Running Valve’s open source Linux-based Steam OS, a Steam Machine is a powerful PC specifically built for gaming.
A Steam Machine is approved by Valve; this approval means that it meets the minimum requirements in terms of hardware specs to become a Steam Machine.
Valve assures us that the Steam OS is built for gaming, but you can install Windows on this PC if you wanted to.
Steam Machines come in different spec variations and price ranges. Thus far 14 hardware manufacturers have unveiled their own Steam Machine, each with different internals and exterior design.
Valve has stated that it is completely up to the manufacturer to decide their steam machine internals, whether it has an optical drive, etc. Some Steam Machines will have upgradable internals, depending on the manufacturer.
To give insight on the specs of a Steam Machine, Valve sent the following boxes out to 300 beta testers:
- GPU: some units with Nvidia Titan, some GTX780, some GTX760, and some GTX660
- CPU: some boxes with Intel i7-4770, some i5-4570, and some i3
- RAM: 16GB DDR3-1600 (CPU), 3GB GDDR5 (GPU)
- Storage: 1TB/8GB Hybrid SSHD
- Power supply: Internal 450w 80Plus Gold
- Dimensions: approx. 12 x 12.4 x 2.9 in high
A Steam Machine controller has been designed to complement the PC. This controller features two click-able trackpads in the place of traditional thumb sticks, and 16 buttons. The controller is completely open to tweaks and even hacks.
What is Valve trying to achieve?
Other than world domination, Valve wants the console world and PC world to meet in perfect harmony – a Steam Machine plugged into every TV. Convenient PC gaming on the big screen.
To this end, Valve previously launched their Big Picture mode, which changes the look and feel of their Steam client to suit use on a TV.
What’s wrong with it?
The idea of a compact PC with upgradable hardware that will be integrated into a living room sounds amazing – if you can afford one.
Manufacturers revealed their Steam Machines at CES 2014, starting at a high price of $500, which will get you a basic Steam Machine.
Some of these beasts range up to $2,585, such as the Digital Storm Bolt II which packs in a Core i7 4770K processor, 16GB RAM, a GTX 780 TI graphics card, a 1TB hard drive, and a 120GB SSD.
The Linux-based Steam OS also means that the support for games will be limited – sure you can install Windows, but what’s the point when these are shipped with Steam OS?
I’m all for awesome hardware, and these PC’s have got that, but the prices are pretty steep, and it’s not like a car that you can sleep in once your house is repossessed.
What do you think about the future of PC gaming will Valve take over the world? Let us know in the comments below.
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Ok so here’s the thing, maybe some one can point me in the
right direction, my Pc sits in the Study, is about 10 meters away from the
lounge.I want to keep it as my Windows Gamestation in the study, but want it to
be a steam pc for the lounge as well, the problems, as you might guess
are the following
Cables! – If I get a controller, what options do I have regarding wireless
controllers ? or the steam controller for that matter, also will I need a 10
meter hdmi cable or is there streaming options on smart tvs over wifi to a
steam OS ?
OS booting, can I simply get a dual boot system going or some
kind of virtual machine running steam? How would this work? Would I
have to restart my pc everytime I want to go play games on steam in the living
room ?
If anyone has answers it would be appreciated!