Key Highlights
- YouTuber Linus Sebastian from Linus Tech Tips estimated the cost of Valve’s upcoming Steam Machine.
- The machine is expected to retail at around $699.99, with a possible margin of error of $60.
- Valve aims for the Steam Machine’s price to be in line with current PC market standards and offer good value for money.
The Steam Machine: Valve’s Next Big Move in Gaming Hardware
YouTuber Linus Sebastian, known for his detailed tech reviews on Linus Tech Tips, has provided some insight into the potential pricing of Valve’s upcoming Steam Machine. In a recent video titled “The Steam Machine Won’t Cost What You Think,” he meticulously built a system that closely matches the specs Valve is rumored to be using.
The Spec Sheet and Component Costs
Sebastian used an AMD Ryzen 5 8400F processor, downclocked for a 30W TDP, paired with a budget AMD GPU, the RX 6600. He also added 16GB of Crucial Classic DDR5-5600 CL46 RAM and a 500GB Kingston NV3 SSD on an AsRock B650M-HM.2+ motherboard, powered by a Seasonic GX-550 550W power supply unit. He even included a GameSir Cyclone 2 wireless controller, as the Steam Machine is expected to come with its own Steam Controller in the box.
The total cost of this build, using historical lows for all components, came out to around $602 – quite reasonable. However, with current prices, the total inflated to approximately $900. Despite this wide range, Sebastian confidently predicts that Valve’s official price will be closer to $700, with a potential margin of error of only $60.
Valve’s Business Strategy and Target Market
In line with Valve’s statement that the Steam Machine’s price would be “in line with the current PC market,” Sebastian notes that there is a small ten percent margin for PC parts, which could help keep costs down. However, factors like direct-to-consumer sales and the desire to make the machine affordable while still powerful enough to play any game in a user’s Steam library also come into play.
Valve aims for the Steam Machine to offer good value for money against custom-built systems of similar specifications, with features such as a four-controller capable wireless antenna and the cleverly designed Steam Controller. The machine is based on the specs that 70 percent of Steam users already have, according to Valve’s own research.
With this in mind, Sebastian suggests that the price for the unit may sit between $600 and $800 for a similarly-specced system. However, external factors such as the RAM shortage could potentially drive prices higher.
Expert Analysis
The prediction aligns with previous statements from hardware engineer Yazan Aldehayyat, who said Valve wanted to make the machine affordable and powerful enough to handle any game in a user’s Steam library. As he noted, the goal is for it to play games at 4K/60fps with help from upscaling if needed.
The Steam Hardware Survey serves as the baseline for the kind of system most users have, ensuring that Valve targets a market that already has similar specifications. This approach should provide a good balance between affordability and performance, making it an attractive option for gamers looking for a hassle-free gaming experience without breaking the bank.
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Reece Bithrey is a journalist with bylines for Trusted Reviews, Digital Foundry, PC Gamer, TechRadar, and more. He also has his own blog, UNTITLED, and graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in International History and Politics in 2023.
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