50°

Steam Machines And What They Bring To The Table

Valve released a brochure full of pictures of funny little boxes and specs during the CES 2014. A total of fourteen were released. Prices vary from US$499.00 up to US$6000.00, which is rather hefty. Some of these router-like looking boxes come with a standard build while a few others can be customized. - See more at: http://themodernmage.com/st...

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TopDudeMan3749d ago

Some of these are quite reasonably priced. Others are... Well... let's just say it'd be easier to just upgrade an older PC and run SteamOS on it.

ABizzel13749d ago

This.

They bring nothing new, besides overcharging you for squeezing PC parts into a console like case.

The $499 steam machines are decent deals, and so is the $1499 for the hardware you get, but that's about it.

Orionsangel3749d ago

#ABizzel1

I have a PC and Steam. The 360 and PS3. I stopped buying retail games a while ago. I now download every game. I just can't afford 60 dollar games on my income. I was just looking at it for a poor person's perspective.

ABizzel13749d ago

@Orionsaint

I have a pretty much all the consoles. PS3, 360, Wii U (Wii), PS4, and a PC. The majority of my multiplatforms are purchased on my PC, simply because I could run it better than a PS360 could.

I completely agree, that PC gaming is a lot cheaper than people make it out to be. You can make a gaming PC comparable to the PS4 for around $600 or less (It'll have a better CPU, slightly better GPU due to higher clocks + over-clocking, and more RAM).

The problem with Steam Machines as I said is the $499 (aka $500) don't offer the same level of performance that a $600 self made PC will have. Until they can get that $600 build down to the price of $499, then Steam Machines are pointless.

Their sole success depends on pricing, and they failed on that mark. PC gamers looking to upgrade, could have easily bought a Steam Machine and been happy, but most PC gamers can build their own more powerful machine for just $100 more, or build an entry level gaming PC for $300.

Steam Machines aren't worth it looking at it from the perspective of a PC gamer.

Looking at it from a console gamer who doesn't know how to build a gaming PC, is the only consumer who Steam Machines makes sense for, and even then they have to be somewhat informed when it comes to PC hardware, because the average consumer isn't going to walk in the store and know what the difference is between the 12+ versions of Steam Machines.

Valve should have built their own Steam Machines first, released them at

$499: AMD FX 6300, R9 270X, 8GB DDR3 2133MHz
$999: i7 4770k, GTX 770, 16GB DDR3 2133MHz

Then it would make sense, as both platforms would be well worth the asking price, and you can buy which ever platform fits your gaming needs. The problem is no one is willing to invest big into Steam Machines, which means these things aren't being made in serious long term bulk.

Orionsangel3749d ago (Edited 3749d ago )

Why do you say that? If you have a slow computer and you're poor can only afford one console. Because you saved up. Which one do you choose? Xbox One or PS4 with expensive 60 dollars games or a $499 Steam machine. Where you can get many of the same 60 dollar games for $5 to $10 bucks during Steam Deals.

DragonKnight3749d ago

Steam machines aren't worth it right now. They rely on games that can run without Windows, and how many of those games exist? Unless you're content on playing emulated games of the past forever on emulators that do run on Linux, what are you going to play?

That's the thing people aren't talking about here. They seem to think that these devices will allow you to play every PC game that exists, and it won't.

So what does this offer now?

tontontam03749d ago

I'll build a $499 PC and install steam OS on it.

it may not be compact but I'll surely make it

more powerful than a $499 steambox.

Somebody3749d ago

"So what does this offer now? "

A foundation for the future. It has to start somewhere and some gamble is inevitable. Valve can't just stay locked in digital distribution business knowing that everybody else is closing the walls on their own respective platforms. MS did a similar thing when it suddenly wanted to make a game console on their own when there's an abundance of PC games in the market. X box started out with a handful of games.

DragonKnight3749d ago

But you see, it's not a foundation for the future. Already we see that these machines have an identity crisis. They won't sell to PC gamers, that's a guarantee. Why? Because like someone has already posted... "I'll build a $499 PC and install steam OS on it."

That's the PC market right there.

It won't sell to the casual market because A)There is no unified starter machine the way consoles are and B)Casuals have already moved on to mobile gaming.

As for what's left, the core console gamer, the only potential there is for those who might want to dabble in PC gaming. But the problem there is, again, support. Steam machines will not have the library of PC gaming or console gaming, not for a long time.

This wasn't the time to bring out Steam machines. And if they absolutely had to, then they should have had a set design range in place. None of this $500 to %6000 crap filled with either terrible parts, or parts you're supposed to pick out yourself. This machine was supposed to bring the ease of console gaming to PC and it's not doing that with the current offerings.

