[Digital Foundry] Hands-On With Steam Machine: Valve's Beautiful PC/Console - Specs, Impressions And More

Guilty_AI said:
I think you're reeeeally underestimate how important the CPU is for gaming. A mid CPU paired with the most excellent of GPUs results in a super stuttery experience, it's generally preferable to have a slightly worse GPU with a much better CPU.
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yeah CPU stuff sucks



this game locks to an almost perfect 60 on series x yet this is what a ryzen 5600 can muster apparently
 
MisterXDTV said:
Way better CPU to do what exactly?

It's clear you will be GPU limited way before the CPU becomes a bottleneck unless you want to play 360p/240 fps
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As in any PC, but consoles are bottlenecked by CPU in current gen games, which is something people don't take into account when comparing "similar PCs", since the consoles can still lose because of it.

kevboard said:
I play on 8GB at 1440p target... in Doom TDA DLSS Quality mode (internal 960p), Console equivalent settings + RT reflections, lowest texture pool settings, I am at 7~7.2 GB VRAM

it's getting extremely close on 8GB, and my PC was meant for current gen consoles and is almost 5 yeads old.

this thing releases a year before the rumoured next gen Xbox
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Well, that's good enough, still better than consoles which only have SSR. Not for me personally, but I think it could easily justify ~$650 considering the prices of current gen consoles
 
Kataploom said:
The GPU has a newer architecture and infinite cache which can make up for the difference, not to mention the way WAY better CPU. I still think the VRAM is a mistake, specially since it probably has a 128-bit bus, but I think all in all it will perform similarly, better here, worse there.
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It has 7600m and worse than the PS5.
www.techpowerup.com

AMD Radeon RX 7600M Specs

AMD Navi 33, 2410 MHz, 1792 Cores, 112 TMUs, 64 ROPs, 8192 MB GDDR6, 2000 MHz, 128 bit
www.techpowerup.com www.techpowerup.com

It is 110w so basically same as above just running at boost clock constantly hence using 20w more.
 
Neo_game said:
It has 7600m and worse than the PS5.
www.techpowerup.com

AMD Radeon RX 7600M Specs

AMD Navi 33, 2410 MHz, 1792 Cores, 112 TMUs, 64 ROPs, 8192 MB GDDR6, 2000 MHz, 128 bit
www.techpowerup.com www.techpowerup.com

It is 110w so basically same as above just running at boost clock constantly hence using 20w more.
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Maybe you're right, I said it's around PS5 and I'll hold on that until further benchmarks, yet the CPU is on another league even if some games run worse, some others will run better
 
Mister Wolf said:
The "it depends" is just a bunch of caveats and excuses. "Don't use raytracing, dont use Nvidia, dont use resolutions over 1080p, dont use the latest GPUs, yada yada yada." I honestly didnt care until I had to keep reading about you guys shitting on Windows acting like Linux is so much better now that you aren't bogged down by Windows background tasks. Come to find out it's just a bunch of bullshit. If you like Linux cool. Just dont lie.
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People are trolling you, but ultimately you're right. There are caveats with Linux that people either brush over or sweep under the rug.

Things simply aren't where they need to be yet for surpassing windows entirely instead of just surpassing it in certain categories.

Edit: I think Valve could eventually do it, but it's going to take much more time. This hybrid console they are releasing is a good sign here because this means that all of this progress with dedicated hardware and Steam OS no longer feels experimental.
 
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Represent. said:
Why are they releasing such a weak machine? I dont understand who this is for? If you want a weak PC, just build one?
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A more streamlined, console like experience, a smaller footprint, and a lower price than a similar configuration with the trade-off of a hardware that can't be upgraded.
If the price is right, I'm the target of this machine.
 
Depends on the price and even then on sale. But I am totally interested in this being the super steamdeck that allows streaming to the deck hassle free. God knows trying to make moonlight/apollo not fuck up windows after every session is a herculean task.
 
I'm very curious to see someone compare this Steam Machine experience to the ROG Ally desktop attachment.

hq720.jpg
 
Kataploom said:
As in any PC, but consoles are bottlenecked by CPU in current gen games, which is something people don't take into account when comparing "similar PCs", since the consoles can still lose because of it.
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No they aren't, since they target 60 fps and 95% of games reach them with that Zen 2 CPU
 
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Draugoth said:


0:00:00 Introduction
0:01:11 Steam Machine overview
0:04:38 Specs and architecture
0:22:38 Other specs and capabilities
0:30:24 Steam Controller
0:36:26 Analysis and conclusion
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Certainly an interesting device and pitch by Valve if they can get to £299/$299 for the base 512GB model with a Pad.

