*** Valve Steam Machine ***
- Thread starter kakarott
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SD is a more expensive product to build though. The SM doesn't have the same form-factor limitations, battery requirements, doesn't need a screen, can use a standard-sized SSD, etc.
Soldato
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I think I will be stating the obvious here, but this needs to be priced right if it is going to be a success.
There is a lot of initial hype for the Steam Machine which I think will be tempered somewhat after the first benchmarks come out. The hardware seems to suggest the power of the Steam Machine sits in between the Xbox Series S and a Series X. Less powerful than the base PS5.
The problem I foresee is that the Steam Machine only has 8GB of VRAM and that is a big problem. The Steam Deck could get away with modest specs because it was a handheld system and modest specs are to be expected. The Steam Machine though is meant to be connected to a TV which tend to be 4K. 8GB of VRAM is only really any good for 1080P. The Series S has 8GB VRAM and it is clearly struggling with modern games. The Series S is also now over 5 years old. I think the Steam Machine is going to really struggle with modern AAA releases out of the gate and it will also not have access to many popular multiplayer shooters.
The current RRP of the Series S is £299. The RRP of a base PS5 Slim Digital is £429.99.
Logic would dictate that the Steam Machine needs to be somewhere in between those two prices. I expect it to cost £400.
I personally would be interested at £400 but would not be interested at £500.
There is a lot of initial hype for the Steam Machine which I think will be tempered somewhat after the first benchmarks come out. The hardware seems to suggest the power of the Steam Machine sits in between the Xbox Series S and a Series X. Less powerful than the base PS5.
The problem I foresee is that the Steam Machine only has 8GB of VRAM and that is a big problem. The Steam Deck could get away with modest specs because it was a handheld system and modest specs are to be expected. The Steam Machine though is meant to be connected to a TV which tend to be 4K. 8GB of VRAM is only really any good for 1080P. The Series S has 8GB VRAM and it is clearly struggling with modern games. The Series S is also now over 5 years old. I think the Steam Machine is going to really struggle with modern AAA releases out of the gate and it will also not have access to many popular multiplayer shooters.
The current RRP of the Series S is £299. The RRP of a base PS5 Slim Digital is £429.99.
Logic would dictate that the Steam Machine needs to be somewhere in between those two prices. I expect it to cost £400.
I personally would be interested at £400 but would not be interested at £500.
Soldato
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Love the form factor, performance is a bit weak but depends on price (I am certain they have aimed it at slightly higher that their current highest used GPU on the Steam metrics) and how well they can optimise games for it (I did like the info they will be speaking with game developers to implement a Steam Machine/Box setting, like the current handheld setting in Doom Dark Ages, that will automatically be tweaked for the best performance from this specific hardware. One of the things that i do think it is lacking is a second NVME slot. If they are going after the entry level PC market you would get at least 2 NVME and several SATA where as this is VERY limited to 1x NVME, SD and USB.
Soldato
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I am sure you can still plug a keyboard and mouse into it..
Doesn't work in my room. I don't have a hard surface to place them on.
Sarcasm (?) aside what this does make you realise is the challenge these companies now have and the amazing job the likes of Mark Cerney and Sony did at the time. Five and a bit years later and Valve are bringing out a 'console' that's likely not as powerful as the PS5 and no mention of things like 3D audio yesterday, or superfast loading, where the PS5 is probably still likely best in class.
Regarding price, some on Resetera have mentioned Valve said to Gamers Nexus (although can't see it in the video) that the price will be 'entry PC level and not console'. That said even if this is something like £499 with the new controller, I still feel there is a market for this. Either as lounge boxes for those with a existing gaming PC, Valve superfans, or Steam Deck users looking for more power.
Connect a controller to your current PC and try it, the experience will likely be almost identical (with the exception the Steam Controller appears to have trackpads on it which could improve matters slightly on the mouse replacement front)
Cheers I didn’t relise. I listened to Moore Law and they sounded pretty bad to be honest.
Raw specs (core count and power levels) suggest this is more likely a Zen 4 Mobile based CPU (L3 cache would be the key thing that would confirm this - 16MB then its "mobile/APU" based), alongside a RX7600M laptop GPU (CU count lines up as does the TGP @ 110w).
Not going to lie, I was hoping for a little more grunt on the GPU side of things when I first saw the video announcement (where they only mention semi-custom GPU). I was kind of thinking either a modified AI 395 esque setup* (so RDNA 3.5) or a more bespoke RDNA 4 setup - cut down 9060XT as an example. This would unlock native FSR4 (plus drive its general adoption) and have that bit more grunt for longevity.
Price will be critical based on the specs. Get it in the range of the PS5 (Digital specifically) and it starts to become much more appealing. Price it like a PS5 Pro and... no.
Valve hit it out of the park with the Deck so fingers crossed.
(And yes, I still want one...
- Even though I effectively have a "Pro" version - 7945HX3D / RX 9060XT 16GB running Bazzite / Catchy OS in Fractal Terra)
Not going to lie, I was hoping for a little more grunt on the GPU side of things when I first saw the video announcement (where they only mention semi-custom GPU). I was kind of thinking either a modified AI 395 esque setup* (so RDNA 3.5) or a more bespoke RDNA 4 setup - cut down 9060XT as an example. This would unlock native FSR4 (plus drive its general adoption) and have that bit more grunt for longevity.
Price will be critical based on the specs. Get it in the range of the PS5 (Digital specifically) and it starts to become much more appealing. Price it like a PS5 Pro and... no.
Valve hit it out of the park with the Deck so fingers crossed.
(And yes, I still want one...
- Even though I effectively have a "Pro" version - 7945HX3D / RX 9060XT 16GB running Bazzite / Catchy OS in Fractal Terra)
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Looks good. But not for me. I much prefer steamdeck and a proper customisable pc.
What i am excited about is the OS software. If they release it, I might move over to using that rather than Windows eventually as MS is going in the wrong direction as far as I am concerned.
What i am excited about is the OS software. If they release it, I might move over to using that rather than Windows eventually as MS is going in the wrong direction as far as I am concerned.
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looks interesting ,but Am I the only one who thinks that controller looks way to big to be comfortable.
Soldato
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I have a 8845HS GMKTec Mini PC, 32Gb with a 9060XT 8Gb connect via oculink so i could probably install SteamOS and get a reasonably good idea of the performance. I use Steam with windows 11 and the performance is pretty great to be honest. Plays some games at 4K bit over 60fps at medium detail or 1440p at 100fps+.
No and yes*.
* Although to run Minecraft you need to install a third-party launcher (Prism Launcher).
I really like the instant on feature. Such a small thing yet being able to grab a controller and just start playing a game is a big plus for me.
I’ve no interest at all in AAA games so the lack of power of the Steam Machine isn’t a negative for me. Being able to play the current crop of indie games plus the usual gamut of emulators that are already well integrated with add ons in SteamOS is all I’m bothered about. All with instant on!
Pricing will be important. Anything more than £300 and I’ll be humming and hawing particularly as I’ve already got a decent gaming PC running Bazzite.
I’ve no interest at all in AAA games so the lack of power of the Steam Machine isn’t a negative for me. Being able to play the current crop of indie games plus the usual gamut of emulators that are already well integrated with add ons in SteamOS is all I’m bothered about. All with instant on!
Pricing will be important. Anything more than £300 and I’ll be humming and hawing particularly as I’ve already got a decent gaming PC running Bazzite.
Soldato
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When I had a Steam Deck I could only get Java Minecraft running. This would be fine but it excludes you from playing with console players.