Official Steam Machine specifications, component prices and in depth speculation.

[SavageBeastZero]

VALVe has recently released the specifications for their Steam machine prototypes. As stated in the specifications list I have proviided below, you will see three different configurations that will be available initially to the consumer. I have labeled each configuration according to in game results for everyone in my friends list's convenence (Uber, Highest-Ultra and Medium-High). What this means in direct comparison to the upcoming next generation systems from Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo respectively (Yes, Nintendo! Read on for clarification)???

Simply put.... VALVe has effectively released specifications for hardware that will directly compete with each of the "Big three" in terms of internal hardware. The "Uber" version will out perform each of the offerings from the "Big three" in terms of graphic prowess, with the (Highest-Ultra) version easily outpacing them in many area's as well. The third entry level version (Medium-High) will easily out perform Nintendo's WiiU by a long shot.This is an incredibly aggresive and well thought out plan to enter the "Living room" market.

Although VALVe has not released a price point for it's three Steam Machines, it's safe to assume that once released (#2: Highest-Ultra" and "#3: Medium-High machines) will be competitively priced against it's competitors directly. When speculating it's top tier release (#1: Uber), I expect the initial price to be higher than any of the upcoming consoles due to the high cost of the GTX780. Yet, considering it's "off the shelf" architecture will more than likely see a steady price drop before it's release.

The current average total retail price of the Steam machines "off the shelf" components are as follows:

Steam Machine (#1: Uber): $1,366.00
Steam Machine (#2 Highest-Ultra) $797.00
Steam Machine (#3 Medium-High) $644.00

You will find a detailed breakdown of the average retail price of the components in the specifications below.

*Please note the prices listed were not supplied by VALVe and are represented for speculation purposes only based on the average market price per component*!!!


Official Steam Machine specifications released today by VALVe:

GPU: NVidia Titan (#1: Uber) GTX780 ($699.00*), (#2: Highest-Ultra) GTX760 ($249.00*), and (#3: Medium-high) GTX660 ($169.00*)

CPU: Intel : (#1: Uber) i7-4770 ($309.00*), (#2: Highest-Ultra) i5-4570 ($199.00*), and (#3: Medium-High) i3 2110 ($124.00*)

RAM: 16GB DDR3-1600 (CPU), 3GB DDR5 (GPU) ($186.00*)

Storage: 1TB/8GB Hybrid SSHD ($99.00*)

Power Supply: Internal 450w 80Plus Gold ($62.00*)

Dimensions: approx. 12 x 12.4 x 2.9 inches high


So....In closing.

Question #1: What are your thoughts of the internal components selected by VALVe?

Question #2: What do you think the final retail price of the Steam Machines will be?

Question #3: When do you forsee it coming to market?


*Copy and paste the above questions and template for your convenience into your respone*

Thanks in advance to all friends and Steam community members who take the time to read and respond!!!

Later
LordHelmet (Savage)

[SavageBeastZero]

Question #1: What are your thoughts of the internal components selected by VALVe?

A) When speaking in terms of CPU performance and GPU features, you can't go wrong with Intel (CPU)/Nvidia (GPU) regardless of the tier. Considering VALVe hasn't released the Ram/SSHD manufacturers it's difficult to judge but, I'm guessing they're going with Kingston/Ram, Seagate/SSHD and either Coolermaster or Capstone power supply for a lower target retail price overall.

Question #2: What do you think the final retail price of the Steam Machines will be?

To further incentivize each models consumer value and justify it's price point, I believe VALVe will offer the following respective "Packages".

Steam Machine (#1: Uber): $899.99
2 Steam controllers and over $200.00 in software or marketplace items of the consumers choice (Steam funds).

Steam Machine (#2 Highest-Ultra): $599.99
1 Steam controller and $100.00 in select software.

Steam Machine (#3 Medium-High): $399.99
1 Steam controller and $50.00 in select software.

