This is a small community based "Gaming hardware buyer's guide", which will be updated monthly OR whenever there are new suggestions OR hardware releases are announced AND (of course) tested.
This guide (explicitly and on purpose) does not direct link to vendors or reseller websites, because we believe everyone should decide and buy hardware from his/her favorite platform.
This guide does not follow the "just because you#re a gamer you can waste your money" principle. The most expensive hardware is not always the best nor can some gamers effort to buy each time a vendor releases new hardware to buy something new.
This recommendations are totally un-biased and the listed hardware, is listed based on:
- Community based tests
- Hardware specifications
- Community reviews
- Price per performance
- Security aspect
- Overall customer support
- Vendor specific tests are NOT allowed not substantial evidence (because of course everyone claims to have the best/superior products)
- This list DOES NOT promote specific vendors, manufactures nor does anyone get paid to list hardware X here. It is from gamers to gamers (community).
- Biased persons are NOT permitted to submit something to the list. For example, an Corsair employee is not permitted to submit something (even if he has as a private person another opinion or suggestion).
We assume that "gaming" starts with 16 GB which is, as of today the default. We do not list a price because it can change over time or is location/reseller/vendor specific.
| Standard | Module | MHz | I/O (-> to memory controller) | Effective MHz | Dual Channel (in GB/s) | Quad Channel (in GB/s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DDR4-2133 | PC4-17000 | 266 MHz | 1066 MHz | 2133 MHz | 34,0 GB/s | 68,0 GB/s |
| DDR4-2400 | PC4-19200 | 300 MHz | 1200 MHz | 2400 MHz | 38,4 GB/s | 76,8 GB/s |
| DDR4-2666 | PC4-21300 | 333 MHz | 1333 MHz | 2666 MHz | 42,6 GB/s | 85,2 GB/s |
| DDR4-2933 | PC4-23466 | 366 MHz | 1466 MHz | 2933 MHz | 46,9 GB/s | 93,8 GB/s |
| DDR4-3000 (no JEDEC!) | PC4-24000 | 375 MHz | 1500 MHz | 3000 MHz | 48,0 GB/s | 96,0 GB/s |
| DDR4-3200 | PC4-25600 | 400 MHz | 1600 MHz | 3200 MHz | 51,2 GB/s | 102,4 GB/s |
| DDR4-3466 (no JEDEC!) | PC4-27733 | 433 MHz | 1733 MHz | 3466 MHz | 55,5 GB/s | 111,0 GB/s |
| DDR4-3600 (no JEDEC!) | PC4-28800 | 450 MHz | 1800 MHz | 3600 MHz | 57,6 GB/s | 115,2 GB/s |
| DDR4-4000 (no JEDEC!) | PC4-32000 | 500 MHz | 2000 MHz | 4000 MHz | 64,0 GB/s | 128,0 GB/s |
| DDR4-4400 (no JEDEC!) | PC4-35200 | 550 MHz | 2200 MHz | 4400 MHz | 70,4 GB/s | 140,8 GB/s |
| DDR4-4800 (no JEDEC!) | PC4-38400 | 600 MHz | 2400 MHz | 4800 MHz | 76,8 GB/s | 153,6 GB/s |
| Standard | Speed (in MT/s) | NS | CAS-Latency (CL) | Latency (ns) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DDR4-2133 | 2.133 | 0,94 | 16 | 15,04 |
| DDR4-3000 | 3.000 | 0,67 | 16 | 10,69 |
| DDR4-3200 | 3.200 | 0,63 | 16 | 10,02 |
| DDR4-3200 | 3.200 | 0,63 | 15 | 9,39 |
| DDR4-3200 | 3.200 | 0,63 | 14 | 8,77 |
| DDR4-3600 | 3.600 | 0,56 | 16 | 8,91 |
| DDR4-3600 | 3.600 | 0,56 | 14 | 7,79 |
| DDR4-3800 | 3.800 | 0,53 | 14 | 7,39 |
| DDR4-4000 | 4.000 | 0,50 | 16 | 8,02 |