Somebody3749d ago

Let's look at the mobile market. Apple has experience and resources to make their own hardware while Google has to depend on other manufacturers to propagate its Android OS.

Change Apple to console makers and Google to Valve, we have a similar story about to unfold. Just look at the extremely varied types of devices from a sorts of manufactures they put Android in and then look back the Steam Machines. MS and Sony offered apps, games and features when promoting their next gen consoles, just like Apple. Valve is offering what Google offered- customizable OS for everyone.

I believe it's a good time for the Steam Machines to come out. Not perfect timing but delaying it further will only make it worse. Steam was introduced during a time when everyone's calling for the death of PC gaming after the 360 and PS3 were launched. Guess what's been happening in the PC world atm? Everybody is talking about its decline thanks to mobile devices. And here comes Valve offering SteamOS and Machines to the PC manufacturers. It may not help the PC get out of its current situation but it does give an option for them to open up a new market.

ABizzel13749d ago

@Orionsaint

Did you see all the if's you had to come up with just to make the current Steam Machines sound reasonable.

It's just not worth it at this point. As I said the $499 and $1499 Steam Machines are decent deals, but the majority of people who are interested in PC gaming, will simply build their own PC's (or upgrade their current PC for even less), and download Steam OS for Free.

Console gamers looking for a streamlined PC experience, are the sole audience for Steam Machines. Thus they bring nothing new to the table, besides allowing PC manufacturers the opportunity to build PC's a slightly less prices without worrying about the Windows OS overhead. But as you can see in the pricing structure of many of the Steam Machines they're still charging as if Windows was still in there.

Steam Machines won't be where they need to be performance : price wise until a company invest in them fully.

1. Steam for Linux isn't up to par with the Windows version at all.

2. Price : Performance: $499 Steam Machines are better for games than the XBO, but shocking worse in CPU and would be worse as well if it wasn't for the GPU's GDDR5 RAM. And the PS4 is arguably better than them.

The only real benefit from this, is Steam OS itself. The actual PC's acting as consoles, are a pass unless you don't know how to build your own PC (which is extremely easy, and can be done with a 20 minute YouTube video).

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 3749d ago
amiga-man3749d ago

If nothing else they bring potential, a PC without windows focused on gaming running an efficient game based operating system could take PC gaming to the next level.

It will be a slow burner but overtime really could take over the PC gaming market.

Grave3749d ago (Edited 3749d ago )

Well said, I agree. Look at how hated Steam was in the beginning. Everyone was saying it would be a colossal failure and wasn't necessary. Now it's the leader of the pack when it comes to PC gaming.

Everyone hating now will be proven wrong, again.

Gh05t3749d ago

The problem is you don't need a steam machine to make a better OS. I mean if they fundamentally changed the whole OS and it got supported and took off you still don't need the steam machine.

I have Steam OS but no steam machine... I really want them to continue and make it better and I hope that the OS takes off but still don't need a steam machine for it.

Crawl before you run...

Einhert3749d ago

Because it has Linux as an operating system which is just flat out bad.

Not able to run DX games means for now it is completely pointless for anybody because every developer is developing for DX.

If this creates a rift in PC gaming were some games are restricted to linux and others restricted to DX it will be disastrous and fracture the PC market.

Dude4203749d ago (Edited 3749d ago )

LOL, you really have no idea what you're spouting.

Having a Linux OS is good because it's a free license for developers unlike Windows. When SteamOS takes off with a strong support for games, people won't have to worry about buying a Windows home license.

Valve is trying to transition the developers from Windows to Linux as smoothly as possible. If some want to develop on Windows, that's fine. SteamOS will provide a streaming functionality where you can still play Windows games on your machine with SteamOS. All you need is a system at least capable of running SteamOS and your Windows gaming machine can flex its muscles.

This is evolution, some people want change, some don't.

Einhert3749d ago

LOL, Clearly you have no idea what you are talking about.

Do you even understand how redundant the streaming of DX games is?

So for me to stream DX games I technically need two PCs, one obviously running windows anyway so what is the point in that?

Is every PC developer going to switch to linux? and start using OpenGL instead of Direct X?

I seriously doubt it.

Dude4203749d ago

You appear to be misinformed. It's not redundant just because you yourself have no use for it. However, other people may have use for it if their PC's aren't hooked up to their TVs (if they wish to play Windows games on TV).

The other thing you don't seem to realize is that SteamOS, again, is a free OS. You don't need 2 PC's to run both Linux and Windows games at all, because you can do what's called a Dual-boot, perhaps you've heard of it, so where does this fracture come in again?

Maybe not all PC developers are going to switch to Linux any time soon, but the free license certainly makes the option attractive. One of the most graphically demanding games, Metro: Last Light is supported on SteamOS so that appears to be a start.

