Building the Ultimate Custom Steam Machine from a 2013 Prototype

Reviving a Steam Machine Prototype

• 💡 A 2013 Steam Machine prototype, number 228, rescued from recyclers, is modernized with new hardware.
• 🛠️ The original case is kept, but internal components are gutted to make way for modern upgrades.

Modernizing the Hardware

• 🚀 The build features an AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D CPU, 32GB of G.Skill DDR5 RAM, and a 1TB Crucial P5 Plus NVMe SSD.
• 💻 An ASRock B650E PG-ITX Wi-Fi motherboard with ample IO, including 2.5 gig LAN and Wi-Fi 6E, is installed.
• 🔌 A PowerColor Reaper AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT GPU is chosen for its compatibility with Steam OS, requiring the beta branch.

Case Modifications and Cooling Challenges

• 💨 Customizations include drilling new ventilation holes in the bottom of the case to improve airflow for modern components.
• 🧠 A Thermalright AXP90 X47 low-profile cooler is used, but its effectiveness with the high-end CPU is a concern, potentially requiring a swap to a 7800 X3D.
• 🔌 Modifications were made to accommodate the GPU's power connectors, including a custom shroud and a 90-degree adapter.

Performance and Steam OS Integration

• ✅ The custom Steam Machine boots into Steam OS, with HDR enabled and functional, though controller wake-up and CEC control are not fully implemented.
• 🎮 The build achieves high frame rates (400 FPS) in lighter games and handles demanding titles like Cyberpunk with ray tracing at 4K, significantly outperforming the original Steam Machine.
• 🌡️ CPU temperatures are managed effectively (around 70°C), and GPU temperatures are acceptable, though airflow to the GPU could be further optimized.

Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) Hurdles

• 📺 Achieving seamless TV integration via CEC proves challenging, with consumer GPUs not natively supporting the feature.
• 🔌 Attempts using CEC dongles and adapters require complex setup and debugging, with inconsistent results across different TVs.
• ⚠️ The unreliability of CEC prevents its integration into the OS startup and shutdown sequences, unlike official Steam Machines which use dedicated controller circuits.