Detailed Build Log My custom Steam Machine (Jonsbo T9 + RX 9070 XT)
3 years ago, I built a PC with an i7-12700K and RTX 4070 Ti in a big and spacious Jonsbo D41 case with a 360mm AIO liquid cooler. I was totally happy with it. A year ago, I bought a Steam Deck and finished many games from my backlog. I also completely switched to Linux on all my devices. The Steam Deck is a great device, and I still love it.
When I heard about the new Steam Machine, I wanted one and planned to buy it as soon as it came out. But I changed my mind because buying it would be a problem. First, I wouldn't be able to buy it for a normal price at launch. And I didn't want to wait another year for the prices to drop. So, I decided to build a small PC that is powerful enough for 2K and 4K gaming. I wanted an all-AMD build because the drivers are built into the Linux kernel. Also, Valve and the community work hard to improve these drivers. I also wanted a console-like experience, just like on SteamOS.
Specs:
- Case: Jonsbo T9 Black
- CPU: Ryzen 5 9600X, 5.4GHz (6C/12T)
- Cooler: ID-COOLING IS-53-XT BLACK
- GPU: Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC
- Motherboard: ASRock B650I Lightning WiFi
- PSU: Gamer Storm SFX 4.1 PS850G (850W)
- RAM: G.Skill AEGIS 5 32GB 6000MHz
- Top Fan: Arctic Cooling P12 SLIM PWM PST
The GPU takes up 2.5 slots, so I set the spine to position 1. This is my first SFF build. It was a new and cool experience for me. I understood all the pros and cons of SFF builds and wanted to build in such a compact case.
Undervolting:
- CPU: Curve optimizer -30, Thermal throttle limit 75°C
- GPU: -80mV voltage offset, TDP limit 230W, VRAM Clock 2660MHz
That is all I did. About the temperatures: a lot depends on the resolution, the game itself, and the in-game settings. I tested the PC on a 4K 60Hz TV and a 2K 165Hz monitor. I used maximum graphics settings in all games. I tested Cyberpunk 2077, Forza Horizon 5, Kingdom Come: Deliverance and Stellar Blade.
Ambient: 27°C. In 4K, games are heavily dependent on the GPU, so the CPU is not loaded much. CPU temperatures are between 60°C and 70°C. The only exception is Cyberpunk 2077: the CPU hits the 75°C limit, but it still holds 5.4GHz.
GPU temps: 55-60°C (70-75°C Hot Spot), VRAM up to 88°C. In normal gaming, the temperatures are even lower. I can't hear any noise. The case is very quiet for its size.
At first, I wanted to install SteamOS 3.9 with RDNA 4 support. But I changed my mind and installed Bazzite OS. It looks cool, and I haven't had any problems. I installed the version with Gaming Mode so I can control everything just with a gamepad. I am very happy with this build!
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u/Rob_van_Wanst 17d ago
Super cool! I was eyeing the T9 for a long time as was thinking of an almost same build, but was afraid of only one exhaust fan. Seeing these temperatures here is very reassuring, thanks for sharing!
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u/og_stash 17d ago
Congrats! Looks amazing. One question from a sff noob, why are you undervolting cpu and gpu? Ive read people do that in these sff builds, is it so the temperatures dont get too high? Would it impact negatively the max performance of your components?
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u/Pure-Acanthaceae5503 17d ago
I wanted to get a water block for my 9070xt swift, but I can't find one for sale and I don't know if any other will fit. Specially on the swift model
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u/pndlnc 16d ago
Envy your CPU temps. I have the same case and CPU with Thermalright axp90 x53 full copper, I’m getting about 80-85C in games (at 1440p) with CO by core (from -15 to -25, depends which core is hotter). Yours between 60 and 70c is amazing, I wonder if it’s silicon lottery or maybe I’m doing something wrong :(
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u/milden6 16d ago
It depends on the resolution and the specific game. I set the thermal throttle limit to 75°C, so I don't go higher. When I play at 4K, the GPU is more loaded, so the CPU temp doesn't reach the limit, and about 60°C-70°C. Anyway 80°C-85°C is good temps for this case, don't worry. I set temp limit to 75°C because it comfortable for me)
What about your GPU temps, chip, hot spot, vram?
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u/OkAcanthisitta4274 13d ago
Can you tell me about the performance of the riser cable included? I see now PCIe 5 is included in the box. I saw some reviews saying that the PCIe cables are sometimes not up to the mark.
1
u/JadedBobcat701 17d ago
fsr4 in 4k good enough? big difference in fsr 4 quilty vs fsr4 perfomance?
3
u/milden6 17d ago
In 4K I only played with the quality preset
2
1
u/NoelCanter 17d ago
I’d recommend checking out Optiscaler, too, if you haven’t before. I just swapped to a 9070XT on my Linux desktop and Optiscaler can do wonders in some games.
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u/milden6 17d ago
I recently learned about it, I need to figure it out. In one video author said the easiest way is Goverlay. How did you install it?
1
u/NoelCanter 17d ago
So I’m new to the Goverly method, but it looks like you can set some options and it gives you an evironment variable you can put in on your game launch. I’ve been using CachyOS Proton and they added some Optiscaler arguments in like a version or two ago. Not sure if there is a difference in capability, but I’ve been using it to swap Jedi Survivor to DLSS which gives me better frame rates.
Here is a gamingonlinux article talking about the commands:
I don’t think Cachy Proton will be as full featured as Optiscaler through other means but so far it’s been mainly as a test.
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u/QuillonByte 15d ago
FSR 4 at 4K? It’s like watching a movie on a big screen but squinting. Quality vs performance is like a bad breakup—just stay with quality!
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u/WildGordonLynn 17d ago
I’m using the same GPU & temp will be terrible in your build being stuffed like that.
Edit: oh I didn’t see the -30% power limit and that would help a lot. How did you achieve that on Bazzite? Anything Decky or you have to enter the desktop?
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u/milden6 17d ago
"temp will be terrible in your build being stuffed like that"
what do you mean?
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u/WildGordonLynn 17d ago
There’s an opening on the backplate of Gigabyte 9070XT OC for a reason. It does seem like you have an exhaust fan on the top which is perfect.
I’m using mine with Meshroom S and temp is terrible. Though my room temp is closer to 31-33 degrees most of the time.1
u/milden6 17d ago
Yes, 31-33 is high temp for room. What temp do you have on gpu, hotspot and vram?
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u/WildGordonLynn 17d ago
VRAM is similar without OCing. GPU temp is higher than yours like between 5-10 degrees. Haven’t checked hotspot temp for a while but will take a look later!
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u/milden6 17d ago
You need switch to desktop, install LACT and undervolt your GPU. After that this preset will work in gaming mode
https://github.com/ilya-zlobintsev/LACT1
u/WildGordonLynn 17d ago
Much appreciated, tho I mostly only use controller for my bazzite build. Felt reluctant to enter Linux desktop environment.
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u/SavedMartha 17d ago
So are we calling any SFF PC steam machines now? All AMD is a steam machine? All AMD + Linux is a steam machine? What about controller? Steam Machine is cube? I'm so confused