Valve's Steam Machine is set to revolutionize PC gaming by offering a compact console-like box that connects to your TV. However, it's not yet available and is expected to be expensive. For those willing to put in some effort, building your own Steam Machine-like PC can save money and provide early access.
Why Build Your Own Steam Machine?
Building a custom PC that mimics the Steam Machine's capabilities can cost significantly less than Valve's official model. At the time of writing, a DIY build costs around £780.40, far below the anticipated $1,300 to $1,500 price tag of Valve's console. Plus, you get the flexibility to upgrade components later.
Components for a DIY Steam Machine
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600 processor - £124.99
- MSI B550M PRO-VDH WIFI Motherboard M-ATX - £89.99
- CORSAIR VENGEANCE LPX DDR4 RAM 16GB - £129
- MSI GeForce RTX 5060 8G - £254.99
- MSI MAG A650BN PCIE5 II Power Supply Unit, 650W - £44.99
- fanxiang M.2 SSD 512GB - £66.49
- Lian Li A3 mATX PC Case - £69.95
These components offer similar performance to Valve's Steam Machine, though some parts are a generation behind, such as the CPU (Zen 3 vs. Zen 4) and DDR4 RAM instead of DDR5. This helps keep costs low while maintaining good gaming performance.
Trade-Offs to Consider
Building your own Steam Machine means you miss out on several features:
- Pre-installed SteamOS: You'll need to install the Linux-based operating system yourself.
- LED lightbar and built-in Steam Controller receiver.
- Hot-swappable microSD cards for game transfers from Steam Deck.
However, if these features aren't essential, building your own PC saves money and offers upgradeability. You also get the satisfaction of a DIY project.
Final Verdict
If you're handy with hardware and want to game on your TV for less, building your own Steam Machine is a viable option. But if you prefer a plug-and-play experience with Valve's features, waiting for the official release might be better.
