In the era of the chip-supply crisis, even the most ardent DIY rig-builder might be inclined to go pre-build instead, so long as they get at those RTX GPUs. Gigabyte may have seen an opportunity to pounce on here with its inaugural Aorus desktop PCs.
They consist of 2 types: Model X and Model S, each of which come in 2 Core i9-11900K- or Ryzen 9 5900X-powered variants. Gigabyte claims to have cherry-picked either processor, core by core, which are then "binned and factory-tuned" prior to inclusion in each unit. Similarly, their RTX 3080 GPUs have been "factory-overclocked and tuned for pushing 4K frame rates with ease".
Furthermore, the Rocket Lake-based Models X and S machines have 16GB of XMP (DDR4-4000) RAM clocked at 4400MHz, whereas their Ryzen 5000 counterparts have 32GB of 3600MHz DDR4 XMP memory. Otherwise, they both feature a USB (3.2) type C port on the front and rear, along with up to 13 additional type-A ports, HMDI ports (up to 2.1 in the Model S) and GPU-linked DisplayPorts.
Then again, Gigabyte only specifically mentions Intel 2.5 gigabit Ethernet (GbE) for LAN purposes in the Model S, which might be a drawback (particularly in the Model X). Nevertheless, Gigabyte estimates that either kind of new desktop can achieve 85 fps while running Shadow of the Tomb Raider in 4K/UHD.
The S is also designed to be the "quietest" compact desktop out there, with an output of as little as 37 decibels. This PC does indeed seem to echo the Xbox Series X in terms of looks and footprint, whereas the Model X is a more traditional, angular gaming tower, with more bulk, obvious branding and RGB.
Gigabyte has yet to reveal pricing or availability (besides admitting they will come in limited quantities) for the world's first Aorus-brand desktop PCs, although they are unlikely to come cheap any time soon.
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