The Steam Machine is an superior little system with severe gaming chops and cute aesthetics. They make a nice entry-point for PC gaming in case you’ve been sitting on the sidelines for a whereas and need that console-like expertise, with some added PC performance. However like all the pieces else in 2026, they’re a bit costly, and like all the pieces Valve makes, onerous to purchase proper now.
Happily, together with releasing the Steam Machine to the lots, Valve additionally dropped an up to date model of SteamOS which works properly with AMD GPUs, making it a lot simpler to construct your personal homebrew Steam Machine. Sure, Bazzite is an choice and is arguably extra fleshed out, but when we’re going to be constructing our personal Steam Machine, let’s use the true deal and make it as comparable as we will.
I’ve gone by extra retailer listings than I can depend, and right here’s what I’ve managed to give you for a DIY Steam Machine that may outperform what Valve made, for (barely) much less cash. It’s not as compact, nevertheless it’s much more upgradeable, far simpler to work with, and with its off-the-shelf elements, far simpler to repair and preserve, too.
The Build
From the outset, I needed this construct to be comparatively compact, however there was no manner we had been going to have the option to compete with the Steam Machine’s super-svelte design. It’s utilizing bespoke {hardware} to ship its efficiency and cooling potential in such a small footprint, and we simply don’t have entry to that.
What we do have, is a gigantic vary of elements from a large checklist of producers, so we’ll be focusing on a Micro-ATX system, which is smaller than a customary desktop system, however doesn’t have the value premium of upkeep complications of Mini-ITX. So it is a mATX motherboard, mATX case, and nothing too big on the cooling or GPU entrance.
|
CPU |
7600X |
$167 |
|
Cooler |
Thermalright Murderer X120 |
$18 |
|
Motherboard |
ASRock B650M-HDV |
$100 |
|
Reminiscence |
PNY Efficiency 16GB (1x16GB) 5600 |
$200 |
|
Graphics |
ASRock Challenger RX 7600 |
$280 |
|
Storage |
Kingspec 512GB |
$86 |
|
PSU |
be quiet! Pure Energy 12 650W |
$70 |
|
Case |
Montech Air 100 ARGB |
$70 |
|
Whole |
$991 |
The entire is available in $58 lower than Valve’s Steam Machine, giving us a helpful saving that’s properly value pocketing. Nonetheless, in case you nonetheless have that cash useful and need to put it to good use, there are some improve choices that aren’t too costly you may want to take into account. A sooner CPU, dual-channel reminiscence, possibly a bump to the following tier of GPU?
Let’s take a nearer take a look at every of those elements, why we selected them, and what options there may be in case your price range is a little lighter or has a bit extra room to manoeuvre.
CPU – AMD Ryzen 5 7600X
AMD Ryzen 5 7600X
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It is one technology previous, however the AMD Ryzen 5 7600X continues to be a nice gaming CPU.
The 7600X is a nice entry-level CPU from the AMD Zen 4 technology of CPUs, and it’s really cheaper than the 7600 (non-x) for some motive, so we’ll go together with that. It has six cores and 12 threads just like the Steam Machine, however it may increase up to 5.3 GHz – 500 MHz greater than the Steam Machine’s CPU. It pulls a lot extra energy, however that is a desktop chip; It’s certain to.
If you would like to increase your CPU efficiency a little extra, the Ryzen 5 9600X is barely round $10 extra, and provides 5-10% further CPU efficiency, in addition to higher thermal effectivity, which can assist hold temperatures down.
CPU Cooler – Thermalright Murderer X120 Refined SE
Thermalright Murderer X120 Refined SE
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A easy, no-frills air cooler.
Thermalright has been some of the outstanding price range cooling manufacturers for a variety of years and it nonetheless provides a few of the greatest coolers for completely cut price basement costs. For lower than $20 you get a CPU cooler that’s huge and highly effective and can simply hold our 7600X inside cheap temperatures.
There are lots of options, however you’re not going to discover a lot better efficiency for this sort of cash.
Motherboard – ASRock B650M-HDV
ASRock B650M-HDV
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The ASRock B650M-HDV is a nice little price range motherboard, and it’d even look good in an all-white construct.
If I might spend much less on a motherboard and have it do what we’d like it to, I might, however on the sub-$100 mark, you actually lose a lot of options, and we threat hamstringing the CPU with weak energy supply. This inexpensive B650 motherboard from ASRock is the appropriate dimension, nonetheless offers us PCIe 5 and 4 for quick SSDs and graphics, 2.5 Gigabyte Ethernet, and a good-enough mixture of USB-A and USB-C ports.
We aren’t utilizing an X3D CPU, so no threat of burning right here, and although it solely has twin reminiscence slots, we aren’t planning on filling them each, but.
The one characteristic I actually want it had was built-in Wi-Fi, however comparable motherboards with that choice had been not less than $30 extra. You continue to have Ethernet as a high-performance choice, and you’ll at all times get a first rate USB Wi-Fi adapter for $20 if wanted.
RAM – PNY Efficiency 16GB (1x16GB) DDR5 RAM 5600MHz
PNY Efficiency 16GB (1x16GB) DDR5 RAM 5600MHz
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Yeah, it is a single stick of DDR5, however that’s what’s within the Steam Machine, in spite of everything.
That is the a part of this construct that may possible change by the point you learn it, and once more by the point another person reads it. Reminiscence is in flux and what’s good and what’s low cost is altering on a regular basis.