I don't fully agree with DF about the 8GB of VRAM given FSR4/5 will certainly find their way onto the device and from a native 720p or less, 8GBs should be more than adequate with the efficiency of Linux and Vulkan versus Windows and DirectX, and the 28 CUs each having cache and TOPs, being better than 16CUs with more VRAM , but on the basis of cost, the efficiency of Linux and balance with upgrade options, 12GBs or 16GBs of VRAM offset against less CPU RAM - 8GBs or 12GBs rather than 16GBs that could be upgraded rather than surface mounted, by replacing both, or a 4GB for an 8GB to get back to 16GBs - would have been a far superior forward looking device.

I think with Xbox advertising that it is the control pad added to another system that turns other devices into an Xbox makes this Steam controller/Steam/SteamOS and PlayStation's DualSense support on PC upgraded as a huge threat to what little market share Xbox has retained as a viable platform, and this device looks like a massive gateway opportunity to a SteamOS taking 5% market share away from Windows in the AA-AAA gaming going forward if that entry price I suggested is achievable.

If Valve treat this Stream Machine like it is their RaspberryPi, it could be super successful to sell many of us that don't actually need the device on the idea of buying one anyway, to then be happily surprised by what it delivers.

Cooling wise, they should have copied the Cube. One vent at the back is going to lead to overheating 18months down the line IMO. Better to have passive rear ventilation and active fan pass-thru cooling from right to left like the Cube does, and still works two decades later.
 
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People need to understand that Valve want to prove their operation system is well optimized, or else will be end up being a Windows clone, with those absurd amount of memory just to brute force games.
 
PaintTinJr said:
Certainly an interesting device and pitch by Valve if they can get to £299/$299 for the base 512GB model with a Pad.

Cooling wise, they should have copied the Cube. One vent at the back is going to lead to overheating 18months down the line IMO. Better to have passive rear ventilation and active fan pass-thru cooling from right to left like the Cube does, and still works two decades later.
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Lol if you think this will be $299, the components alone are close to $400.

As for cooling - have you seen the heat sink they put in this machine? Dave2D says that think was doing 28db on full load.
 
Cyberpunkd said:
Lol if you think this will be $299, the components alone are close to $400.

As for cooling - have you seen the heat sink they put in this machine? Dave2D says that think was doing 28db on full load.
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The Series S 512gb was $300 now it's $400. Don't know why some say or think this should cost less than $400. Having better specs than the S
 
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scydrex said:
The Series S 512gb was $300 now it's $400. Don't know why some say or think this should cost less than $400. Having better specs than the S
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They mentioned they will price it as a PC, not a console aka no subsidizing on hardware
pudel said:
Yeah, mini formats just sucks ass. It looks cool and stylish...but in reality you are just asking for "more" problems.
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The heat sink is half of the cube.
 
A lot of PC games are CPU-bound more than GPU. Simulations, strategy, stuff like Project Zomboid. It makes sense that they went with a stronger processor.
 
Wolzard said:
Windows users:

7WfkTOT.jpeg
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Man, this seems like a cliche point by now, but it's so refreshing using an OS that actually gives you control and isn't trying to upsell you on something at every point.

For all it's strengths Windows is a UX nightmare currently.
 
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Kataploom said:
Maybe you're right, I said it's around PS5 and I'll hold on that until further benchmarks, yet the CPU is on another league even if some games run worse, some others will run better
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I plan on locking the output to 1080p for every game with this system anyway. This will serve me very very well as a second system. If I want eye candy, I will use the actual PC.

Represent. said:
Why are they releasing such a weak machine? I dont understand who this is for? If you want a weak PC, just build one?
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Partially because the most popular and most played games in the world don't require PS5 level of power.
 
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crazyriddler said:
If it's not considerably cheaper than building something similar or better yourself, it won't be successful. Console gamers aren't going to spend that much on a device, and PC gamers who want a "steam box" will have no problem building something themselves.

