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 favourite 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.
The recommendations are totally unbiased and the listed hardware, is listed based on:
- Community based tests
- Hardware specifications
- Community reviews
- Price per performance
- Security aspect (overall focus is performance but security should also not compromised)
- 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.
- Samsung B-Die Finder - Find Samsung B-Die DDR 4 memory kits on Amazon, Newegg and many more.
| 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 |
You can find the formula and in-depth explanation over here.
| 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 | G.Skill Aegis 16 GB DDR4-3000 CL16 | SK Hynix AFR-Die |
| Alternative | G.Skill Aegis 16 GB DDR4-3200 CL16 | SK Hynix AFR-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 RGB 16 GB DDR4-3200 CL16 | 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 | G.Skill Aegis 32 GB DDR4-3200 CL16 | SK Hynix AFR-Die |
| Alternative | Crucial Ballistix RGB 32 GB DDR4-3000 CL15 | Micron E-Die |
| Beginners (OC) | Crucial Ballistix 32 GB DDR4-3000 CL15 | Micron E-Die |
| Alternative | Crucial Ballistix 32 GB DDR4-3200 CL16 | Micron E-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 |
| Alternative | G.Skill Trident Z Neo 32 GB DDR4-3600 CL16 (2× 16) | 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 | 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 |
| Category | Hardware Kit | ICs |
|---|---|---|
| Cheap but good | G.Skill Aegis 64 GB DDR4-3200 CL16 | SK Hynix AFR-Die |
| Alternative | G.Skill RipJaws V 64 GB DDR4-3000 CL16 | SK Hynix AFR-Die |
| Beginners (OC) | Crucial Ballistix 64 GB DDR4-3200 CL16 | Micron E-Die |
| Alternative | Crucial Ballistix RGB 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 | Crucial Ballistix 64 GB DDR4-3600 CL16 | Micron E-Die |
| Luxury (OC) | ||
| Alternative | ||
| Quad-Channel (HEDT) | Crucial Ballistix 64 GB DDR4-3600 CL16 | Micron E-Die |
| Alternative | Crucial Ballistix RGB 64 GB DDR4-3600 CL16 | Micron E-Die |
| Category | Hardware Kit | ICs |
|---|---|---|
| 16 GB | Crucial DIMM Kit 16 GB DDR4-3200 CL22 - 1,2v | // |
| 32 GB | Crucial DIMM Kit 32 GB DDR4-3200 CL22 - 1,2v | // |
| 64 GB | Crucial DIMM Kit 64 GB DDR4-3200 CL22 - 1,2v | // |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Optimal | Glorious PC Gaming Race Model D | PixArt PMW-3360,Lift-Off-Distance: 1,5 – 3,0 mm |
| Optimal (alternative) | Glorious PC Gaming Race Model D- | PixArt PMW-3360,Lift-Off-Distance: Lift-Off-Distance: 0,7 – 2,0 mm |
| Optimal (alternative) | Logitech G502 HERO | Logitech Hero 16K |
| Optimal (alternative) | Corsair Gaming M65 Pro RGB | PixArt PMW 3360 |
| 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 typically "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 (multi-GPU/CPU need more "power" etc_). However there is one important "universal rule": Stay away from "ultra" cheap PSUs!
- 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 or Super Flower Leadex III 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 or Corsair RM650 |
| 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 |
An efficiency & Noise level certifications database can be found over here.
