help beat steam machine / current gen with my pc?
Posted by Coffeezzz@reddit | buildapc | View on Reddit | 13 comments
Hello all,
I’ve been learning about the steam machine and it seems like a neat little system. However, the specs are interesting to say the least. As many others have said, it will all depend on the price. I built my current build in 2020 If i remember correctly. Before new consoles came out. And, unfortunately, I think I built something back then that isn’t even as strong as a PS5. From what I understand, my gpu is about the same as steam machine, if not a little worse? but I’m pretty sure my cpu is well below modern standards. See below for spec.
I’m not one for the latest and greatest of games or hardware, but I have built 3 builds myself overtime. To be honest, I usually play lots of indies or older titles anyways. Though now that my backlog has kinda caught up to some extent, i’m finding my CPU is struggling with more «modern» games. I can’t play RE4 Remake above the absolute minimum settings without my PC turning into a jet engine and above low theres INSANE stuttering and chugging. I’ve heard of some stutter issues with the RE engine but still, It feels like it borderline crashes when theres traversal stutter. Again, I know to some extent, with PC ports traversal stutter and other issues are relatively unavoidable. I DONT even WANT to try FF7 Remake on this thing, it might just explode. Honestly, I seem to remember not being able to play God of War (2018) very well either, compared to even my ps4 pro...
So basically, price dependant, I might just go ahead and buy a steam machine when it releases. I basically only use steam, and only use this PC for gaming. However, i’d like to compare the prices (when they are eventually revealed) to what it would cost for me to simply slightly upgrade my current build. From what I understand, lots of my parts are old enough now that it’s not worth «upgrading» outside of like, getting a new MOBO chipset, cpu and maybe RAM. My budget would be around $400-$500 or so, if upgrading my current build like that. I’d probably just keep the 2060 super, as it seems comparable to current gen / steam machine systems?
TL;DR: can I upgrade slightly to beat, or match the steam machine / current gen game consoles? Targeting 60 FPS minimum @ 1080p medium – high settings for all current gen games. Hopefully under $400 or so.
Current specs:
MOBO: ASUS PRIME Z390-A
CPU: Intel Core i5 9600k
RAM: 16 GB DDR4
GPU: RTX 2060 SUPER
STORAGE: a samsung 1 TB SSD, something or other? Not at home right now to check
OkSystem455@reddit
Do you have a spare 128 or 256 GB SSD? If yes, it will give you the option of turning your existing PC into a STEAM MACHINE interpretation build with something like CachyOS.
The 2060 Super is the only part that is less than optimal going the with the Linux route due to the more closed nature of the Nvidia drivers. Here's how the 3060 does in LInux vs Windows: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZp4vm9dV_0
Here how the 5700 XT does in Linux vs Windows: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfRMGQzhIX0
I did two very low end interpretation builds where the 16GB RAM and 8GB VRAM amounts were the only things that match the Steam Machine's. Here are 1080p results for Tiny Tina's Wonderlands with LOW/HIGH/FSR 2 mix: https://imgur.com/a/zuHD7Wm
Maybe the above helps tide you over with needing to buy the actual STEAM MACHINE.
Overall-Tailor8949@reddit
Unless you want to change platforms, I think you already have as much CPU as the MoBo can handle. You could go for an i7 or i9 LGA1151, but the returns will be minimal.
When you have a chance check your memory use, if you're memory bound for under $200 you could replace your 2x8 gig memory with 2x16GB 3200 CL-16
You'll get the biggest "bang for the buck" upgrading the GPU.
About $360 for a 16GB Radeon RX 7600XT or if you want to try one of the Intel boards you could go with the 12GB ARC B580 for about $290 NOTE: Both of those cards will be throttled by the PCIE 3.0 and you MAY need to upgrade your power supply as well.
Coffeezzz@reddit (OP)
no yeah, i’m not expecting to be able to save the mobo. the only thing i would consider still using is the 2060 super. though i know it COULD use an upgrade im just not trying to spend too much at the moment with everything going on (straight up dumb time to even consider an upgrade in any capacity, i know…)
FrequentWay@reddit
Steam Machine Zen 4 6C/12T
4.8Ghz @ 30W TDp
So this is a 7600 laptop design- getting a 9600X will beat it.
GPU: RDNA 3 28CU - 8GB VRAM - anything faster then a 7600M - 9060 or better will do.
You just need 32GB RAM to support windows needs.
As an AMD setup I would go with a 9800X3D, 9070RX and 32GB RAM and PCIE 5.0x4 4TB to beat or exceed a Steam Machine setup. Price wise - not going to happen on $400.
Coffeezzz@reddit (OP)
thanks for the detailed info! i’m also curious about linux im currently dual booting to try stuff out.
bombastic6339locks@reddit
are you going to sell current parts to buy new ones?
Coffeezzz@reddit (OP)
i definitely could. i assume just through ebay or something? i honesty haven’t done that before.
bombastic6339locks@reddit
That of facebook marketplace. The parts are still pretty good. I wouldn't bother upgrading from ddr4 to 5 at least right now because of the prices. Just a new gpu and cpu, aim for ryzen / radeon stuff if looking for price to performance.
Coffeezzz@reddit (OP)
yeah i wouldn’t do ddr5 considering all prices atm. basically my thoughts so far too, thanks. any particular cpu or gpu you would recommend?
bombastic6339locks@reddit
I run intel and nvidia so i dont really know much about them other than i wasted like 300 euros on getting dlss even though i dont use it since i got a 5070ti instead of a 9070xt but whatever.
Confident_Health_583@reddit
The answer is always Microcenter bundles. If you're close to one, you can get a good deal on mobo, RAM, and processor.
Coffeezzz@reddit (OP)
there’s a microcenter but not SUPER close. it would be more like using a full day off round trip but possible lol. i’ve been looking at their bundles also. closest one is Cambridge MA
Brodesseus@reddit
Holy formatting batman