Steam Deck was released at a lower price than the same device would have cost from another brand because it subsidized part of the cost of attracting people to its ecosystem and its newly launched OS, and because that motivated people to buy more games (in fact, there was even a news story at the time saying that people who bought a Steam Deck went on to buy more games than before they had it), so I wouldn't be surprised if this case were similar.

If they manage to achieve a great price/performance ratio, even I, who have a powerful PC, would consider having this little box under my living room TV for less demanding games from my backlog.
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I doubt steam deck introduced many new people to Steam. It probably did encourage people to buy more games that worked well with the hardware and form factor.
 
Cyberpunkd said:
Lol if you think this will be $299, the components alone are close to $400.

As for cooling - have you seen the heat sink they put in this machine? Dave2D says that think was doing 28db on full load.
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Exactly. If a individual buying these parts retail can get to $400, then buying bulk with the sprat to catch a herring % on all games through Steam, and expand their market share into lower spend console players, $299 is the ideal marketing price point for the least desirable SKU. Maybe $349, but at that $50 more it is competing with PS5 head on IMO.

As for the Gamecube cooling - although it is over 5years since I cracked my modded one open -, it has a metal chassis - with some serious screws to seal it - inside the outer plastic housing that is one big heatsink dissipating heat from all surface mounted chips IIRC.

It is a decent heatsink inside the SteamMachine, but proportionally less effective and less elegant - with rear fan - than the cube design IMHO.
 
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I asked Copilot for a comparison of the cooling systems in the Steam Machine and the Series X

how does the cooling system of the new steam machine compare to that of the Series X?
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Quick Answer:
The new Steam Machine uses a large heatsink with a rear exhaust fan in a compact cube design, optimized for quiet airflow and efficient GPU cooling. The Xbox Series X, by contrast, relies on a vertical airflow system with a vapor chamber and a massive 130 mm fan that pushes heat upward through the top vent. The Steam Machine is smaller and quieter, while the Series X is more robust with higher thermal headroom.

🔹 Steam Machine Cooling System

🔹 Xbox Series X Cooling System


  • Design: Tall tower chassis (301 mm height).

  • Airflow: Vertical cooling system — air is drawn from the bottom and expelled through the top Guiding Tech motorsandpump.com.

  • Components:

    • Vapor chamber for even heat distribution across the GPU/CPU.

    • Single large axial fan (130 mm) at the top, pushing air upward.

    • Split motherboard design to balance heat loads.

  • Performance:

    • Designed for ~200 W GPU TDP (RDNA 2 architecture).

    • Prioritizes consistent thermals under heavy load.

    • Very quiet, even at peak performance, thanks to large fan diameter and vapor chamber efficiency.

⚖️ Comparison

FeatureSteam MachineXbox Series X
SizeHalf the Series X (162 × 156 × 152 mm) International Business TimesTall tower (301 × 151 × 151 mm)
Cooling MethodLarge heatsink + rear exhaust fan International Business TimesVapor chamber + vertical airflow + 130 mm fan
Airflow DirectionFront/bottom intake → rear exhaust International Business TimesBottom intake → top exhaust
Noise LevelsWhisper-quiet, optimized with CFD Gulf NewsQuiet due to large fan and vapor chamber
Thermal Capacity~110 W GPU TDP International Business Times~200 W GPU TDP
EfficiencyCompact, efficient for mid-range GPUHigher thermal headroom for high-end GPU

✅ Key Takeaway

The Steam Machine's cooling system is smaller, quieter, and efficient for its mid-range GPU, making it ideal for compact living-room setups. The Series X's cooling is more powerful, with a vapor chamber and larger fan designed to handle higher thermal loads, giving it an edge in raw cooling capacity.
Would you like me to break down noise comparisons in decibels between the two systems? That could give a clearer picture of how "quiet" they really are.

Sources: International Business Times Gulf News Guiding Tech motorsandpump.com
 
Represent. said:
Why are they releasing such a weak machine? I dont understand who this is for? If you want a weak PC, just build one?
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It's not hard to understand. It's been said probably a thousand times but for some reason doesn't seem to penetrate. Many console gamers do not want to mess with the hassle of building their own PC. That's why they are console gamers in the first place. They want to open the box, plug it in, sit on their sofa, and play games. That's it. They don't want to devote their time or energy to learning how to build their own PC.

