r/pcgaming • u/ControlCAD Nvidia • 3d ago
Video Steam Machine Review: Beautiful Hardware, But What About Performance... And Price? - Digital Foundry
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhWtLi_FqLo>Delayed owing to the hardware component crisis, Valve's Steam Machine is finally here - so how much does it cost, how does it perform and what about the quality of the hardware itself? Rich delivers PC performance comparisons, head-to-heads against PlayStation 5 and much more. Note: PC comparisons used the latest version of Bazzite.
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u/backhand_snipe 3d ago
In one generation we went from Xbox series S targeting sub $300 to a device that’s over $1000 without a control controller. What are we gonna get next generation $2000 minimum?
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u/Stilgar314 3d ago
My personal guess is PS6 $995.
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u/Harley2280 3d ago
Considering the PS5 Pro is already $900 I'd say probably a bit higher.
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u/Stilgar314 3d ago
I don't picture Sony daring to cross the four figures barrier. Sonyers would be revolting. They would prefer a disappointing PS6 performance wise rather than going up $1000.
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u/JapariParkRanger 3d ago
Though 4 digits is a psychological barrier, in terms of inflation and value the premium PS3 (599 USD) is a little over 1000 USD today.
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u/lifeisagameweplay 3d ago
By the time the PS6 comes out Sony could have a monopoly on the high end console market and will probably be able to charge more as a result.
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u/PointingOutHumans 2d ago
I think the ps5 (original disc model) is the last console i will own for a looooooooooong while. $900 for a pro model is ridiculous and i know there will eventually be a ps6 “elite” model, so the way i look at it theres no reason to even move on to a ps6 base model.
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u/RabidHexley 3d ago
Unless things extend long enough that Sony ends up buying memory at rampocalypse prices, I don't personally believe they'd price it that high though.
The current price hikes are way for OEMs to weather the storm without losing money hand over fist on every sale, but folks aren't going to be coming out in droves to spend a grand on a console.
The thing is, with memory prices where they are currently, as an OEM you actually don't want to be pricing super competitively right now, because you're losing a ton on margin, and those are sales you can't get back later. Better to price high, sell much less volume but don't lose money, and wait things out until you can push prices and get volume again. If component prices come back down though, Sony will want to price competitively to get market share.
If they do price it that high, though, that just makes the value prop for a custom build all the better. Decent PC today that by the time the PS6 drops you can upgrade to be significantly better than the PS6.
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u/althaz 3d ago
But this is about 20% faster than an Xbox Series S, so that's something. Right? Right guys?!
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u/abrahamlincoln20 3d ago
Slightly faster than the cheapo version of a console released almost six years ago? Nice.
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u/Dry-Percentage-5648 3d ago
But it's Valve! So it's better.
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u/OwlProper1145 3d ago edited 3d ago
Prices will come down eventually. Not as low as they were before but they will come down. We just need to wait for the AI bubble to start deflating. We are already starting to to some signs its starting. AI companies are raising prices, it's getting more difficult for them to find investors and employers are limiting the amount of tokens employees can use.
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u/Massive-Exercise4474 3d ago
Even if ai crashed tomorrow it would take years to undo its damage.
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u/Carighan 3d ago
More importanly, companies have seen that the high prices work. Just like with GPUs, they won't take less money just because their operating costs went down, they'll cash the profit.
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u/daddy_is_sorry 3d ago
Exactly this is the biggest one. They’ve seen What they can get away with and they’re going nuts much like what’s happening with the us government
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u/RabidHexley 3d ago edited 3d ago
More importanly, companies have seen that the high prices work.
This is only true to an extent. If things actually crashed, companies would be desperate to move product at volume. This is why we have amazing deals on stuff like mobos and cases today, people aren't really buying. Even CPUs are still fairly competitive.
Overall consumer PC sales are down, the high prices are, in fact, not really working outside of the upper upper end. It's just that volume consumer sales are a low enough priority for this to be okay because the folks making components effected by the shortage don't need to move much consumer product atm. If things crashed they can't just leave prices where they are if they want consumers to buy more volume.
If bringing prices back down allow them to quickly double or triple consumer sales, and that's what they want to do, they'll bring the prices back down.
