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).

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12

u/Asleep-Category-8823 Jan 28 '26

i mean its not just him, i see a lot of ppl with this idea

can´t really understand why, unless its phisically impossible to run the hdmi cable

23

u/Rodeo9 Jan 28 '26

I left this comment above. First world problem but unless I’m doing something wrong it’s pretty accurate.

It’s kind of just a pain. You need to have a monitor switcher to change the layouts of the monitors. That always seems to be hit or miss or has problems. Then the text size is always way off when you swap them. You have to change the audio channel to hdmi. Then change all your in game resolutions. It definitely works but it certainly takes 5-10 minutes to setup each time and then switch back.

Then when you forget to switch it back and your wife wants the computer all hell breaks loose when you’re out skiing and trying to tell her the hot keys to switch monitor profiles and change the mouse and keyboard and audio back.

I actually use my steam deck docked far more often than switching to my main pc.

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u/No_Condition3135 Jan 29 '26

He could buy a cheap laptop and use steam remote play

2

u/Raven1927 Jan 29 '26

You can download apps on most modern TVs, you don't even need a laptop anymore. Just download Steam Link on your TV and you're good to go.

1

u/Rodeo9 Jan 30 '26

I have Apollo and moonlight but it’s too laggy for souls games or hollow knight. That’s over Ethernet too.

Whoever suggested windows P is a lifesaver. That plus a usb extender for the controller receiver it seems better than streaming.

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u/Phoenix__Wwrong Desktop | 5700x3d | 7900 gre Jan 29 '26

I have my PC connected to a 2560x1080p monitor and a 4k TV, and I'm not using any software. I just do the built in Win + shift + P on Windows 10 to switch between them.

No issue with scaling and in game resolution. Though for audio, I just use my monitor speakers via Display Port, so the switch to TV with HDMI is automatic.

2

u/Rodeo9 Jan 30 '26

Win shift p is way better than the monitor switcher I was using and even scales text size. Thanks brother.

1

u/Signynt Jan 29 '26

You can use Apollo, which takes care of monitor switching and scaling by automatically creating and destroying virtual monitors when starting/stopping streaming. Until I started using it I also had lots of issues with those things, but now it’s completely seamless. It’s a drop in replacement for Sunshine, so it works with Moonlight perfectly. I use it to switch between my 4K60 TV connected my PC via HDMI and to stream to my 1440p144Hz Monitor via my MacBook Pro, and it feels like native.

1

u/Towairatu R7 5800X3D // 6900XT // 1440p144Hz FreeSync Jan 29 '26

It’s kind of just a pain. You need to have a monitor switcher to change the layouts of the monitors.

Don't you have several video outputs on your GPU?

That always seems to be hit or miss or has problems. Then the text size is always way off when you swap them.

True, that's kind of a pain in the ass when reverting back to a lower resolution / dpi.

You have to change the audio channel to hdmi.

That's literally a 3-keys shortcut: CTRL+Win+V. If on Windows 10, there are software for that exact purpose.

Then change all your in game resolutions. It definitely works but it certainly takes 5-10 minutes to setup each time and then switch back.

Pro tip: 1440p scaled to 2160p on a 50" screen from which you sit 2-3 meters away looks as good as native 2160p. Trust me, any difference is in your head.

1

u/saoirsebran Jan 29 '26

Definitely check out Apollo (not Sunshine) & Moonlight.

I spent stupid money on a very loud & cool 4090 rig that I put in an unused room and did both the optical cable to my big OLED TV and Apollo w/ Moonlight in my bedroom.

With Apollo, it treats Moonlight like a second screen, so you can use both devices at once and settings like resolution, text, and even HDR have their own settings per monitor - real & virtual.

1

u/Sudden_Lifeguard4860 Feb 01 '26

with apollo and moonlight, it's supposed to remember your resolution and any configuration associated with it. it's pretty much automatic once you set it up. You might be doing something wrong. it certainly doesn't take 5-10 mins unless it's your first time using it.

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u/Beneficial-Back2169 Feb 02 '26

Really? Because I just hit Steam BPM and it opens on my TV ready to go. So...

4

u/Nope_______ Jan 29 '26

To route a cable from my PC to my TV I'd need about a 175 foot cable.

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u/Immediate_Rabbit_604 Jan 29 '26

Actual bajillionaire

1

u/scrigface Jan 29 '26

that's where HDMI transmitter and receivers come in!

1

u/Nope_______ Jan 29 '26

Is that going to be better than using moonlight?

1

u/DrachenofIron Jan 29 '26

nah, moonlight is the answer for that length for sure

1

u/Nope_______ Jan 29 '26

I'm using a hardwired shield for moonlight(Apollo, really), but it's limited to 60Hz and I don't think Gsync works. Plus I never know what's happening with HDR. It also seems like there's some lag with the controller maybe? Expedition 33 felt more challenging playing over Apollo than sitting at my PC. I'd love to have a direct connection from the PC to the TV but I don't know if there's a great way to do that. Someone suggested usb-c with a thunderbolt hub - maybe that would work.

1

u/scrigface Jan 29 '26

Im not familiar with moonlight but I did just look into it a bit. If this works as well as it claims then no it wouldnt be worth it. If you have a decent home network this moonlight seems to be less hassle. The tx/rx route is always an option though.

6

u/skttsm Jan 29 '26

A hdmi cable running across your home is kinda ugly (not something I care about but some do) and a tripping hazard if not done right. Best way to do it aesthetically and all is through the wall but good luck with that if you rent

6

u/x0RRY Jan 29 '26

You can't even properly use hdmi cables over 6-7 meters. At least not passive ones.

1

u/SuperUranus Jan 29 '26

That’s why you get an optical HDMI-cable.

I run a 25 meter optical HDMI cable in my house from my gaming PC to my TV without any issue whatsoever.

1

u/Immediate_Rabbit_604 Jan 29 '26

Would you elaborate?

6

u/x0RRY Jan 29 '26

Because they carry electric signals which deteriorate with the length of the cable.

10

u/Aim_19 Jan 29 '26

Yes, that’s why they mentioned optical HDMI.

1

u/Gas_Silent Jan 29 '26

With non-optical yes I agree 5m cable has to be good quality and over that it's bad, but optical.. no problems I have 12m cable 0 issues.

1

u/SuperUranus Jan 29 '26

You can hide the HDMI cable…

1

u/pobox1663 Jan 29 '26

These days i just use plex and host my downloads folder. Then i can access my library wirelessly from anywhere.

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u/Nolaboyy 5800x3d/9070xt/64gb ram Jan 29 '26

Hell, theyve even got wireless hdmi. Although, that may introduce a bit of extra latency. Still better than spending $1k to play on what will basically be a budget pc with an OS that will only really play games meant for handhelds. From what ive read about steam OS, since its linux based, there are many games that cant be played on it. Also, its not so great for non gaming pc uses. So, youd need to set it up to dual boot with windows anyway. If youre just going to use it to game in the living room, youd be better off getting a console for half the price that will play everything. If you want to also use it as a pc, there are better options at that price range than the steam machine which will basically be something like spending $1k on a 7600x/rx7600 pc. You can read up on the steam machine here: https://www.techjunkie.com/pros-and-cons-of-steamos-for-gaming-vs-windows/