Help selecting gaming PC components - ±R20k budget

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MeercatMilker

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Hi everyone,

I would like to buy/build my daughter a mid level gaming PC for her birthday, but only have 3 weeks left.

I've built many PC's in the "old" days, but my last build was more than 12 years ago before I switched to Macs. I've kept track of the evolution of PC hardware since then, but I don't have nearly enough insight anymore to select components that go well together to maximise performance and avoid creating bottlenecks.

As mentioned in the title, my budget is ±R20k and the goal is to maximise gaming performance. I don't have names of specific games she will play at the moment, but I expect to buy a wide variety of titles on Steam and I know that the performance will be utilised.

I like the Ryzen 3000 series processors, but don't know if stock will be available locally in time for her birthday. I don't want to do water-cooling and I'm not too bothered about overclocking. A compact case will be a plus, but a full size tower won't hurt.

Please give me suggestions on the following components and possibly good places I can order from locally:
CPU + Cooler:
Motherboard:
RAM:
SSD for OS:
HDD for storage:
GPU:
PSU:
Monitor:
Case:

Suggestions on the keyboard and mouse are welcome as well, but my main concern is with the tower and monitor.
 
ponder said:
If you're in a rush you can get some things like cpu, ssd, mouse&kyb from amazon and save money in the process?
Click to expand...

Sure, I most certainly can get the CPU, SSD and some peripherals from Amazon. I have Prime and get free shipping to a shipping forwarder in NY. I would like to avoid importing large or heavy items.

I'm not really sure which model of CPU to get though, because my main battle is with matching the components to make sense for general gaming. I don't want to get some super fast processor just to realise that the games are bottlenecked by the graphics card for example.

I'm having trouble deciding which CPU, GPU, Motherboard and RAM combination to get.
 
MeercatMilker said:
Sure, I most certainly can get the CPU, SSD and some peripherals from Amazon. I have Prime and get free shipping to a shipping forwarder in NY. I would like to avoid importing large or heavy items.

I'm not really sure which model of CPU to get though, because my main battle is with matching the components to make sense for general gaming. I don't want to get some super fast processor just to realise that the games are bottlenecked by the graphics card for example.

I'm having trouble deciding which CPU, GPU, Motherboard and RAM combination to get.
Click to expand...

I'm busy with it, I've picked a cpu, mb, gpu already. Working towards your budget, will report back. So far got ryzen 3600, 1660ti gpu.
 
Work in progress... will use as a scratch pad.

R3622 AMD Ryzen 5 3600 with Wraith Stealth cooler
https://www.rockinit.co.za/product/amd-ryzen-5-3600-with-wraith-stealth-cooler/

R1819 MSI B450M BAZOOKA PLUS
https://www.rockinit.co.za/product/msi-b450m-bazooka-plus/

R4699 Palit GeForce GTX 1660 Ti Dual OC
https://www.wootware.co.za/palit-ge...-192-bit-pci-e-3-0-desktop-graphics-card.html

R1799 Corsair CMK16GX4M2B3200C16 Vengeance LPX 16GB
https://www.wootware.co.za/corsair-...b-ddr4-3200mhz-cl16-1-35v-desktop-memory.html

R1166 Adata ASX6000LNP-512GT-C SX6000 Lite 512GB M.2 2280
https://www.wootware.co.za/adata-as...12gb-m-2-2280-pcie-3-0-solid-state-drive.html

R639 Western-Digital WD10EZEX Blue 1TB
https://www.takealot.com/wd-blue-1tb-3-5-sata-6gb-s-64mb-internal-hard-drive/PLID32851318

R899 Super Flower SF-500P14MS Silver ECO 500W 80 Plus Fully Modular
https://www.wootware.co.za/super-fl...fully-modular-black-desktop-power-supply.html

R619 Thermaltake CA-1J4-00S1WN-00 Versa H18 Black Micro ATX Desktop Chassis
https://www.takealot.com/thermaltake-versa-h18-window-micro-case/PLID54542471

R1315 Cooler Master Storm Quickfire XT Cherry MX Red
https://www.rockinit.co.za/product/coolermaster-storm-quickfire-xt-cherry-mx-red/


Ok this is very important from a gaming perspective, got to pick the right mouse based on hand size, The G102 would be much better for a younger person with smaller hands,
R523 Cooler Master MASTERMOUSE MM530 MOUSE
https://www.rockinit.co.za/product/cooler-master-mastermouse-mm530-mouse/

R399 LOGITECH G102 Prodigy Gaming Mouse
https://www.makro.co.za/electronics...prodigy-gaming-mouse-/p/000000000000369034_EA


R17175 so far...

