Hi everyone!
I had been a Playstation user since the first one and I own the fifth one.
After using Linux for years on weak computers for my admin, I decided to try Linux gaming in 2025 and bought a used LCD Steam Deck.
While I’ve been enjoying the Steam Deck, it hurts my neck and isn’t powerful enough for sim racing games.
Naturally, I was happy to learn that the Steam Machine was coming and was willing to invest up to CHF1000.- (~$1236) to get it.
Sadly, it’s not available to order in my country, Switzerland.
So now I have to choose between finding ways to order a Steam Machine or buying a prebuilt computer since I don’t want to source components to build something myself.
My priority would still be the Steam Machine, but I’d be open to alternatives.
What are your advices, what would you do if you’re in the same situation?
Thanks in advance for your help.
Edit and update:
Thank you all for your answers and useful links! You gave me some great advices!
In the end, I’ll keep using a combo of Steam Deck and Playstation 5 for a while. The Steam Deck for almost every game, but more often than before docked to preserve my neck, and the Playstation 5 for demanding racing games or an eventual Last Of Us 3.
Then, around 2029, once my Playstation 5 is gonna be old and not upgradeable, I’ll get a Linux gaming rig which is gonna be more powerful. At that time, I’ll have a better disposable income, but I’d still want to pay around CHF 1000.- anyway.
It’ll also allow me to fully emulate all my Playstation games which aren’t available on PC, at least from PS1 to PS4 generations, and use these consoles as decoration for memories.
What others are saying plus install bazzite
I just installed SteamOS on a mini PC that costs about half what the Steam Machine does (and less than the Deck under current pricing), and runs on an AMD 7840HS with 32GB of RAM in a form-factor that’s the size of 3 stacked pieces of bread.
While that APU is likely powerful than the Steam machine’s with its dedicated VRAM, I did test a few games and it definitely outperforms the Deck and the higher system RAM makes it potentially more versatile than either.
I would do what I always do and build my own computer. But as for what you should do, probably get a pre-built with AMD GPU, without operating system to avoid paying for Windows, and then follow Valve’s instructions here to install SteamOS: https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/65B4-2AA3-5F37-4227
I’d just build my own PC, duh.
Never understood the hype behind pre-builts. Over half the fun of owning a gaming PC is picking your own parts and assembling it yourself. By having someone else do that part, you’re robbing yourself of the joy of owning your own custom machine.
Plenty of people just want an appliance to play games.
I build my own, but that’s because I want to save money. Actually picking the parts and figuring out compatibility, specs, etc is my least favorite exercise. Luckily I have a friend who cares way more about that, so I tell them what I want to achieve and they give me a shopping list.
Hence why consoles exist.
Like the other person said, we have game consoles for that. That’s fine if someone wants an appliance; buy one then. I just get frustrated when those same people go ahead and buy a pre-built made with low-end parts and insufficient cooling, then when one of those parts break, they blame it on PC gaming as a whole rather than realizing it’s a result of their own incompetence. God forbid such a person runs into a minor inconvenience such as having to edit an .ini file…no, the “appliance” people should stay in their lane.
Right, a game console, such as the Steam Machine. And unlike traditional game consoles, you have options if Sony / Microsoft etc decide to increase prices or remove games from your existing library at will. Especially now that physical discs are going away.
Look into MiniPCs!
I’m not sure what will have availability in your country, but MinisForum, GMKTec, AOOSTAR would be where I’d start looking.
If you go for a MiniPC with an OcuLink external port… well, then you can get a GPU cradle and a small PSU for it, plug that in to MiniPC when you need the graphical power.
Its hard to find exact numbers on this, but basically, OcuLink appears to perform better than Thunderbolt 4 as a kind of eGPU data transfer method… there is some efficiency loss as compared to directly slotting it into a MoBo, but in practice, its often 10% or less.
And, now that FSR 4 works on 7000 series AMD GPUs, you may be able to find such a GPU that is cheaper, yet still performs somewhere between a Steam Machine and a more powerful PC.
This kind of setup is about as spatially small as a Steam Machine, and allows you the ability to upgrade to either a new GPU or MiniPC when you want to.
The MiniPC will be the CPU and storage memory and RAM.
MiniPCs often use laptop style SODIMM RAM and M.2 SSDs… so… if prices for those remain high, you can at least take those out of your old MiniPC, and then get a new ‘barebones’ MiniPC based around a newer CPU, and slot them into it.
Raid a data center.
Is there any reason other than FOMO that you need a Steam Machine right now?
You could get a dock for your Steam Deck and play on a TV using a controller, that way it would be a larger screen that wouldn’t hurt your neck.
I already have a dock and might be exploring waiting 3 more years until getting something more powerful.
To be honest, it’s only for the sim racing side that I really need something powerful. I tried Asseto Corsa Competizione on the big screen with my wheel and it was unplayable…
But I might just use my Playstation 5 for this for a few more years even if I wanted to get out of that ecosystem and fully enjoy Linux gaming.
Self built pc user here, but fellow sim racing degenerate.
ACC runs great on bazzite, though I have never played competitively. Got a g29 and works OOTB on Bazzite. The only extra step was downloading “oversteer” to adjust settings per game. You might need a different piece of software (from Bazaar aappstore) depending on your base’s brand.
If you are somewhat inclined, I’d highly recommend building your own machine, especially if you have a nerdy friend, relative or coworker that could coach you along the way.
