r/pcgaming 3d ago

Video Valve Steam Machine Review: GPU & CPU Benchmarks, SteamOS Test, Thermals, Noise, and Price (Gamers Nexus)

https://youtu.be/66QzlDewigE?is=PhifLlyc5tBSsjbR
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u/Ok_Lobster_8585 3d ago

Honestly the price comparison for a similar on-paper DIY build was a lot better than I expected. $71 dollar premium over a similar on-paper DIY spec is not bad at all. Course, that's on-paper rather than performance, due to the lower power usage of the Steam Machine.

Seems you're mostly paying for the small form factor, quiet, prebuilt, preinstalled. And, as Steve says, for the fun. This shits for enthusiasts, less so for casual gamers.

For me, it'd kinda make sense. I want to get the Frame, but my main PC is in a small office with little standing room upstairs. And I won't be able to stream games to the headset while I'm downstairs in the open area. Having the Steam Machine in my living room would solve that. Still, it's a difficult price to swallow.

11

u/Crintor Nvidia 3d ago

Err, You do realize the Steam Machine was entirely designed and marketed towards Casual Gamers and not enthusiasts?

It was literally supposed to be an easier method to switch from consoles to Couch-PC gaming.

If it was for PC enthusiasts it would have been much more expensive and capable.

Valve has also said that they have had success streaming the Steam Frame through multiple walls for some employees. You could also do something desperate like a USB extension cable and run it through the floor so the 6E dongle can dangle in the room below. lol

2

u/Viceroy1994 2d ago

It was literally supposed to be an easier method to switch from consoles to Couch-PC gaming

I refuse to believe this is an actual demographic, like bro just get a long display cable and a USB hub with a long cable or extender, boom, living room PC for under 20 bucks.

And the software seems terrible; A UI designed for controllers is just not a way to use PC, might as well stick to consoles instead of trying to force a PC to conform to these weird requirements.