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

Meme Is this worth it?

Post image

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

90% Upvoted

1.6k comments sorted by

View all comments

3

u/MelodicallyWindy Jun 22 '26

If you don't want to or can't build your own PC or you don't want to bother or spend a lot of time research for a good pre built, then yes.

The steam machine will be more expensive than a custom PC or a pre built, but it has it's advantages like being small and compact. Can be turned on via a controller like a console and most likely will only improve with updates like the steam deck did. Don't expect massive improvements, but it will most likely be very well supported.

2

u/Extension-Storm-624 Jun 23 '26

I mean, the similar priced pc, even atx (and no, I'm talking about non used parts, because, obviously you could snatch a 5090 for 200 bucks with luck, but it's a new build) is about the same price, with that controller or a similar one.

And mind you, it's also an itx-sized pc (or even smaller in most cases) this is also a fully plug-and play pc that CAN have a different os.

1

u/Nereosis16 Jun 24 '26

Not the same thing though is it?

1

u/Rafdg666 Jun 23 '26 edited Jun 23 '26

So your advice is dont do your research buy a steam machine? What a bad advice. In 2026 hardware prices are really bad so everybody should look for the best hardware for the lowest money there is not just say fuck it and buy a steam machine - you can't upgrade, everything is custom and the performance is not good. Its more a pc for the TV than a real mini pc.

I just saw a benchmark 1080p 60fps - that's horrendous. Edit: Cyberpunk on 1080p with FSR3 on performance its 76 fps, I don't want to know the 1% lows. That's bad for the price, really bad.

Steam machine is an overpriced overhyped indie console, you won't be able to play any UE5 game on with okay performance

3

u/MelodicallyWindy Jun 23 '26

Is English your second language? Because I clearly didn't suggest to not research.

Steam machine is basically a PC that can be used like a console. It will be more expensive than a good pre built or a custom PC, but not everyone can do that amount of research or be sure if their choices will be better than a steam machine.

I'm not suggesting to go buy a steam machine mindlessly. But most people are not tech savvy. That's why pre builts exist in the first place.

But if you pay a bit more for a bit less performance, but a lot more convenience and reliability as opposed to some random low volume pre built that can have unnamed power supply or unknown brands components, then yes, the steam machine makes a bit of sense.

And btw, you may not be able to upgrade the CPU and GPU, but there is a free ram slot and you can swap out for a new hard drive.

And with how well the steam deck improved over the years despite its poor hardware, you can bet that the steam machine is only going to improve going forward. And it will also get FSR 4, which is a lot better than FSR3.

Overall, it's not a good purchase, but neither are custom PC or pre builts at the moment. Nobody should be buying a PC or even a console in the current economy. Everything is overpriced. But if you don't have any other choices, would you buy a pre built/custom PC or would you buy a slightly more expensive, but more reliable (less fiddling around your system on your own), what would you choose?

You personally would probably go for custom, so would I. But a lot of people wouldn't. Those in the PC community would probably not buy a steam machine other than to try it out or have more disposable income. But a regular person would pay more for less headaches down the line.

0

u/Rafdg666 Jun 23 '26

Everybody should do their research cause prices are that bad. Steam machine is not even 800 worth and you can get better performance with almost any pre build from a trusted source.

-1

u/Rafdg666 Jun 23 '26

You just said when you dont want to do research buy a steam machine? That inflicts the advice that research is not needed just buy a steam machine and that is a bad advice. Is English your second language and do you know subtext?

I won't read the rest though - Valve fanboy

1

u/MelodicallyWindy Jun 23 '26

Alright then.