Valve hasn't released a new Steam Console yet? Fine I'll make my own.

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SScorpio

Member
With the very recent spike in RAM prices from AI I choose a horrible time to try this project. But I actually had extra memory to use on it. I spent a month waiting on a "deal" from AliExpress that never shipped. I was refunded automatically, but this caused me to miss some other bargains.

Since Valve opened SteamOS to run on other devices, additional handhelds are now supported. Now as long as you have an AMD CPU and GPU, you can run SteamOS without going through one of the other third party distributions. The Z1 Extreme is used in the more powerful handhelds and is its specs are matched by the Mini PC I choose which has a Ryzen 8745HS which is 8 Zen4 cores, and Radeon 780M graphics. This makes it more powerful than a Steam Deck, and there's no battery life to worry about, so set it to max performance.



The only road block I've encountered so far was the builtin WiFi/Bluetooth chip isn't detected. I was planning to use Ethernet which thankfully works. I had to add an $8 external Bluetooth dongle and controllers are working. I first tried Xbox controllers. The Series controller would detect by not connect, and a One controller would connect but be flaky and get stuck input like constantly scrolling in a direction. But the cheap $20 Pro controller (which so far have worked exactly like Pro controllers but are missing the NFC reader) are working perfectly, including the enhanced haptics support.

A breakdown of costs. The deal I was chasing was this same bare bones Mini PC for $206. Sadly that didn't happen. I then ended up ordering from Amazon for $309 as I missed a very limited alternative model that included 16GB RAM and 512GB storage for $230 from AliExpress that shipped from the Manufacturer while waiting for the other. Pricing RAM before the crazy price hikes I got 32GB for $70, and spend $62 on a 1TB NVME drive. So I'm about $440 into this. It won't beat a console on cost per performance. But this could be a way to get into PC gaming. The model I missed the deal on can be grabbed from Amazon for $365, this includes the 16GB and 512GB NVME. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FF8NWND4

So far things are looking promising. I set it to max out at 1080p, though once it's in the entertainment center I may up it to allow 4K as it is more than powerful enough to run simpler indies at that resolution. And for a test I tried Hogwarts Legacy at 1080p used performance FSR3 render so internal resoluion was 720 at the medium settings it auto detected to and ended up at 48-50 fps. The GPU in this is close to a GTX 1060 so similar to a PS4 Pro. And if a game can run on the Steam Deck. It will run a little better on this.
 
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I'd pay good money for a steam console. I don't need high end specs, just something that can run games like fallout 4 and Skyrim at 1080p60.

Just let it boot into steam using a controller like consoles.

The hardware is there I think. There are a few apus that must be able to do that fairly cheaply.
 
Trogdor1123 said:
I'd pay good money for a steam console. I don't need high end specs, just something that can run games like fallout 4 and Skyrim at 1080p60.

Just let it boot into steam using a controller like consoles.

The hardware is there I think. There are a few apus that must be able to do that fairly cheaply.
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It's not "locked" 60 fps, but it should do well. The CPU is faster than the PS5 or XSX as it's 8/16 Zen 4 that can boost to 4.9GHz. And the 780M graphics is the best until you can get until you go to the extremely new Strix Point/Halo which is in the $700-1,000 range.

 
Add an eGPU upgrade through oculink and you can play most games on decent settings on a 4k TV. I've got my um780 xtx hooked up to my 4K OLED with a rtx 4080 and it's fantastic. I tried going the SteamOS route when I first got it but just had too many issues with compatibility and getting everything working smoothly so reverted back to windows.
 
Trogdor1123 said:
I'd pay good money for a steam console. I don't need high end specs, just something that can run games like fallout 4 and Skyrim at 1080p60.

Just let it boot into steam using a controller like consoles.

The hardware is there I think. There are a few apus that must be able to do that fairly cheaply.
Click to expand...
Buy a mini pc.
You can just let it boot up in steam big picture.
 
The_Mike said:
Buy a mini pc.
You can just let it boot up in steam big picture.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I move my ITX (Fractal Terra) pc back and forth between my desk setup and my tv and I used to just have it auto launch BPM.

I have Windows 11 auto login without password as well so I would just press the power and then turn my controller on like 30 seconds later and it would be fine.
 
