Anyone who is currently assembling a computer gets a lot of performance for little money. NVMe SSDs with 1 TB capacity now cost less than 100 Euro. In addition, a lot of attractive hardware innovations have appeared in the past few months.

Powerful processors with up to 16 CPU cores like the AMD Ryzen 9 5950 X set the bar once again in terms of performance a long way up. There are also new graphics cards from AMD and Nvidia. So that you can keep track of the hardware jungle, you will find in c’t 24 / 2020 extensive PC purchase advice.

Assemble your PC yourself Buying a complete computer and converting it right away is usually not Good idea, because on the one hand you lose the manufacturer’s guarantee on a functioning overall system including the operating system and drivers. And you may get restrictions because, for example, the mainboard is only equipped with two DIMM slots.

The most important features in the configuration are the processor as well the associated platform. For all-round and gaming PCs, this year it should be at least a quad-core with simultaneous multithreading or, better still, a six-core. These CPUs for 80 to 200 Euro are a good compromise between cost and performance.

Regardless of the platform you prefer, we do not recommend buying an inexpensive CPU first and then replacing it with a faster one in a few years. The reason: At Intel, the CPU version changes every two to three years. At AMD, for example, the first generation of the series supports – 200 – Mainboards no longer the Ryzen – 5000 – CPU.

The optimal PC 2021 (4 pictures) The Ryzen Allrounder Plus can be used with the 16 -Core Ryzen 9 5950 X and powerful graphics card for high- Open the end PC.

You should also contact When selecting the mainboard, do not focus too much on certain functions or connections. With this you limit the offer unnecessarily and there are often only expensive special models left that require more compromises and are more prone to errors.

Operating system, applications and your data need a suitable home in the new PC. A fast SSD is recommended for the system and programs – this is also supported by the continued slightly falling prices. When choosing an M.2 SSD, you should definitely check beforehand which type the M.2 slots on the mainboard are suitable for.

Construction proposals from c’t Our three construction proposals cover the different requirements for PC use: The quiet Ryzen Allrounder Plus with hexa-core CPU is suitable for image processing, among other things. If you need more power, you can easily convert it to a high-end PC with our options 16 – Core processor, up to 128 GByte RAM and super-fast PCI-Express-4.0-SSD.

Assembling the optimal PC 2021

For gamers we provide the three graphics card options of the Ryzen Allrounder Plus and give lots of tips for choosing graphics cards. For price-conscious buyers, we have also developed two construction proposals with AMD and Intel processors for full HD gaming.

Of course, you can adapt our construction proposals to your taste. The measured values ​​and settings mentioned in the contributions only apply to the combinations presented by us. On the c’t project page of the Optimal PC 2021 you will find additional information such as the settings in the BIOS setup for economical and quiet operation and parts lists. You can also use the link to the reader forum to ask us questions and discuss your problems and solutions with other PC screwdrivers. The two purchase advice articles and the building proposals can be found in c’t 24 / 2020:

Purchase advice for current processors, SSDs, RAM & Co. Construction proposal for a quiet all-round PC with Ryzen Processor How to find the right graphics card for office and gaming computers Construction proposal for an inexpensive game computer for Full HD c’t 24 / 2020 In c’t 24 / 2020 the editors provide detailed PC purchase advice and building suggestions for the optimal PC. She also tested partner exchanges and uncovered the tricks of Parship & Co. as well as a glaring security gap in the IVENA online rescue system. c’t 24 / 2020 is from Available immediately in the Heise shop and at the well-stocked magazine kiosk.

(chh)