| DDR4-4000 | 4.800 | 0,42 | 18 | 7,52 |
| Category | Hardware Kit | ICs |
|---|---|---|
| Cheap but good | Crucial Ballistix 16 GB DDR4-3000 CL15 | Micron E-Die |
| Alternative | Crucial Ballistix 16 GB DDR4-3200 CL16 | Micron E-Die |
| Alternative | Crucial Ballistix Tactical Tracer RGB 16 GB DDR4-3000 CL15 | Micron E-Die |
| Alternative | Crucial Ballistix Tactical Tracer RGB 16 GB DDR4-3200 CL16 | Micron E-Die |
| Beginners (OC) | Crucial Ballistix 16 GB DDR4-3000 CL15 | Micron E-Die |
| Alternative | Crucial Ballistix 16 GB DDR4-3200 CL16 | Micron E-Die |
| Alternative | Crucial Ballistix Tactical Tracer RGB 16 GB DDR4-3000 CL15 | Micron E-Die |
| Optimal (OC) | G.Skill Trident Z Neo 16 GB DDR4-3200 CL14 | Samsung B-Die |
| Alternative | G.Skill Trident Z Neo 16 GB DDR4-3600 CL16 | Samsung B-Die |
| Luxury (OC) | G.Skill Trident Z RGB 16 GB DDR4-4133 CL17 | Samsung B-Die |
| Alternative | G.Skill Trident Z RGB 16 GB DDR4-4000 CL17 | Samsung B-Die |
| Category | Hardware Kit | ICs |
|---|---|---|
| Cheap but good | G.Skill Aegis 32 GB DDR4-3000 CL16 | SK Hynix AFR-Die |
| Alternative | Corsair Vengeance LPX 32 GB DDR4-3000 CL15 | SK Hynix AFR-Die |
| Beginners (OC) | Crucial Ballistix 32 GB DDR4-3000 CL15 | Micron E-Die |
| Alternative | G.Skill SniperX 32 GB DDR4-3600 CL19 | SK Hynix C-Die |
| Optimal (OC) | G.Skill Trident Z Neo 32 GB DDR4-3600 CL16 (2× 16) | Samsung B-Die |
| Alternative | G.Skill Flare X 32 GB DDR4-3200 CL14 (4x 8) | Samsung B-Die |
| Luxury (OC) | G.Skill Trident Z RGB 32 GB DDR4-4266 CL17 | Samsung B-Die |
| Alternative | G.Skill Trident Z RGB 32 GB DDR4-4133 CL17 | Samsung B-Die |
| Quad-Channel (HEDT) | G.Skill Flare X 32 GB DDR4-3200 CL14 (4x 8) | Samsung B-Die |
| Alternative | G.Skill Trident Z RGB 32 GB DDR4-3200 CL14 (4× 8) | Samsung B-Die |
| HEDT | Crucial Ballistix Sport LT 32 GB DDR4-3200 CL16 (4× 8) | Samsung B-Die |
| Alternative | G.Skill Trident Z RGB 32 GB DDR4-3200 CL14 (4× 8) | Micron E-Die |
| Category | Hardware Kit | ICs |
|---|---|---|
| Cheap but good | Crucial Ballistix Sport LT 64 GB DDR4-3000 CL15 | Micron E-Die |
| Alternative | Crucial Ballistix Sport LT 64 GB DDR4-3200 CL16 | Micron E-Die |
| Beginners (OC) | Crucial Ballistix Sport LT 64 GB DDR4-3000 CL15 | Micron E-Die |
| Alternative | Crucial Ballistix Sport LT 64 GB DDR4-3200 CL16 | Micron E-Die |
| Optimal (OC) | G.Skill Trident Z Neo 64 GB DDR4-3600 CL18 | SK Hynix C-Die |
| Alternative | G.Skill Trident Z Neo 64 GB DDR4-3600 CL16 | SK Hynix C-Die |
| Luxury (OC) | ||
| Alternative | ||
| Quad-Channel (HEDT) | Crucial Ballistix Sport LT 64 GB DDR4-3000 CL15 | Micron E-Die |
| Alternative | Crucial Ballistix Sport LT 64 GB DDR4-3200 CL16 | Micron E-Die |
For gamers which do not OC'ing their RAM:
- G.Skill Aegis DDR4-3000 CL16 Kit
- Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4-3200 CL16 Kit
| Category | Suggestion | Specifications |
|---|---|---|
| Cheap but good (NVMe) | Intel SSD 660p | up to 2 TB, ~11 Cent/GB, M.2 (NVMe), QLC |
| Alternative | Crucial P1 | up to 2 TB, ~13 Cent/GB, M.2 (NVMe), QLC |
| Cheap but good (SATA) | Samsung SSD 860 EVO | up to 4 TB, ~13 Cent/GB, 2,5", TLC |
