| Thread Tools |
11th November 2013, 11:27 | #1 |
[M] Reviewer Join Date: May 2010 Location: Romania
Posts: 148,055
| Building the Steam Machine now: which components? The recent news, pictures, and reports about the prototype Steam Machine got me thinking. Since the SteamOS platform is a simple x86 computer, without the kind of restrictions that regular consoles come with, you can simply build the prototype Steam Machine today. However, the big issue is that Valve has done some magic to make sure that the hefty processor and videocard are properly cooled in the tiny prototype enclosure. For years now, I've been looking for a way to build such a powerful PC in such a tiny package. The problem is that building such a small, powerful PC yourself is not easy - especially not for someone like me, who doesn't have the time to keep up with the honestly irresponsibly large amount of options available in the processor, videocard, cooler, and case markets. It's a mumble-jumble of version numbers, and in the case of video cards, cooling designs, card lengths, and god knows what else. So, I have a simple question. Say I want to build a small, powerful gaming PC like the Steam Machine prototype, using off-the-shelf parts, for a reasonable price (I would say EUR 600-800). It needs to be properly cooled and as silent as possible, and it needs to be a small console form factor - so a small, horizontal case. Building a powerful, cool gaming PC in a tower is easy. Building it small and console-like, however, is not. So, if you were to build something like that, which components would you pick? I might - no guarantees! - take up the advice given here and actually build it, if I can justify the spending. Even if I don't - it seems like a nice exercise for the PC builders among us. The laptop, smartphone, and tablet explosion has pushed custom PC building to the sidelines, but I still think it's an incredibly fun and satisfying activity - and if you're good enough, it is, most certainly, an art. http://osnews.com/story/27412/Buildi...ch_components_ |
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
This is Valve's Steam Machine prototype and SteamOS | Stefan Mileschin | WebNews | 0 | 5th November 2013 09:23 |
Valve's Steam Machine prototype is tiny, potentially powerful | Stefan Mileschin | WebNews | 0 | 7th October 2013 09:49 |
That's not a Steam console; it's a Steam PC | Stefan Mileschin | WebNews | 0 | 27th September 2013 09:59 |
LG is building a washing machine that doesn't use water | Stefan Mileschin | WebNews | 0 | 18th April 2013 07:33 |
Windows 8 building up some steam: 40M licenses sold in one month | Stefan Mileschin | WebNews | 0 | 29th November 2012 08:50 |
Corsair Components Make Maximum PC's Dream Machine 2012 A Reality | Stefan Mileschin | WebNews | 0 | 21st September 2012 08:06 |
Components returns rates explored | jmke | WebNews | 4 | 23rd October 2009 09:09 |
Recycling old PCB components | jmke | WebNews | 0 | 4th July 2008 00:23 |
Intel Wants Interchangeable Notebook Components | jmke | WebNews | 4 | 28th March 2006 08:06 |
Order of watercooling components? | septimus | Hardware Overclocking and Case Modding | 8 | 20th July 2003 01:17 |
Thread Tools | |
| |