South Africans can still build a gaming PC for R15,000 in 2026 – Here’s how

As long is it can run Vampire Survivors and PCSX2 I'm good.

Edit: Confused my emulators
 
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Lupus said:
1 stick of RAM? Rather get 2 8gb sticks, as 1 stick of RAM with AMD no no no
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With the X3D chips it makes less of a difference, but yeah, dual channel otherwise you are leaving a lot of performance on the table. I didn't read the farticle due to the paywall but I gather at the price point it's not an X3D chip.

That being said...RAM prices and all that.
 
CrypticZA said:
Why not skip windows and install Linux for now and then get a cheaper Windows key elsewhere and save R2k that can go into something else...

Paying R2,249k for Windows....
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Or just stick with Linux and plough that R2249 back into a stronger GPU, like a 5060.
 
PhireSide said:
With the X3D chips it makes less of a difference, but yeah, dual channel otherwise you are leaving a lot of performance on the table. I didn't read the farticle due to the paywall but I gather at the price point it's not an X3D chip.

That being said...RAM prices and all that.
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It's not an x3d, it's a 4500... which is a terrible chip in 2026, may as well try find a 3600.
But yes RAM prices suck.
 
CrypticZA said:
Why not skip windows and install Linux for now and then get a cheaper Windows key elsewhere and save R2k that can go into something else...

Paying R2,249 for Windows....
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Like another stick of RAM
 
PhireSide said:
Or just stick with Linux and plough that R2249 back into a stronger GPU, like a 5060.
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Not too familiar with gaming on Linux but have heard some games jus don't work as of yet. I have heard though its come a far away and a lot more games are supported but yea Windows is the biggest waste of money and there are a few upgrades i'd prioritise first
 
Awful specs for R15K.
I wanted to build a "gaming" desktop for some local LLM work and maybe a game or two, but this market can f**k right off.
I'm just going to wait, and if it never recovers to an acceptable degree then RIP to the self-built desktop market.
 
RaptorSA said:
Awful specs for R15K.
I wanted to build a "gaming" desktop for some local LLM work and maybe a game or two, but this market can f**k right off.
I'm just going to wait, and if it never recovers to an acceptable degree then RIP to the self-built desktop market.
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Not in 2026 it isn't, if it was last year that pc would have twice the RAM and a better cpu
 
Lupus said:
Not in 2026 it isn't, if it was last year that pc would have twice the RAM and a better cpu
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The fact that a 35Watt CPU in a R6K refurbished Dell mini PC that's I've been using for almost 3 years can beat the snot out of a newly built R15K 65Watt Ryzen CPU desktop build in 2026 is nuts.

We're going backwards.

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At this rate I would probably just get a PS5. I do like gaming machines but the cost and effort factor are just not worth it now.
 
neoprema said:
Aer you in a mood today lol? Do I need to make you a coffee you seem on edge :)
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You got me.
This article dropped just as I was doing window shopping on the Wootware site.
It's bloody depressing. Even the M4 16GB Mac Mini went up R2K in the last week.

Ended up just ordering more 3D printer filament, since hobby-wise that's become fantastic value for money these days considering everything else.
 
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