Question #3: When do you forsee it coming to market?

A) Fall 2014 (For extended R&D/Marketing time and a lower manufacturers price point on components to further assist VALVe in offering a "competitive" initial price point for it's (#1: Uber) Steam Machine.

[SamSerious]

Can some explain this please. The box is smaller than an Alienware X51 case, yet it holds Titan behemot? an off the shelf product? either those case sizes are the for crappiest model, or they are using mini components for every product. Mini HDD,mini Titan, and heck where they managed to put that 450w internal supply? is that mini too?

Take a look at X51 http://images.eurogamer.net/2012/articles/a/1/4/6/6/6/3/1/alienware0.jpeg.jpg/EG11/thumbnail/330x220

Thats right. Every mm of that case (which is 98% the same size as Steambox) is being used. And it doesnt even have internal power supply.

[Rumpelcrutchskin]

450W PSU for GTX 780...

[LoTekRabbit]

BDK eredeti hozzászólása:

Fairly expensive for a console. Gonna stick with my pc.

It's not a console it's a small form factor PC.

[SavageBeastZero]

Your concerns are valid. With dimensions @ approx. 12 x 12.4 x 2.9 inches, I'm having a difficult time visualizing the stock unit supplying proper cooling to even come close to it's components full potential in such a tight enclosure. I am assuming that the power supply will remain external as an attempt to control over heating. Yet, even then these dimensions would be considered cramped....Dare I say eerily familiar to a laptops. Although the spec's released by VALVe state the unit to be 2.9 inches in height, the current Titan GTX 780's spec's alone measure it at 4.376 inches in Height and 10.5 inches in Length! Considering all components are "off the shelf" this simply doesn't compute.

As Mcquade stated I agree that VALVe may be using mini HDD along with a few other micro components. Yet the standard motherboard size compatible with the GTX 780 is 12" x 8.5" which does in fact coincide with VALVe's casing spec's?!? Regardless of how they have configured the Steam Machines setup one thing is guarunteed, this baby's gonna be smoking hot! I just wish I could see the diagrams so I can already begin working on a modified case so my house doesn't set fire!

Ywzaa!

[quote=mcquade;864980734724522731.The box is smaller than an Alienware X51 case, yet it holds Titan behemot? an off the shelf product? either those case sizes are the for crappiest model, or they are using mini components for every product. Mini HDD,mini Titan, and heck where they managed to put that 450w internal supply? is that mini too?
[/quote]

[SamSerious]

LordHelmet eredeti hozzászólása:

Your concerns are valid. With dimensions @ approx. 12 x 12.4 x 2.9 inches, I'm having a difficult time visualizing the stock unit supplying proper cooling to even come close to it's components full potential in such a tight enclosure. I am assuming that the power supply will remain external as an attempt to control over heating. Yet, even then these dimensions would be considered cramped....Dare I say eerily familiar to a laptops. Although the spec's released by VALVe state the unit to be 2.9 inches in height, the current Titan GTX 780's spec's alone measure it at 4.376 inches in Height and 10.5 inches in Length! Considering all components are "off the shelf" this simply doesn't compute.

As Mcquade stated I agree that VALVe may be using mini HDD along with a few other micro components. Yet the standard motherboard size compatible with the GTX 780 is 12" x 8.5" which does in fact coincide with VALVe's casing spec's?!? Regardless of how they have configured the Steam Machines setup one thing is guarunteed, this baby's gonna be smoking hot! I just wish I could see the diagrams so I can already begin working on a modified case so my house doesn't set fire!

Y:p2blue:wzaa!

[/quote]

Exactly! anyway people dont get me wrong, id be very impressed (and happy) if they manage to cramp such powerful hardware inside that case 12 x 12.4 x 2.9 inches. And even eliminate potential heat problems. Guess we will have to wait and see.

[mazerius1st]

Question #1: What are your thoughts of the internal components selected by VALVe?