On the time of writing, although, you will get a single stick of PNY Efficiency DDR5 5,600 MT/s for $200. That does imply leaving some dual-channel efficiency on the desk, nevertheless it makes upgrades simpler sooner or later (simply drop in a second 16GB stick, moderately than changing the whole thing).
Alternatively, for $220 you will get two 8GB sticks as an alternative, which gives you dual-channel efficiency enhancements proper off the bat, however future upgrades will probably be trickier and extra expensive.
It sucks that that is what we’re working with on a $1,000 price range in 2026, however it’s what it’s.
GPU – ASRock Radeon RX 7600 Challenger 8GB OC
ASRock Radeon RX 7600 Challenger 8GB OC
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The AMD Radeon RX 7600 may be previous, however its nonetheless a stable 1080p graphics card. And, it is principally the identical card that is within the Steam Machine, however with a couple extra compute items.
Our largest cash sink, and the one I want I had extra price range headroom for, is the graphics card. For $80 extra you will get a 7600 XT. For $150 extra a 7700 XT. For $200 extra, a 9060 XT.
However we don’t have these budgets. We’ve lower than $300 and it has to be AMD – for now. With no actual help for Nvidia or Intel GPUs on SteamOS, one of the best card for the job on the time of writing is the RX 7600. It’s sooner than the 7600-mobile equal GPU within the Steam Machine, and if you’re prepared, you possibly can drop in a sooner GPU and luxuriate in a fast and simple improve.
It helps FSR 4.1 after the newest replace, although sadly, AMD’s body technology stays out of attain for now. Happily, that’s the place Lossless Scaling is available in. Absolutely accessible inside Steam on SteamOS, no matter GPU you find yourself placing in your homebrew Steam Machine, ensure you’re operating Lossless Scaling in video games that don’t natively offer you FSR and your framerates ought to skyrocket, albeit with a latency value.
SSD – KingSpec NX Collection 512GB
KingSpec NX Collection 512GB
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It is not the fanciest, quickest and even most dependable SSD on the market. However it’s inexpensive, and that’ll have to do for now.
Like reminiscence, shopping for storage in 2026 feels a bit icky. You’ve gotten to go together with lesser-known manufacturers, with smaller capacities than you’d like, and even older applied sciences. This PCIe 3 SSD from KingSpec is just not going to hold tempo with a Samsung 9100 Professional and its restricted space for storing isn’t perfect in case you play a lot of massive AAA video games.
However that is a low-budget Steam Machine different. You’re not going to be enjoying a lot of massive, fashionable AAAs. That’s not what this PC is designed for.
However for dealing with a variety of your favourite indie and older video games? That is completely enough. Video games and SteamOS will nonetheless load up loads quick and also you’re getting it for properly beneath $100. Capability, pace, and pricing all improve linearly in the mean time, so in case you want extra of the previous two, count on to have to cope with extra of the latter.
Energy Provide – be quiet! Pure Energy 12 650W
be quiet! Pure Energy 12 650W
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This energy provide is inexpensive, and even has a little bit of headroom for extra highly effective {hardware}. Plus, it will not burn your home down.
You don’t need to scrimp on a PSU, and overcompensating with wattage offers us scope for future upgrades. Though we might get away with a lower-wattage energy provide, this one will cowl all the pieces we’re operating and extra, letting it sit comfortably in one of the best effectivity vary and run cool and quiet throughout on a regular basis use. It’s not modular, so that you’ll possible have some wasted cables to tuck away, however we should always have sufficient area for that in our case and modular designs add pointless value.
As a lot as they’re simpler to work with, you’re successfully paying extra to not put cables in your PC.
PC Case – Montech AIR 100 ARGB Micro-ATX Tower
Montech AIR 100 ARGB Micro-ATX Tower
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This Montech case is way larger than the Steam Machine, nevertheless it’s inexpensive and has loads of cooling.
You’ll be able to go fairly low cost and nasty on a case. Stick it in a cardboard field if you actually need to. But when we would like one thing that approaches the Steam Machine expertise, of a compact(ish), quiet(ish), handsome (ish) gaming PC for the lounge or bed room, then we don’t need to go cut price basement.
For $70, the Montech Air 100 ARGB comes with a clear facet panel, remoted PSU chamber, mesh entrance, and 4 RGB followers, so that you don’t want to fear about system cooling. It doesn’t have entrance mud filters, and cable administration is at all times a bit more durable in tighter case designs, however that’s going to occur with any chassis this dimension.
It’s a lot of case for not a lot of cash, and although it can save you $20-30 in case you go for one thing with fewer followers, you’ll really feel the standard distinction.
A Steam Machine Now, and For Less
I received’t fake that this moderately hefty-alternative to Valve’s miniature little dice PC will instantly change a Steam Machine. It’s not the identical form of system. However after you have it arrange with SteamOS, it is going to play something a Steam Machine can and extra, with higher body charges, higher thermals, higher upgradeability, and far simpler upkeep.
I’d argue SteamOS would be the true legacy of the Steam Machine, with many extra third-party options than Valve’s hard-to-buy {hardware}. Within the meantime, although, you probably have some elements mendacity round, or an previous gaming PC gathering mud, homebrew Steam Machines are a enjoyable venture, and a smart way to construct a living-room gaming system to offer you a console-like expertise, with out the traditional complications of Home windows.