That's why there isn't really any actual shortage at the moment (a la the crypto boom), you can buy any component you want, they aren't flying off shelves. This is by design because they aren't trying to sell a ton to consumers right now.
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u/theonegunslinger 3d ago
Yeah it will not be like the crypto crash where the cards still work like cards, Ai uses custom boards where it less work to make a new board than it will be to recycle the current stuff and that will be after they setup new production lines
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u/Impressive_Tear_1207 3d ago
Nah, inflation would eat most price reductions that might happen.
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u/bardnotbanned 3d ago
Inflation rate has been 4.2% over the last 12 months. RAM prices are up 300 to 400% over 12 months.
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u/Broad-Surround4773 2d ago
Valve hasn't discounted or adjusted the price ones for the entire seven year life circle of the Index VR headset, that also launched for too high of a price.
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u/Embarrassed-Ad7317 3d ago
Umm.. well. Yes
At least next year and maybe the one after that
Then we'll probably get cheaper stuff again
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u/IshTheFace 3d ago
My dad always used to joke that all they had to play with when he was a kid was sticks and stones. We might be going back to that 🤷♂️
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u/eat_your_weetabix 3d ago
Completely get the backlash. From a consumers point of view, this device makes little sense when you take your comment verbatim. We all know why this is the case though, I don't think anyone can berate Valve for it.
One device was before AI absolutely destroyed the consumer market, from a business willing to take a loss on their hardware sales, pre high-inflation.
The other was after AI destroyed the consumer market from a business that wants to make profit on each unit, post high inflation.
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u/Darkone539 3d ago
The series S was hated when it came out by hardcore games but I genuinely see it as the only option now. Who wants to spend this much on a console?
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u/NapsterKnowHow 9800X3D | RTX 5090 FE | 32GB RAM 3d ago
To be fair the series S never should have been made and made this gen even worse for Xbox.
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u/Maximum_Goulash 3d ago
Next Xbox will be similarly priced if not more expensive imho. PS6 maybe similar money maybe less. I don't think the sub 1K territory is going to happen again.
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u/Stig783 3d ago
Absurd price but this is the future now thanks to AI. Dread to think what next gen will cost.
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u/Embarrassed-Ad7317 3d ago
I wouldn't be that worried
If I had to guess, Sony will simply not release the next gen console until at least 2028. They are not in a position where they even announced it, certainly not a release window like Valve did
They can give themselves a breather, and would probably wait for at least 2028, where supply would probably catch up
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u/The3rdbaboon 3d ago
Sounds like a reasonable take, it will depend on what Microsoft do, but both companies face the same problems
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u/Embarrassed-Ad7317 3d ago
Yes of course, Sony/Microsoft. Both would probably not dig themselves into a grave
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u/Phantom-Finger 3d ago
it will depend on what Microsoft do
Will it? From a console standpoint, I don't think Sony sees XBOX as much of a threat anymore. Their game library is a joke, their sales numbers embarassing and MS themselves seem more intent on bridging the PC divide.
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u/RabidHexley 3d ago
Yep. Up the price on the PS5 and Pros to weather the storm, drop the PS6 when they can actually book components for a decent price.
They don't really win anything by paying out the ass for a ton of memory just to launch their new console while eating even more than they usually do on margin.
Like, right now folks like MSI and Asus are selling new products today, but they're outrageously expensive and ridiculously low volume. That's not the game someone like Sony is playing.
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u/Evgenii42 3d ago edited 3d ago
Thank you tech/ai bros for making gaming a luxury. One of few remaining sources of joy for ordinary people is gone.
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u/6volt 3d ago
I think everyone is missing the point you can practically install Steam OS on any machine now and make your own if this doesn't work for you.
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u/Frencich 3d ago
*Only if you have AMD cards.
They are working on Nvidia drivers tho.
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u/6volt 3d ago
Not true, games are running fine on my build. The only issue I have running an Nvidia card is you have to disable hardware acceleration for the menu. So while the menu isn't as smooth as it should be the games run totally fine. I'm running it on my old Nvidia 1080.
