SteamOS, Linux, and building a DIY steambox.....

[Mooney Family]

The SteamOS is looking promising - especially being able to support "family account profiles". It's got me thinking that building up a Steambox would be a great project with the kids. If SteamOS isn't available, I'll probably just go with Linux (Xubuntu most likely). Besides being able to set up family sub-accounts (like you used to be able to do on Xbox), I'd be interested in knowing how "playonlinux (WINE)" integrates with Linux Steam and/or SteamOS. Also would like information on a good cost-effective spec. I can probably salvage an old computer for the case and power supply, but otherwise pretty-much starting from there.

I'm also guessing that, when the haptic controllers come out, SteamOS would be bundled with them?

[SirBongyTheSecond]

Well I haven't really got much experience with Linux (I have used Ubuntu on a netbook, and installed Puppy on an old computer for my parents), but I could give some help with the system spec. How good is the PSU? Any idea about how much wattage it provides?
Also what mobo size do you need? There are three main types: ATX, MicroAtx, and Mini ITX. ATX is the biggest, while Mini ITX is the smallest. The general idea is that ATX provides more room for expandiblity than MicroATX, which in turn provides more expandiblity than Mini ITX. So an ATX mobo would have more ports, which if that is something you favour, well there you go. Micro ATX though tends to be the standard computer companies offer, and Mini ITX boards are quite appealing as they manage to offer quite a bit for those who value small PCs. Personally, if you know what mobo types your case supports (if you don't I suggest looking up the documentation), then I would go for Micro ATX or Mini ITX. Micro ATX is the most likely case type, and for the market SteamBoxes are aimed at, I think that having a smaller machine would be appropiate. If you like the idea of ATX cases or if I'm bogging you down with something you know, I apologize.
http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/2cJsa
Here's something I quickly put together. Will update this later, quite busy atm but will come back to help.

[Wicked]

SteamOS will be a free download so no it will not be bundled with a controller.
The controllers probably come with the Steambox.

As for WINE and linux.
If a game has native linux support, you don't need wine. If it does, then prepare for some serious ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ in wine since it always costs me quite a while to get stuff more or less running.

But if SteamOS becomes massive, then more and more companies will develop for it, hence develope for linux, and wine will become obsolete for gaming :)

As for cost-effect specs. That depends on what you want to spend and what you want to run on it.
A decent cheap machine with a AMD A10 APU will costs 400 euros or so. Thats for the entire case + inside. That will run I think any modern game resonably on lower settings.
There is a bunch of videos on it on youtube if you search "Kill your console"

I would personally spend more and get a CPU + GPU instead of a APU.

[Areso]

Първоначално публикувано от Corvus:

The SteamOS is looking promising - especially being able to support "family account profiles". It's got me thinking that building up a Steambox would be a great project with the kids. If SteamOS isn't available, I'll probably just go with Linux (Xubuntu most likely). Besides being able to set up family sub-accounts (like you used to be able to do on Xbox), I'd be interested in knowing how "playonlinux (WINE)" integrates with Linux Steam and/or SteamOS. Also would like information on a good cost-effective spec. I can probably salvage an old computer for the case and power supply, but otherwise pretty-much starting from there.

I'm also guessing that, when the haptic controllers come out, SteamOS would be bundled with them?

Steam Machines, likely, will bundled with Steam Controllers (may be even 2 of them for each).
Second is: no, there is no "native" support for WINE and PoL in SteamOS (Steam Big Picture). Of course, there are, likely, will be opportunity to root SteamOS and install it manually, but in this case you will faced to some navigation troubles, I mean, awhile Netflix, Hulu Plus, Youtube and Vimeo, Steam games of course (on Linux) and Steam Streaming games will be available from Steam OS UI, WINE and PoL will require some workarounds for comfortable navigating and using them.

[rotNdude]

How much do you want to spend on something similar to a SteamBox?

[Rove]

Here is something super cheap yet similar to the new consoles:

"Gamebox" budget PS4/XB1 console replacement PC.
http://pcpartpicker.com/user/Rove/saved/2Ppb
Base Total: $449.93
Promo Discounts: -$8.74
Mail-in Rebates: -$85.00
Total: $356.19

The rest of my builds:
http://pcpartpicker.com/user/Rove/saved/