Valve details debut Steam Machine prototype

Valve has posted hardware specifications for its SteamOS-powered Steam Machine prototype.

Here they are, as listed by Valve:

• 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: a pprox. 12 x 12.4 x 2.9 in high

As a hardware platform, the Steam ecosystem will change over time, so any upgrades will be at each user’s discretion,” Valve’s Greg Coomer posted.

In the future we’ll talk about how Steam will help customers understand the differences between machines, hardware strengths and weaknesses, and upgrade decisions.”

Coomer also explained that other Steam Machines with different focuses – such as being designed to cost less, or fitting the micro-console description – are in development, but that’s not what this model was designed for.

This design is not meant to serve the needs of all of the tens of millions of Steam users. It may, however, be the kind of machine that a significant percentage of Steam users would actually want to purchase – those who want plenty of performance in a high-end living room package.

Many others would opt for machines that have been more carefully designed to cost less, or to be tiny, or super quiet, and there will be Steam Machines that fit those descriptions.”

The company will send the hardware out to 300 testers before the end of the year. Valve also teases stay tuned” for a closer look at the new Steam Controller.