Build within $5K budget - 1st timer seaking Ideas/Advice based on my wants/needs

[UFUSF24]

Good morning all!

I will be moving into a new house soon and have a room dedicated to a golf simulator build out. I've done a good bit of research but am seeking advice to stay within a $5K budget if possible and still meet my wants/needs. The goal is to get to the final answer to the question "Is this possible within a $5K budget?". Looks for everyone's input and expertise to either tell me I'm crazy at that budget for what I want, or maybe just maybe it is doable.

***Please note with that budget that I already have a very good short throw projector and large golf mat***

The experience I am looking for:
1. I would like to move away from club-only trackers which eliminates the P3Proswing and OptiShot.
2. I will also be needing to accommodate right and left handed players so the launch monitor positioned on the floor such as the SkyTrak will not work.
3. I am looking for a system that would give good feedback to help me improve my game in my free time, but that is also enjoyable to get a few friends together and play. I don't need a million course options and a complete 3D feel, but software with a good course selection and average to above average graphics would be desirable.

Where I am currently:
1. I believe the above has narrowed my choices down quite a bit with the only feasible option being the ProTee base pack w/ TGC. ($2921)

https://golfsimulatorstore.com/collections/new-products/products/protee-base-pack-tgc

-----I do see the ProTee base pack 2 that also includes the putting sensor, horizontal launch cam, impact screen, and additional ProTee 3D Software for $5,611...
2. This is only going to leave a little over $2000 for the enclosure build, computer build, and impact screen.


Questions / Costs
1. The $2921 ProTee Package vs The $5600 ProTee Package -
---- How much am I missing out by not having the horizontal launch cam? Is the vertical sufficient? Would the horizontal work for both left and right handed players playing back and forth?
---- Is the putting sensor really needed? I don't plan to use the system to fine-tune my putting...but will need to putt to play full rounds of golf. Is the putting sensor a must have?
---- I believe I can find an impact screen cheaper and do not need the additional ProTee 3D software as I'll be using the TGC software for courses. What does the ProTee 3D software include that I would be missing out on?

2. Computing power - I've read a lot about building your own gaming computer to reduce cost. I've never built a computer before, completely out of my realm of expertise. Can anyone refer me to a site that will advise on this if I am able to give them the specs needed? Any advice is appreciated...I do not want to spend days building a computer for it to not work. Potential cost? Are we talking $1000 or $2000? This could easily blow the budget wide open...

3. Enclosure build ($800) - I am looking into the full enclosure from: http://customdesigngolf.com/frame-net-kits.html#Custom1
4. Impact Screen ($320) - I am looking at one from Carl's Golf - https://www.amazon.com/Carls-Golf-Im...een&th=1&psc=1

Total: $2921 (ProTee TGC), $1000? (Computer), $800 (Enclosure), $320(Impact Screen) = $5,041. The computer looks like the stretch at this point to keep within budget.


Give me your recommendations as well! What would you do if you had my $5K budget and already had a projector and mat?

[DistinAZ]

I'm planning a computer build for protee as well. Looks pretty easy to put one together for $900-1000 with a GTX 1070. Could even save a couple hundred if you go down to a GTX1060.

[UFUSF24]

Excellent, this is exactly what I'm looking for.

[DistinAZ]

Here's a GTX 1060 build for under $700.

http://golfsimulatorforum.com/forum/build-your-own/computer-systems/104401-pc-build-with-gtx10606gb-for-686

[Bnorman58]

I was in a very similar spot a year and a half ago. First of all, the ProTee is a great choice, I love mine. Hcam, I would highly suggest, much more accurate as you're looking at a 6 foot representation of your azimuth vs a few inches. My hcam came a week late and I played without it. It was MUCH better with. Putting sensor...I played without one for a year. I actually got pretty good with it. Only problem is putting over a bump with a sensor row but with the setting for using the main sensor instead of putting sensor, it has no effect on the putt. . I got a putting sensor for a great price later so I got one. It is better. It could be built into the budget as an add on later. It is very playable without it for now though.
On another note, Not sure how in a hurry you are but there are ProTee systems selling on here all the time for a giveaway price. People buying used GC2, etc...You could get the full setup much cheaper. In fact you could probably do a post for WTB ProTee system. Computer...My computer is a POS I bought from a reseller of whole systems, (I wont say who it is but not the one you mention). I added a great graphics card for 200-300 and it works awesome. TGC is a graphics driven software, I threw processing power at it before buying the card and it made no difference. I think you could but a fairly inexpensive computer, add on a good graphics card for 200-300 and be very pleased. 1000 or less is very possible.

[UFUSF24]

Never thought of going used but that is an awesome idea. I am in no rush, probably have a couple months before I'm fully moved in to the new place. Then will need to complete the enclosure build.

Sounds like I'll definitely want to go with the Hcam. This is great info and exactly what I'm looking for. Thanks so much!

[DFDubb]

You could save at least half of that $800 by building the enclosure yourself. Check out ABS gaming PC's on New Egg, you can find one with a GTX 1060 for 7-800 bucks.

[UFUSF24]

Thanks for the advice, I'll do some more research on the enclosure build and see what I can't plan out myself.

[UFUSF24]

This looks to be plenty of computer for $800 and I wouldn't have to build myself... GTX1060, Intel i7, 16gb memory. https://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...275R-_-Product

[DFDubb]

That is basically the computer I bought, but mine was an i5 chipset and $200 less, but the same graphics card and memory. Some here will say that you need the 6gb version of the 1060 card, but I would say that depends on your setup. If you've got a nice big screen and are using a 16:9 native projector, sure I get that. Me, I'm using a 4:3 native projector on a PR20 mesh screen so I don't mind turning the TGC graphics settings down a notch and in doing so it runs fine on that card. If I had more space, I might feel different. I'm well aware that I'm playing golf indoors, no amount of resolution and clarity in the leaves on the screen is going to make me forget it.

[UFUSF24]

This looks to be plenty of computer for $800 and I wouldn't have to build myself... GTX1060, Intel i7, 16gb memory. https://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...275R-_-Product

Yea looking around the site, it does not look like the very many computers they offer use the 6gb 1060. Everything I am seeing lists the 3gb version.

[jmark]

Great site for PC builds.
https://pcpartpicker.com/guide/