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.

  • sp3ctr4l@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
    1·
    7 hours ago

    Look into MiniPCs!

    I’m not sure what will have availability in your country, but MinisForum, GMKTec, AOOSTAR would be where I’d start looking.

    If you go for a MiniPC with an OcuLink external port… well, then you can get a GPU cradle and a small PSU for it, plug that in to MiniPC when you need the graphical power.

    Its hard to find exact numbers on this, but basically, OcuLink appears to perform better than Thunderbolt 4 as a kind of eGPU data transfer method… there is some efficiency loss as compared to directly slotting it into a MoBo, but in practice, its often 10% or less.

    And, now that FSR 4 works on 7000 series AMD GPUs, you may be able to find such a GPU that is cheaper, yet still performs somewhere between a Steam Machine and a more powerful PC.

    This kind of setup is about as spatially small as a Steam Machine, and allows you the ability to upgrade to either a new GPU or MiniPC when you want to.

    The MiniPC will be the CPU and storage memory and RAM.

    MiniPCs often use laptop style SODIMM RAM and M.2 SSDs… so… if prices for those remain high, you can at least take those out of your old MiniPC, and then get a new ‘barebones’ MiniPC based around a newer CPU, and slot them into it.