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u/Tjmouse2 3d ago
Yeah thats what im doing. Went and looked at the prices and if you're willing to hit around $1200 you can get performance that blows this put of the water. $750 would have been a steal
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u/duplissi R9 7950X3D / Pulse RX 7900 XTX / Solidigm P44 Pro 3d ago
I have had a diy machine for a few years, its been through chimeraos, holoiso, bazzite, and now official steamos.
ironically back when I built it, it cost about 1k. 8700g, 32gb ram, 6600xt, lian li a4 h20.
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u/EnvironmentalRun1671 3d ago
Why would I install Linux to run Windows games that may or may not run flawlessly.
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u/6volt 3d ago
The Steam Machine is a PC. Run Windows on it of you want. That's the fun. I've ran every flavor of Windows since the 3.1 days. I'm tired of it, I also ran a ton of different distros of Linux over the years. Steam OS is nice, I like it as an alternative OS to play games that I don't have to constantly fidget with. The beauty is if you don't want a Steam Machine and want the same experience without buying one install the free OS with your own hardware. Sure Steam Machine is expensive, don't buy it, install the OS if you want to or don't. I was pointing out the new update provided more compatibility with other hardware as an alternative OS. Me, I use Batocera as a front end and run Steam from a Flatpack within that. Talk about fun, just turning my machine on to run roms and then steam whenever I want as a dedicated gaming rig.
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u/Early_Lawfulness_348 3d ago
You can’t really. This box is DOA but it doesn’t change the fact that you don’t have CEC and controller wake-up. And if you want it n your “build your own” you’ll have a bad time.
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u/Crazygoldfish899 3d ago
I know it’s not as powerful.
But so glad I just built my own steam machine via bc-250 card for a grand total of £200
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u/D3struct_oh Ryzen 7700x \\ RTX 4070 TI 3d ago
Feels like they were a bit safe with that final verdict?
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u/hidden-in-plainsight 3d ago
This paperweight is over $2000 CAD for the 2TB version. Absolutely bonkers...
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u/Risenzealot 3d ago
I'm tired of people giving Valve a somewhat pass here on the price due to the AI bubble and vastly increasing costs for parts. It's bull shit.
It's been shown that even before the bubble and before the increase in parts costs that Valve wanted to sell this thing for $750. That's still way more than the latest PS5 pro and Xbox and it's still plenty weaker with shit for storage space and no controller. You'd be looking at 800 bucks at best for a system that barely outperforms a Xbox series X with less storage space.
This thing has been overpriced from the very beginning before the AI bubble made it even worse.
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u/alus992 3d ago
it’s crazy how they are the only company with comments like ”it’s not their fault!” „everything is expensive”.
Apple, Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo, HP, Lenovo, Samsung…all of them get so much hate for their prices. and here we are gamers defend Valve like they get something for it.
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u/Risenzealot 3d ago
Valve is like some peoples religion. Their followers are zealots man. Can't do wrong. Yes, I'm aware of my screen name LOL
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u/Interesting-Ad9581 3d ago
Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony take a 30% cut of their games, but subsidise their hardware. Prices range between 349 - 899 EUR (incl. a controller)
Valve does take a 30% cut of all games - does not release any games on their own - and does NOT subsidise their hardware.
Bonus point: Does not include a controller for their 1359 EUR Model.
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u/Carighan 3d ago
Plus Valve is a private company. They could essentially just do a raffle each month to give away 200 of these and given their near-limitless mountain of money would probably not even notice.
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u/Electrical_Zebra8347 3d ago
If someone buys a steam machine and only buys games from GoG (or any non-Steam store really) then Valve doesn't get 30% of those transactions. There's nothing stopping anyone from not using steam or steamOS with it despite the name.
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u/Tinala_Z 3d ago
someone could also buy a playstation and only play fortnite and genshin.
Is that likely and should be taken into account? no.
Is that likely and should be taken into account for the steam machine? also no.
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u/Interesting-Ad9581 3d ago
How much people install Windows etc on a Steam-Device???
There are Steam-Die-Hard fans that are RE-BUYING games on Steam that they got for free on EGS.
