Best Components for a Gaming Rig

Best Components for a Gaming Rig: Building Your Dream Machine in SA

So, you’re ready to dive into the world of PC gaming, or perhaps upgrade your current setup to conquer the latest titles? Building your own gaming rig is an exhilarating journey, offering unparalleled performance and customisation. But knowing which are the best components for a gaming rig can feel overwhelming. Fear not, Mzansi gamers! We’re breaking down the essentials to help you craft a machine that delivers epic frame rates and stunning visuals, all tailored for our South African context. 🔧

The Core: CPU, GPU, and Motherboard – Your Power Trio

These three components form the bedrock of your gaming PC. Getting them right is crucial for balanced performance and future upgradeability.

The Graphics Card (GPU): The Heart of Your Gaming Rig

Without a doubt, the GPU is the most critical component for gaming performance. It renders every pixel on your screen, handling the complex graphics that bring virtual worlds to life. Prioritise this in your budget.

• Mid-Range (1080p High/1440p Medium): Look at cards like the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 or AMD Radeon RX 7600 XT. These offer excellent value for smooth gameplay at 1080p and can even dabble in 1440p.
• High-End (1440p High/4K): The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Ti SUPER or AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT will deliver exceptional performance at 1440p and make 4K gaming a reality. For uncompromised 4K with ray tracing, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 or upcoming RTX 5090 (expected late 2025) are top contenders.

XFX Mercury AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT OC Magnetic Air Edition Graphics Card - White / 4096 Stream Processors / 256-bit Memory Interface / Boost Clock : 3100 MHz / AMD RDNA™ 4 Architecture / RX-97TMARGW9

R16299.00In Stock

ASRock Intel Arc A380 Challenger ITX 6GB OC GDDR6 Graphics Card / 90-GA3KZZ-00UANF

R3199.00In Stock

XFX SWIFT AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT OC Triple Fan 16GB GDDR6 GPU - White / AMD RDNA 4 Architecture / 3rd Gen Radeon Raytracing Accelerators/ AMD Fidelity FX Super Resolution 4.0 Upscaling Technology / RX-96TS316W7

R8499.00In Stock

MSI GeForce GT 710 2GD3H LP 2GB DDR3 Graphics Card / 192 CUDA CORES / 64-bit Memory / 1x HDMI / 1x Dual-link DVI-D / 1x D-Sub / 912-V809-4217

R1099.00In Stock

SAPPHIRE NITRO+ RX 9070 Gaming OC 16GB Graphics Card / 16GB GDDR6 Memory / 3584 Stream Processors / 256-bit Memory Interface / Boost Clock : 2700 MHz / AMD RDNA™ 4 Architecture / 56 Ray Accelerators / 11349-01-20G

R13599.00In Stock

PNY NVIDIA RTX PRO 4500 32GB Blackwell Workstation Graphics Card / 10,496 CUDA Cores / 32GB GDDR7 with ECC / 4x Display Ports / VCNRTXPRO4500-PB

R54499.00In Stock

The Processor (CPU): The Brain of Your System

The CPU handles game logic, AI, physics, and everything else that isn't graphics rendering. While the GPU does most of the heavy lifting for frames, a strong CPU prevents bottlenecks.

• Gaming Sweet Spot: AMD Ryzen 5 7600X or Intel Core i5-13600K / i5-14600K. These provide fantastic multi-core and single-core performance without breaking the bank, offering an excellent balance for gaming.
• High-End/Streaming: AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D (often hailed as the best gaming CPU due to its 3D V-Cache) or Intel Core i7-14700K. These are ideal if you plan to stream, do heavy multitasking, or run CPU-intensive simulation games.