The_Mike said:
Buy a mini pc.
You can just let it boot up in steam big picture.
Click to expand...
Or one just like the one I posted that's run the official Steam OS image. It works just like a Steam Deck, I'm only missing TDP settings, but there's no battery so I don't care.


kutthoat5150 said:
Add an eGPU upgrade through oculink and you can play most games on decent settings on a 4k TV. I've got my um780 xtx hooked up to my 4K OLED with a rtx 4080 and it's fantastic. I tried going the SteamOS route when I first got it but just had too many issues with compatibility and getting everything working smoothly so reverted back to windows.
Click to expand...
That defeats the whole purpose of a mini PC in terms of size. Occulink is also only 4 PCIe lanes, you're kneecapping that 4080. Yes it still runs great but you wasted a bunch of money.

You could get a case that can fit the 4080 that's slightly larger than the XSX and have the full 16 lanes for even more performance. SteamOS doesn't support Nvidia cards, you need to run a third party distro.
 
hououinkyouma00 said:
Yeah, I move my ITX (Fractal Terra) pc back and forth between my desk setup and my tv and I used to just have it auto launch BPM.

I have Windows 11 auto login without password as well so I would just press the power and then turn my controller on like 30 seconds later and it would be fine.
Click to expand...
Optical HDMI cables or streaming with Moonlight would save the wear and tear of constant PC moving.
 
b4ZrviJmv1qedAr7.jpeg


I've got 1 of the 300 original Steam Machines that were built, and it's easily the nicest PC form factor I've ever seen. It's a full steel case, and it looks like a console. The build quality is insane.

I really wish Valve would have put these into mass production, because I think they would have been a hit.
 
My main computer has the same specs, but it's the Beelink version, these little machines are pretty good, but I wouldn't use that as my main gaming machine.

My Steam Machine is a full fledged gaming PC tucked away in a compartment of my TV shelf so we don't see the atrocious thing.
 
alabtrosMyster said:
My main computer has the same specs, but it's the Beelink version, these little machines are pretty good, but I wouldn't use that as my main gaming machine.

My Steam Machine is a full fledged gaming PC tucked away in a compartment of my TV shelf so we don't see the atrocious thing.
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I previously switch my main PC to the same SOC and well. The gaming rig was moved behind a TV and I've things some streaming of heavier games.

My main goal is gaming on a different TV. The GPU surpasses the recommend requirements for much of my backlog. Will it do 4k 120hz? Actually yes on some indies. The switch of my main PC was surprising, I ended up saving $50\month on my power bill. And the iGPUs are only getting better. Strix Halo is little below a 9060 but surpassing a base PS5. Things are only going to get more interesting.
 
Dacvak said:
b4ZrviJmv1qedAr7.jpeg


I've got 1 of the 300 original Steam Machines that were built, and it's easily the nicest PC form factor I've ever seen. It's a full steel case, and it looks like a console. The build quality is insane.

I really wish Valve would have put these into mass production, because I think they would have been a hit.
Click to expand...

Only 300? Sounds like a collector's item. Have you checked to see what they are worth?
 
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Yeah, these little mini PCs aren't bad. You can get 780m one for around $400-500 with 32GB of RAM and 1TB drive still, so I don't recommend barebones. Unless you already have that.

I was kind of eyeing AI HX 370 models with 890m chip to use as an emu and Steam box to replace my old PC, but these will still run you like $750-800 which isn't worth it.

Edit: Basically for around $1000 you can get a pre-built with AMD's 7600x3D or 7600X, 9060Ti 16GB, 32G of standard DDR5 6000 RAM and 1TB NVME.

Unless you are completely hard up for space the current SoC pricing on higher end is very much meh.
 
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The end game for me is building a small, formfactor PC with this huge fucking 5090 inside of it. I'm moving to AM5 before prices go towards the Heaven's. That, another SSD for Proton and I just got a 22TB external drive. We are in this Bitch.
Preparing for the All Digital ID shown first-future.
 
Luckily my entertainment center has this spot that fits a pc perfectly. A whole mid tower will slot in. I had one but it was ugly as usual. So the one I built last year, I actually paid attention to looks this time. It's a smaller case but not tiny. Shorter than the ps5, but twice as wide. So comparable depending on where you have to put it.

My pc will last a long time but I'd like to replace it one day with a real pc-console. A laptop board in a sleek enclosure with a real cooler and some future apu with the right balance of cores for gaming. Having a choice of those would be preferable to building for me. We'll get there.
 