For prototypes they cover a wide range of users. I think valve based their component selection on their yearly surveys they send to their users.
For the fial products I believe we will see a more diverse range than the prototypes

Question #2: What do you think the final retail price of the Steam Machines will be?

The prices at the moment reflect what you will pay to build a gaming rig but if they want to compete with the next gen consoles for a place in the living room they need to manage to drop the price at $500 max.

Question #3: When do you forsee it coming to market?

Probavly early next spring.

[SavageBeastZero]

mazerius1st eredeti hozzászólása:

Question #2: What do you think the final retail price of the Steam Machines will be?

The prices at the moment reflect what you will pay to build a gaming rig but if they want to compete with the next gen consoles for a place in the living room they need to manage to drop the price at $500 max.

I agree with this statement one hundred percent! Although, I honestly believe that a larger group of early adopters than expected will purchase the (#1 Uber) model regardless of price. For VALVe to create a large enough footprint in the market shares of the "Big three" they will absolutely need to enter into the "living room" market at a realistic price.

Especially when considering by it's release, the "Big three" will almost certainly drop the price marginally on their respective offerings. I do believe VALVe's strong relationship with it's chosen component manufacturers will lead to a "respectable" entry point. When considering the bigger picture for the long term living room agenda. A stronger launch will equal a greater chance at longevity in market share which, equates to more components being sold. Intel and Nvidia know this and will more than likey adjust accordingly.

[Rove]

At this point it's all speculation. Nothing is fact. The Beta machines are probably mostly about Beta for the Steam OS and Steam controllers more than the hardware configurations.

I doubt the specs will be the same by release because technology will have advanced by then. Also those specs seem pretty high and the retail prices you quote are too low to be accurrate. I mean Titan + i7 alone is already $1375~. I don't think Valve is going to give you a i7 + Titan for less than retail cost and then throw in the rest of the system for free.

It's a sweet dream, but it really is a dream. Or maybe a miracle? If that happens I buy one...

Really though what I'd expect from them at the prices you mentioned would probably be like a A10-6700, 8 GB RAM, 1TB HDD for "High" @ $700~, A8-6500, 8GB RAM, 500GB HDD for "Medium" @ $550, A6-6400K, 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD for "Low" @ $400~.

That's the kind of thing that any other computer manufacturer could and would do. I don't see how Valve is different. They are a lot smaller than HP or Dell and don't even own factories.

[Plow King]

Well VALVe is doing this for us & with us in mind. If there is one thing that they understood correctly it's taking care of it's customers...

I hate DRM in general except on Steam. This is not fanboyism but I feel safer with my account knowing that VALVe is babysitting my stuff as opposed to DRM based on the sole purpose of trying to prevent copy protection (especially since it doesn't work anyways).

So will I buy one when they'll come out? heck yeah! Even if I get a beta box I will still buy a retail one, I personally like to give back to people who were nice to me.

Specs? I have faith that VALVe will deliver the goods, and besides being a frankenstein box at it's core if a part is not to my liking...

Steam OS? I use Microsoft Windows because of the games... Am I seeing the end of the torture? Will I finally have my first machine without Windows? I do hope so, if they can find the way to do that I'm jumping on the bandwagon & will never look back!

Remember that VALVe is working with our satisfaction in mind... That's why they will succeed...

[uppalong]

I'm specing a new box as we speak (EXCITE) and am hoping SteamOS gets released into the wild soon. Onto the questions!

Question #1: What are your thoughts of the internal components selected by VALVe?

They're about what you'd expect/hope to see. I'm just excited at the notion of either building my own box or buying one of the medium/high Steam Machines and upgrading over time.

Question #2: What do you think the final retail price of the Steam Machines will be?

Ubers will be sub $1000 but barely, High/Medium will be around $600 and the Entry level will be around $300 hopefully slightly less. I also love the idea of a Steam vouchure coming with each machine. Can't argue with the 'first hit is free' approach.

