Lobster
The Freeman
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Update:
Valve have recently confirmed to Forbes that, while their beta machines will indeed run Nvidia graphics cards, the Steam Machines will be available in 2014 with alternative technical specifications, including hardware options from competitors AMD and Intel. Doug Lombardi, Valve's VP of marketing, had this to say:
While this most recent announcement has helped to shine a little more light on the Steam Machines project, there is still so much we have yet to learn regarding Valve's upcoming hardware. We'll be sure to keep you up to date when we learn more about Steam Machines, SteamOS, or the Steam Controller!
Original Post:
In an update to the Steam Universe community group, Valve have detailed the hardware specifications of its upcoming Steam Machines beta. While the beta will focus primarily on the development of Valve's own prototype unit, it is pointed out that units from third-party companies may differ greatly in power and cost - with different builds being aimed at the tastes of specific customers.
The Valve prototype, which will be shipped to 300 lucky people this year, will be aimed at the high-end user. With combinations of high-performance components chosen to run the latest AAA games available. Not all the units in the beta will contain the same parts, however. For example, some units will carry an Nvidia Titan graphics card, while others in the beta will carry a weaker GTX660 graphics card.
The specifications for the beta are as follows:
Other companies preparing to release their own Steam Machines in 2014 will not only be chasing high-end users. There will also be boxes aiming to attract customers looking for a more compact and tidy system, along with lower cost alternatives aimed towards less taxing games. Valve also hope to use Steam to make the proccess of choosing hardware easier, so that customers can find the best solution for the games they like to play. Details of this should be available soon.
So the big question many people are going to ask is, "What makes a Steam Machine any different from the expensive gaming PC I already own?" The answer is nothing at all. Any device capable of running the SteamOS can be a Steam Machine. Valve recognize that many people will want to stick with their standard desktop PC setup, and are hinting at future solutions to allow living room streaming without the need for a second expensive system.
The beta is expected to start this year and Valve are promising a more in-depth look at the new Steam Controller soon.
Valve have recently confirmed to Forbes that, while their beta machines will indeed run Nvidia graphics cards, the Steam Machines will be available in 2014 with alternative technical specifications, including hardware options from competitors AMD and Intel. Doug Lombardi, Valve's VP of marketing, had this to say:
While this most recent announcement has helped to shine a little more light on the Steam Machines project, there is still so much we have yet to learn regarding Valve's upcoming hardware. We'll be sure to keep you up to date when we learn more about Steam Machines, SteamOS, or the Steam Controller!
Original Post:
In an update to the Steam Universe community group, Valve have detailed the hardware specifications of its upcoming Steam Machines beta. While the beta will focus primarily on the development of Valve's own prototype unit, it is pointed out that units from third-party companies may differ greatly in power and cost - with different builds being aimed at the tastes of specific customers.
The Valve prototype, which will be shipped to 300 lucky people this year, will be aimed at the high-end user. With combinations of high-performance components chosen to run the latest AAA games available. Not all the units in the beta will contain the same parts, however. For example, some units will carry an Nvidia Titan graphics card, while others in the beta will carry a weaker GTX660 graphics card.
The specifications for the beta are as follows:
- GPU: some units with NVidia Titan, some GTX780, some GTX760, and some GTX660
- CPU: some boxes with Intel : i7-4770, some i5-4570, and some i3
- RAM: 16GB DDR3-1600 (CPU), 3GB DDR5 (GPU)
- Storage: 1TB/8GB Hybrid SSHD
- Power Supply: Internal 450w 80Plus Gold
- Dimensions: approx. 12 x 12.4 x 2.9 in height
Other companies preparing to release their own Steam Machines in 2014 will not only be chasing high-end users. There will also be boxes aiming to attract customers looking for a more compact and tidy system, along with lower cost alternatives aimed towards less taxing games. Valve also hope to use Steam to make the proccess of choosing hardware easier, so that customers can find the best solution for the games they like to play. Details of this should be available soon.
So the big question many people are going to ask is, "What makes a Steam Machine any different from the expensive gaming PC I already own?" The answer is nothing at all. Any device capable of running the SteamOS can be a Steam Machine. Valve recognize that many people will want to stick with their standard desktop PC setup, and are hinting at future solutions to allow living room streaming without the need for a second expensive system.
The beta is expected to start this year and Valve are promising a more in-depth look at the new Steam Controller soon.
