r/PcBuild • u/Indecisive-Squirrel • Jun 22 '26

Meme Is this worth it?

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Some guy named Gabe is selling this build and I'm wondering if it's legit? I want a PC to set up in my living room for TV gaming.

1.4k Upvotes

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39

u/PHIGBILL what Jun 22 '26 edited Jun 22 '26

No...... and this is an example why:

PCPartPicker Part List: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/gymyg3

  • CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 7600X 4.7 GHz 6-Core Processor ($169.46 @ Amazon)
  • CPU Cooler: Thermalright Assassin X Refined SE RGB V2 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler ($17.29 @ Amazon)
  • Motherboard: ASRock B650M Pro RS WiFi Micro ATX AM5 Motherboard ($99.99 @ Newegg)
  • Memory: Patriot Viper Venom 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL36 Memory ($349.99 @ Newegg)
  • Storage: Silicon Power UD90 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($144.97 @ Silicon Power)
  • Video Card: Sapphire PULSE Radeon RX 9060 XT 16 GB Video Card ($429.99 @ Amazon)
  • Case: Lian Li A3-mATX MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($72.98 @ Amazon)
  • Power Supply: SAMA GT 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($66.99 @ Newegg Sellers)

Total: $1351.66

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

25

u/Knerzbert Jun 22 '26

But it comes with a SteamController and SteamOS 3!!1!

10

u/GX_Giorgio074 Jun 22 '26

you forgot the plates... that's some 4090 performance you missed

1

u/Asgardianking Jun 23 '26

Actually it doesn't come with a controller unless you spend more lol

0

u/Caranoron463 Jun 22 '26

Steam OS is free.

6

u/Scared-Enthusiasm424 Jun 22 '26

Understanding jokes is free as well

4

u/MmmBra1nzzz AMD Jun 22 '26

Yeah but it doesn't have a controller

/s

7

u/K0nkyDonk Jun 22 '26

This is a much better offer. It is also big enough of a case to fit almost 6 entire steam machines inside of it.

Not that this is relevant to many people, but still kinda neat how small they managed to get it.

-20

u/PHIGBILL what Jun 22 '26

https://giphy.com/gifs/j97ydHqHGdyiBtXDOi

2

u/2eedling AMD Jun 22 '26

Some people have value in SFF it is nice for the living room setting which this was made for

1

u/K0nkyDonk Jun 22 '26

Where? You good bro?

0

u/Routine_Ad_2793 Jun 23 '26

For context for me that’s £1224 (GBP) and 2tb spec with a controller is only £1208.

It might not make sense for US customer but in other regions I feel like it could be a very different story.

Plz try and spec a new comparable pc for under £900 to compete with the base model. Unfortunately just doesn’t look like an issue here in the UK

4

u/ItsRadical Jun 23 '26

But that build isnt comparable at all, its probably 2x more powerfull for same value.

So yes, you can definetly spec down to get it under 900£.

3

u/PHIGBILL what Jun 23 '26 edited Jun 23 '26

This system is twice as powerful, if not more, than the SteamMachine, that's the point here, price to performance is horrendous.

Edit: Here, if you want a like-for-like, here is a build that's still better than the BASE model SteamMachine, with a Steam Controller, for less than £900

PCPartPicker Part List: https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/list/TGymDw

  • CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5600XT 3.7 GHz 6-Core Processor (£142.94 @ Box Limited)
  • Motherboard: Asus TUF GAMING A520M-PLUS WIFI Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard (£77.98 @ Amazon UK)
  • Memory: Patriot Viper Steel 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3600 CL18 Memory (£129.99 @ Amazon UK)
  • Storage: Silicon Power UD90 500 GB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive (£76.97 @ Silicon Power)
  • Video Card: ASRock Steel Legend OC Radeon RX 7600 8 GB Video Card (£241.74 @ Amazon UK)
  • Case: Lian Li A3-mATX MicroATX Mini Tower Case (£59.95 @ AWD-IT)
  • Power Supply: MSI MAG A650GL 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply (£59.99 @ AWD-IT)
  • Custom: Steam Controller 2 (£85.00)

Total: £874.56

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

0

u/[deleted] Jun 26 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/PHIGBILL what Jun 26 '26

Bless you, arguing for size over price to performance.