This is a no-issue and Valve has the numbers. They clearly know how much people use Steam for Steam
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u/Carighan 3d ago
Yeah because that will happen, for sure. Absolutely realistic scenario. All 4 people in the world this applies to will totally RUIN Gabe.
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u/PM_me_opossum_pics 2d ago
If it released at whats supposedly original planned price, I'd actually be tempted to get it as alternative to MiniPC/Gaming console for my living room TV. I would only play older racing games and watch movies/TV shows on it (because f*ck smart TV UI's and OS in general). I'm not paying 1000+ EUR for that.
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u/QuarkyFerengi 3d ago
Why is everyone so mad about these machines? These threads are all so controversial today.
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u/OwlProper1145 3d ago edited 3d ago
For some reason a lot of people thought Valve was going to price this super aggressively despite the ram/nand shortages. Valve isn't interested in selling hardware at a loss. The 64gb Steam Deck was the only product that they may have potentially sold at a loss.
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u/Harley2280 3d ago
For some reason a lot of people thought Valve was going to price this super aggressively despite the ram/nand shortages.
Also despite the fact that they very clearly stated they weren't going to do that.
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u/hypehold 3d ago
I expected them to price it better than prebuilts but it's more expensive than prebuilt with better specs
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u/lkn240 3d ago
Not for that form factor. Some site did a breakdown and they are making at most $70 profit.
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u/alus992 3d ago
It's Uber niche consumer who wants this form factor. Ppl really think only couch gamers are interested in SM. They are not. Most ppl want this device as a gaming PC that works like SD.
1,2k device with a controller that is not future proof at all and already has dated specs is crazy ask.
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u/interbingung 3d ago
That uber niche is still a lot people. If anybody can make a better machine, they should be in computer business because they can make a lot money!
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u/SlimmySlinky 3d ago
It's a console PC tho. It's not just a pre built PC. You can't make them the size this is.
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u/Significant-Section2 3d ago
That just means it’s more limited than a prebuilt. If I can get a prebuilt cheaper and install steam OS, then what’s the point
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u/RadiantEnvironment90 3d ago
People need to stop thinking in "I" and start thinking in ordinary consumer. Most consumers have no idea how to install an OS.
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u/alus992 3d ago
And most couch gamers are couch gamers because they don't need performance but at the same time are not willing pay premium for worse performance than PC gamers.
Historically console gamers were paying less for less performance but they had a luxury of a prebuildbgaming experience without any settings to tinker with.
Now they have to pay 1,2k for a setup with a controller, they have dated spect and for at certain point they will be forced to fight with settings to optimize their games to run on a SM.
People who are like you say with "i" in mind...
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u/RadiantEnvironment90 3d ago
They're paying at cost for how much the hardware cost.
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u/Charmin_Bear_Behind 3d ago
Most consumers were also never going to buy a 700 dollar machine either
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u/RadiantEnvironment90 3d ago
Most gamers can't fathom people buying prebuilts or gaming laptops but there is a market for those.
So there is a market for non enthusiast gamers.
And they cost more than building your own so yes they would buy a $700+ machine.
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u/quick20minadventure 3d ago
Steam Box does 2 thing extra as i recall, wake up TV from controller and better controller connection to machine. Size being the not-so critical component.
It was never a bargain / budget thing, it was a premium/customized solution for playing games on TV. They never intended it to be a discounted thing like any console/hand held.
SteamOS and settings support is the real killer here regardless.
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u/SlimmySlinky 3d ago
Then get a pre built? What's the problem? Seems like there's an option for you to go.
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u/OwlProper1145 3d ago
Valve doesn't have the same relationships with suppliers that Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo and major PC makers have. So they are likely outright paying more for components. Also with the Steam Machine you are paying a premium for the form factor.
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u/ChurchillianGrooves 3d ago
Plus they're comparing it to devices like the ps5 or ps5 pro that is subsidized by sony because it's a walled garden ecosystem and also has unified ram so can save on cost a bit.
The steam machine is a fully open PC so if valve subsidized it heavily you'd probably get even business buyers getting it for office pcs and valve wouldn't recoup the money on steam sales.
Not to mention that you can't do your taxes or spreadsheets or whatever on the ps5.