Please keep in mind:
- The nVidia Titan card 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 | ASRock Radeon RX 570 Phantom Gaming D |
| Up to 200€ | AMD Radeon RX 580 | PowerColor Radeon RX 580 Red Dragon V2 |
| Up to 250€ | Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super | Gainward GeForce GTX 1660 Super Ghost OC |
| 250€ - 300€ | AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT | MSI Radeon RX 5600 XT Mech OC |
| 250€ to 400€ | AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT | Sapphire Radeon RX 5600 XT Pulse |
| Up to 400€ | AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT | Gigabyte Radeon RX Vega 5700 XT Gaming OC |
| Up to 600€ | Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 Super | Palit GeForce RTX 2070 Super JS |
| Up to 800€ | Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Super | MSI GeForce RTX 2080 Super Ventus XS OC |
| 800€ (or higher) | Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Ti | Gainward GeForce RTX 2080 Ti Phoenix GS |
| Category | Suggestion | Notice or alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Luxury | Intel Core i9-10900K | // |
| High-End | Intel Core i7-10700K | // |
| Middle class | Intel Core i7-9700F or AMD Ryzen 7 3700X | AMD Ryzen 7 3700X |
| Middle | AMD Ryzen 5 3600 | Intel Core i5-9400F |
| Cheap middle | Intel Core i5-10400F | // |
| Cheap | AMD Ryzen 3 3300X | The minimum if you want to get into gaming! |
| iGPU | AMD Ryzen 3 3200 G | ~81€ |
| Minimum | Intel Core i3-9100F | ~66€ |
| HEDT | AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3990X |
Sound (DAC)
| Category* | Suggestion | Info |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level option | Creative Sound Blaster Omni | 600ohm Headphone Amp and Integrated Microphone |
| Alternative | Fiio Alpen-E17 | Controls and menus are finicky |
| Luxury | ODAC (ObjectiveDAC) | pre-built model are available |
| Luxury alternative | Asus Xonar Essence One | Includes optical and S/PDIF in addition to USB |
| Luxury alternative | Schiit Bifrost | Includes optical and S/PDIF in addition to USB |
| High-end luxury | WooAudio WA7 Fireflies | Supports USB or RCA input |
| Category | Suggestion | Info |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level option | Asus RT-AX86U | OFDMA (5,7 Gbit/s), 1x 2,5-Gbit-Port |
| Alternative | Asus ZenWiFi AX/AC (XT8/CT8) | MU-MIMO (6,6 Gbit/s) |
| Luxury | Asus RT-AX89X | 2x10G-LAN, 8x antennas |
| Luxury alternative | ||
| Luxury alternative |
| Category | Suggestion | Info |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level option | LG 27GK750F-B | 27", 240 Hz, 3.0 ms (14 ms Input lag), 380 cd/m², TN-Panel, Freesync |
| Alternative | Samsung C24FG73FQU | 24", 144 Hz, 3,0 ms (13 ms Input lag), Up to 340 cd/m², VA-Panel, Freesync |
| Luxury | MSI Optix MPG27CQ2 | 27", 144 Hz, 4,6 ms, (10,5 ms Input lag), up to 296 cd/m², VA-Panel, Freesync |
| Luxury alternative | MSI Optix G24C | 23,6", 144 Hz, 5,2 ms response time (11,6 ms Input lag), up to 236,8 cd/m², VA-Panel, Freesync (G-Sync compatible) |
| Luxury alternative | Alienware AW2518H | 24,5", 240 Hz, 2,3 ms, 16 ms, 447 cd/m², TN-Panel, G-Sync |
| Optimum | Asus ROG SWIFT PG259QN (Alternatives: Acers Predator X25 & Alienware AW2521H) | 24,5, IPS-Panel, 400 cd/m², Ultra Low Motion Blur, G-Sync, 20 ms |
- HEDT = High End Desktop
- iGPU = integrated graphic unit
- *Creative Sound Blaster Z (often advertised as "gamer sound card") is not recommended, while the hardware is overall okay and for most people fine the software and the driver are not optimal. "Creative Technology" has a bad support history, which is not even mentioned on Wikipedia, but in almost all hardware boards.
- Flickshots = A flickshot is where you quickly move your hand to the enemy position in an EXTREMLY short period of time and shooting/tagging them.
- 27.08.2020: Gaming Monitors added
- 17.08.2020: Mice section added
- 07.08.2020: CPU Chart July 2020
- 06.07.2020: RAM Chart updated, added JDEC standards
- 04.06.2020: CPU Chart updated
- 06.04.2020: CPU chart updated
- 05.04.2020: GPU chart updated
- 18.01.2020: Samsung B-Die DDR 4 memory kits finder added
- 13.01.2020: Added Wifi-6 gaming routers, corrected some wrong typos and values in the RAM section
- 07.01.2020: Added Threadripper 3990X (HEDT)
- 29.12.2019: Sound section added (DAC) + Mention Creative's bad history (Greetings to Daniel K. at this point for his massive community work! We do not forget our heroes!)
- 12.02.2019: CPU category updated -> HEDT added, iGPU added
- 11.25.2019: Initial release