Custom Steam Machine Plotting!

[matt12046]

So I wasn't one of gaben's chosen but by god I'm going to have my steam machine. And I'm going to try and build it for under $600 dollars.  I have come here, to one of the largest consortium of tech minds to try and find a way to squeeze out the most bang for the buck.  Here's what I need.

 

Capable of 720p at 60fps

mini-itx or micro-atx form factor

decent amount of storage 

optional: Looks sexy

 

Help me out internet.

[FlakeyBanana]

if you want a cheapo steam box you should start looking at Amd's apus

[typetheed]

So I wasn't one of gaben's chosen but by god I'm going to have my steam machine. And I'm going to try and build it for under $600 dollars.  I have come here, to one of the largest consortium of tech minds to try and find a way to squeeze out the most bang for the buck.  Here's what I need.

 

Capable of 720p at 60fps

mini-itx or micro-atx form factor

decent amount of storage 

optional: Looks sexy

 

Help me out internet.

 

If you're looking at ~$600, An A10-6800K with a new mITX A88X motherboard would be a good place to start. A pair of 4GB dimms @ 2400MHz - CL9~10, and a ~300~400W PSU With an SSD or HDD of your choice would be a pretty kickass steam machine. A stylish mITX case is a bit hard to recommend since everyone has different tastes, but I myself love Lian-Li's mITX offerings. The PC-Q12 is going to be my future living room steambox soon :]

[TheRuke]

if you want a cheapo steam box you should start looking at Amd's apus

You mean Kaveri?

[typetheed]

You mean Kaveri?

 

I don't think I'd have the patience to wait for Kaveri, unless it was on shelves or in stock by the new year. Waiting another 2 months for a new chip is too long. Especially if it's going to be at a somewhat higher price point.

[TheSLSAMG]

if you want a cheapo steam box you should start looking at Amd's apus

If you didn't know already, SteamOS is currently limited to NVIDIA graphics cards.

[TheRuke]

I don't think I'd have the patience to wait for Kaveri, unless it was on shelves or in stock by the new year. Waiting another 2 months for a new chip is too long. Especially if it's going to be at a somewhat higher price point.

I'm pretty sure it's a huge step forward for APUs though. I think It's the equivalent to a 7770 or 7790 in there.

[FlakeyBanana]

If you didn't know already, SteamOS is currently limited to NVIDIA graphics cards.

i do know but you can just run ubuntu and install steam

[TheSLSAMG]

i do know but you can just run ubuntu and install steam

Fair enough, but "Steam Machine" implies that the machine will be running SteamOS.

[TheRuke]

If you didn't know already, SteamOS is currently limited to NVIDIA graphics cards.

Wait, I thought Nvidia didn't support Linux?

[FlakeyBanana]

Wait, I thought Nvidia didn't support Linux?

Nvidia does but there just a pain in the ass to the devolpers

[matt12046]

I was really banking on a discrete video option so Nvidia would be the way to go anyway. Maybe an old 660 ti I've got around here somewhere.