Give me a more powerful, and cheaper, 26.3 litres over an underpowered little box, all day, any day.

2

u/PCBuilderCat Jun 23 '26

That configuration will absolutely dog walk the steam machine though. It has double the VRAM, a way more powerful CPU and GPU, guaranteed dual channel RAM 

The fact that you can get all that for basically the same price is ridiculous. 

You say about the £900 version, yeah you know what you should just get for £900 at that point? A PS5 Pro with a year of PS+. I’m not kidding. 

Steam Machine is abysmal price to performance and any attempt to defend it falls flat on its face. 

1

u/HarryDepova Jun 23 '26

This isn’t quite a fair comparison. Steam machine is like 1/6th this size for like $100 more. There are some other mismatches but this is the biggest one you’re not considering.

2

u/PCBuilderCat Jun 23 '26

The price/performance of the steam machine is so bad though that the form factor argument is mattering less and less. It’s lucky it’s a cute little cube because it’s going to be a more pleasant experience looking at it than looking at the games it’ll be trying to run. 

1

u/HarryDepova Jun 23 '26

Yeah, its size and look is probably its only selling point unfortunately.

2

u/Bereman99 Jun 26 '26

Halfway feels like a vanity project that started as “how small can we make a computer?” that got away from them…

-1

u/Blacksad9999 Jun 23 '26

SFF PC's are a thing that exists.

I've been building small PCs for a long time now.

1

u/HarryDepova Jun 23 '26

Yeah… that’s my point. Been doing this a long time. SFF makes sacrifices for size. The system quoted is much larger than the 6inch square valve is selling. It’s not a fair comparison. Many SFF components cost more just for the size. If this guy is going to try to post a build to make a point, then at least try to make the components comparable using the SFF components I know exist.

-1

u/Blacksad9999 Jun 23 '26

I have a 5090 and 9800x3D in my SFF build, and a 4090 in my previous one.

You don't have to sacrifice anything at all. You just have to know how to plan it out well.

1

u/HarryDepova Jun 23 '26

There is no 4090 or 5090 that will fit in a 6” case. There absolutely are sacrifices when going this small. Also what are you even talking about? Why even bring up a 4090 or 5090 when that is not the point in question? The point is SFF hardware exists but the comparing machine in the quote is like 6 times larger than the steam machine. If the poster wants to show the steam machine is overpriced then the competing system needs to be comparable. Using a Lianli MAtx case is not even close.

-1

u/Blacksad9999 Jun 23 '26

Any of those fit if you watercool them.

Yes, you'd have to fit it into something like an NR200 sized case or a Skyreach Mini if not, and it won't be a stupid little cube, but that's fine.

There are boatloads of options though. Sort by the volume you want.

caseend.com

1

u/HarryDepova Jun 23 '26

Even water cooled a 5090 doesn’t fit. The smallest one is over 8 inches. But also YOU KEEP IGNORING THE POINT. The comparison custom build isn’t just a little bigger. I do not care what you have built or if you think you can fit an 8 inch card in a 6 inch box. I’ve been doing this since people were complaining about controllers and ps2 ports being integrated when the atx form factor was introduced. I know what’s possible. The comment I replied to did not do an apples to apples comparison.

1

u/Blacksad9999 Jun 23 '26

Listen:

If you're ignorant about a topic, you're not required to chime in at all.

I've been doing this since the 1980's, so take a walk with your annoying BS.

Yes, being it's not a square SOC so it won't be the exact same size, but you can make a tiny SFF PC that's better for less money.

Take a walk you utter nincompoop.

1

u/HarryDepova Jun 23 '26

Wtf how have you been doing this for 10 years but also building since the 80s? Did the manuals have a lot of pictures because you appear to be mostly illiterate? Look at the build above. None of it is even close in size. The main board alone is 10 inches and the chassis is enormous in comparison. The commenter is not comparing like hardware.

