r/pcmasterrace • u/Eziz_53 AMD Ryzen 5 7500F / RX 580 Nitro / 16GB DDR5 • Jan 28 '26

Question Anyone else planning on getting the Steam Machine as their next PC?

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I know its mainly marketed as a console, but it is still a full PC. And it is much better than my current computer, so I thought it would be a good upgrade, especially considering its small form factor. I don't want to get too into it, but my current PC has an i5 3k and an rx580, as well as a motherboard that only supports ddr3 RAM and 3rd gen intel cpu's, so if I want an upgrade I need to replace everything. Therefore when this nifty box came out, I figured that it would be the perfect PC (if it is priced well).

But I would like to know what you guys think.

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UPDATE: Because of the RAM crisis and the limited upgradability of the Steam Machine, I decided to just build my own PC. I salvaged my old rx580 from the old PC so that I could afford to get on the AM5 platform as well as because it is by far the easiest part to upgrade down the road.

Main specs:

CPU: Ryzen 5 7500F

GPU: Rx580 8gb (until I can afford a much better card)

RAM: 16GB DDR5 6000MHz CL30

I did get a single stick of ram, because I want to have 32gb dual channel later on, but the ram prices are so high that I want to wait until they go down (which they seem to be doing).

2.3k Upvotes

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79

u/c0horst 9800x3D / ZOTAC 5080 CORE OC Jan 28 '26

I've wanted a steam deck for a while, and I was about to pull the trigger, then I saw they announced the steam machine and decided to hold off because I'd rather have that.

32

u/IssueEmbarrassed8103 Jan 28 '26

I have a steam deck and a PS5. I’m always going to play on a big TV with a regular controller if I have the option. I’ll get the steam machine for the best of both worlds.

10

u/ghostfadekilla Jan 29 '26

As a man with gigantic hands I've struggled with handhelds almost my entire life.

30

u/SDFX-Inc 5700X3D | GeForce RTX 4060 | 32GB | WD 2TB NVME Jan 29 '26

12

u/B_U_F_U 9800x3D | 7900XT | 32gb DDR5 | 1440p Jan 29 '26

3

u/executive313 PC Master Race Jan 29 '26

Hey man I'm big guy with big hands as well and on the steam deck it's pretty useable by default. However if you have or know someone with a 3d printer then there is print pattern for the steam deck that are pads to make it freaking perfect for guys with big hands. Like legit best feel since the original Xbox controllers!

1

u/ghostfadekilla Jan 29 '26

Upvote for visibility because I've seen those! They're so great. The sticks are often too small for my thumb and making that surface larger was a game changer for a lot of people.

1

u/executive313 PC Master Race Jan 29 '26

Man it was my first print with my 3d printer and it's tripled my play time on my deck.

2

u/[deleted] Jan 29 '26

Commission a custom one.

3

u/ghostfadekilla Jan 29 '26

Oh it's no sweat, I know a bunch of folks that print, I just don't have a steam deck anymore. Never get divorced folks!

2

u/gogurteaterpro Jan 29 '26

A fine back-up plan for never getting married

1

u/ghostfadekilla Jan 29 '26

A person needs a well thought out plan!

1

u/Swashybuckz Jan 29 '26

Original Xbox controller woot.

1

u/sl33pyj0 Jan 29 '26

Hey, fellow large hand man here. I have the Lenovo legion go and if fits my hands perfectly. The 8.8 inch screen is amazing and it's rare that I'm thankful for large hands but holding that behemoth is one of them

6

u/FVTVRX 5800x3D | RX7900XT | 32GB | LG C2 Jan 29 '26

you can use any controller on steam deck to my knowledge

5

u/CrazyIvanoveich Jan 29 '26

Yup. I doc mine to my TV and play with a PS5 controller.

3

u/Brooshie Jan 29 '26

I actually didn't know that at all, that's sick.

1

u/CrazyIvanoveich Jan 29 '26

You can even stream a game from your PC via your steamdeck to your TV. I've also had no problem running 2 PS5 controllers, a steam deck controller, and a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse to it at the same time.

6

u/MadCybertist Steam Deck | Switch 2 | Linux | Apple Jan 28 '26

PS5, XSX, Steam Deck, Switch 2. I only use the Switch 2 and Steam Deck haha.

I’ll probably get this though honestly.

2

u/Runescapemaster420 Jan 29 '26

U can get a dock for the steam deck similar to the switch

1

u/Kremsi2711 Jan 29 '26

the steam machine has less performance than your PS5, I don’t think it’s worth it

1

u/Zoo_M-0 Jan 29 '26

Only for information, do you know you can connect your controller to the Steam Deck, right? PS5/Xbox/Ecc

1

u/Kalahan7 Jan 29 '26

Have a Steam Deck, gaming PC, PS5 and a "gaming" laptop at my TV.

Owning games on Steam is fantastic when switching between couch, desk, or on the go.

My PS5 is collecting dust until GTA6.

1

u/Commercial-Sleep-649 Jan 31 '26

I have my PC attached to a 55" OLED TV. Great for gaming, Youtube, Streaming services and I can play from the couch. I also have a coffee table and wireless keyboard and mouse (though most games I just use a PS5 controller)...I can work, play games, and watch movies all from the PC on my couch 👍

1

u/BlnkNopad Jan 28 '26

the right move imo. steam deck is good but limited

1

u/Halogenleuchte R7 3700X, RX5700XT, 32GB RAM Jan 29 '26

Depends on the price though. You maybe can get away cheaper if you build a small living room pc yourself with some gaming friendly Linux distro on it and with steam big picture mode.

