Quick Answer

Under R10,000 a Mass Effect Legendary Edition-ready SA PC runs the remastered trilogy at 1080p High around 50-60 fps. Pair a Ryzen 5 5600G APU (or a 5600 with a budget GPU if it stretches), 16GB DDR4 and a 500GB NVMe. The trilogy is well-optimised, so even integrated graphics deliver playable frames.

Running the Legendary Edition at R10,000

The remastered trilogy is reasonably light, so a Ryzen 5 5600G (~R3,200) with integrated Radeon graphics runs it at 1080p Medium-High around 50-60 fps. If the budget stretches, a Ryzen 5 5600 plus an entry GPU lifts it to a steadier 60+ fps at High. Pair 16GB DDR4 in dual channel, a 500GB NVMe and a 550W PSU on a B550 board.

Settings, storage and dual-channel RAM

On the APU route, run two matched RAM sticks for dual-channel; it can lift frames by 20-30% since the iGPU shares system memory. The trilogy is large, so consider that a 500GB NVMe holds one to two of the games comfortably; budget for more storage later. Drop volumetric effects to Medium to keep busy combat scenes above 50 fps on integrated graphics.

The upgrade that transforms it

The 550W PSU and B550 board let you add an RX 6600 later, turning this into a high-refresh 1080p rig that maxes the trilogy. Buy locally for in-country warranty and run 2x8GB for dual-channel from day one. For the Legendary Edition specifically, the APU build is the cheapest genuine entry point.

FAQ

Can a R10,000 PC run Mass Effect Legendary Edition?

Yes. A Ryzen 5 5600G's integrated graphics run the remastered trilogy at 1080p Medium-High around 50-60 fps. Adding a budget GPU later lifts it to a steadier 60+ fps at High.

Do I need a graphics card for the trilogy?

Not necessarily. The 5600G APU plays the Legendary Edition on integrated graphics. A dedicated GPU like an RX 6600 is the upgrade that brings high-refresh 1080p later.

How much storage does the Legendary Edition need?

It is large. A 500GB NVMe holds one to two of the games comfortably; plan a storage upgrade if you want all three plus other titles installed.

TIP

Pro Tip

On the 5600G route, run dual-channel RAM and install the trilogy on the NVMe. That keeps frames near 60 fps and loading short; an RX 6600 added later unlocks maxed high-refresh play.