Crayon said:
Luckily my entertainment center has this spot that fits a pc perfectly. A whole mid tower will slot in
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I lucked out when I bought the Lenovo Legion prebuilt midtower. It fits in one of the cubbies under my tv as if it was made just for it. I but holes in the back of the stand with fans to blow hot air out the back.
Upgrading the GPU will be hard as I have to find one that is 12 inches or less in length. Either that or I will need to find a new case and move it out of the cubby.
Really hoping that these new PC SOC being rumored soon will shrink things down. I don't mind a big PC in the living room but it would be so much nicer if it wasn't some big chonky device.
 
Magic Carpet said:
I lucked out when I bought the Lenovo Legion prebuilt midtower. It fits in one of the cubbies under my tv as if it was made just for it. I but holes in the back of the stand with fans to blow hot air out the back.
Upgrading the GPU will be hard as I have to find one that is 12 inches or less in length. Either that or I will need to find a new case and move it out of the cubby.
Really hoping that these new PC SOC being rumored soon will shrink things down. I don't mind a big PC in the living room but it would be so much nicer if it wasn't some big chonky device.
Click to expand...

Dude I had to use a little cutting wheel and take a notch out of the back to fit my gpu.

The style of a pc in the living room has a lot to do with where you have to put it, that's for sure. When we get integrated systems with those soc's it will be easier to find places to put them.

There's a mental barrier for a lot of people about having a gaming pc hooked up to your tv. Steamos clears up most of that, and being marketed as devices for the tv will help. Then make it easier on living room style considerations and I think they'll be a hit.
 
hououinkyouma00 said:
Yeah, I move my ITX (Fractal Terra) pc back and forth between my desk setup and my tv and I used to just have it auto launch BPM.

I have Windows 11 auto login without password as well so I would just press the power and then turn my controller on like 30 seconds later and it would be fine.
Click to expand...
At that point I would probably have bought a SD to run the games. Got one at last sale it's an insane piece of equipment.
SScorpio said:
Or one just like the one I posted that's run the official Steam OS image. It works just like a Steam Deck, I'm only missing TDP settings, but there's no battery so I don't care.
Click to expand...
Oh I thought steam os wasn't released to the public yet and were only available on the Steam Deck.
 
I have to talk myself out of doing this almost on a weekly basis at this point. Going to try and be patient and wait to see what Valve offers hopefully in the near future.
 
If you look for a really good controller, use the 8Bitdo Ultimate 2C, this one costs like 15-20 bucks and has all the bells and whistles (hall effect sticks, some of the lowest input lag of all controller etc.).

Using it on my steam deck and it works great.
 
I have a second PC standing on the TV bench, connected to my TV. That's my "Steam Box", and it's also a lot more powerful than the current consoles, so it's my "PS6" as well:)
 
This is my plan aswell, got a nice sum of cash set aside for a living room steam machine. But keeping my cool for now. Would love a better balance of power/performance/noise/size. I'm guessing that by late 2026 I'll make a decision of what chipset to aim for.
 
The_Mike said:
At that point I would probably have bought a SD to run the games. Got one at last sale it's an insane piece of equipment.

Oh I thought steam os wasn't released to the public yet and were only available on the Steam Deck.
Click to expand...
Steam Deck doesn't have a 9700x and a 4070 Super nor can it do 4K/120 on my C2.
 
SScorpio said:
I previously switch my main PC to the same SOC and well. The gaming rig was moved behind a TV and I've things some streaming of heavier games.

My main goal is gaming on a different TV. The GPU surpasses the recommend requirements for much of my backlog. Will it do 4k 120hz? Actually yes on some indies. The switch of my main PC was surprising, I ended up saving $50\month on my power bill. And the iGPUs are only getting better. Strix Halo is little below a 9060 but surpassing a base PS5. Things are only going to get more interesting.
Click to expand...
Yes, I fully agree with the iGPUs getting better and better, they're already offering pretty decent performance... But given that I already have a big one I'll wait a few generations to make the switch to a small form factor PC in the living room.
 
Little Mac said:
I have to talk myself out of doing this almost on a weekly basis at this point. Going to try and be patient and wait to see what Valve offers hopefully in the near future.
Click to expand...

I'm thinking they'll release Fremont next year. Half-Life 3 will launch with it, just like how Half-Life 2 launched with Steam.

If the specs are good enough to run the PC games I want (Total War, Dawn of War 4, Planet Coaster 2) then I'll jump in.

Can't wait to see what Valve are cooking.
 