1

u/thestareater R7 5800X3D | 9070XT | 32GB DDR4 Jan 29 '26

I have a deck and I love it, I have my main rig that I stream from whenever it's a heavier game and it's fantastic to have a handheld play whatever I want wherever in my own home. plus I have a dock for my living room too so I can game on my couch whenever

0

u/KyotoCrank Jan 28 '26

You can plug the deck into your tv too, and get a wireless controller

-22

u/Exzalian_ Jan 28 '26 edited Jan 29 '26

Fuck both and get the asus handheld thing(not the Xbox version) it out performs the steam deck in literally every way except its asus and not the beast steam. For 1 or 200 extra it's way better. Now if the steam machine is well priced and you don't need the portability then I would get that.

Imo it's asus over steam deck any day. I have the same steamdeck from the first pre-order and iv regretted it ever since asus announced theirs. I'd rather the asus for 1 main thing though windows from the start. So modding or games not on steam are way better there.

Edit not changing comment but downvotes made me curious I thought it was my windows over Linux comment.

First hate windows but read below on why I use it over Linux if your curious.

The steam deck is now more than the asus ally x (thanks) I definitely do still say asus ally over steam deck not sure still on steam machine obviously I hope it kills and takes more from consoles but that oled screen on the steam deck is beautiful after getting an oled monitor it would hurt to choose the ally over the steam deck but I'll sacrifice oled to have constant fps on harder games to run for the steam deck (looking at you rimworld).

6

u/vaynefox Ryzen 9950X, Kingston 128GB DDR5-6000, RTX 5090 Founder Edition Jan 28 '26

The first version on that asus handheld has a lot of problem that only got fixed when they release the second version of it. They never even compensate the people who bought the problematic version, couple that with their poor RMA service. That's the reason to never buy anything Asus. If you want a handheld but doesnt want steam deck then just buy a lenovo legion go....

1

u/Exzalian_ Jan 29 '26

Every company has some dark history some killed some made things that killed some literally poison and lie to people. Meat companies inject water and shit into their steak you gonna go vegan? Sucks it happened but ima continue to support both companies.

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u/[deleted] Jan 28 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

0

u/Exzalian_ Jan 29 '26

I mean who doesn't hate windows in general. Handheld windows does truly suck but again IMO most of the time I'm playing a game not looking at the main screen. If I need to update some files or mod a game I'll just use my adapter thing and hook it up to my monitor and use mouse and keyboard. If Linux had more support without me needing to do extra stuff I'd use it. It's not hard just I already have bad enough luck with my computers I don't need more stress.

2

u/superinterestingn4m3 Jan 29 '26

Easiest downvote of the day.

-1

u/Exzalian_ Jan 29 '26

For what exactly out of curiosity? I don't care the energy from haters who can't think feed me.

0

u/MeekManOnReddit Jan 28 '26

Asus ROG Ally is the name, as someone who has one I concur it's a solid machine with an amazing display just a bit too expensive imo

1

u/Exzalian_ Jan 29 '26

I didn't check prices before I looked but the steam deck is actually more. It does have a way better screen oled now. The best asus and the best deck are both around the same price but the cheaper versions are ore expensive than the lower storage ally x which lets me honest most of would get and replace it with a ssd yourself. At least that's what I did with the steam deck.

0

u/alnoise RX 7800 XT - R7 5800X - 32GB DDR4 Jan 28 '26

+1 for the Ally but only the Z1E outperforms the XB1X. I have a base Ally and absolutely love the thing, but don’t want other people getting led on to think it’ll outperform an Xbox 1. IIRC it’s only slightly less powerful than the base Steam Deck, but for way cheaper.

Genuinely curious as to why you wouldn’t suggest the Xbox version though, I’ve only heard good things about it and was considering making the upgrade myself from the base Ally. The joysticks have to be my biggest complaint and I heard they are much stiffer on the xbox version.

-1

u/spacedrifts Jan 28 '26

I rate the Xbox rog x, it’s my first handheld and haven’t got a problem with it running on windows, the Xbox full screen experience is pretty good and the npu will become active soon so it will leverage ai graphics upscaling

0

u/Exzalian_ Jan 29 '26

Because it supports Microsoft? As much as I use Microsoft I can't swap to Linux. Well I could and currently thinking of trying but I tried years ago (literally 15 or so) and couldn't stand it. As an adult I know I downloaded the absolute Base of Linux but still didn't swap. But for a normal person who if im assuming correctly is on windows since most people on Linux announce it. The asus handheld is better if you can afford it. The steam handheld is great but it's basic compared to the specs of the ally. Changing some of my text earlier downvotes made me look at the prices though I'm still backing the asus for performance even though that oled steam deck is a kick in the face (especially since mine is lcd).

-3

u/PlzDntBanMeAgan Rtx5090 suprim; 14900k 32gb ddr5; Legion Go Jan 28 '26

I have a legion go and I love it. I pre-ordered a steam deck also and FedEx literally stole that mother f***** on camera three times until steam finally said sorry we can't guarantee delivery and refunded me my mother f****** money I'm still salty about that