The Steam Machine has made its debut, presenting PC gamers with a console-like experience that seamlessly integrates into the living room environment. This new offering not only grants access to the expansive Steam library but also opens the door to a multitude of PC games. However, the excitement has been tempered by RAMageddon, which has driven the starting price to a surprising ,049. This unexpected cost prompted me to ponder the feasibility of constructing my own Steam Machine. Armed with compatible hardware, I embarked on a journey to install SteamOS on an existing desktop, aiming for a “free” Steam Machine experience. The path was not without its challenges, but here’s how I navigated through the process.
How to get started
Valve provides a comprehensive guide for installing SteamOS, complete with the necessary operating system image file. The primary focus of these instructions is on existing handheld devices, such as the Steam Deck, Legion Go series, and the Asus ROG Ally family. Currently, devices equipped with discrete AMD GPUs are supported in Beta, so it’s advisable to proceed only if your setup meets these criteria. While Valve is collaborating with Nvidia to enhance support for its graphics cards, that work is still ongoing.
On the CPU front, my system features a 12th-gen Intel Core processor, which is compatible with SteamOS. Although Valve does not specify other hardware requirements, various online forums, including one on Tom’s Hardware, indicate that an NVMe solid-state drive is essential. During the installation process, the installer specifically searched for NVMe SSDs, confirming this requirement.
In addition to the hardware prerequisites, an 8GB (or larger) USB drive is necessary for creating the installation media. Using my Windows 11 desktop, I downloaded Valve’s SteamOS recovery image and utilized Rufus to create a bootable USB drive. For MacOS or Linux users, Valve recommends using Balena Etcher for this task.
Before you proceed, protect your data
The SteamOS installer lacks a straightforward method for selecting a specific drive for the new operating system. My chosen desktop had multiple drives containing important files and my Windows installation. During the setup, I almost inadvertently overwrote all those drives with a clean installation of SteamOS. Depending on your setup, this might be acceptable, but it wasn’t for me. To avoid potential data loss, I physically disconnected every drive except the one designated for SteamOS. If you aim to preserve your data or establish a dual-boot configuration, I recommend taking similar precautions. If you’re installing SteamOS on a new desktop with blank drives, then this concern is moot.
How to install SteamOS with the USB drive
According to Valve’s instructions, the next step is to “Select the Re-image Device option,” but this option is not actually available. Since we’re installing SteamOS fresh on a new device, the correct choice is “Wipe Device & Install SteamOS.” Be mindful that this action will erase the system, so if you haven’t removed any drives containing data you wish to keep, it’s best not to proceed. Thankfully, a warning is provided before this critical step.
Once you confirm the wipe and installation, the software will launch a console and progress through several steps before prompting a system reboot. In my case, the process initially closed without a prompt or clear error message, leaving SteamOS uninstalled. A second attempt, however, successfully completed the installation and prompted me to reboot.
SteamOS is up and running
Upon booting into SteamOS, a few additional steps are required before diving into gaming. SteamOS will ask you to connect a game controller or keyboard and mouse. Since my desktop was already equipped with a keyboard and mouse, I opted for that route. Following this, you’ll select your language and time zone, and connect to Wi-Fi. SteamOS will then attempt to update and reboot.
Almost there. After rebooting, you’ll need to adjust the image size to ensure your TV, monitor, or projector displays the source signal correctly. Additionally, you’ll choose your audio output before finally logging into Steam.
By default, SteamOS operates in what resembles Big Picture Mode, featuring large tiles that facilitate easy navigation with a controller. A desktop-like interface is also available, though switching to that mode requires a reboot. From this point, you can install and run games as you normally would.
Why SteamOS?
SteamOS can be installed on hardware you may already possess, making it a relatively straightforward process. But is there a compelling reason to make the switch? Indeed, there are several.
While I’ve been content with my Windows 11 setup (though I preferred Windows 10 until recent changes), I recognize the frustrations that can accompany it—pop-up ads, unsolicited feature updates, and data collection practices. For those building a new system, the cost of a Windows license may also be a deterrent, making SteamOS an attractive alternative.
Moreover, even if my system can handle Windows and demanding games, it could benefit from shedding the weight of the operating system. In a recent test, I observed that transitioning from a Radeon RX 7900 XT to an Nvidia RTX 5080 yielded no performance gains in Shadow of the Tomb Raider at 1080p on high settings due to CPU limitations. However, when I ran the same game on SteamOS, I noted a slight increase in average framerates from 208 fps to 219 fps. While this improvement is modest, it nonetheless indicates potential benefits.
Of course, performance enhancements are not guaranteed across all titles, and many games may not be CPU-bound. Additionally, beta operating systems like SteamOS can present their own set of challenges, with some games experiencing performance issues due to the Proton compatibility layer.
Building your own Steam Machine does come with trade-offs, such as potentially missing out on features like lower power consumption and a dedicated antenna for the Steam Controller. Yet, if you have an extra SSD lying around, exploring SteamOS on your system could be a worthwhile endeavor, requiring only a bit of your time and no additional financial investment.