FWIW, here are some titles I’ve tried and ran without issues:
- AMS2
- RaceRoom
- Project Cars 2
- Beam.ng (AI drivers have a lot more cpu overhead tho)
- Asetto Corsa (tho CSP and launcher are a pain to set up)
- Dirt Rally 2.0
- Forza 4 5 and 6 (6 needs a few tweaks)
- RaceRoom
Depending on the usecase for your future machine, you can choose between regular and “deck” versions of bazzite. Deck versions boot straight to big picture mode, easier if you want it on your living room or as a dedicated simrig pc.
Go for amd and you’ll have absolutely no issues, everything will run straight out of the install
But did you try these games on a big screen with the Deck?
I’ll try running ACC again because I’ve just watched the wrong settings video since it was unplayable.
I dont have a deck, I’m on LATAM so I don’t even expect neither the deck nor the gabecube ever coming here…
Used to play it on my previous rig (ryzen 5 2400G + rx580) on lower settings. That’s why I got hooked with AMS 2, ran far better 😁
La france est jamais bien loin :p
Tu as pas des amis avec une adresse en france?
Non c’est bien ça le problème, pas d’ami proche qui pourrait me rendre ce service, juste des connaissances.
Mais à la lecture des autres commentaires, je pense de plus en plus attendre et me construire/faire construire un pc gaming dans quelques années.
The only way to get steam hardware, according to support, is to have a credit card, address and steam account from an EU country or other supported country. Or wait if a local reseller (like digitec) gets their hands on them.
So they sell the steam deck in your country now? You can probably just wait a good while for them to sell the console in your country.
If you wait long enough they might offer a barebones kit kind of like the old Intel nuks. You can get for cheaper and buy your own ram and storage. Its rumored that the failure for many ai data centers to come to fruition, will line up with the ram manufacturers getting new facilities up, will cause a crash in hardware prices. Don’t know if that means cheap ram or if it gets more expensive in the wacky economy anymore, but its something to gain or lose from when you wait long enough.
I would definately not buy from a scalper though. The thing is barely worth it to me at 700 dollars as a fan boy who would love a new toy from valve. I could not imagine paying close to double for it, or risk getting just scammed. I’m sure I could do something like a charge back, or having to get on some Ai customer support to get my money back but its not worth it to me anymore.
Just for your information: the steam machine is not availne anywhere right now.
I honestly really want one and will wait some months, to see how the supply situation changes.
That’s not what’s happening to OP. It’s not that they can get into a raffle and wait their turn. As I’ve said elsewhere, 90% of Steam users can’t even get to the raffle as the Steam Machine is not sold to their region. Due to the hardware supply chain constraints. Fuck AI.
Ah, i see! Thanks for the info.
BUY A DOCK. CONNECT TO YOUR TV OF CHOICE.
Once you have that set up, pair a controller/keyboard/mouse to the deck. You just replaced your PS5. Not in the sense of complete power or graphical fidelity, but its bananas what the games pumped through my docked steam deck look like on the tv.
I have been linux gaming for a couple of years. I was in a transition away from Playstation already due to expense of multiplayer and the general value that I WASNT receiving from Sony. I was a day 1 adopter of the original deck, and it has worked very well for me in handheld mode, so I bought a dock to try it out. I only use my desktop gaming PC for true keyboard and mouse games that make me want to be close to the screen.
That’s clearly something that I’m already doing and enjoying.
Still I need something more powerful for sim racing even if all my other games work well docked.
But yeah the Deck can be surprisingly good when docked, especially if like me you don’t mind 720p and 30fps👍
Look at classified ads. If you’re in France (looks like you are) have a look at LeBonCoin, there are people selling theirs.
Even if it available in my country I still wouldn’t buy it at the current price, nothing is special about steam machine it’s basically just a box standard computer. For 1500$ I can get a 5060 laptop that come with a decent screen keyboard and probably faster too even with Linux driver overhead
Small note. If you’re building a PC for Linux avoid Nvidia GPUs. AMD and Intel GPUs have native built in drivers. Avoiding the fragility of babysitting Nvidia proprietary drivers really makes the experience better.
Not 100% accurate. The Steam Machine has the smallest form factor at that power capacity. It is reportedly the quietest piece of hardware for its size. And it also solved the wake with controller issue.
None of those things are available in any other hardware package. I game on a laptop connected to my living room TV. It is somewhere midway between a deck and the Steam Machine. I can hear the fans over the TV speakers on intensive games and the setup is awkward. I have to walk to the tv to startup the laptop and use wireless keyboard and mouse to handle the laptop until I get to desktop and only then the controller can summon big screen mode.
If you want to keep sole ownership (ie. invoice in your name, your CC etc.) and can’t go through a friend/relative in a neighbouring country - you could use a VPN and a freight-forwarding service in said country?
I’ve utilised similar methods in the past to get EU-only goods here into Australia.
Steam nukes accounts for region hopping. I got threatened once for buying on Europe and then on Latin America in too short a period of time and my account was on probation for a while. God forbid one travels internationally with a laptop.
Also, steam explicitly forbids shipping to forward freight services or PO boxes.
There’s a difference between region hopping from Europe to Latin America in a short period of time, and Switzerland to France/Italy/Germany/Austria - all three of which have major cities within ~3-4hrs.
So as long as the Steam Machine is eligible for purchase in one of those nations, this remains a viable option.
Maybe, but it is not like I have free access to Europe. I was there by chance, it’s not like I live there. Steam historically has never sold hardware anywhere in the global south, specially in latam, at least Asia get some official sell channels.
They didn’t even accepted my appeal that I was on vacation. Just plain old “take your ban time and fuck off” from support.
