7. Motherboard
The motherboard is arguably the most important component of all. It’s what allows the various components that make up the system to connect to one another. Your choice of motherboard will determine which CPU, GPU and RAM you can use, and how easily they’ll all be able to talk to one another.
Key Players: ASUS and MSI
8. Case
The case is just the big box that the components go in, right? Well, sort of. It’ll need to be large enough to accommodate the motherboard and power supply, while still providing enough room for airflow to keep the parts cool.
Key Players: Corsair, Cooler Master, Lian Li, Thermaltake
Setting your budget
A gaming machine needn’t cost the earth – but larger budgets can stretch to premium components. You might spend as little as R25,000, or as much as Rs300,000+, depending on the gaming experience you’re after.
Component costs tend to be extremely volatile, especially with supply chains facing seasonal disruptions. Moreover, we regularly update our pre-built systems with the latest components to ensure they provide the best value for money. As such, you can expect the cost of different systems to vary semi-regularly.
It’s worth bearing in mind that this does not include the cost of peripheral devices like keyboards, mice and monitors - there’s also the cost of delivery to think about, but we strive to be as upfront as possible about these costs. Take our Build My PC Tool for a spin, and tailor your requirements and budget.