Also you’re map is a little wrong 
The blue is east London. . . I lived and worked in that area for a year . . . fecking dodgy after Stratford, and Hackey where I worked was so unsafe in the dark that they changed our working hours during daylight savings times to ensure we get and leave work during the light hours. . . .
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I take offense! I lived in Ilford for 2 years! Maybe it got worse because I left 
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I started out in Forrest Gate, then moved into a block of flats across the road from Maryland, we partied a lot in Ilford and Leytonstone… I was there about 2004, so dunno hey. Depends on when you were there, Ilford was still ok, past it tho . . .
Then I moved to the Lakes for a year, back to London, but this time Finchley Road and then Golders Green for the last year.
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So I’ve been giving a little thought to the possibility of getting back into the PC gaming scene and wondering what kind of options are out there for around the 10k mark and if it would be worthwhile in the long run.
I have a decent enough screen, standard keyboard and mouse and was thinking of just a tower. Are pre-built PC’s still a thing and are they worth it?
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Don’t know about retail consumer pre-builds. Possibly something “custom pre-built” from places like Wootware or EveTech, or Rebel Tech could work. Or something you see at one of the physical stores that has decent specs that you can try replicate with individual components from one of the online vendors.
I think the old approach of “you can get much better specs for the same amount of money by building it yourself” is still valid.
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I think best would be to start with a custom build with a modern APU. You might be able to get in around the R10k mark I believe. Then save up for a GPU and slap it in later. That way you can still enjoy some medium-settings gaming while you wait for a good GPU.
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Wootware now has a “PC Builder” app on their website (I think it’s in beta, but it worked quite well). Maybe play around with some options?
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Maybe make a thread, a PC for R10K sounds like a challenge.
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Used parts can get you quite far, especially for R10k. One of my older builds was made using parts from Carbonite. Otherwise, R10k is the price of a current gen-console, which actually offers good spec for that price.
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I wrote a long ass post going over requirements and choices based on choices, and rabbit hole. Most of those questions probably need answering anyway, but maybe just choose things for now and people can make suggestions after the fact
You have a screen, what’s it native resolution and refresh rate. That will inform up to which GPU’s are realistic options.
https://www.wootware.co.za/w/builder/
The preview, she’s broken!
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Of course, I’m months off from any real decision making but just thought I would get the ball rolling. And as @LazyDemoni was suggesting, I wanted to consider something that was on par with current console pricing as I was (or am) considering a PS5/XSX at the end of year.
Screen-wise, not sure on the technical specifications but here is the make and model.
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Eish, things are still too expensive to hit R10000
https://www.wootware.co.za/w/builder/?selections=32242,32329,36217,18491,38106,35035
5600G to leverage the included CPU Cooler. APU can game at 1080p@60
This on the cheapest B550 motherboard 
Bare minimum memory speed at @3200MHz, 2x8Gb
The cheapest decent chassis, nice mesh, but only has one exhaust fan. Phanteks P300. Good enough airflow, and can take your GPU upgrade later, just fine.
Cheapest 1Tb M.2 because 512Mb space will disappear once you start installing games.
650W Corsair from a brand I trust. I suppose you could cut corners here, but it will screw you later when you add a GPU.
Buy legit windows CD key on http://bountybox.org for R86 Windows 10 or R99 for Windows 11
Don’t assemble, it’s electronic legos, you’ll be fine.
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Good options right there. Pretty much what I had in mind. That APU / RAM / SSD / PSU / mobo will last a couple of years. Add in a 3060 later on and you’re good to game at high settings for 3+ years to come. Drop resolution to 1080p and lower settings after that and you’ll still game at 60+ fps on newer titles for many years after that.
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Thanks or the comprehensive feedback and specification selection, much appreciated. It seems I have been out of this game for too long and my ignorance has got the better of me, what is an APU?
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CPU + Built-in graphics acceleration. AMD has 2 for current generation, denoted by the G, so 5600G and 5700G. APU is an AMD term. Intel has some alder lake 12th gen CPU’s that have built-in graphics, but they’re not on the same level as the AMD stuff.
I still have high hopes to get an APU for 1080p console emulation, that’s the form factor size of an Xbox controller. Just have to find the time and money to start that project.
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Agreed. AMD APUs are great for budget PC gaming. Intel’s iGPUs can’t really compete.
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@Beo to give you an idea of the 2nd hand market:
The guy is asking R13999 but there’s always a chance to offer slightly less. I’m posting this just as an example since this is above your budget and the seller is based in Midrand/Centurion area.
In my opinion 2nd hand can be perfectly good if:
- Reputable seller with good feedback rating
- Local so you can do face to face
Especially as a first time buyer on Carb I’d recommend sticking to those two requirements unless the guy is very well known, high feedback rating, then you could do shipping.
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Thanks for the well-informed feedback all, it is much appreciated.
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@Beo I can’t remember do you have a monitor? I will have a decent cheapish secondhand one for you.
I just upgraded my old samsung to 27E1H 27" IPS Monitor - AOC Monitor
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Currently making use of my work monitor, though not the direct owner. I am banking on continual WFH culture, if that changes then the screen goes back to the office.
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