Read more at:
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.
If you’re setting out to build a PC equivalent to the Steam Machine, you’re probably wondering if it even makes sense financially. First things first, while you can accurately narrow down the GPU, CPU, RAM, and storage options to close equivalent alternatives, the total price of a DIY build will vary based on case selection, motherboard features, power supply choice, cooling, and more. This guide will highlight affordable options for non-vital components. With this in mind, you can reasonably expect to spend around $1,200 to $1,300 to build a PC equivalent to the Steam Machine.
We’ve also included Nvidia and AMD alternatives for graphics cards, as well as Ryzen and Intel CPU choices, along with compatible motherboards for each setup. All other components (including the case, RAM, PSU, etc.) are compatible with each other. The most expensive component of the build is the graphics card; that being the Nvidia RTX 3060, which offers equivalent performance to the Steam Machine, or the AMD Radeon RX 7600 8GB. Aside from the GPU, you will unfortunately feel the sting of the memory shortage when it comes to DDR5 RAM and the NVME SSD.
We also opted for a standard ATX tower case in favor of a small form-factor build. While a micro-ATX setup would be closer in size to the Steam Machine, these smaller components are fewer in selection and oftentimes more expensive.
Steam Machine PC alternative: Part list and pricing
Graphics cards are up first. For Team Green, the Nvidia RTX 3060 has been tested to meet or exceed the performance of the Steam Machine. Our pick is the ASUS NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Dual Overclock 12GB for $450.29 at Best Buy, at the time of writing. For Team Red, the AMD Radeon RX 7600 8GB is cheaper ($349.99 at Amazon) and actually offers better performance in some areas. Next up, the CPU: if you’re after an AMD processor, the Ryzen 5 7600X for $184 at Best Buy is a great Steam Machine equivalent (you will need a CPU cooler for this model, which you can find for as low as around $30). For Intel fans, the more affordable Intel i5-12400F ($159.99 at Newegg) is a solid choice.
It’s important to note that you need to match the CPU to the motherboard; for the Ryzen 5 7600X, the MSI B650 GAMING PLUS WIFI ($149.99 at Newegg) is a good pick for DDR5 and NVME support, as well as built-in Wi-Fi and a solid I/O selection. For the Intel i5-12400F, the MSI B760 Gaming Plus WiFi ($199.99 on Amazon) offers the same QOL features as the B650 model. You’ll need at least a 550W PSU, and the MSI MAG A650BE (list price $74.99 on Amazon) makes a lot of sense here for safety and future-proofing.
RAM prices have skyrocketed and likely won’t see relief any time soon. You’ll have to bite the bullet here, but the Patriot Viper Venom DDR5 is the most reasonable deal we saw at 2x8GB for $244.99 on Amazon. As for storage, the Sandisk Optimus 5100 500GB NVMe SSD costs $109.99 on Amazon. Lastly, the NZXT H5 Flow (list price $94.99 on Amazon) will keep everything safe and secure, and it offers two 120mm fans.
Is building a Steam Machine PC actually worth it?
The base Steam Machine model sells for $1,049. Altogether (excluding tax), the AMD build with the Nvidia RTX 3060 costs $1,310 at current prices, or $1,210 with the AMD Radeon RX 7600 8GB. For the Intel build, you’re looking at $1,335 with the Nvidia GPU and $1,235 with the AMD graphics card option. So by building your own rig, you’re looking at around $185 to $285 extra on top of the price of the base Steam Machine model. But that extra pricing comes with some important trade-offs to consider.
Firstly, while you can upgrade the RAM and SSD inside the Steam Machine, the integrated CPU/GPU combo is soldered to the motherboard and cannot be upgraded. With your DIY PC build, you have access to easy upgrades, expansions, and repairs, which is a great method for slowly building an enthusiast-level rig piece by piece. The Steam Machine also runs pretty hot, and cooling is almost impossible to upgrade. The NZXT H5 Flow case, on the other hand, has room for several fans and a CPU radiator block to better mitigate thermal throttling effects.
It’s not all upsides, though. You have to assemble the PC yourself, which can be a fun project, but it can also get frustrating fast. The dread that comes when you spend over an hour carefully assembling a PC, clicking the power button, and seeing a blank monitor staring back at you instead of a boot screen cannot be overstated. The Steam Machine is also far more portable than an ATX case, making it the better choice if you travel often. Ultimately, the decision comes down to what you prefer: the PC’s customization options and a DIY project, or the Steam Machine’s plug-and-play affordability.