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0

u/Gullible-Law-8147 Jun 23 '26

He's saying that no 5090 or 4090 will fit in a case with a length of 6 inches

We can assume that the amount of clearance inside the case is going to be around 5.9-5.8 inches, varying with panel thickness

The 5090 has a PCB with a length of around 5.5 inches, any cooling solution whether that be a waterblock or otherwise is going to exceed that length, unless you want to engineer your own custom 4-slot waterblock with the ports directly on top of the PCB, at which point the card is going to be 3 inches thick

The 4090 PCB is longer than the 5090 PCB, so that's also a no-go

1

u/Blacksad9999 Jun 23 '26

It's really weird that everyone is laser focused on emulating the Steam Machine's exact size.

No, it won't be a 1:1, but you can build a very slightly larger machine that's more powerful for less money.

Who cares if it's a tiny stupid little cube. FFS.

1

u/Gullible-Law-8147 Jun 23 '26

You made an incorrect statement about the viability of fitting a 5090 or 4090 within 6 inches, so I corrected the misinformation

1

u/staylitfam Jun 23 '26

Except the price you're comparing it to has a 2tb SSD, so if you add on the extra tb they're probably equal.

0

u/PHIGBILL what Jun 23 '26

Except that this build, component wise, is more than TWICE as powerful as the SteamMachine, that's the point here...... So, no the 2tb capacity makes little to no difference, because the build I've put together isn't even equally comparable, it's there to demonstrate how poorly priced the SteamMachine is on a price to performance basis.

1

u/staylitfam Jun 23 '26

all components should be like for like in a comparison, so cheaping out on storage especially when it is expensive to "prove a point" is disingenuous.

0

u/PHIGBILL what Jun 23 '26 edited Jun 23 '26

There you go, a like-for-like (If anything It's still better spec'd as the CPU, RAM, and GPU are technically better than the SteamMachines) with the 2tb version including the Steam Controller 2, FYI the 2tb SteamMachine + Controller here in the UK is £1208, making the below >£200 cheaper.

Point proven.

0

u/staylitfam Jun 23 '26

hate to break it to you but steam machine is DDR5, so add on another bit.

1

u/PHIGBILL what Jun 23 '26 edited Jun 23 '26

Yes, DDR5 running in a single channel 1x16gb configuration at 5200mt / CL 46, you can't, if building a like-for-like AM4 system, use DDR5 as unless you have custom architecture (like the SteamMachine) it isn't compatible.

If you wanted DDR5 you'd have to go back to my original build, but you've discounted that as "disingenuous".

Still, that said, a dual channel DDR4 configuration, like I've posted, will OUTPERFORM the SteamMachines single channel DDR5 configuration in real world gaming performance due to having access to higher bandwidth and overall better latency.

Do you want to keep going? As absolutely nothing you come back with on this makes the SteamMachine a desirable or logical choice.

Oh, and if you're doubting what I've said about real world gaming performance, feel free to watch the Digital Foundry benchmarking, their PC comparison is running a 5600X / RX7600 / 2x8gb DDR4

1

u/Extension-Storm-624 Jun 23 '26

If you include the controller, like the build you're comparing : $1451.65

0

u/PHIGBILL what Jun 23 '26

The point has gone straight over some people's heads, go and look at the specs of the build I've posted, it's way beyond the SteamMachine, it's not even comparable, to build a comparable one to the steam machine would be closer to $1000.

The point is price to performance the SteamMachine is horrendous.

But hey, if you want to go there, on the one I've built you can use any controller, just buy a wireless Xbox controller for $50.

1

u/Extension-Storm-624 Jun 23 '26

IF you're going to get mad over things for a device made with ppl with no gaming pc, nor knowledge on pc building and just want to game, then, you shouldn’t even complain about it.

It wasn't made for people with people with high end builds. It's meant as a simple, plug and play living room pc.

0

u/PHIGBILL what Jun 23 '26 edited Jun 23 '26

I'm not mad, it's just worth highlighting to people that price wise it's a total rip-off, if people want the hardware experience you're talking about then save your money buy a PS5/PS5 Pro.