| Alternative | Crucial MX 500 | up to 2 TB, ~12 Cent/GB, 2,5", TLC |
| Alternative | WD Blue 3D | up to 4 TB, ~12 Cent/GB, 2,5", TLC |
| Alternative | Samsung SSD 860 QVO | up to 4 TB, ~11 Cent/GB, 2,5", QLC |
| Enthusiast (NVMe) | Corsair MP510 | up to 2 TB, ~15 Cent/GB, M.2, TLC |
| Alternative | WD Black NVMe SSD | up to 1 TB, ~20 Cent/GB, M.2, TLC |
| Alternative | Samsung 970 Evo Plus | up to 2 TB, ~21 Cent/GB, M.2, TLC |
| Category | Suggestion | Specifications |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 10 € | Logitech K120 | Rubberdome |
| Up to 25 € | Cherry Stream 3.0 | Scissor + media keys |
| Alternative | Microsoft Wired Keyboard 600 | Rubberdome + media keys + programmable keys |
| Up to 50€ | Sharkoon Skiller Mech SGK1 (SGK2) | Kailh red, brown, blue, profile, media keys, profiles, no nummblock, lightning |
| Alternative | Roccat Isku+ | Rubberdome, lightning, media keys, macro, profile, profile keys |
| Up to 75€ | Sharkoon PureWriter (TKL, RGB) | Kailh Chocolate Red, Blue, RGB-lightning, LED-Profiles, media keys, no numblock |
| Alternative | Cherry MX Board 3.0 | Cherry MX Red, Black, Brown & Blue, media keys |
| Alternative | Logitech G413 | Romer-G Tactile, lightning, media function |
| Up to 100 € | Logitech G910 | Romer-G, RGB-lightning, media keys, Makro, Scrollwheel (Media Volume), Wrist Rest |
| Alternative | Fnatic Rush G1 | Cherry MX Red, Brown & Blue, Lightning, Wrist Rest, USB-Hub |
| Alternative | Cherry MX Board 5.0 | Cherry MX Red Silent, lightning, Wrist Rest, media keys |
| 100 - 125€ | Cooler Master MasterKeys Pro L RGB | Cherry MX Red & Brown, RGB-lightning, media keys, Profiles, profile keys |
| Alternative | Logitech G810 | Romer-G, RGB-lightning, media keys, Scrollwheel (Media Volume) |
| 100 - 150€ | Ducky One 2 TKL PBT (RGB) | Cherry MX Red, Black, Brown, Blue, RGB-lightning, Profiles, media keys, FN-keys configurable, PBT caps |
| Alternative | Ducky One 2 PBT | Cherry MX Red, Brown, Blue, lightning, Profiles, media keys, FN-keys configurable, PBT caps |
| Alternative | Razer Black Widow Chroma V2 | Razer Green, Yellow & Orange, RGB-lightning, media keys, Makro, Profiles, Wrist Rest |
| Alternative | Cooler Master MasterKeys MK750 | Cherry MX Red & Brown, RGB-lightning, media keys, Profiles, profile keys, Wrist Rest |
| 150€ (or higher) | Corsair K95 Platinum | Cherry MX Speed & Brown, RGB-lightning, media keys, macro, profiles, Wrist Rest, solid software |
| Alternative | Corsair K70 MK.2 | Cherry MX Speed Low Profile, Red & Brown, RGB-lightning, Profiles, Wrist Rest, solid software |
| Alternative | Ducky Shine 7 PBT | Cherry MX Red, Black, Brown, Blue, Speed, Silent, RGB-lightning, Profiles, media keys, solid software |
A normal Gamer PC does not need more than ~500-600W - I explicitly mention it because most beginners think more is "better", it's not. Of course it depends if you use water cooling, lots of external devices etc. (overall spoken PSU "reserves") and if you want or not want, in the future, upgrade your rig or not (GPU/CPU might need more "power" etc). Stay away from "ultra" cheap PSU!
