 1TB HDD/8GB SSD SATA6G Hybrid Hard drive
    • Alternatively: NVMe 250GB SSD + 1TB HDD – good for future proofing (extra ±R1200)
  • Graphics card:
    • Cores: 1‎920 Units
    • Boost Core Clocks: 1620 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:
    • 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 x5 (2 for front, 2 for top, 1 for rear)
    • Must fit accompanying power supply
    • Must fit accompanying motherboard
  • Cooling: 120mm fan x5
    • Breakdown for usage:
      • Front fan x2
      • Top fan x2
      • Rear fan x1