Add official eGPU support to the Steam Machine

[Elbito]

I would like to suggest adding official support for external graphics cards, also known as eGPUs, to the Steam Machine.

The idea would be to allow users to connect a desktop graphics card to the Steam Machine through a high-speed connection such as USB4, Thunderbolt or OCuLink. This would make it possible to improve gaming performance without replacing the entire Steam Machine.

The external graphics card would not necessarily need to combine its performance with the internal GPU. Instead, when an eGPU is connected, demanding games could use the external graphics card as the main rendering device, while the internal GPU could remain available for the system, video decoding, secondary displays or less demanding tasks.

-Why this feature would be useful

The main advantage would be improved upgradeability.

A Steam Machine could remain useful for many years, but the internal graphics hardware may eventually become too limited for newer and more demanding games. With official eGPU support, users could keep the same Steam Machine and simply add a more powerful graphics card later.

This would reduce the need to replace the entire device and could make the Steam Machine a better long-term investment.

It would also give users more flexibility. For example:

* A user could keep the Steam Machine in its original compact form for everyday use.
* A more powerful eGPU could be connected when playing demanding AAA games.
* Users could choose different graphics cards depending on their budget.
* The external GPU could potentially be replaced several years later without changing the Steam Machine itself.
* Users who already own a desktop graphics card could reuse it instead of buying a completely new gaming PC.

-Hardware requirements

For this feature to work properly, the Steam Machine would ideally need a connection that provides direct PCIe access.

Possible solutions could include:

* USB4 with PCIe tunnelling;
* Thunderbolt 4 or Thunderbolt 5;
* OCuLink;
* or a proprietary high-bandwidth external PCIe connector.

A standard USB-C port with normal USB data transfer would probably not be sufficient. The connector would need to be linked directly to PCIe lanes and provide enough bandwidth for an external graphics card.

OCuLink could provide better performance and lower latency, while USB4 or Thunderbolt could offer a more user-friendly and widely compatible solution.

### SteamOS integration

Official software support would be just as important as the physical connection.

SteamOS could automatically detect when an external graphics card is connected and allow the user to select which GPU should be used.

There could be a simple menu in SteamOS with options such as:

* Use the internal GPU;
* Use the external GPU;
* Automatically select the best GPU;
* Choose a GPU for each individual game.

SteamOS could also display useful information such as:

* external GPU model;
* driver status;
* connection bandwidth;
* GPU temperature;
* power consumption;
* memory usage;
* and whether a game is currently using the internal or external GPU.

Valve could also automatically recommend connecting the monitor or television directly to the external graphics card for the best performance.

-AMD and Nvidia compatibility

Ideally, the system should support both AMD and Nvidia graphics cards.

AMD support may be easier to integrate because of the existing open-source Linux graphics drivers, but official Nvidia support would also make the feature accessible to more users.

Valve could work with both manufacturers to provide tested drivers and certified eGPU docks.

A list of officially supported graphics cards, power supplies and eGPU enclosures could help users avoid compatibility problems.

- A possible official Valve eGPU dock

Valve could also create its own official eGPU dock for the Steam Machine.

The dock could include:

* a full-size PCIe slot;
* an integrated power supply;
* USB ports;
* Ethernet;
* additional storage;
* DisplayPort and HDMI connectivity;
* and a secure connection to the Steam Machine.

This could transform the Steam Machine into a more powerful desktop gaming system when connected at home, while still allowing the main device to remain small and simple.

Valve could sell the dock without a graphics card, allowing users to install the GPU of their choice.

- Performance expectations

An external GPU would not perform exactly like the same graphics card installed in a traditional desktop PC because the connection may have less bandwidth than a full PCIe x16 slot.

However, with a fast connection such as PCIe 4.0 x4, PCIe 5.0 x4, OCuLink or a future version of USB4, the performance loss could remain acceptable.

The monitor should ideally be connected directly to the external GPU to avoid sending the rendered image back through the Steam Machine.

