What is an upgrade kit (combo kit)?

An upgrade kit, also called a combo or barebone kit, bundles a CPU, a compatible motherboard and DDR5 RAM as one tested package. It forms the core platform of a PC. You add your own case, power supply, storage, graphics card and cooler (unless a cooler is included) to build a complete system.

What parts are in an upgrade kit under R6k?

These kits centre on a processor, a matching motherboard and DDR5 memory. Depending on the kit, a CPU cooler may be included. They do not include storage, a graphics card, a power supply or a case, since those are the parts most upgraders already own and want to reuse.

Will the CPU, motherboard and RAM in a kit be compatible?

Yes. The point of a combo kit is that the three parts are matched for socket, BIOS and memory support before it ships, so it boots first time. AMD kits use socket AM5 (Ryzen), Intel kits use LGA1851 (Core Ultra), and both platforms run DDR5 memory only.

AM5 or Intel LGA1851, which platform should I choose?

Both are current DDR5 platforms. AMD AM5 carries Ryzen 7000, 8000 and 9000 chips and has a long upgrade path on the same socket. Intel LGA1851 carries the Core Ultra 200S range. Choose by the CPU tier you need and your budget; a combo kit removes the compatibility guesswork either way.

Do I need to update the BIOS on a kit?

A combo kit is sold with the board and CPU already matched, so a customer-side BIOS update should not be needed. In general, most current 800-series AMD boards (X870, B850) ship ready for the latest Ryzen chips, while some older 600-series boards can need a firmware update on their own.

How much RAM should the kit have?

For a current gaming or productivity build, 16GB of DDR5 is the practical minimum and 32GB gives comfortable headroom for multitasking, streaming and creative apps. Because the memory ships matched to the board, its speed and slot layout are already validated, avoiding common stability issues.

Who is a combo upgrade kit for?

It suits two people: a first-time builder who wants the trickiest compatibility already solved, and an upgrader jumping to a new platform (for example onto AM5 or LGA1851) who is reusing their existing case, storage, GPU and power supply. It is the fastest way to refresh the core of a PC.

Are these upgrade kits available in South Africa?

Yes. Evetech assembles and stocks CPU, motherboard and RAM combo kits locally, so parts are matched and backed with local warranty support. Our team can confirm which kit fits your current case, power supply and cooling before you buy.

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How to Choose a CPU, Motherboard & RAM Combo Kit

A combo kit settles the three parts that are hardest to match on your own: the processor, the motherboard that carries its socket and chipset, and the DDR5 memory that runs on that board. Buying them as one tested bundle removes the guesswork around socket type, BIOS version and supported RAM speed, which is where most first builds and platform upgrades come unstuck. The two current platforms are AMD AM5 (Ryzen 7000, 8000 and 9000 chips, DDR5 only) and Intel LGA1851 (Core Ultra 200S, also DDR5 only).

The socket is the physical CPU slot and it locks the CPU and motherboard together. Current AMD chips (Ryzen 7000/8000/9000) use socket AM5; current Intel chips (Core Ultra 200S) use LGA1851. A kit is built around one socket, so you cannot mix an AMD CPU onto an Intel board or the reverse. Pick the platform first, because it decides everything downstream, the board, the memory and your future upgrade path on that socket.

The motherboard's BIOS is the firmware that lets the board recognise a given CPU. On AMD, most 800-series boards (X870, B850) ship ready for the latest Ryzen chips, while some older 600-series boards need a BIOS update before a newer CPU will post. Buying the CPU, board and RAM as one combo means this pairing is already checked, so the kit boots first time instead of leaving you to flash firmware yourself.

Both AM5 and LGA1851 are DDR5-only platforms, so the kit's memory is DDR5, not older DDR4. For a modern gaming or productivity build, 16GB is the practical floor and 32GB is comfortable headroom for multitasking, streaming and creative work. Because the RAM ships matched to the board, the supported speed and slot layout are already sorted, avoiding the stability issues that come from pairing memory a board cannot run.

Motherboards come in sizes, ATX, Micro-ATX and Mini-ITX, and the board in your kit has to fit the case you are keeping. ATX suits full towers and gives the most slots; Micro-ATX and Mini-ITX suit smaller cases with fewer expansion slots. Check the case's supported board sizes before you buy, and confirm the board's rear ports and headers cover what you need, such as USB, Wi-Fi and enough M.2 slots for your storage.

A combo kit is the CPU, motherboard and RAM, the platform core. It is not a complete PC. You still supply the case, power supply, storage (SSD or NVMe drive), graphics card if the build needs discrete graphics, and a CPU cooler unless one is stated as included. Check what ships in the box so you know exactly which parts you are reusing from your current system and which you still need to add.

Start from what the rest of your PC dictates. A combo kit is the foundation, not the whole machine, so it needs to fit your case size, your power supply and the GPU or storage you plan to keep. Decide the platform and tier first, then confirm the board's form factor and connectivity match your build. The factors below walk through each decision in order.

How to Choose a CPU, Motherboard & RAM Combo Kit

Upgrade Kits Under R6k

How to Pick a CPU, Motherboard & RAM Combo Kit (2)

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ASUS B650E MAX Gaming WiFi LCD Bundle

AMD Ryzen 5 5500F 16GB Upgrade Kit - Standard Cooler

How to Pick a CPU, Motherboard & RAM Combo Kit (2)

Filters

Price Range

ASUS B650E MAX Gaming WiFi LCD Bundle

AMD Ryzen 5 5500F 16GB Upgrade Kit - Standard Cooler

How to Choose a CPU, Motherboard & RAM Combo Kit

How to Choose a CPU, Motherboard & RAM Combo Kit