Pintheshadows3749d ago

I am sorry, but they bring nothing to the table whatsoever. They are overpriced PC's (as in I could make similar spec machines for cheaper) in pretty little boxes and as it stands the OS needs some serious work as Einhert alluded to.

It won't be relevant for a while yet, probably not until next gen. It will take a while to bed in much like Steam at its inception but I am not so sure this will be a success on that level. I think Valve have misjudged this a little.

Lou Ferrigno3749d ago

Although I am not defending the steam machines by any means ..
Please do explain how $500 is overpriced for a machine that can run alongside the PS4 and XBone? And some of them are even upgradable..

Also, can you explain in detail how you would make a cheaper with "Similar" specs? I'm all ears :)

Dude4203749d ago (Edited 3749d ago )

Well, for one thing, I would at least put a quad core CPU like the Athlon 750K (same CPU performance as an A10-5700), which can be found for only $10 more than the A6. Other than that, it's a nice system since they have an R9 270 in there.

Pintheshadows3749d ago

I am talking in comparison to a PC I could build for the same price which would be better and not restricted by Linux.

Quite easy Lou, buy parts on the internet and build it yourself without the stupid overpriced cases.

Lou Ferrigno3749d ago

pintheshadows - you must of miss interpreted the latter part of my comment .. I said in "detail" , not a summary ..A summary does not explain anything or help understand what you are trying to say ..

I was giving you the opportunity to back up your statements within your comment :)

Pintheshadows3749d ago (Edited 3749d ago )

I'd back it up if I felt I had to but anyone who has been around PC gaming for a while will know that is common knowledge. I am not going to list websites and prices where I can find all the components for good prices to satisfy you.

Do it yourself. You were the Hulk. I have faith in you. It may also open your eyes to the fact that Steam Machines are not that good of a deal.

GentlemenRUs3749d ago

Not split-screen gaming that's for sure.

Dude4203749d ago

How do you know there won't be split screen? It's not something exclusive to consoles you know, it's up to the devs to implement split-screen in PC games. However, most of the time they no need for it because PC's are not generally used for more than 1 person. While there are few, there are games out there that support split-screen.

If the steam machines do take off, then they might have an effect on split-screens in the future.

Show all comments (34)
90°

This RTX 4090 just got an eye-catching deal that's definitely worth a second look

If you're in the market for an RTX 4090 graphics card, this one is currently the cheapest one you'll find on Amazon after a hefty discount.

DustMan3h ago

$1,878 (Was $1,969.45) LOL. What a steal.

88346m ago

Thank you saving me the click.

330°

Nvidia DLSS 3.7 drives a further nail in the coffin of native performance

Nvidia DLSS 3.7 is the latest update to the long-running AI upscaling technology, and it further shows native performance doesn't matter.

DustMan4d ago

I think hardware development is at a point where they need to figure out how to draw less power, These beefy high end cards eat wattage, and I'm curious if using DLSS & AI in general will lower the power draw. It would seem like the days of just adding more VRAM & horsepower is over. Law of diminishing returns. Pretty soon DLSS/FSR will be incorporated into everything, and eventually the tech will be good enough to hardly notice a difference if at all. AI is the future and it would be foolish to turn around and not incorporate it at all. Reliance on AI is only going to pick up more & more.

Tapani3d ago (Edited 3d ago )

DLSS certainly lowers power consumption. Also, the numbers such as the 4090 at 450W does not tell you everything, most of the time the GPU stays between 200-350W in gameplay, which is not too different from the highest end GPU of 10 years ago. Plus, today you can undervolt + OC GPUs by a good margin to keep stock performance while utilizing 80% of the power limit.

You can make the 4090 extremely power efficient and keep 90% of its performance at 320W.

However, in today's world the chip manufacturing is limited by physics and we will have power increases in the next 5-10 years at the very least to keep the technology moving forward at a pace that satisfies both businesses and consumers.

Maybe in 10 years we have new tech coming to the markets which we are yet to invent or perhaps we can solve existing technologies problems with manufacturing or cost of production.

On the other hand, if we were to solve the energy problem on earth by utilizing fusion and solar etc. it would not matter how much these chips require. That being said, in the next 30-40 years that is a pipedream.

MrBaskerville3d ago

I don't think fusion is the way forward. It will mosy likely be too late when it's finally ready, meaning it will probably never be ready. Something else might arrive before though and then it becomes viable.

Firebird3603d ago

We need to stop the smear campaign on nuclear energy.
We could power everything forever if we wanted too.

Tacoboto4d ago

PS4 Pro had dedicated hardware in it for supporting checkerboard rendering that was used significantly in PS4 first party titles, so you don't need to look to PC or even modern PC gaming. The first RTX cards released nearly 6 years ago, so how many nails does this coffin need?