The internal and external GPUs would not need to operate like SLI or CrossFire. The goal would not be to combine both GPUs into a single more powerful GPU. The goal would simply be to allow the external graphics card to replace the internal GPU for demanding games.

- Benefits for Valve and Steam users

Official eGPU support could make the Steam Machine more attractive to several types of users:

* console players who want a simple system;
* PC players who want upgradeable graphics;
* users who want a compact living-room device;
* users who already own a graphics card;
* and users who want to keep their hardware for a longer period.

It could also strengthen the Steam hardware ecosystem. Users could start with the standard Steam Machine and later purchase an official dock or compatible eGPU hardware.

This approach would offer some of the simplicity of a console while keeping one of the main advantages of PC gaming: hardware upgradeability.

- Future compatibility

If the current Steam Machine hardware cannot support external graphics cards, I hope Valve will consider adding the necessary USB4, Thunderbolt, OCuLink or PCIe connectivity to a future hardware revision.

Software updates alone cannot add eGPU support if the required PCIe hardware is not physically present. For this reason, it would be useful for future Steam Machine models to include this capability from the beginning.

Even if official eGPU support is not available at launch, designing future models with external GPU expansion in mind could greatly improve the lifespan and value of the Steam Machine.

I believe this feature could make the Steam Machine much more flexible, sustainable and attractive as a long-term gaming platform.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to read this suggestion and consider the idea.

I would also like to thank Valve for the current Steam Machine and for continuing to develop innovative hardware for PC gaming. Even without eGPU support, the product is already very interesting, and I appreciate the work that has gone into making PC gaming more accessible, compact and user-friendly.

I hope Valve will consider this suggestion for a future version or hardware revision of the Steam Machine.

[_]

You know, the hardware is already set in stone. Little late for well meaning suggestions now.

It doesn't support thunderbolt, it doesn't support USB4.

https://store.steampowered.com/sale/steammachine

You'll have to rely on something that supports what I/O the Steam Machine does have. Or buy different hardware if the Steam Machine doesn't meet your needs. Or wait for a revision in a couple of years, which may or may not happen.


Besides you're throwing so much crap at the wall, sounds like you should just buy a gaming laptop.

[Elbito]

Originally posted by GeForce 2 GTS:

You know, the hardware is already set in stone. Little late for well meaning suggestions now.

It doesn't support thunderbolt, it doesn't support USB4.

https://store.steampowered.com/sale/steammachine

You'll have to rely on something that supports what I/O the Steam Machine does have. Or buy different hardware if the Steam Machine doesn't meet your needs. Or wait for a revision in a couple of years, which may or may not happen.


Besides you're throwing so much crap at the wall, sounds like you should just buy a gaming laptop.

What im saying is for like your said a revision of the product maybe in a couple years or for another version of the Steam Machine like a "Pro" edition.

It would be pratical for some users who want to extract more from the Steam Machine for more demanding games in the future.

You could use the GPU in your actual PC for the Machine no need to buy a gaming laptop.
Again its not for the majority of users but it would be a nice addition for the actual product.
The steam machine could be more powerfull than a PS5 Pro with an EGPU.

im not an expert im just doing an suggestion for the actual product.

[_]

Originally posted by Elbito:

Originally posted by GeForce 2 GTS:

You know, the hardware is already set in stone. Little late for well meaning suggestions now.

It doesn't support thunderbolt, it doesn't support USB4.

https://store.steampowered.com/sale/steammachine

You'll have to rely on something that supports what I/O the Steam Machine does have. Or buy different hardware if the Steam Machine doesn't meet your needs. Or wait for a revision in a couple of years, which may or may not happen.


Besides you're throwing so much crap at the wall, sounds like you should just buy a gaming laptop.

What im saying is for like your said a revision of the product maybe in a couple years or for another version of the Steam Machine like a "Pro" edition.

It would be pratical for some users who want to extract more from the Steam Machine for more demanding games in the future.

