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With GDC being in full swing we’ve had a chance to take a look at 14 different models of Steam Machine thanks to Ars Technica, and the findings are interesting.
When I say interesting, I mean a little frustrating. Please stick with me for a moment, as I don’t mean to be so gloomy after the masses of great news about ports.
The cheapest model is $459 (iBUYPOWER) with a lower end AMD CPU (Athlon X4 840) and an AMD GPU (r7 250x), and the most expensive is around $5K (Origin, wow!), and that’s really not positioning well against the consoles at either end of it.
With that iBUYPOWER console you will probably struggle to stay over 30FPS in a a few of the higher end games going by my research on the GPU and CPU, and that doesn't fill me with confidence. As it's those games people seem most interested in.
We will, however, try to get our hands on at least that lower end iBUYPOWER unit to test with, and really see how it performs. We will contact them closer to the time to see if we can get a review unit, otherwise it's going to destroy my bank account.
I fully understand there needs to be a good range of hardware, but when the lowest is still quite pricey with some rather low specifications, then something’s up. I could easily be wrong however, as I'm sure the manufacturers are actually testing the performance of their units, and until we see how they perform I will hold off on being too negative about it all.
Ars sum up my thoughts pretty well:
Of course, it remains to be seen how any of them sell, and I'm just being overly cautious here. I really do wish all of them the best, and I sincerely hope at least a few of them sell like hot cakes in a café. We need them to sell well to continue getting big ports!
Some of the units do have a mix of specifications from Intel to AMD processors, and a mix of Intel, AMD and Nvidia graphics. Not to harp on about it, but I really hope AMD start pushing for more performance in their Catalyst driver to make their SteamOS/Linux performance a force to be reckoned with. I am optimistic that they will push out a few good drivers before the full release of the units using their chips. See, I can be optimistic!
You can see the full article here on Ars, with pictures of everything. Sorry we can’t cover them all ourselves, but GDC + Flights = mega expensive!
What are your thoughts? Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
When I say interesting, I mean a little frustrating. Please stick with me for a moment, as I don’t mean to be so gloomy after the masses of great news about ports.
The cheapest model is $459 (iBUYPOWER) with a lower end AMD CPU (Athlon X4 840) and an AMD GPU (r7 250x), and the most expensive is around $5K (Origin, wow!), and that’s really not positioning well against the consoles at either end of it.
With that iBUYPOWER console you will probably struggle to stay over 30FPS in a a few of the higher end games going by my research on the GPU and CPU, and that doesn't fill me with confidence. As it's those games people seem most interested in.
We will, however, try to get our hands on at least that lower end iBUYPOWER unit to test with, and really see how it performs. We will contact them closer to the time to see if we can get a review unit, otherwise it's going to destroy my bank account.
I fully understand there needs to be a good range of hardware, but when the lowest is still quite pricey with some rather low specifications, then something’s up. I could easily be wrong however, as I'm sure the manufacturers are actually testing the performance of their units, and until we see how they perform I will hold off on being too negative about it all.
Ars sum up my thoughts pretty well:
QuoteIn the case of Steam Machines, well, they're coming, and they're certainly more expensive than current-gen consoles. The 14 models that debuted at GDC start at no less than $460—the cheapest being an Athlon X4-powered rig by iBuyPower with a 1GB Radeon R7 video card inside—so Valve certainly isn't positioning any of its suppliers' machines to be affordable, mass-market living room devices.
Of course, it remains to be seen how any of them sell, and I'm just being overly cautious here. I really do wish all of them the best, and I sincerely hope at least a few of them sell like hot cakes in a café. We need them to sell well to continue getting big ports!
Some of the units do have a mix of specifications from Intel to AMD processors, and a mix of Intel, AMD and Nvidia graphics. Not to harp on about it, but I really hope AMD start pushing for more performance in their Catalyst driver to make their SteamOS/Linux performance a force to be reckoned with. I am optimistic that they will push out a few good drivers before the full release of the units using their chips. See, I can be optimistic!
You can see the full article here on Ars, with pictures of everything. Sorry we can’t cover them all ourselves, but GDC + Flights = mega expensive!
What are your thoughts? Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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The only advantage of these Steam Machines is the size and arguably the better case design. The prices however are too high. With smart shopping you can get a much better PC for 460 dollars.
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Metallinatus Mar 5, 2015
Quoting: IlyaQuoting: MetallinatusThe most expensive ones are costing $399 if I'm not mistaken, so yes, it will be a tough competition for the Steam MachinesNot really, you save a lot of money on games. So although the initial prize may be higher, on the long run you're saving money with a Steam box. Plus you can play them on your computer, and on future generations of the "console".
Try saying that to their target market who only looks at the price of the hardware....
They are not aiming those machines at the #PCMasterRace who is always saying that.... they are aiming at the ones we try to convince that.
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Yeah, with this pricing I guess this machines are doomed to fail.