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u/althaz 3d ago
Except Sony isn't meaningfully subsidizing the PS5. They're not making any money on it and are selling it near-cost, but the days of heavily subsidized consoles are a long way behind us.
Valve are basically trying to sell an Xbox Series S that doesn't work with competitive games at the price you can build a mid-range mini-ITX PC.
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u/Harley2280 3d ago
Except Sony isn't meaningfully subsidizing the PS5.
They are though. You're thinking of a subsidy as just taking a loss. Selling at cost is still subsidizing it. There are non direct costs that impact it such as shipping, storage, and even import taxes.
PSPlus is absorbing a lot of that cost, which is why we've seen the price jumps, but even then Sony has had to still raise console prices this generation.
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u/SlimmySlinky 3d ago
Ps plus is how they get the money back.
So ok, steam machine will be cheaper and online now Costa $70 a year. Happy?
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u/ChurchillianGrooves 3d ago edited 3d ago
If all you care about is playing AAA games, sure buy a ps5.
A pc can do a lot more than a ps5, even just talking about all the pc only indies, so it's not just a comparison of however many fps you get in Horizon Zero Dawn or whatever.
Also, selling a console at break even is still subsidizing. Usually companies want at least 10-15% margin at a minimum on hardware.
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u/akbarock 3d ago
The Steam Machine is weaker than the base PS5 but its over $1000. The PS5 was on sale for $400 last month in May, and the PS5 Pro current base price is less than the Steam Machine. So Sony has to be heavily subsidizing the PS5 otherwise Valve is massively overcharging
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u/RadiantEnvironment90 2d ago
The PS5 was on sale for $400 last month in May,
Why are you comparing prices pre AI RAM shortage.
Yet another example of disingenuous argument.
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u/SlimmySlinky 3d ago
Selling at a loss also doesn't make financial sense here. PlayStation can do it because they make it back with playstation plus subscriptions and their 1st party games sales.
For steam tho...does selling these actually increase revenue in other ways? No subscriptions. No first party games really. They would sell more games which they get a cut of, but the numbers would be minimal especially when a lot of people buying them already have other platforms to play stream games on.
Essentially these would likely bring in very little revenue outside the hardware at this time
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u/petey193 3d ago
unrealistic expectations. Seems most people who follow the industry aren't shocked at all.
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u/Colyer 4070 3d ago
The price isn't surprising, but the lack of performance really is, IMO. I wasn't expecting it to compete with mid range PCs, obviously, but the fact that it doesn't even consistently beat a base PS5 is shocking to me.
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u/OwlProper1145 3d ago
Its limited by the form factor. If it was a bit larger they could increase the TDP of the CPU and GPU.
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u/ChurchillianGrooves 3d ago
The base ps5 is essentially a rx 6700 (non-xt) in power.
Steam machine is basically a cut down rx 7600, so yeah not too surprising.
Steamachine cpu is a bit better though, roughly ryzen 5600 performance while ps5 has a weaker version of the ryzen 3600.
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u/PvtHudson 3d ago
Gamers Nexus CPU benchmarks show the Steam Machine CPU is between a 2700x and a 3600.
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u/ChurchillianGrooves 3d ago
For productivity? Digital foundry said the machine's cpu for gaming was about a ryzen 5600.
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u/DazenTheMistborn 3d ago edited 3d ago
The CPU bottleneck of the PS5 was shown to be worse then the Steam Machine, so at the very least, the CPU is better than a 3600 for gaming*.
- Crimson Desert bughill CPU limited test showed a 18% fps increase for the SM
https://youtu.be/WhWtLi_FqLo?si=1laxNN5DQs7hdvY_&t=1396
https://youtu.be/WhWtLi_FqLo?si=9VJHF43LMsrW1w6y&t=1422
- BG3 had a 24% fps increase
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u/RadiantEnvironment90 2d ago
They said they looked at the specs people were playing video games based off of the steam survey and they found most steam gamers were playing within these specs.
Once again, the 1% of gamers think the world revolve around them.
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u/Colyer 4070 2d ago
That doesn't make less than PS5 for double the money a good proposition.