- Mining (multiple GPUs/CPUs)
- Server/farm
- Enthusiast with a lot of external "gimmicks"
| Category | Suggestion | Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 45€ | be quiet! System Power 9 400W | Xilence Performance A+ 430W / 530W |
| Up to 55€ | be quiet! Pure Power 11 400W | Cooler Master MasterWatt 450W |
| Up to 70€ | be quiet! Pure Power 11 500W CM | Corsair Vengeance 550M or BitFenix Formula Gold 450W or Xilence Performance X 550W |
| Up to 85€ | Sea Sonic Focus Plus Gold 550W | Enermax Revolution X't II 550W, BitFenix Whisper M 450W, Corsair TX550M, BitFenix Formula Gold 550W |
| Up to 110€ | be quiet! Straight Power 11 550W | Enermax Platimax D.F. 500W, Corsair RM550x, EVGA Supernova G3 550W, Cooler Master V550 |
| 110€ (or higher) | Corsair AX850 | Asus ROG Thor 850P, be quiet! Dark Power Pro 11 550W, Enermax MaxTytan 750W, Aerocool P7-650W, Corsair HX750 or Corsair HX750i |
Please keep in mind:
- The Titan (NVIDIA) is official not a "gaming GPU" nor did NVIDIA advertised the cards as "gaming card".
| Category | Suggestion | Brand Suggestion |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 150€ | AMD Radeon RX 570 | MSI Radeon RX 570 Armor OC |
| Up to 200€ | AMD Radeon RX 580 | XFX Radeon RX 580 GTS XXX |
| Up to 300€ | Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super | Gainward GeForce GTX 1660 Super Ghost |
| Up to 400€ | AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT | XFX Radeon RX Vega 5700 XT THICCII |
| Up to 600€ | Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 Super | MSI GeForce RTX 2080 Super Ventus XS OC |
| 800€ (or higher) | Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Ti | Gainward GeForce RTX 2080 Ti Phoenix |
| Category | Suggestion | Notice or alternative |
|---|---|---|
| HEDT | AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3970X | ~ 2.195 € |
| Luxury | Intel Core i9-9900K or KS | Security holes but overall "best for gaming" (IPC/perf) |
| Luxury alternative | AMD Ryzen 9 3900X / AMD Ryzen 9 3950X | ~578 € |
| Middle class (best price per performance) | Intel Core i7-9700(K/F) or AMD Ryzen 7 3700X | AMD Ryzen 7 3700X |
| Middle | AMD Ryzen 5 3600 | Intel Core i5-9400F |
| Cheap middle | AMD Athlon 3000G | The minimum if you want to get into gaming! |
| iGPU | AMD Ryzen 3 2200G / 3200 G | ~ 80 / € 93€ |
- HEDT = High End Desktop
- iGPU = integrated graphic unit
12.02.2019
- 12.02.2019: CPU category updated -> HEDT added, iGPU added,
- 11.25.2019: Initial release