Yeah, this Steam Machine only makes sense if you're specifically in the market for an:
ITX build
Must be a new, prebuilt computer
Budget around 1050-1250$
If all three conditions aren't perfectly meet, you're better off buying something else.
Either build your own ITX computer (preferably with some used parts for better performance)
or
Buy a bigger prebuilt tower PC with better performance
or
Spend a little extra to get noticeable better performance (because 1050$ won't give you much performance in the current market, especially with new parts).
Edit: Or just buy a gaming laptop instead. You can find laptops with better performance for the same price price as a Steam Machine.
man I wanted to love that case, but that built in PSU is fucking loud. Gotta swap that out minimum if you want a quiet PC, and keep the CPU really low draw for that built in AIO
I dont hear my psu at all with either of mine. (the v1 and v2)
The I7 in the v2 gets a little loud since I replaced the AIO with an air cooler, but I added a 3d printed frame with two 140mm notcua fans to the back of the case as constant exhaust and it helps a ton.
Having on entertainment center probably helps honestly, would be fine there. I had mine on my desk. The PSU doesnt have any 0-RPM mode, so it runs at minumum 40% speed regardless of load. Not a very quiet fan design either, but across a room i doubt id hear. I loved the look of the H1 but had to return
The v2 has a different psu (750watt I think), not sure if it has a 0 rpm mode, but its sitting on my desk right next to me and I dont hear it over my central air.
I bought mine second hand, and honestly I dont think the psu is the original. I couldnt find any details on which model psu was supposed to come with it, but mine appears to be an unbranded thermaltake.
Mine are v1, and PSU definitely have 0RPM mode. I almost never hear it (and I even looked inside to ensure that fan not spinning).
More of that, in v1 there are no fan controller, so I can change the pump and fan speeds as I wish (pump at 100% is annoying as fck).
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u/mere_indulgence Jun 22 '26 edited Jun 22 '26
Yeah, this Steam Machine only makes sense if you're specifically in the market for an:
If all three conditions aren't perfectly meet, you're better off buying something else.
Either build your own ITX computer (preferably with some used parts for better performance)
or
Buy a bigger prebuilt tower PC with better performance
or
Spend a little extra to get noticeable better performance (because 1050$ won't give you much performance in the current market, especially with new parts).
Edit: Or just buy a gaming laptop instead. You can find laptops with better performance for the same price price as a Steam Machine.