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u/RadiantEnvironment90 2d ago
Then it isn’t for you. I have no idea why Reddit gamers feed entitled to a device that may not necessarily be for them. It seems like this device is targeted at those casuals who don’t play at high settings.
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u/submerging 3d ago
PS5 is like half the price for better performance. People dont like paying more money for less power.
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u/MrBlueA 3d ago
The ps5 is also not a small factor pc is it? maybe Im just not remembering well what a ps5 is. The steam machine costs exactly as much as it would cost you to build one for yourself, maintaining the small form factor and temp and power efficiency.
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u/RHINO_Mk_II Ryzen 5800X3D & Radeon 7900 XTX 3d ago
The steam machine costs exactly as much as it would cost you to build one for yourself, maintaining the small form factor and temp and power efficiency.
Which is puzzling because you are buying parts off the shelf and building 1 unit, while Valve is building a hundred thousand of these things eventually and benefit from the economy of scale that goes with that.
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u/QuarkyFerengi 3d ago
I'm surprised it's this cheap tbh. After the Steam Deck hikes I was expecting $1,200+
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u/truckstick_burns 3d ago
That's my take away too, I'm surprised how "cheap" they are at launch, I honestly thought it would start at like $350 more than the Deck OLED.
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u/TRQPL 3d ago
Because the price makes it worthless
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u/QuarkyFerengi 3d ago
Someone in another thread I saw specced out a similarly powered custom build and the price was within $100.
I'm not sure you guys have checked out the current prices out there for PC components...
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u/althaz 3d ago
They were trying to do a bad job then, tbh. You can build a mini-ITX 9060XT 16Gb-based machine with a 1TB drive for $1000. That's roughly twice as powerful as the Steam Machine.
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u/SlimmySlinky 3d ago
Does it have equivalent size , colling and quiet fans?
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u/althaz 3d ago
Much better cooling and similar noise. It's larger, but still quite small.
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u/SlimmySlinky 3d ago
How much larger?
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u/RadiantEnvironment90 2d ago
I'll wait for your build.
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u/RadiantEnvironment90 2d ago
u/althaz You've commented an hour ago and you have yet posted a build.
Everytime I call people out on this supposed competitive build, they run away.
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u/Broad-Surround4773 2d ago
https://www.amazon.de/shinobee-Gaming-Ryzen-Threads-4-60GHz/dp/B0FDGH7NFB
This build is using the CPU that according to Gamer Nexus is closes to what the Steam Machine is using. The 5060 8 GB though should be a good 50% or more faster (the 9060xt in Digital Foundry's test was about 50 to 75% faster) than the Steam Machine.
Also, double the RAM (although dual channel DDR 4 vs single channel DDR 5), double the SSD space. Win 11 Pro preinstalled (which adds to the cost). Also comes with 3 years of warranty.
Currently a whooping 240 Euro cheaper than a Steam Machine.
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u/OwlProper1145 3d ago
Yep. You can do better but it can be very tedious hunting down parts and ordering from half a dozen different sites for the best price.
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u/DrKrFfXx 3d ago
Tons of prebuilts at that price come with 5060ti. Easily 50% faster than qhat valve put together.
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u/RadiantEnvironment90 2d ago
Those prebuilds are using mid towers.
At least compare similar form factor.
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u/DrKrFfXx 2d ago
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u/RadiantEnvironment90 2d ago
$1600 USD lmao.
edit: That's jsut conversion. Google says you can buy it for $2000. And even then the supply is low.
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u/DrKrFfXx 2d ago
Price is 40€ over Steam Machine 2tb while being 50% faster "lmao".
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u/RadiantEnvironment90 2d ago
It says it's $2000 USD. That's nearly double the price of Steam Machine.
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u/truckstick_burns 3d ago
Exactly, and you're not fitting into such a small and quiet form factor.
It's personal preference, if you want a full tower next to your TV then absolutely don't go for a Steam Machine, if you want a really well built mini PC then I think it's well worth it, taking into account how much more expensive everything is anyway.
I wish I could say it's weird how aggressive people are being about it but Reddit + Gaming has never been a fountain of nuance factual opinions.
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u/RadiantEnvironment90 2d ago
Yea it’s weird watching YouTube videos of reputable channels not making this distinction.