You could use the GPU in your actual PC for the Machine no need to buy a gaming laptop.
Again its not for the majority of users but it would be a nice addition for the actual product.
The steam machine could be more powerfull than a PS5 Pro with an EGPU.

im not an expert im just doing an suggestion for the actual product.

Your lack of expertise, and your ability to throw spaghetti at the wall is noted.

[Vaulty]

At that point you would turn steam machine into full form factor PC, lol

[Elbito]

Originally posted by Vaulty:

At that point you would turn steam machine into full form factor PC, lol

Nah because if you have a dock for the EGPU you don't move it the only thing you would move if you need is the steam machine for like travel or something.

And with it it would pretty much stay compact while having 2-3X performance using a standard AMD GPU

[Elbito]

Originally posted by GeForce 2 GTS:

Originally posted by Elbito:

What im saying is for like your said a revision of the product maybe in a couple years or for another version of the Steam Machine like a "Pro" edition.

It would be pratical for some users who want to extract more from the Steam Machine for more demanding games in the future.

You could use the GPU in your actual PC for the Machine no need to buy a gaming laptop.
Again its not for the majority of users but it would be a nice addition for the actual product.
The steam machine could be more powerfull than a PS5 Pro with an EGPU.

im not an expert im just doing an suggestion for the actual product.

Your lack of expertise, and your ability to throw spaghetti at the wall is noted.

That the point of an idea / suggestion im not the one making decision at Valve im just proposing if you need to be an expert to speak about something we wouldn't talk very much in life.

[cSg|mc-Hotsauce]

Originally posted by Elbito:

Originally posted by Vaulty:

At that point you would turn steam machine into full form factor PC, lol

Nah because if you have a dock for the EGPU you don't move it the only thing you would move if you need is the steam machine for like travel or something.

And with it it would pretty much stay compact while having 2-3X performance using a standard AMD GPU

Any reliable Dock isn't cheap and compatibility can vary depending on various factors. And then, you also have to purchase a dedicated GPU.

Again...

Originally posted by Vaulty:

At that point you would turn steam machine into full form factor PC, lol

[Mad Scientist]

If you're going to run an external GPU which is not guaranteed to work in a lot of scenarios, you'd still need a PSU capable of powering it safely, and at the cost of the parts to attempt running an eGPU setup, might as well build a normal PC.

[Elbito]

Originally posted by Mad Scientist:

If you're going to run an external GPU which is not guaranteed to work in a lot of scenarios, you'd still need a PSU capable of powering it safely, and at the cost of the parts to attempt running an eGPU setup, might as well build a normal PC.

I consider the option of the Egpu only if i use the Steam machine as my main "PC" so i would use my actual GPU and PSU for the Egpu dock i think its pratical if we take the fact that we can bring the steam machine everywhere and when i come back home i would just plug my dock for more performance.

[Elbito]

Originally posted by cSg|mc-Hotsauce:

Originally posted by Elbito:

Nah because if you have a dock for the EGPU you don't move it the only thing you would move if you need is the steam machine for like travel or something.

And with it it would pretty much stay compact while having 2-3X performance using a standard AMD GPU

Any reliable Dock isn't cheap and compatibility can vary depending on various factors. And then, you also have to purchase a dedicated GPU.

Again...

Originally posted by Vaulty:

At that point you would turn steam machine into full form factor PC, lol

:nkCool:

I agree with that its not easy to find or even do but its very possible with the AMD platforms.
And there is some good reference for the Egpu dock but for the compatibility its an other story for sure.

[=Snappy=]

Originally posted by GeForce 2 GTS:

You know, the hardware is already set in stone. Little late for well meaning suggestions now.

Part of me is like "inb4 ppl naysaying what is actually a pretty good idea"
and part of me is like "whatever it's 'gonna' have, we would have heard about this already."
Enter modders.

Also I was sick of hearing about this thing a long time ago and I wish it would just go away.

Fricking LED strip light pollution *grumble grumble*... 🤦