Picked a budget chassis for now but we'll hopefully improve that, needs a monitor and lets see if we can add a gaming headset.


Monitors (1ms GTG), lg & aoc are freesync 75Hz, dell no freesync and 60Hz not sure if it can OC higher:
R2199 LG 24MK400H 24″ Full HD Freesync monitor
https://www.rockinit.co.za/product/lg-24mk400h-24-full-hd-freesync-monitor/

R2897 AOC G2460VQ6 24″ 75HZ Freesync LED monitor
https://www.rockinit.co.za/product/aoc-g2460vq6-24-75hz-freesync-led-monitor/

R2699 Dell SE2417HG 23.6" Full HD (1920x1080) 60Hz 1ms TN Anti-Glare Desktop Monitor
https://www.wootware.co.za/dell-se2...0-60hz-1ms-tn-anti-glare-desktop-monitor.html

If we go with the most expensive aoc we're at R20 072, lg R19374, dell R19874
 
Last edited:
Lupus said:
A few things a bit cheaper
https://www.takealot.com/thermaltake-versa-h18-window-micro-case/PLID54542471
https://www.takealot.com/wd-blue-1tb-3-5-sata-6gb-s-64mb-internal-hard-drive/PLID32851318

Sure it's only a couple of rands :)
Also why the 1660 over a Ti which is the same price
https://www.wootware.co.za/palit-ge...-192-bit-pci-e-3-0-desktop-graphics-card.html
Click to expand...

Thanks, I thought I picked a 1660ti there, was filtering on 1660ti ...:unsure:

I'll work it all into the above post thanks, shipping from TA is also free.

People need to provide some feedback on those 3x monitors please.

Also still need mouse, kyb, headset so suggestions would be great, saw this https://www.rockinit.co.za/product/...n-rgb-mouse-hs50-headset-and-mm100-mouse-pad/ not sure if it's worth it or one can do better going individual components
 
Out of curiosity - why the PC route and not console?
You could get a Switch, Xbox One X and a PS4 for that budget with some accessories thrown in (PSVR/Headset etc)
 
MEIOT said:
Out of curiosity - why the PC route and not console?
You could get a Switch, Xbox One X and a PS4 for that budget with some accessories thrown in (PSVR/Headset etc)
Click to expand...

To be honest I didn't even think about consoles, but I don't know anything about them either. I guess a PC can be used for school work as well, not sure if consoles can full-fill that role as well?

I'm rather surprised at how powerful the PC hardware is one can buy for a relatively low price compared to my Mac's and I can always repurpose the PC to run my CAD software if she outgrows it or upgrades in the future. The CAD software I use work on macOS or Windows using the same license and when I do renderings I often push my maxed out spec iMac to near meltdown.
 
Ok so more or less on budget above for a killer gaming/streaming rig.

I'm not that thrilled with the chassis and adding a semi decent headset would be nice.

Without sacrificing on performance are there any place we can shave some $$ off by buying elsewhere or doing a substitute?
 
ponder said:
Ok so more or less on budget above for a killer gaming/streaming rig.

I'm not that thrilled with the chassis and adding a semi decent headset would be nice.

Without sacrificing on performance are there any place we can shave some $$ off by buying elsewhere or doing a substitute?
Click to expand...
Using the redragon combo I listed :). That's a grand off and she will be more than happy with it.
 
MEIOT said:
Out of curiosity - why the PC route and not console?
You could get a Switch, Xbox One X and a PS4 for that budget with some accessories thrown in (PSVR/Headset etc)
Click to expand...
Other than the multi-functional purposes the pc can be used for the problem with buying the x-box or ps4 now is that they are close to the end of their life cycles so you will be at a disadvantage with the newest game titles after a year or two that only play on the next generation consoles.
 
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