Magic Carpet said:
Does the xbox wireless controller dongle for PC require windows?
Click to expand...
No, but supposedly it has issues with SteamOS. There's a script to install drivers that I haven't tried: https://github.com/SavageCore/xone-steam-deck-installer


The_Mike said:
Oh I thought steam os wasn't released to the public yet and were only available on the Steam Deck.
Click to expand...
You could download it the day it started being delivered to people. I got mine on the Monday after that weekend Gabe was hand delivering it to people. And I immediately upgraded the 64GB to a 1TB NVME.

The intial version only included drivers for the hardware in the Steam Deck. Since then Valve added drivers so it can be ran on the other AMD based handhelds, and well this mini PC has the same CPU and GPU generation. NVIDIA GPUs still aren't supported in the official image. But all I had to do was download and then flash a USB drive to boot from. It loaded right up and I ran double clicked the icon to run the script to wipe the storage and do a full reinstall. https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/65B4-2AA3-5F37-4227


Little Mac said:
I have to talk myself out of doing this almost on a weekly basis at this point. Going to try and be patient and wait to see what Valve offers hopefully in the near future.
Click to expand...
I've only been hearing the rumbles of the Steam Frame/Deckard standalone VR headset that's ARM and can run PC games using proton. There was also some talk of a Steam Controller 2. But I haven't heard anything about a new PC/console. Though I just made this so we all know next week Valve will make and announcement. But joking aside, I also feel they aren't going to do something until Zen 6 which appears to be delayed until Q1 2027. We'll see though.


SomeNorseGuy said:
This is my plan aswell, got a nice sum of cash set aside for a living room steam machine. But keeping my cool for now. Would love a better balance of power/performance/noise/size. I'm guessing that by late 2026 I'll make a decision of what chipset to aim for.
Click to expand...
This was also my goal. I have a 3080ti in a system on another TV that's running Apollo and I've used Moonlight to Steam to my desk for heavier games. GeForce Now is also an option. For the cost of a 5080, you could have the top tier of that five years. I just didn't jump in yet because every time I think about it, I check a list of games I want to play with it and 1/2 or more are available on the service. It's mostly Japanese studios outside of Capcom not supporting it. But Square's latest are starting to appear.


IDKFA said:
I'm thinking they'll release Fremont next year. Half-Life 3 will launch with it, just like how Half-Life 2 launched with Steam.

If the specs are good enough to run the PC games I want (Total War, Dawn of War 4, Planet Coaster 2) then I'll jump in.

Can't wait to see what Valve are cooking.
Click to expand...
I'd be very surprised if they weren't, the main thing will being having base hardware specs to target. There's several PS5 "generation" titles that now have Steam Deck versions that just get installed when you download them to a Deck versus a PC. Devs would be foolish to not support a future Valve console. Anti cheat is the only elephant in the room, and there are solution that work on Linux and have no issues in Steam OS.
 
My theory is that valve will not release the new desk top steam os until they get the kernel level anti cheat worked out and Nvidia drivers are better.
 
RoboFu said:
My theory is that valve will not release the new desk top steam os until they get the kernel level anti cheat worked out and Nvidia drivers are better.
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With Microsoft kicking antivirus and anticheat out of Ring 0 after the CloudStrike mess, that might become much more possible in the future. If they are migrating to new solutions, why not have something that supports Steam OS as well?
 
Trogdor1123 said:
I'd pay good money for a steam console. I don't need high end specs, just something that can run games like fallout 4 and Skyrim at 1080p60.

Just let it boot into steam using a controller like consoles.

The hardware is there I think. There are a few apus that must be able to do that fairly cheaply.
Click to expand...
Steam Deck actually runs fallout 4 and skyrim really good. Docked tested too
 
SScorpio said:
With Microsoft kicking antivirus and anticheat out of Ring 0 after the CloudStrike mess, that might become much more possible in the future. If they are migrating to new solutions, why not have something that supports Steam OS as well?
Click to expand...

Valve is def working on an alternative. It's just going to be to get devs to use it.
 
Hopefully I can nab a good deal on a 4 TB NVME this christmas. My plan is to use that drive for Win11 and games and have my second NVME as Linux, maybe Bazzite, and games. I really want to start pulling away from Windows.
 
Irobot82 said:
Hopefully I can nab a good deal on a 4 TB NVME this christmas. My plan is to use that drive for Win11 and games and have my second NVME as Linux, maybe Bazzite, and games. I really want to start pulling away from Windows.
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I wouldn't count on it. Though it's not as bad as RAM prices, NVME have also shot back up due to AI. The days for $30 1TB SSDs are gone, ~$63 for a no name now and $80-90 for a Samsung.
 
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