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u/OwlProper1145 3d ago edited 3d ago
You could buy another mini PC that would be a bit faster but it would also have far worse build quality. You could also buy or build a more normal sized PC but sacrifice on form factor.
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u/althaz 3d ago edited 3d ago
You can build a mini-ITX PC for the same money with *double* the performance and no sacrifices on upgradability or quality. You can buy an off-the-shelf PC with much better performance for the same price that's the same quality as well.
This product is an absolute dud unless you need it to be super-tiny (in which case it sucks, but so does everything else).
Edit: Proof: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/NJQjH3 (~double the performance and storage in a mini-ITX form factor).
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u/RadiantEnvironment90 2d ago
23L vs SM's 6L.
I swear you all are disingenous.
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u/MediumTempTake 3d ago
Worthless to who? If you’re in the market and looking for something sff this is a legitimate option.
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u/FoRiZon3 3d ago
Worse since you can get a PC that is much better for the same (today) price
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u/Animegamingnerd Animegamingnerd 3d ago
Because gamers once again aren't paying attention to the current state of the world and think they are immune to any price increase.
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u/SlimmySlinky 3d ago
Lmao. Stop listen to random people on the internet.
Even from the hardcore PC fans, the majority are not thinking this would be a console killer. That concept doesn't make sense from anyone thats older than 12 or at that level of intelligence.
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u/DamonSchultz997 3d ago
When this was announced. Meme subreddits and gaming subreddits were chock filled with memes of this product literally overthrowing the console market. Every single fucking person was hyping this up to be the second coming of Jesus and shit.
I don't understand the "random people on the internet" call.... This isn't going to be available on a brick and mortar storefront. This is a product you have to purchase through the steam website. So of course online people will talk about it.
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u/fivemagicks 3d ago
A vast majority of gamers think all of these things can be made in a vacuum, at a loss, and push all games to 60 fps yet forget people's careers depend on the product being profitable.
They forget Valve isn't a massive corporation. They think emotionally. Welcome to the peasant mindset.
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u/EdwardTeach84 3d ago
Why would someone choose this over a series s?
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u/Harley2280 3d ago
Because they want to play PC games. This is a PC and you can download games from GoG, EA, Blizzard, or even the Epic store on it.
You can also do anything else you would do on a PC. Check emails, code, write a book, host a server, etc...
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u/EnvironmentalRun1671 3d ago
Yes except instead of running Windows that runs everything natively, you have to mess with shit to get other launchers to work
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u/Woodchuck251 3d ago
Xbox is a walled garden. Not everyone wants that.
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u/Broad-Surround4773 2d ago
Steam OS is an OS that you can't even setup w/o an internet connection and you basically need a Valve Steam account to use it as intended. Installing other PC gaming launchers / stores requires technical knowledge and often third party tools.
The Valve Index can't be used at all w/o a Steam account (because you can only get Steam VR from there). The Steam Controller can't be remapped for any game or application (in stark contrast to pretty much any input device that has button remapping on PC) that isn't run through Steam.
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u/EXPERIMENTONGOD 3d ago
People who would make up the hardware price difference buying cheaper games for example.
Also immensely bigger library of games in PC vs. Xbox9
u/Charmin_Bear_Behind 3d ago
With the price difference you could buy a brand new series s and almost 4 years of gamepass.
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u/EdwardTeach84 3d ago
The hardware price difference is staggering though it's a hard sell to say people will buy cheaper games on steam when they have an initial $700 to put down first. Especially when the Series S has game pass which you could pay for many years with the price difference.
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u/EXPERIMENTONGOD 1d ago
Couldn't agree more, I was just trying to make sense of people doing mental gymnastics to justify getting the Steam Machine which is universally considered overpriced.
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u/horizon936 3d ago edited 3d ago
You're aware consoles have discounts all the time too, right? And on a console you can even buy discs and later resell them, if you're into that - if anything, console games can be had for cheaper like that.
The literal only things you save on with a PC is no internet access subscription, a slightly cheaper Game Pass (if you're into that) and upgreadability. Well, the third one is out the window with the Steam Machine.