InUrFoxHole4d ago

Well... its a coffin man. So atleast 4?

Tacoboto4d ago

PSSR in the fall can assume that role.

anast3d ago

and those nails need to be replaced annually

Einhander19724d ago

I'm not sure what the point you're trying to make is, but PS4 Pro was before DLSS and FSR, and it still provides one of the highest performance uplifts while maintaining good image quality.

DLSS is it's own thing but checkerboarding om PS5 still is a rival to the likes of FSR2.

Tacoboto4d ago

Um. That is my point. That there have been so many nails in this "native performance" coffin and they've been getting hammered in for years, even on PS4 Pro before DLSS was even a thing.

RaidenBlack3d ago

Don't know what's OP's point is either but ... checkerboard rendering was good enough for its time but in terms of image quality its wayy behind what's DLSS 3 or FSR 3 is currently offering.
The main point of the article and what OP missed here is that DLSS 3.7 is soo good that its nearly undisguisable from native rendering and basically throws the "its still blurry and inferior to native rendering" debacle, (that's been going around in PC community since 2019), right out of the window.

Einhander19723d ago

RaidenBlack

DLSS is as i said a different thing from FSR and checkerboard.

But you're talking about FSR 3 which probably is better than checkerboard, but FSR 3 has only started to get games this year, so checkerboard which was the first hardware upscaling solution was and is still one of the best upscaling solutions.

Give credit where credit is due, PlayStation was first and they got it right from the get go, and PSSR will almost certainly be better than it will be given credit for, heck digital foundry is already spreading misinformation about the Pro.

Rhythmattic3d ago

Tacoboto
Yes... Its amazing how many talekd about KZ2 deferred rendering, pointing out the explosions were lower res than the frame itself..
And of course, Then the idea of checkerboard rendering, not being native....
For sure, maybe this tech makes it minimal while pixel counting, but alas, seems performance and close enough , and not native now matters.....
I want to see it run native without DLSS.. why not?

RonsonPL4d ago

Almost deaf person:
- lightweight portable 5$, speakers of 0,5cm diameter are the final nail in coffin of Hi-Fi audio!

Some people in 2010:
- smartphones are the final nain in the console gaming's coffin!

This is just the same.
AI upscalling is complete dogshit in terms of motion quality. The fact that someone is not aware of it (look at the deaf guy example) doesn't mean the flaws are not there. They are. And all it takes to see them, is to use a display that handles motion well, so either gets true 500fps at 500Hz LCD TN or OLED (or faster tech) or uses low persistence mode (check blurbusters.com if you don't know what it means) also known as Black Frame Insertion or backlight strobing.

Also, image ruined by any type of TAA is just as "native image" as chineese 0,5$ screwdriver is "high quality, heavy duty, for professional use". It's nowhere near it. But if you're an ignorant "journalist", you will publish crap like this article, just to flow with the current.

There's no coffin to native res quality and there never will be. Eventually, we'll have enough performance in rasterization to drive 500fps, which will be a game changer for motion quality while also adding other benefit - lower latency.
And at 500fps, the amount of time required for upscalling makes it completely useless.
This crap is only usable for cinematic stuff, like cutscenes and such. Not for gaming. Beware of ignorants on the internet. The TAA is not "native" and the shitty look of the modern games when you disable any TAA, is not "native" either as it's ruined by the developer's design choice - you can cheat by rendering every 4th pixel when you plan to put a smeary TAA pass on it later on. When you disable it, you will see a ruined image, horrible pixellation and other visual "glitches" but it is NOT what native would've looked like if you'd like to honestly compare the two.

Stay informed.

RaidenBlack3d ago

Main point of the article is how far DLSS has come with v3.7 since 2018. If this is what we're getting already, then imagine what we'll get within next ~3 years. Yes parity will obviously be there compared to the then native rendering tech but it'll slowly narrow down to the point it'll be indistinguishable.
Something similar is like the genAI Sora ... AI generative videos were turd back when they were introduced (the infamous Will Smith eating video) ... but now look at Sora, generating videos that just looks like real life.

3d ago
Yui_Suzumiya3d ago

How much VRAM is standard today? My laptop has a 1080p QLED display but only an Intel Iris Xe with 128MB of VRAM. I currently do all my gaming on it but certain titles do suffer because of it. I plan on getting a Steam Deck OLED soon to play the newer and more demanding titles.

purple1013d ago

Maybe better to get a budget gaming laptop and link a dualsense to it

= Portable console with far better graphics than a steam deck! + bigger screen and able to use it for work / etc

90°

One of our favorite OLED gaming monitors just got over $200 axed from its MSRP

This LG gaming monitor has a stunning 240Hz OLED display, and now it's a fraction of the price thanks to this deal on Amazon.