Hi everyone!
I had been a Playstation user since the first one and I own the fifth one.
After using Linux for years on weak computers for my admin, I decided to try Linux gaming in 2025 and bought a used LCD Steam Deck.
While I’ve been enjoying the Steam Deck, it hurts my neck and isn’t powerful enough for sim racing games.
Naturally, I was happy to learn that the Steam Machine was coming and was willing to invest up to CHF1000.- (~$1236) to get it.
Sadly, it’s not available to order in my country, Switzerland.
So now I have to choose between finding ways to order a Steam Machine or buying a prebuilt computer since I don’t want to source components to build something myself.
My priority would still be the Steam Machine, but I’d be open to alternatives.
What are your advices, what would you do if you’re in the same situation?
Thanks in advance for your help.
Gruezi, I built my own steam machine, with the following specs:
- AMD ryten 7 5800X cpu
- 16GB DDR4 leftover memory (2666MHz)
- AMD RX 9070 XT graphics card (they’re a great deal at the moment compared to other graphic cards, great bang for bucks e.g. https://www.brack.ch/acer-grafikkarte-predator-bifrost-amd-rx-9070-xt-16g-oc-1841447)
- Lian-Li A3-mITX case (can accomodate graphic cards up to at least 32cm)
- asrock b550M pro-4
- be quiet pure rock slim 3
- lian - li edge gold 850W PSU (I bought this as it was advertised SFF on galaxus but it is in fact a regular ATX, which still fits but prevents graphic cards of 32cm or larger, mine just barely fit).
The main difference with the steam machine is that it is larger, does not have HDMI-CEC (which turns on your TV automatically when the pc turns on, but I don’t mind), or the official valve support, but frankly, my experience with steamOS has been stellar, I’ve run it for multiple months and I really love it. But with the official steam controller (which I’m also waiting on) I’m sure my experience would be close enough to perfect for myself. Good luck!
I haven’t seen anyone suggest Bazzite here so I will. Especially if you like racing titles, compatibility with most racing peripherals have better support under bazzite as its goal is to support the most devices it can while steam OS is purpose built for a few specific devices.
If you’re savvy enough to, check out some channels like eta prime on YouTube. Maybe that can inspire your purchase.
I personally run a minisforum BD 775Si motherboard with a mobile ryzen cpu in conjunction with a Radeon 7800xt sapphire nitro + as my Bazzite box for the past two years now and it’s been a pretty stellar experience.
Yeah VALVe seems not to like Switzerland, as no hardware has ever been released here. Additionally, they do not allow resellers, so you literally cannot buy it with proper warranty.
What I did with the Index was ask a friend in Germany to order and ship it to me. This time, I will use my legal entity in Estonia. Costs a bit of extra shipping and taxes, but there is no other option.
The only real reasons to get a Steam Machine are if:
- You really want your computer to be a 6" cube
- You really want HDMI CEC support
- You really want to give your money to Valve instead of some other company
Otherwise, something else will be cheaper and/or faster, at the cost of being a more normal desktop size and shape.
I haven’t had a prebuilt desktop since I was 15, so I would definitely build my own. (In other words, if the thing stopping you is being nervous about screwing it up, don’t be because it isn’t actually hard.)
Otherwise, I don’t have any specific prebuilt brand recommendations for you, but I’ll echo the advice to get something with a Radeon 9060 XT (or better). Alternatively, if you think you might want to do AI things with it too instead of just gaming, consider a small-form-factor PC with a fast APU and a lot of unified memory (e.g. like the Framework Desktop or Minisforum MS-S1 Max) or a Radeon RX 7900 XTX (with 24GB RAM), but be aware that those would be a lot more expensive right now.
Not op but to give my perspective, I’m not a computer person, and I’m on the waitlist for a steam machine for a few reasons:
- I’m terrified of breaking the expensive computer parts if I tried to build my own computer. That’s potentially a lot of money to waste
- I don’t even know enough about computers to know which parts are good. I’ve looked into it, and I could probably create a decent grocery list for myself, but I have no personal sense of what’s good or bad
- I want to switch to Linux gaming and the steam machine offers Linux gaming in a prebuilt package. I don’t have to download Linux or proton myself, or pick which distro I want to use. I want to just boot up the steam machine and have things work. (I got Kubuntu for myself on my laptop to try Linux but even that was scary for me. Progress takes time and the steam machine offers an easier learning curve)
- I get valve support if something doesn’t work or needs fixing
I’d like to one day get to the point where I can build my own computer and be confident on Linux. But for now, the steam machine offers an ease of access that I’m willing to pay more for. Hopefully the steam machine can inspire people who’ve never even considered trying Linux to give it a go on their other devices as well
All good and valid points!
As you say, progress takes time, have a good journey!
Build one! If you’ve already got the money, building a computer is not as hard as it might seem. You can put SreamOS on there but Bazzite and CachyOS are good gaming options too.
As I’ve told others, ‘it’s like really expensive legos’. Cpu go in cpu hole. Ram go in ram hole. Nvme go in nvme hole. Success!
Accurate as long as you use something like pcpartpicker to ensure compatibility.
I’d suggest joining the EU.
I would recommend a pre-built system for two reasons:
- Better performance for about the same price.
- You will get it in a few days, for the Steam Machine you will wait until 2027!