Strange It almost seems like they're not even trying to give it competitive prizes. Seems something like "let's release with this high price and hope that Valve in the name of Steam Machines will help us sell these all"
IMO building a new PC will always be more interesting than building a dedicated Steam Machine, therefore I guess this concept won't be successful. Just update your PC and have a good Steam Link and BAM! Nothing more is needed.
Strange It almost seems like they're not even trying to give it competitive prizes. Seems something like "let's release with this high price and hope that Valve in the name of Steam Machines will help us sell these all"
IMO building a new PC will always be more interesting than building a dedicated Steam Machine, therefore I guess this concept won't be successful. Just update your PC and have a good Steam Link and BAM! Nothing more is needed.
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Quoting: maodzedunThe only advantage of these Steam Machines is the size and arguably the better case design. The prices however are too high. With smart shopping you can get a much better PC for 460 dollars.For the target audience the form factor is important. As is the fact that SteamOS is pre-installed and ready to go. They also come with a Steam Controller. And due the competition, prices will drop much faster than current crop of consoles.
Quoting: MetallinatusIndeed, investing up front is not something the general public likes to do.Quoting: IlyaSo although the initial prize may be higher, on the long run you're saving money with a Steam box. Plus you can play them on your computer, and on future generations of the "console".
Try saying that to their target market who only looks at the price of the hardware....
Quoting: amonobeaxStrange It almost seems like they're not even trying to give it competitiveIt's just not possible to get prices as low as Sony and MS without (mass production & ) subsidising the hardware costs, which requires crippling the device to ensure it's used for gaming.
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Yes. Seems like if they wanna sell it they have to make some heavy marketing to convice people who want to buy a console that a steam machine is the better deal. Or they have to come with loads of Steam-Games bundled.
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Quoting: KartiOr they have to come with loads of Steam-Games bundled.I fully expect Valve to make more of their games free to play with the launch of the consoles.
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That was to be excepted but if those sell well the competition should make the price drop rapidly, also maybe some manufacturers are waiting to see what happen but already have great units to be released.
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Wow, Origin is lazy. They didn't even make their own chassis, they just used a Silverstone Grandia GD09... Which is what I used to build my own Steam machine. It's a decent case, but gigantic.
The prices are certainly worrying. It seems like they think they're targeting PC gamers, which I'm not sure is the correct market for these devices. Well, we'll see what happens.
The prices are certainly worrying. It seems like they think they're targeting PC gamers, which I'm not sure is the correct market for these devices. Well, we'll see what happens.
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The only problem I have is that all these steam machines want to be console-PC hybrids. If they are too small then they have to gimp the power, and if they don't have similar specs devs can't program to specific hardware like a console. At this rate I feel like it's going to turn out like android powered consoles (which hasn't turned out well).
If they are going to be consoles then they need to limit selection. If they are going to be computers then they need some big name manufacturers like Dell, HP, and ASUS because everyone and their grandmothers know them. The average consumer doesn't know who gigabyte, MSI, Zotac, Origin, or iBUYPOWER is let alone Valve or steam.
Honestly I think Valve should just make a partnership deal with one or two manufacturers and make a few steam machines. As I think 14 (and possibly more in the future) steam machines is too much for the average consumer to deal with.
If they are going to be consoles then they need to limit selection. If they are going to be computers then they need some big name manufacturers like Dell, HP, and ASUS because everyone and their grandmothers know them. The average consumer doesn't know who gigabyte, MSI, Zotac, Origin, or iBUYPOWER is let alone Valve or steam.
Honestly I think Valve should just make a partnership deal with one or two manufacturers and make a few steam machines. As I think 14 (and possibly more in the future) steam machines is too much for the average consumer to deal with.
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Segata Sanshiro Mar 5, 2015
Yup, it's like some of these were put together by Master Race mongoloids who got a pretty nice setup then started adding i7 processors and SSDs. The price of a PS4 is $400, so that's the price that at least the 3 cheaper models (Alienware, iBuyPower and CyberPowerPC should aim for).
EDIT: It occurred to me that these manufacturers are alot smaller than Microsoft and Sony, so might not have as many Chinese Gulags at their disposal, hence the price.
If you're going to do that, at least get the CyberPowerPC one which at least has an Nvidia GPU (probably a GTX 750). Or spend $20 more and get the Alienware one. Compared to these two, the iBuyPower machine seems like terrible value for money.
http://www.engadget.com/2015/03/03/cyberpowerpc-syber-steam-machines/
EDIT: It occurred to me that these manufacturers are alot smaller than Microsoft and Sony, so might not have as many Chinese Gulags at their disposal, hence the price.
QuoteWe will, however, try to get our hands on at least that lower end iBUYPOWER unit to test with, and really see how it performs.
If you're going to do that, at least get the CyberPowerPC one which at least has an Nvidia GPU (probably a GTX 750). Or spend $20 more and get the Alienware one. Compared to these two, the iBuyPower machine seems like terrible value for money.
http://www.engadget.com/2015/03/03/cyberpowerpc-syber-steam-machines/
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