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Valve says the Steam Machine will release this summer, and I could have my ideal living room rig parked under my TV as soon as this month. I've been trying to create the perfect "PC as a console" setup for what feels like aeons, but I'm starting to wonder if I'll be better off revisiting historic plans to build a compact Shuttle XPC instead.
Of course, if the latest Steam Machine release date rumors hold true, I might not have time to cobble together an alternative. FCC listings highlighted by wayTooManyBugs on Reddit suggest the mini PC could launch before the end of June. Effectively, the filing includes public regulatory documents that are set to be released on the 29th, which could suggest that's when the box will land.
I'd naturally take all that with the usual grain of salt, but if it does pop up before June is out, you might have to make some hasty decisions. By that, I mean you'll have to finally get hold of Valve's MSRP and work out whether you can afford the box, as there's every chance it'll cost way more than a PS5 Pro. That's why I've started properly thinking about compact DIY options, and I've been firmly inspired by a Windows XP Shuttle XPC that just came into my life.
Okay, let me back up and explain myself. If you keep up with my coverage, you'll know I cover all the best retro consoles and setups alongside modern tech. That naturally means I'm into PCs of the vintage variety, and I recently got my hands on a Shuttle XPC from 2003 that very much falls in that category. The company has been crafting "barebones" systems for years that serve as space-saver machines that still theoretically support full-size components, and it turns out they're still very much in the game.
I should note that even modern Shuttle XPC builds are not entirely Steam Machine alternatives. For starters, Valve's 3.8-litre box is still a fraction of the size of the case I'm eyeing up (the 13.4 litre Cube SH610R4 that's $435 at Amazon), and by the time you add a CPU, RAM, and a graphics card, you'll be looking at the same levels of pricing as a conventional PC.
Still, the 2000s Shuttle box I have to hand should be roughly the same size as the newer XPCs, and it honestly feels small enough. I'll likely get a shock when I see the real-life size of the Steam Machine outside of promotional materials, but I'll take a slightly larger footprint if it means better upgradability.
I've got no solid plans for a Steam Machine Shuttle XPC alternative right now. These ideas are more inspiration-driven by the aforementioned 25-year-old Windows PC rig and the fact Prime Day gaming PC deals are on the horizon, as if discounts help combat RAMagddon inflation, grabbing parts that can provide an experience on par with Valve's box could be easier.
If I were to try and roughly match some parts compatible with the Shuttle XPC that'll perform similarly to the Steam Machine, I'd probably opt for an Intel Core i5-14400F ($189.99 at Amazon), 2 x 8GB Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 RAM (an upsetting $149.99 at Amazon), and a relatively compact Radeon RX 9060 XT (like this Powercolor model for $349.99 at Newegg).
Throw in a 512GB M.2 SSD for $139.99 (URGH), and you're looking at a total build price of just under $1,265. Yes, that price is making me queasy, and my theoretical and relatively low-spec Shuttle XPC would be under a grand if AI datacentres weren't decimating pricing. Still, if the Steam Machine sits anywhere near that price, putting together a larger, but compact and more powerful living room alternative might be an attractive prospect.
Coincidentally, while the 2024 Shuttle XPC case looks amusingly close to the 2000s version I have, it still looks pretty contemporary. In fact, retaining the removable transparent faceplate means it can play the Steam Machine at its own customizable game, as you can dress up the front with custom inlays. You'd have to source the artwork yourself, and swapping things out requires dealing with four front screws, but it still feels like the same vibe that Valve is going for.
I'm still hopeful that the Steam Machine can usher in a new era of compact, living room-friendly PC gaming that blurs the line between rigs and consoles. If my time with my old 2000s Shuttle XPC and the realization that new versions exist has taught me anything, though, it's that a similar genre of hardware has been available the whole time, so if prices for Valve's box get out of hand, exploring alternatives beyond the thousands of mini PCs with similar guts to a gaming handheld inside will be worthwhile.
Upgrading your current rig? Swing by the best CPUs for gaming and the best RAM for vital components and parts.