Do you think I would have to wait so much?
I’m not in a rush but 6 months would probably be too much.
Probably so, unfortunately. Every Steam Machine out there now has an owner, and that was all they could manufacture in the past six months.
By the sounds of things, there’s also a lot of reservations out there without a Steam Machine to sell them, and given the RAM crisis, production likely isn’t increasing.
It’ll be a while before they’re looking for more registrations.
I think they’re expecting to take until the end of the year to work through their current reservation list (this might include the waiting list at the time but I’m not sure). I wouldn’t hold my breath unless you’re willing to pay one of the few scalpers on eBay.
If you’re going with a small form factor DIY or some equivalent pre-built PC alternative, I strongly urge you to get an AMD GPU to get a good experience with Steam OS, Bazzite or some other Linux gaming distro.
Creating a mini-ITX system based on the 9060 is a pretty good alternative. It’s gonna cost you, but so is the SM.
The Steam Machine itself is just a very fancy prebuilt PC - so while it is your preference, there’s no reason a similar spec prebuilt wouldn’t work too
Would you have any suggestion? I was looking at what tuxedo offers, but I’m a bit lost with the specs.
https://www.tuxedocomputers.com/en/Linux-Hardware/Linux-Computer-/-PCs/Alle-Systeme.tuxedo
Looks like anything above the nano pro is more powerful than the Steam machine as long as you don’t pick the weakest GPU in the configurator.
Technically their Cube L w/ a 9060 XT 16GB outperforms the Steam Cube by a long shot (I’d guess 40-80%) and offers upgradeability but it’s also wildly more expensive and a little bit bigger. It also comes with 32gb RAM at a minimum instead of the Cube’s 16gb which contributes to the high price. Choosing an older GPU like the 7600 doesn’t make too much sense cost and feature wise, for Couch gaming you’d want the newest FSR’n’stuff in a just-works manner.
Technically a full AMD system is best for SteamOS, but the most important piece is the GPU (do not chose an Nvidia whatsoever). Their Cube with AMD is outdated. It will work fine with the Ultra 5.
Beating the price point of the Steam Cube is almost impossible if bought new, even full diy systems have a hard time unless using used parts.
Beating the price point of the Steam Cube is almost impossible if bought new, even full diy systems have a hard time unless using used parts.
A regular pre-built with a 9060 XT 8GB can be had for about 10% less than the Steam Machine (900 Euro). That will be quite a bit faster and also upgradeable. The main advantage of the Steam Machine is the form factor and power consumption.
I would go for a pre-built computer with an RX 9060 XT (preferably with 16 GB VRAM). That GPU will run loops around a Steam machine. You can get such a pre-built for around 1000 CHF:
Thanks for the links. I’ll have a deep look into these!
As I understand it, Steam Machines are not particularly powerful so I think it would be worth exploring pre-builts that are around what you want to spend to see if you can get something comparable or better. SteamOS will be available to install on all desktops at some point but in the meantime there are plenty of gaming focussed distros that will do a superb job. Unfortunately with memory prices the way they are you aren’t really getting the same bang for your buck that you did previously, but there isn’t much any of us can do about it at present. Good luck with it all, it is certainly a very exciting time to be getting into Linux gaming!
As someone who pre-ordered the OG steam controller and steam deck I’m sitting this one out. The hardware situation is just too bad right now. Then again there’s no guarantee it will actually get better, but I have some faith in China still
Hi, if you want to I can dig around and make you a list of components it will be cheaper and with a better performance ratio.
Building a pc is not that hard, it’s closer to legos theese days and installing linux is easy ( I would recommend bazzite with kde ).
Hello from Germany,
hit me up with a message, maybe we can work it out
Thanks for the proposal, but since it involves huge sums of money, I’d only try with someone I know in real life😇
Are you willing to consider a mail-forwarding service?
In my country (further East from you), it’s a somewhat popular and reliable way to buy stuff that no retailer or the vendor itself offers.
I got Oculus Rift S that way once, years ago, and it was pretty painless - some services will help you handle a lot of the paperwork greatly. Maybe even entirely for you.
The big benefit here is that they usually have the warehouses in the countries that do sell what you want, and established logistical chains to ship things safely and I would even say quickly.
The bigger benefit is having a legal entity to work with, which lets you insure the goods and press charges if the mailer steals, loses or damages them.
More expensive than kind strangers on the internet, but if you’re that careful, maybe this is an option.
That said, your Steam region and Valve’s restration for purchase makes this route difficult. Maybe you could create an account in another region, like the US or Germany, generate some activity and purchases there, wait for whatever minimum Valve sets, and order via the mail-forwarder (to their warehouse, from where they ship to you).
On an unrelated note, I did not expect to see a Swiss in the same boat of all people. Viel Glück am Kaufen!
Okay, i understand that.
If you wanna get into contact to know me, just do it :)
Really wanna help as i am not buying the steam machine.
Your PS5 is more powerful than the steam machine. Don’t waste your money.
Buy any other prebuilt pc for around the same price and it will be better, and most importantly upgradable. A pc you can’t upgrade is just a console, and as a console the steam machine is about 5 years outdated already while charging an arm and a leg.
I don’t need more power than the PS5 so the Steam Machine would be enough.
This being said, the upgradability of a prebuilt would be great, as long as it ain’t too noisy and power hungry.
