Question Aeolian-M Prebuilt vs custom build via PC Parts

z1ggy · Oct 15, 2024

Summarizing the needs for sake of post length:
Will be used for indoor golf simulation, which prioritizes GPU performance. Budget $1350 max, parts from USA only. Prefer intel/nvidia and will buy parts in November, likely waiting for black friday sales. Want to achieve a top notch 1080p experience but be able to increase to 1440 or even 4k in the future (at lower frames) without upgrading.

Per the reddit r/Prebuilts, the recommended best build for $1300 is the Aeolian-M Gaming rig https://www.newegg.com/p/N82E16883360535?Item=N82E16883360535

Operating System: Windows 11 Home
CPU: Intel Core i5 14400F 6 P-Core, 4 E-Core, 16-Thread Processor
GPU: Gigabyte RTX 4070 Super Windforce OC with support for DLSS 3.5 - AI-Powered Performance
Motherboard: Asus Prime B660M-A AC DDR4 Motherboard
RAM: TeamGroup Delta RGB 32GB DDR5 6000 MHz (2x16GB)
SSD: Teamgroup 1TB M.2 NVMe SSD
CPU Cooler: Intel RM1 Air cooler
PSU: Thermaltake 600W 80+ Gold PSU
Case: ABS Aeolian-M mATX Gaming Case Obsidian Black
Dimension: 18.11" x 8.27" x 15.56"
WiFi: WiFi 5
Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.1
VR Ready: Yes

However, the requirements for the software I will be using do not mention CPU anywhere and stress mostly GPU performance. Therefore, I used PC Parts Picker to come up with my own customer build for roughly the same cost:

**CPU** | [Intel Core i3-13100F 3.4 GHz Quad-Core Processor] $79.98 @ Amazon
**Motherboard** | [Asus ROG STRIX B660-I GAMING WIFI Mini ITX LGA1700 Motherboard] | $200 @ Amazon
**Memory** | [Crucial CT16G48C40U5 16 GB (1 x 16 GB) DDR5-4800 CL40 Memory] $41.99 @ Amazon
**Storage** | [Patriot P300 512 GB M.2-2280 PCIe 3.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive] $29.99 @ Amazon
**Video Card** | [Zotac GAMING Trinity GeForce RTX 4070 Ti SUPER 16 GB Video Card] $784.99 @ Newegg
**Case** | [Montech AIR 903 MAX ATX Mid Tower Case] $74.98 @ Amazon
**Power Supply** | [Gigabyte UD750GM 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply] $79.98 @ Amazon
**Keyboard** | [Logitech MK470 Wireless/Wired Slim Keyboard With Optical Mouse] $37.17 @ Amazon

Key differences between prebuilt and my custom:
- Prebuilt has better CPU, more RAM and larger SSD
- Prebuilt comes with Win11 Home already installed
- Custom has better GPU, PSU & better mobo (faster wifi, USB-C & more USB Gen3)
- Custom includes keyb & mouse in the price
- Custom would need installation of Win11 separately

Based on the requirements for the software I would be using, I feel like my build is better because it puts $$ into where performance is needed more, which is the GPU. I could always add more SSD space later if needed for minimal cost, or upgrade the CPU if more threads were needed.

Do you agree? Are there better value hardware options out there?

In2Photos · Oct 15, 2024

What is the software you will be using?

To me the prebuilt has better balance. The CPU/GPU pairing doesn't lean too much in one direction like in your build. It also has 2 sticks of RAM so you get the performance benefit of dual channel versus the single stick in your build. I get why you are prioritizing the GPU based on what you said about the software, but it might be leaning too much to the GPU side now.

Can you post the link to your PC part picker list so we can play around with it?

z1ggy · Oct 15, 2024

In2Photos said:
What is the software you will be using?

To me the prebuilt has better balance. The CPU/GPU pairing doesn't lean too much in one direction like in your build. It also has 2 sticks of RAM so you get the performance benefit of dual channel versus the single stick in your build. I get why you are prioritizing the GPU based on what you said about the software, but it might be leaning too much to the GPU side now.

Can you post the link to your PC part picker list so we can play around with it?

GS Pro - navigate down to FAQ

PC Part Picker build

The software is called GSPro. It's an open source 3rd party application that exclusively runs golf simulation and is fed by a measuring unit (the thing that sees your ball flying toward the net/screen) and the PC which does all the calculations. On RAM, it only mentioned needing 16gb for 1080p and 32gb for 4k. Right now, 4k isn't worth it for me because I'm only viewing the simulation via a 27" monitor on a stand in my garage. I have plans to install a projector and hitting screen in the future to run 4k on a 16' x 9' screen, but if I am honest with myself, this is probably several years away. There are several predecessor events that need time & money to enable that first.