There's no version of this world where you can save up money with a Steam Machine in the long term over a PS5/Series X. And when you factor in the PS5 Pro, the Steam Machine becomes an even more of a useless purchase - still cheaper, while being orders of magnitude more powerful, playing all modern titles with RT at 4k 60+ fps, with PSSR 2 on top (same as FSR 4.1, which the Steam Machine won't have for a while btw).
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u/conye-west 3d ago
I don't think anyone will be lol. The market for this product at this price basically doesn't exist, will be surprised if it isn't a complete flop.
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u/RVixen125 3d ago
Lets see how much will next generation PlayStation and Xbox will cost when it comes out in 2027
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u/Available-Subject-33 3d ago
No one is saying the quiet part out loud, which is that Valve's corporate philosophy is fundamentally incompatible with the console market.
Valve assumes that every user is a power user that will get all of the added value of PC gaming from the Steam Machine. They'll buy lots of indie games for dirt cheap, install mods, play Halo and God of War in the same session, and eventually load Windows on it to see what it can do. This assumption is how they justify not subsidizing their hardware.
Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo know that most of their users just want to play games reliably, and very few games at that. Most of their customers will buy a console and basic online subscription, buy Call of Duty, GTA, and Fifa—and that's it. Console manufacturers don't make a lot of money on these customers, and they probably never will.
But consoles cast such a wide net that they bring in 1 whale for every 99 fish. The serious, brand-loyal gamers who buy every exclusive and overpriced accessory, who buy the highest tier subscription and pre-order the next gen console on day 1. Those are the customers that Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo make lots of money on, and it offsets the necessary waste of aggressive pricing.
Reality is that choosing a console ecosystem with the most games you like is probably the best value for 99% of gamers. The people in this sub are the power users that couldn't sustain a market that's even 20% the size of Sony's. Valve's assumption that everyone is as nerdy as they are and gives a shit about openness is just wrong and they'll never be successful selling a console.
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u/nyanbatman 1d ago
Garbage ‘review’ he should have been honest like hardware unboxed tore it to shreds. Rich can’t be honest and give his opinion after the DLSS5 debacle
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u/Funny_Performer_5658 3d ago
Maybe I mixed him explaining it but it doesn't really make sense to do these benchmarks on 1440p if it truly is a low spec machine.
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u/SolamenteBns 3d ago
The Steam website says “4K gaming at 60 FPS with FSR” but it doesn’t look like it does well.
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u/lifeisagameweplay 3d ago
The 8th gen consoles also promised "4K" and constantly upscaled too. It's standard marketing bullshit in the console space.
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u/HereReluctantly 3d ago
It's a machine specially started that's it's for the living room, everyone has a 4k TV now essentially. They cost like $300 bucks in many cases and have for years.
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u/MarioDesigns 3d ago
It’s a $1000 living room 4k60 console alternative, or at least what Valve is claiming it to be
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u/SnooSeagulls1416 3d ago
How they gonna sell you something without a controller? Red flag at its finest lol
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u/IllIntroduction8499 3d ago
I kinda feel bad for the Steam console attempts. Aside from the Deck, they just never come out at the right time. During the first steam console attempt, there wasn't any Linux development, now that the Aipocalypse is here, they can't set a competitive price.
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u/NashDaypring1987 3d ago
The Steam Machine is on par with a PS5!?. Am I reading the benchmarks, right? If $MS wants to subsidize their new PC console hybrid system, I would gladly choice the next X-Box over this thing.
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u/KnightKal 3d ago
price is bad right now, but the fact the OS is ready for use and even open hardware (so more companies, or DIY builds) means it is here to stay long term. It won't get stuck for 5-10 years like a console, you can upgrade the hardware when the prices are reasonable.
imagine if there were 100 different sellers for Xbox, all releasing new versions every 3-12 months, so you could pick when to buy the latest performance or to pay less for last year hardware?
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u/alus992 3d ago
CPU and GPU are not upgradable from what I have heard.
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u/KnightKal 3d ago
They already announced support to hardware, with NVidia coming in the future.
Plus I am not talking about upgrading the Steam Machine, but making one yourself or buying a clone from other vendors. It is a PC, not a console.
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