Steam Machines - Prototype Details

Boomstick777 · 4 Oct 2013 at 20:23

Thanks for joining the Steam Universe community group. As we get closer to shipping the prototype Steam Machines and controllers we talked about last week, we're going to be posting info here about what we're up to, and give you some insight into the work we’ve done to get to this point.

The 300 prototype units will ship with the following components:
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 DDR5 (GPU)
Storage: 1TB/8GB Hybrid SSHD
Power Supply: Internal 450w 80Plus Gold
Dimensions: approx. 12 x 12.4 x 2.9 in high

http://steamcommunity.com/groups/steamuniverse#announcements/detail/2145128928746175450

Doomedspeed · 4 Oct 2013 at 20:31

A 4770 and GTX TITAN on a 450W PSU?

Thanks for the info though..

Seems very promising.

Raikiri · 4 Oct 2013 at 20:44

A good 450w PSU would have no problem running that with a single HDD and no OCing.

Jumper118 · 4 Oct 2013 at 20:51

these are going to be expensive :O

Tonester0011 · 4 Oct 2013 at 20:52

The size of the thing interests me, so small but so mighty

gpuerrilla · 4 Oct 2013 at 20:53

Very modest spec. Would have thought a more budget or conservative line of components would have been selected.

gpuerrilla · 4 Oct 2013 at 20:57

If it goes smoothly then M$ better have a plan B as that would set off a major ripple in the industry having custom SteamBox' and Steam OS or even Linux for that fact.

Martini1991 · 4 Oct 2013 at 20:57

Th0nt said:
Very modest spec. Would have thought a more budget or conservative line of components would have been selected.

Titan and 4770's are modest

?

=XDC=FluphyBunny · 4 Oct 2013 at 21:05

**** me they aren't streaming boxes they are full on high/mid end pc's. So I buy a pc upstairs and I would then have to buy a whole mid/top pc just to stream my games downstairs. Am I missing something? That can't be right.

teppic · 4 Oct 2013 at 21:08

=XDC=FluphyBunny said:
**** me they aren't streaming boxes they are full on high/mid end pc's. So I buy a pc upstairs and I would then have to buy a whole mid/top pc just to stream my games downstairs. Am I missing something? That can't be right.

Valve wants games to be ported natively for SteamOS, not Windows.

Raikiri · 4 Oct 2013 at 21:09

They're standalone devices, not just for streaming stuff. I imagine they'll have a separate model designed for just that.

Impy77 · 4 Oct 2013 at 21:17

=XDC=FluphyBunny said:
**** me they aren't streaming boxes they are full on high/mid end pc's. So I buy a pc upstairs and I would then have to buy a whole mid/top pc just to stream my games downstairs. Am I missing something? That can't be right.

You have steambox running your SteamOS games (on Valves specs - seems they are either trying to find a sweet spot or Steam box will come in 3 flavours, basic, medium and high end - to stream only, or to play natively and stream as well).

To stream your normal Steam/Windows games, yes you still need your high end PC in one room, but this streams to your SteamBox over your LAN at very low latency (and would work easily with the lowest spec steambox).

The real question is how many games will be ported or developed natively to SteamOS and how many have to remain on only Windows. The more native SteamOS games get developed the better if you have a high end steambox. What will be interesting is for games that are dual developed - will a single purchase give us a SteamOS version and a Windows version - to play either living room or on main PC (and cloud syncing progress obviously!!).

Hope that made sense.

Jokester · 4 Oct 2013 at 21:20

Going to be toasty having a Titan and 4770 in a small box.

teppic · 4 Oct 2013 at 21:20

My guess:

Half Life 3 will be announced as an exclusive for Steam OS. Not available, at least initially, on Windows. There will be an easy to install dual boot set up for people to run SteamOS alongside Windows.

Impy77 · 4 Oct 2013 at 21:23

Actually also a second thought the real killer feature will be the 'addtional services'. Will Steambox allow Video On demand services, catchup TV, PVR and other media streaming - get those right and you have a Xbox/PS killer right there even if cost is higher than for consoles (i.e. streaming full HD games that you got in a steam sale for a fiver and using the new controller..... while console user are still paying £20 plus for them.... that makes it a no brainer to me even if the upfront cost is more?)

teppic · 4 Oct 2013 at 21:26

Impy77 said:
Actually also a second thought the real killer feature will be the 'addtional services'. Will Steambox allow Video On demand services, catchup TV, PVR and other media streaming - get those right and you have a Xbox/PS killer right there even if cost is higher than for consoles (i.e. streaming full HD games that you got in a steam sale for a fiver and using the new controller..... while console user are still paying £20 plus for them.... that makes it a no brainer to me even if the upfront cost is more?)

I expect SteamOS will contain a lot of this kind of stuff. And as it's not locked at all, you can install xbmc etc.

pastymuncher · 4 Oct 2013 at 21:27

So all that in a box a similar size to a PS3 slim. How on earth are they going to keep that lot cool (and quiet)? My PS3 slim get's hot and very noisy after 20 minutes or so of gaming.

=XDC=FluphyBunny · 5 Oct 2013 at 10:42

Ah right thanks i think it makes a bit more sense. Its going to be an interesting little box, I still don't think it will take many (any) sales from next gen consoles. For myself I like the idea of playing say Skyrim seamlessly on my large Plasma downstairs, but, and this is the issue for me, I wouldn't part with much money just to do that given the outlay for the existing system upstairs (ignoring the fact my system upstairs also needs updating).

Also a separate standalone console downstairs would keep the girlfriend busy while I play BF4, without her interfering with the connection/network