Hi everyone!
I had been a Playstation user since the first one and I own the fifth one.
After using Linux for years on weak computers for my admin, I decided to try Linux gaming in 2025 and bought a used LCD Steam Deck.
While I’ve been enjoying the Steam Deck, it hurts my neck and isn’t powerful enough for sim racing games.
Naturally, I was happy to learn that the Steam Machine was coming and was willing to invest up to CHF1000.- (~$1236) to get it.
Sadly, it’s not available to order in my country, Switzerland.
So now I have to choose between finding ways to order a Steam Machine or buying a prebuilt computer since I don’t want to source components to build something myself.
My priority would still be the Steam Machine, but I’d be open to alternatives.
What are your advices, what would you do if you’re in the same situation?
Thanks in advance for your help.
As I've told others, 'it's like really expensive legos'. Cpu go in cpu hole. Ram go in ram hole. Nvme go in nvme hole. Success!
Accurate as long as you use something like pcpartpicker to ensure compatibility.
Yeah, I tell my friends to use pcpp for drafting builds, although the component list is not great for older stuff, or for server gear (I just rebuilt a server, and while they claim to list Supermicro boards, mine and variants didn't show up, while it is a standard micro atx). So trying to research what to build around, say a mobo and cpu that you grabbed from a thrift shop, can be hard if you don't know what specs and compatability to look for. For new typical builds though, it takes a lot of the confusion and worry out of it for new builders.
A few years ago now, I used pcpp to draft a friend's first pc, get funding for the project, and then helped the friend + father from box to boot (and way beyond, but) over a video call, and the most either had done before was replace a gpu. Booted first try, too.
Legos! :D