So Valve is offering something to bridge the gap. Think of it as a bargain PC with a console-like form factor and some ease-of-use features, designed to lure console gamers into the Steam ecosystem. If they can do that, it will be pure profit for Valve. It may appeal to other types of gamers (e.g., the 20% of Steamdeck users who operate in docked mode), but I think the main pitch is toward console gamers who want to try out PC gaming in a user-friendly package.
 
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Humdinger said:
It's not hard to understand. It's been said probably a thousand times but for some reason doesn't seem to penetrate. Many console gamers do not want to mess with the hassle of building their own PC. That's why they are console gamers in the first place. They want to open the box, plug it in, sit on their sofa, and play games. That's it. They don't want to devote their time or energy to learning how to build their own PC.

So Valve is offering something to bridge the gap. Think of it as a bargain PC with a console-like form factor and some ease-of-use features, designed to lure console gamers into the Steam ecosystem. If they can do that, it will be pure profit for Valve. It may appeal to other types of gamers (e.g., the 20% of Steamdeck users who operate in docked mode), but I think the main pitch is toward console gamers who want to try out PC gaming in a user-friendly package.
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It remains to be seen how much of a bargain this 7600m GPU based machine will be. I bought my PS5 last year for 315 £ and I would hesitate to call it a bargain. This crappy machine will be a bargain at 300 £ or less. Anything more and I would not use the word bargain for it.
 
scydrex said:
The Series S 512gb was $300 now it's $400. Don't know why some say or think this should cost less than $400. Having better specs than the S
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Xbox is dead, stores are giving those consoles back to MS

So the comparison has to be made with the base PS5, that is the console actually on shelves

And it's gonna be on sale for Black Friday

 
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The fact that I can stream games into my living room from my office PC on my gigabit LAN will probably make this a day one purchase for me, any games that it can't run well I can just stream :-)
 
Darkness_Arises said:
It remains to be seen how much of a bargain this 7600m GPU based machine will be. I bought my PS5 last year for 315 £ and I would hesitate to call it a bargain. This crappy machine will be a bargain at 300 £ or less. Anything more and I would not use the word bargain for it.
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Substitute "budget," then.
 
Kataploom said:
Maybe you're right, I said it's around PS5 and I'll hold on that until further benchmarks, yet the CPU is on another league even if some games run worse, some others will run better
Click to expand...

It will run PS4, older games better. It's only advantage is that just like any PC game you can change gfx settings so it can give more than 60fps unlike PS5. In 1080P it will can run faster than PS5.

It should be some 20% slower than the XT version show in this video:


 
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PS5 is typically running around 1080p (sometimes lower, e.g. Black Myth) to hit 60fps, and with bad looking graphics. I recently started Returnal again on my living room PC and last night I booted up the PS5 Pro version. Ignoring the framerate difference (120fps on PC vs 60fps on PS5), the graphical quality was night and day different between the two machines.

I'd be content with the Steam Machine being a 1080p medium/high machine if I could consistently get 60fps+. I'm really intrigued by the game streaming potential for high fidelity games: right now the process of docking my "Deck" (Z1E Legion Go S) and fiddling with the settings to get Moonlight to run is tedious. A dedicated device would certainly help, plus for smaller games like Hades and Hollow Knight, I could just play it straight off the Steam Machine and not worry about streaming.
 
Neo_game said:
It will run PS4, older games better. It's only advantage is that just like any PC game you can change gfx settings so it can give more than 60fps unlike PS5. In 1080P it will can run faster than PS5.

It should be some 20% slower than the XT version show in this video:


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This is not a PC for PC builders but for the actual opposite audience, those that don't want to deal with it
 
Neo_game said:
It will run PS4, older games better. It's only advantage is that just like any PC game you can change gfx settings so it can give more than 60fps unlike PS5. In 1080P it will can run faster than PS5.

It should be some 20% slower than the XT version show in this video:
Click to expand...


You can check thes videos with an overclocked 7600s

It's clocked at 2.46 Ghz

It's the same card you are going to get in the Steam Machine



 
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MisterXDTV said:
You can check thes videos with an overclocked 7600s

It's clocked at 2.46 Ghz

It's the same card you are going to get in the Steam Machine



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Based on these benchmarks, it looks to be notably worse than the ps5. I knew it was going to be worse, I didn't know it would be this bad.
 
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