Intel 13th Gen Core i5-13600KF Desktop Processor 14 (6P+8E) Cores up to 5.10 GHz Unlocked LGA1700 Series Chipset 125W / <span style="color: red;" >Discrete Graphics Card Required</span> / BX8071513600KF

R6999.00In Stock

AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D Processor / 12-Core 24-Threads / 4.4GHz Base Clock (Up to 5.5GHz) / Socket AM5 / Zen 5 Architecture / 140MB Cache / Integrated AMD Radeon™ Graphics / 100-100001368WOF

R12999.00In Stock

AMD Ryzen 5 9600X 6-Core 12-Threads 3.9GHz (5.4GHz Max Boost) Socket AM5 65W Desktop Processor / Zen 5 Architecture / AMD Radeon™ Graphics / Cooler Not Included / 100-100001405WOF

R5199.00In Stock

Intel 12th Gen Core i5-12400 up to 4.40 GHz Unlocked 18MB Cache LGA 1700 65W Desktop Processor / Intel® UHD Graphics 730 / Compatible With 600 Series Chipset / BX8071512400

R3999.00In Stock

AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D 8-Core 16-Threads 4.7GHz (5.2GHz Max Boost) Socket AM5 120W Desktop Processor / Zen 5 Architecture / AMD Radeon™ Graphics / Cooler Not Included / 100-100001084WOF

R10499.00In Stock

Intel Core Ultra 5 225 Processor / 10x (6P + 4E) Cores / 10x Threads / Up to 4.9GHz Turbo Boost / LGA 1851 Series Chipset 121W / AI Accelerator Technology / Integrated Graphics / BX80768225

R3999.00In Stock

The Motherboard: The Foundation

The motherboard connects all your components, enabling them to communicate. Compatibility with your chosen CPU and RAM is paramount.

• Chipset Matters: For Intel, look for B760 or Z790 chipsets depending on your CPU (Z790 for 'K' series CPUs for overclocking). For AMD, B650 or X670 are popular choices for Ryzen 7000 series.
• Features: Ensure it has enough USB ports, M.2 slots for SSDs, and PCIe lanes for your GPU. Don't spend too much here; a mid-range motherboard is often sufficient. Evetech stocks a wide range of affordable Intel and AMD motherboards, perfect for any build: Cheap Intel and AMD Based Motherboards.

ASRock Z890 LiveMixer WiFi Intel Motherboard / ATX Form Factor / Supports Intel® Core™ Ultra Processors (Series 2) / LGA 1851 CPU Socket / 4x DDR5 DIMM Supporting up to 256GB / 90-MXBPE0-A0UAYZ

R5999.00In Stock

MSI MAG B860 TOMAHAWK WIFI Motherboard, ATX - Supports Intel Core Ultra Processors (Series 2), LGA 1851 - DDR5 Memory Boost 9200+ MT/s OC, 1 x PCIe 5.0 x16, 1 x M.2 Gen5, 5G LAN, Wi-Fi 7 / 911-7E39-001

R5999.00In Stock

ASRock Phantom Gaming B850M Riptide WiFi AMD Motherboard / Supports AMD Socket AM5 Ryzen™ 9000, 8000 and 7000 Series Processors / AMD B850 Chipset / PCIe Gen5 (Graphics, M.2) / Dual Channel DDR5 / 90-MXBS30-A0UAYZ

R3999.00In Stock

MSI PRO B860M-A WIFI Motherboard, mATX - Supports Intel Core Ultra Processors (Series 2), LGA 1851-12 DRPS, DDR5 Memory Boost (8600+ MT/s OC), PCIe 5.0 x16 & 4.0 x16, M.2 Gen5, Wi-Fi 7, 5G LAN / 911-7E42-002

R4299.00In Stock

MSI MPG X870E Edge TI WiFi Motherboard, ATX - Supports AMD Ryzen 9000/8000 / 7000 Processors, AM5-80A SPS VRM, DDR5 Memory Boost 8400+MT/s (OC), PCIe 5.0 x16, M.2 Gen5, Wi-Fi 7, 5G LAN / 911-7E59-001

R8999.00In Stock

MSI Pro B650M-B AMD Ryzen Motherboard / AMD Socket AM5 / AMD B650 Chipset / 2 DIMMs, Dual Channel DDR5-6800+MHz (OC) /1x PCIe 4.0 x16 slot / 911-7E28-005

R2149.00In Stock

Essential Supporting Components: Don't Overlook These!

These components ensure your power trio runs smoothly and reliably.