My primary desire is to have 1080p running smoothly at 120fps (my monitor is 120hz) right now, with ease of upgrades later (adding the extra memory, better GPU, maybe CPU if threads become bottleneck)

In2Photos · Oct 15, 2024

OK, yeah there doesn't seem to be a CPU requirement and some digging around on the net has people using all sorts of CPUs. That being said I think you could sill get something a little more powerful than the 13100 for some longevity as well as flexibility if you decide to do other things with this PC. I put together a build using the 12600K. To me this CPU has the best bang for buck right now on the Intel side. Nearly twice the performance of the 13100. The build is slightly over your budget but with Black Friday deals I think it could fit in under your budget.

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/F8HqL9

Better CPU, requires aftermarket cooler which I added
More/Faster RAM - much better performance
Better motherboard. The one you picked is an itx board and B660 chipset. This is a Z790 ATX board so better chipset, plus more expansion capabilities.
Faster SSD - Gen4 vs Gen3
Better PSU - Tier A on the PSU tier list. I don't trust Gigabyte PSUs after the way they handled the exploding PSU problem they had.

z1ggy · Oct 15, 2024

In2Photos said:
OK, yeah there doesn't seem to be a CPU requirement and some digging around on the net has people using all sorts of CPUs. That being said I think you could sill get something a little more powerful than the 13100 for some longevity as well as flexibility if you decide to do other things with this PC. I put together a build using the 12600K. To me this CPU has the best bang for buck right now on the Intel side. Nearly twice the performance of the 13100. The build is slightly over your budget but with Black Friday deals I think it could fit in under your budget.

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/F8HqL9

Better CPU, requires aftermarket cooler which I added
More/Faster RAM - much better performance
Better motherboard. The one you picked is an itx board and B660 chipset. This is a Z790 ATX board so better chipset, plus more expansion capabilities.
Faster SSD - Gen4 vs Gen3
Better PSU - Tier A on the PSU tier list. I don't trust Gigabyte PSUs after the way they handled the exploding PSU problem they had.

Thanks! I do like this better and even though I don't need the CPU power - there is a chance that if my current home PC dies (going on 7yrs now), I would actually use this new one as my daily driver and run a longer ethernet cable from the golf device in the garage, to the PC, then use a 3rd party software like moonlight to mirror the image back to my monitor in the garage... something along those lines. And since sometimes I do game on the PC every now and again, it's useful to have that built in for only another $80-100.

BoomerD · Oct 15, 2024

Are you a Costco member?

They sell some decent pre-built PSs at reasonble-ish prices….however, their “2nd year warranty” is generally through their “concierge service” and may require you to ship the pc to their contracted service department.

z1ggy · Oct 16, 2024

In2Photos said:
OK, yeah there doesn't seem to be a CPU requirement and some digging around on the net has people using all sorts of CPUs. That being said I think you could sill get something a little more powerful than the 13100 for some longevity as well as flexibility if you decide to do other things with this PC. I put together a build using the 12600K. To me this CPU has the best bang for buck right now on the Intel side. Nearly twice the performance of the 13100. The build is slightly over your budget but with Black Friday deals I think it could fit in under your budget.

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/F8HqL9

Better CPU, requires aftermarket cooler which I added
More/Faster RAM - much better performance
Better motherboard. The one you picked is an itx board and B660 chipset. This is a Z790 ATX board so better chipset, plus more expansion capabilities.
Faster SSD - Gen4 vs Gen3
Better PSU - Tier A on the PSU tier list. I don't trust Gigabyte PSUs after the way they handled the exploding PSU problem they had.

So i just watched a ton of reviews on the 4070 cards... it really doesn't seem like the value is there for the ti Super. It's 25-30% more $$ but in most games and benchmarks, its anywhere from like 5-20%ish better in frames.

I will def watch for sales in November, but I think for the TI Super to be "worth" it, the price needs to come down to like $700-$725. I could always get the Super and if I find my fps too low or that VRAM is constantly maxed, I could sell it and look for a used Ti Super... or just wait for the 50 series to come.

In2Photos · Oct 16, 2024

z1ggy said:
So i just watched a ton of reviews on the 4070 cards... it really doesn't seem like the value is there for the ti Super. It's 25-30% more $$ but in most games and benchmarks, its anywhere from like 5-20%ish better in frames.

I will def watch for sales in November, but I think for the TI Super to be "worth" it, the price needs to come down to like $700-$725. I could always get the Super and if I find my fps too low or that VRAM is constantly maxed, I could sell it and look for a used Ti Super... or just wait for the 50 series to come.

That's certainly reasonable. I think I saw people using a 3060 so no reason a 4070 of any variant shouldn't be up to the task.

BoomerD · Oct 17, 2024

In2Photos said:
That's certainly reasonable. I think I saw people using a 3060 so no reason a 4070 of any variant shouldn't be up to the task.

I'm still using an EVGA RTX3070 with very few, if any, complaints.

Question Aeolian-M Prebuilt vs custom build via PC Parts

z1ggy

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In2Photos

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z1ggy

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In2Photos

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z1ggy

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BoomerD

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z1ggy

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In2Photos

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BoomerD

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