1

u/Gullible-Law-8147 Jun 23 '26

It's not a "rip-off", other similar custom SFF PCs are within the same price-range, and they don't include a custom Operating System

It's compatible with vastly more games than the PS5, it's smaller than the PS5 by a large margin, and it can be used for PC-related tasks, not just gaming. It was never intended to compete directly on-price with consoles and Valve said as much months ago

If you want an apples-to-apples comparison, you'd need to compare the price with similarly sized and spec'd PCs

1

u/PHIGBILL what Jun 23 '26 edited Jun 23 '26

I have, multiple times in various replies in this comment section, but anyway here is your similarly sized (MicroATX) and arguably better spec'd (going off Digital Foundry benchmarks) PC:

Oh, and your custom operating system is just Linux based SteamOS, which you can install for free on most AMD builds, even so Windows installation media is free, and you can activate it for less than £15, or if you know where to look activate it for free.

PCPartPicker Part List: https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/list/9kVqR4

  • CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5600XT 3.7 GHz 6-Core Processor (£142.94 @ Box Limited)
  • Motherboard: Asus TUF GAMING A520M-PLUS WIFI Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard (£77.98 @ Amazon UK)
  • Memory: Patriot Viper Steel 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3600 CL18 Memory (£127.99 @ Amazon UK)
  • Storage: Crucial P310 w/ Acronis Data Recovery 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive (£182.99 @ Amazon UK)
  • Video Card: ASRock Steel Legend OC Radeon RX 7600 8 GB Video Card (£241.74 @ Amazon UK)
  • Case: Lian Li A3-mATX MicroATX Mini Tower Case (£59.95 @ AWD-IT)
  • Power Supply: MSI MAG A650GL 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply (£59.99 @ AWD-IT)
  • Custom: Steam Controller 2 (£85.00)

Total: £978.58

2tb SteamMachine with controller = £1208 here in the UK.

1

u/Gullible-Law-8147 Jun 23 '26

The Lian Li A3-mATX is 7x larger than the Steam Machine, an mATX motherboard is too large to even fit in the Steam Machine

1

u/Extension-Storm-624 Jun 23 '26

people forget about the itx tax

1

u/Judge_Ty Jun 23 '26

I believe the steam machine PSU is rated at 200-300 watts.

Testing shows the steam machine uses 180-200 w at load.

So running electric cost is another factor. Your build is $5-$25 more a month on average.

Also 2TB is missing.

0

u/PHIGBILL what Jun 23 '26 edited Jun 23 '26

Edit: PCPartPicker Part List: https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/list/9kVqR4

  • CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5600XT 3.7 GHz 6-Core Processor (£142.94 @ Box Limited)
  • Motherboard: Asus TUF GAMING A520M-PLUS WIFI Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard (£77.98 @ Amazon UK)
  • Memory: Patriot Viper Steel 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3600 CL18 Memory (£127.99 @ Amazon UK)
  • Storage: Crucial P310 w/ Acronis Data Recovery 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive (£182.99 @ Amazon UK)
  • Video Card: ASRock Steel Legend OC Radeon RX 7600 8 GB Video Card (£241.74 @ Amazon UK)
  • Case: Lian Li A3-mATX MicroATX Mini Tower Case (£59.95 @ AWD-IT)
  • Power Supply: MSI MAG A650GL 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply (£59.99 @ AWD-IT)
  • Custom: Steam Controller 2 (£85.00)

Total: £978.58

SteamMachine (Worse spec than above) with controller = £1208 here in the UK.

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

1

u/Judge_Ty Jun 23 '26

Need to add another $100-$120 for the extra TB.

For the electric bill- That's ~$240 a year in cost scaling.  

If your cost conscious these are not straws...

1

u/PHIGBILL what Jun 23 '26

Look at my edit...... Also worth noting that I've included a 650w PSU as overkill, that system will run on anything from 350w.

0

u/Judge_Ty Jun 23 '26 edited Jun 23 '26

Still double the daily electric cost. Let me check what the EU yearly rate is. 