KLEVV CRAS C910 4TB NVME PCIe SSD Gen4x4 / Sequential Read up to 5200MB/s / Sequential Write up to 4800MB/s / Aluminum Heatsink / 3D NAND Technology / K04TBM2SP0-C91

R5999.00In Stock

Teamgroup T-Force G70 PRO 1TB NVMe Internal Solid State Drive / Up to 7,000 Read Speed / Up to 5,500 Write Speed / Multiple Caching Systems Available / Patented Graphene Heatsink Technology / TM8FFH001T0C129

R2499.00In Stock

KingSpec KS5600D5M13516G 16GB (16x1) 5600mhz DDR5 Desktop Memory - Black / 3D Hollow & Breathable Heatsink Design / Single Rank 288-Pin UDIMM DDR5 / KS5600D5M12516G

R2799.00In Stock

ADATA XPG Lancer Neon 32GB (2 x 16GB) DDR5 7200MHz Desktop Memory / High-Quality Materials / On-die ECC error correction / Supports Intel® XMP 3.0 / AX5U7200C3416G-DCLANRSG

R6499.00In Stock

Deepcool PN1200-M Power Supply / 1200 watt / 80 Plus Gold / ATX 3.1 / Fully Modular / Embossed Cables / PCIe 5.1 Standard / PN1200-M

R2599.00In Stock

XPG DDR5 RAM Memory 16GB 6000MT/s Lancer Blade RGB White / AX5U6000C3016G-SLABRWH

R3499.00In Stock

Teamgroup T-Force DELTA RGB 32GB DDR5 CL38 Desktop Memory - Black / 32GB (2x16GB) / 6000MHz / CL38 / FF3D532G6000HC38ADC01

R5499.00In Stock

Kingston KC3000 PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 2TB SSD - High-Performance Storage for Desktop and Laptop PCs -SKC3000D/2048G

R3999.00In Stock

Memory (RAM): Speed and Capacity

For modern gaming, 16GB of RAM is the minimum, but 32GB is increasingly becoming the new standard, especially if you multitask or play open-world titles.

• Speed: Aim for DDR4 3200MHz (for older platforms) or DDR5 6000MHz (for new AMD AM5 or Intel 13th/14th Gen platforms). Faster RAM can provide a measurable performance boost in games.

Storage: NVMe SSD is Non-Negotiable

Forget slow hard drives for your operating system and games. An NVMe SSD is crucial for lightning-fast boot times, game loading, and overall system responsiveness.

• Primary Drive: A 1TB NVMe Gen 4 SSD is the sweet spot for your OS and main games.
• Secondary Storage: If you have a massive game library, a larger SATA SSD or even a traditional HDD can be added for bulk storage.

Power Supply Unit (PSU): The Unsung Hero

Never skimp on your PSU. A reliable, adequately-sized PSU ensures stable power delivery to your components and protects them from surges.

• Wattage: Match your PSU wattage to your components. For a mid-range build (RTX 4060/RX 7600 XT), a 650W - 750W 80+ Gold rated PSU is usually sufficient. For high-end builds (RTX 4070 Ti SUPER/RTX 4080 SUPER), an 850W - 1000W 80+ Gold/Platinum rated unit is recommended.
• Certification: Always look for an 80+ Bronze, Gold, or Platinum certification for efficiency and reliability.

Case and Cooling: Looks and Longevity

Your PC case isn't just about aesthetics; it's vital for airflow and keeping your components cool.

• Airflow: Choose a case with a mesh front panel or ample ventilation to ensure good airflow.
• Fan Support: Ensure it supports enough fans or radiators for your cooling needs.
• Cooling: For most CPUs, a good air cooler (e.g., Deepcool AK400, Peerless Assassin 120) is sufficient. For high-end CPUs or overclocking, an AIO (All-in-One) liquid cooler (240mm or 360mm) is recommended. Evetech offers a wide selection of computer cases to suit any build and aesthetic: Computer Cases at Evetech.

Budget Gaming PC Builds: Getting Started in SA

If building from scratch seems daunting, or if you're working with a tighter budget, Evetech offers fantastic pre-built budget gaming PCs. These are expertly assembled, tested, and come with warranties, making them an excellent entry point into PC gaming for South African enthusiasts: Budget Gaming PCs at Evetech.

Choosing the best components for a gaming rig is a balancing act between performance, budget, and future-proofing. By prioritising your GPU, ensuring a capable CPU, and supporting them with quality RAM, fast storage, and a reliable PSU, you'll be well on your way to a powerful machine that delivers an incredible gaming experience. Happy building, Mzansi! ✨