[PC] Steam Machine Thread

[SethMode]

What a terrible design. It's like they tried to be as different as possible.

They're trying to make a controller that will allow for people to play every game, most specifically MOBAs and RTS'. From what I've read (which is admittedly just that the programmer from Super Meat Boy -- who may as well be Xenu in my eyes) said that it controls very well and is super responsive (or at least, more responsive than you would think). I think he said he'd still prefer the 360 controller, but that's not too crazy of a statement, since that controller is the greatest ever made.

 

[Slateman]

Can I hook up a keyboard and mouse? Any word on costs?

 

[padman59]

Yes. Assuming you could get a 360 or PS3 controller to work in Linux, you could probably use those too.

 

[jms493]

http://www.pcgamer.com/2013/10/17/steam-machine-prototype-laying-out-valves-slimline-machine/

I put together a few components to see if those slimline specs are doable, and they are. My main concern though is the cooling. I’ve checked out some impressive low profile coolers recently and Valve isn’t using the overclockable K-series processors from Intel so I’m not too worried about the CPU. The graphics card is another matter. Ensuring this thing has adequate airflow to stop the card needing to spool up its fans to max, the instant you start gaming, is likely to be quite a challenge.

The final prototype is supposedly only a few centimetres taller than the component layout here.
I’m also intrigued as to how loud this prototype is going to be. With small fans in the PSU, CPU cooler and graphics card – having to work pretty hard in all likelihood – it could end up being a rather noisy beast. It’s all very well having a machine small enough to fit under your TV, but if it drowns out everything that’s happening on-screen it’s a bit of a worry.

Valve will have thought of these issues too, of course. It’ll be interesting to see what they have in place to solve them. The fact that this is just the prototype has me very excited for the seriously small form factor chassis that are bound to be copycat-created once the inaugural Steam Machine is out of Valve’s laboratory.

This layout is approximately 12-inches square – I’m guessing that gap will be filled by the PSU and storage
I’ll be doing a lot more investigation into custom Steam boxes and small factor components shortly, so keep an eye on PCGamer.com for more soon.

 

[padman59]

Can I hook up a keyboard and mouse? Any word on costs?

No official word, but I imagine anywhere from a few hundred dollars for a barebones streaming machine to well over $1000 for the more powerful machines with newer CPU/GPU configurations. You'll also be able to build your own once SteamOS is released.

 

[jms493]

http://seattletimes.com/html/businesstechnology/2022180559_briercolumn04xml.html

 

[padman59]

The Verge also has an article. Here's how the inside looks. It's not too different from that PC Gamer mock-up.

Also, some of the Steam controller prototypes. I'm glad they didn't go with one of those trackball designs.

http://www.theverge.com/2013/11/4/5...chine-valves-video-game-console-of-the-future

 

[jms493]

That is one funky motherboard layout. And yes fuck the track ball!

 

[SethMode]

The Verge also has an article. Here's how the inside looks. It's not too different from that PC Gamer mock-up.

Also, some of the Steam controller prototypes. I'm glad they didn't go with one of those trackball designs.

http://www.theverge.com/2013/11/4/5...chine-valves-video-game-console-of-the-future

Some of those look like repurposed BDSM gear.

 

[padman59]

SteamOS is getting released on Friday. Prototype Steam Machines are also getting shipped that day. So, we should start seeing some impressions of SteamOS and the different hardware configurations soon. If you happen to be one of the 300 to get one of these prototypes, you should be getting an email later today (~2PM Pacific).

http://steamcommunity.com/groups/steamuniverse/announcements/detail/1930088300965516570

 

[jms493]

SteamOS is getting released on Friday. Prototype Steam Machines are also getting shipped that day. So, we should start seeing some impressions of SteamOS and the different hardware configurations soon. If you happen to be one of the 300 to get one of these prototypes, you should be getting an email later today (~2PM Pacific).

http://steamcommunity.com/groups/steamuniverse/announcements/detail/1930088300965516570

 

[Swarley]

 

[Handleit_44]

 

[PP]

why is the xbone so big?

 

[Maynard]

so what is this thing anyways? is it a console with gaming specs so people can play PC games they buy from steam? isnt it supposed to hook to a tv and does it do anything besides play games?

 

[padman59]

so what is this thing anyways? is it a console with gaming specs so people can play PC games they buy from steam? isnt it supposed to hook to a tv and does it do anything besides play games?

It's a PC running a version of Linux that was designed by Valve to make it easier for you to play Steam games on your TV, but you don't have to hook it up to a TV. I imagine it's like other Linux distros and isn't just limited to games.

 

[jms493]

so what is this thing anyways? is it a console with gaming specs so people can play PC games they buy from steam? isnt it supposed to hook to a tv and does it do anything besides play games?

its anything you want it to be!

 

[Slateman]

http://imgur.com/a/LpuE8 http://www.reddit.com/r/gaming/comments/1swi29/the_steam_machinebox_came/

intel cpu with 3.20 ghz 4 cores. 15.6 gigs of ram, gtx 780 gpu with 3 gigs video mem

So I can buy this thing and then pay for all my games again to run on Linux?

 

[padman59]

So I can buy this thing and then pay for all my games again to run on Linux?

You could just install Windows on it if you wanted. :dunno:

 

[Slateman]

You could just install Windows on it if you wanted. :dunno:

Eh, then what's the point? I'd rather spend the money upgrading my PC