Question #3: When do you forsee it coming to market?

It's hard to imagine a console NOT launching in the Fall so I guess I have to say Fall 2014 but I hope they release SteamOS way before that.

[IceCube]

In my mind, If you cant change hardware its too similar to a console

BDK eredeti hozzászólása:

Fairly expensive for a console. Gonna stick with my pc.

[Brandon]

Since Valve is a Software company, I don't think it would be unheard of for them to sell the consoles at an unprofitable price point, or possibly even at a loss in order get their foot in the console market door. If I recall correctly, the original Xbox was sold at a loss for MS, but they had to do that to compete with the PS2.

These Steam Machines might be the answer PC gaming has needed for competing at the console price point. All it takes is a company that will make their money on software to sell their hardware at a loss, just like MS did.

[SavageBeastZero]

IceCube eredeti hozzászólása:

In my mind, If you cant change hardware its too similar to a console

BDK eredeti hozzászólása:

Fairly expensive for a console. Gonna stick with my pc.

Actually, the Steam Machine is fully upgradeable. Although, when the hardware launches it will be pre-loaded with "factory/off shelf" components, the consumer will be able to upgrade their Steam Machine as they see fit throughout it's life cycle. Which is near incalulable due to this fact. In contrast to it's competitors expected 12-14 year lifespan due to their limited expansion capabilities.

Although, console in it's appearance as stated in an earlier post by V10club represented below he couldn't be more correct. Although, obviously created with gaming in mind the Steam Machine is in fact a fully upgradable form factor PC.

V10club eredeti hozzászólása:

It's not a console it's a small form factor PC.

Evolution169 eredeti hozzászólása:

Since Valve is a Software company, I don't think it would be unheard of for them to sell the consoles at an unprofitable price point, or possibly even at a loss in order get their foot in the console market door. If I recall correctly, the original Xbox was sold at a loss for MS, but they had to do that to compete with the PS2.

These Steam Machines might be the answer PC gaming has needed for competing at the console price point. All it takes is a company that will make their money on software to sell their hardware at a loss, just like MS did.

Evolution is in fact correct. This been the console business model for each generation since the Sega Saturn/Sony Playstation era. Which, I will use as an example.

When the Saturn/Playstation era of consoles arrived both companies respectively sold them for a loss. Sega's Saturn launched at $399.99 yet, the actual cost of production was over $460.00. Sony's Playstation launched at $299.99 and the actual cost of production was $360.00. Both companies intended to make this money back in software sold to the consumer over the first 2-3 years with large profit margins following shortly after.

The Sega Saturn sold 9,500,000 units worldwide and was discontinued within a three year period never seeing the finances spent during launch again. On the other hand Sony's Playstation sold over 102,000,000 units becoming the first game console to reach this bench mark. What was the deciding factor? Software.

My point being is that VALVe will follow suit with each and every console manufacturer's business plan before them. Yet, they have a few things that even Sony didn't have when they made their successful attempt at the hardware business.

VALVe already has an install base. VALVe has one of the most respected in house development teams in gaming today. VALVe already has established IP's. VALVe already has an established network of fans using the application as we speak. (Sony did not)

In reality VALVe's primary goal at this point should be to clearly explain to the "living room" audience (The console gamer) in the only way they care to understand and rightfully so....In quality upcoming software that will generate hype through the proper channels. Social networks and streets. Once they are able to clearly establish that, the news that Steam already has thousands of titles will folow shortly after only solidifying their foothold in the "living room" market. VALVe (Steam) and it's partners will then be able to make whatever losses they take on initial hardware back in record setting time.

[Richard M. Nixon]

Don't let the whole "the Titan is taller than the case, what magic is this?" make it sound unrealistic. They'll just use an L shaped riser and orient the GPU horizontally instead of vertically. Heat management, on the other hand... I'm sure they've thought of it. This is Valve we're talking about, not bitcoin miners.