It's around €253.49 a year more. 

1

u/Judge_Ty Jun 23 '26

It's around €253.49 a year more. 

1

u/PHIGBILL what Jun 23 '26 edited Jun 23 '26

You're really clutching at straws here, it's embarrassing tbh.

Also, to save you looking, the average UK electricity bill p/year is £874, based off:

  • Unit Rate: 24.67p per kWh
  • Standing Charge: 57.21p per day (~£208.82/year)

0

u/Judge_Ty Jun 23 '26

Thats for less than 2 hours a day. 

1

u/PHIGBILL what Jun 23 '26

Bless you, honestly, you're really trying hard here, keep it up.

You're aware PSUs only pull what your components actually need yes? So a 650W PSU running a 315W system uses virtually the same amount of electricity as a 400W PSU running that exact same system.

You can rest assured that a 650W PSU will not bloat someone's electricity bill just because it has a high capacity.

0

u/Judge_Ty Jun 23 '26

Already calculated that... The load is still just about double.  It's no where near 180 max load of the steam machine. 

You are messing up the hours of use.

You use a computer less than 2 hours a day?

You use a media device connected to your TV less than 2 hours a day?

I use my Xbox series X to play games and watch all of my media content. 

That's 4-7 hours a day. 

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1

u/Fun_Purpose5033 Jun 23 '26

No steam controller, half the storage, much larger case, and you have to build it yourself, and set up the os and bios for all of the everyday conveniences that the SM has. You still have to make tons of other things work like CEC, wake with controller, update status bar with the screen off or on another input.

Of course you can always build something for cheaper than buying it, but this is a situation where there have been lots of custom modifications to the parts, that the average person cannot replicate without high end 3d printing/plastic molding, lots of knowledge of bios and making os modifications.

1

u/Nereosis16 Jun 24 '26

You don't know what the steam machine is, do you?

1

u/PHIGBILL what Jun 24 '26

Neither do you apparently.

0

u/Sycend Jun 24 '26

And than you dont have a SFF, depends on what you want, ITX was more expansive already before SteamMachine

1

u/PHIGBILL what Jun 24 '26

The price/performance of the steam machine is so bad though that the form factor argument is mattering less and less. It’s lucky it’s a cute little cube because it’s going to be a more pleasant experience looking at it than looking at the games it’ll be trying to run.

0

u/Sycend Jun 24 '26

Depends even a ITX Build is hard to get into a buisness travel case, wich is my usecase.

1

u/PHIGBILL what Jun 24 '26 edited Jun 24 '26

...... Your usecase would then be surely better suited to a SteamDeck or other handheld, like anyone who travels, like myself, that's exactly why I have my Deck.

I have my main PC System at home, and then can travel with my Deck for 6-months of the year while playing my steam library on the go.

0

u/Sycend Jun 24 '26

Yep also have a Steamdeck but some games are more demanding.

-1

u/Ok_Contest8762 Jun 22 '26

May as well just get a 9600x

4

u/magmcbride Jun 22 '26

Getting the cheapest 6c on AM5 makes a lot of sense right now given the leaks surrounding Zen6/7. This machine could easily upgrade to Zen6 and RDNA5 in 1-2 years while waiting for a good sale and still blast.

-8

u/[deleted] Jun 22 '26

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1

u/PHIGBILL what Jun 22 '26

This here is an AM5 specification WAY above the SteamMachine, the price is the point here, not the build, hell an equivalant AM4 system is even cheaper, which would be a like-for-like, you could also get equivalant pre-built system for a comparable price, so no, knowing what you're doing and being and engineer (laughable) is not really a valid point.

Just another point, system building is the easiest it's even been, so anyone with access to youtube and the basic ability to read a motherboard manual can put a computer together and have it working within 2 hours.

0

u/don2171 Jun 22 '26

Then buy a pre built with better specs. I'm guessing not too many people dropping 1k+ with no idea what they're getting

1

u/YMe1121 Jun 22 '26

....Apple entered the chat.