How I assembled a Steam Machine based on GeForce GTX 980
After the presentation in 2013 of Steam Machines, I had the idea to purchase this device from Valve.
Participation in the Valve beta test for me did not bring results. There are several reasons:
1) Not an active player;
2) Limited amount of Steam Machines.
Steam Machines is a series of game consoles, the production and distribution of which began in 2014 by various suppliers using a number of different design specifications created by Valve. Steam Machines will run SteamOS, a Linux-based operating system designed for games and other entertainment, and will be able to run games from the Steam directory. These devices can be freely modified by users. Steam Machines will have a number of different hardware optimizations for performance, size, price, and other factors. Valve also develops the Steam Controller, designed to combine keyboard and mouse control accuracy with typical gamepad functionality. (WiKi)
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The search for prototypes in the vast online auctions also did not produce results. It was decided to self-assemble the “homemade steam machine”.
Began the process of selecting components, in the format of the standard presented by Valve.
The choice of the case fell on the remarkable model of the company SilerStone RAVEN RVZ01:
This case allows you to install large video cards. Case dimensions: 382 mm in width, 105 mm in height and 350 mm in depth. Net weight is 3.71 kg, and the volume of the internal space - 14 liters.
Visual comparison with the Xbox 360.
Next was the standard selection of components in mini-itx format, which is available in all stores.
The difficulty caused the selection of an SFX format power unit (dimensions (HxWxD) 63.5x125x100 mm) suitable for a decent video accelerator. The minimum is 450w. With this, Russian retailers have a big problem.
I managed to find zalman zm450-fx:
The crown of this "homemade steam machine" - GeForce GTX 980 which has become the case:
Test result in 3Dmark 11 (Perfomans):
I installed 2 SteamOS and Windows 8.1 operating systems at boot there is a choice.
In my opinion SteamOS is still damp and not very versatile. The updated version of SteamOS on 20.10 v144 still does not contain the latest drivers for the GTX970-980 and install the system with these cards will not work. Supports only previous generations of cards. I installed SteamOS on the old GTX750 and later updated the drivers manually. Putting SteamOS with the hope of a stable and trouble-free operation, I do not recommend at the time of beta 144.
Windows with a Steam client.
A Steam client is placed under the windows in which the “Big Picture” mode appeared (an icon with a joystick image), we get a visual SteamOS under Windows. We put Steam in windows startup. For a full immersion in the gameplay, Sony Dualshock 4 went perfectly well. After the use of the utility, the ds4 tool turns into a great tool for games of any genre. We put DS4 tool in windows autoload. When you press a button on the “PS” joystick, steam switches to the full-screen “Big Picture” mode. The touch panel works and you can control the cursor as a mouse. When you start the computer, we start the Steam, DS4 tool, 2 times press the "PS" joystick button and all we have is the SteamOS (Big Picture)
The result was a compact gaming "homemade steam machine" with unlimited upgrade potential, depending only on budget and imagination.
Inspired sources:
Variants of builds on overclock.net.
Next, I will continue the search for the hull, in order to achieve the maximum approximation to the Valve standard - 7 liters
hull projects and description
time
two
three
Participation in the Valve beta test for me did not bring results. There are several reasons:
1) Not an active player;
2) Limited amount of Steam Machines.
A bit of history
Steam Machines is a series of game consoles, the production and distribution of which began in 2014 by various suppliers using a number of different design specifications created by Valve. Steam Machines will run SteamOS, a Linux-based operating system designed for games and other entertainment, and will be able to run games from the Steam directory. These devices can be freely modified by users. Steam Machines will have a number of different hardware optimizations for performance, size, price, and other factors. Valve also develops the Steam Controller, designed to combine keyboard and mouse control accuracy with typical gamepad functionality. (WiKi)
')
The search for prototypes in the vast online auctions also did not produce results. It was decided to self-assemble the “homemade steam machine”.
Began the process of selecting components, in the format of the standard presented by Valve.
The choice of the case fell on the remarkable model of the company SilerStone RAVEN RVZ01:
This case allows you to install large video cards. Case dimensions: 382 mm in width, 105 mm in height and 350 mm in depth. Net weight is 3.71 kg, and the volume of the internal space - 14 liters.
Visual comparison with the Xbox 360.
Next was the standard selection of components in mini-itx format, which is available in all stores.
The difficulty caused the selection of an SFX format power unit (dimensions (HxWxD) 63.5x125x100 mm) suitable for a decent video accelerator. The minimum is 450w. With this, Russian retailers have a big problem.
I managed to find zalman zm450-fx:
The crown of this "homemade steam machine" - GeForce GTX 980 which has become the case:
Test result in 3Dmark 11 (Perfomans):
Game set
I installed 2 SteamOS and Windows 8.1 operating systems at boot there is a choice.
In my opinion SteamOS is still damp and not very versatile. The updated version of SteamOS on 20.10 v144 still does not contain the latest drivers for the GTX970-980 and install the system with these cards will not work. Supports only previous generations of cards. I installed SteamOS on the old GTX750 and later updated the drivers manually. Putting SteamOS with the hope of a stable and trouble-free operation, I do not recommend at the time of beta 144.
Windows with a Steam client.
A Steam client is placed under the windows in which the “Big Picture” mode appeared (an icon with a joystick image), we get a visual SteamOS under Windows. We put Steam in windows startup. For a full immersion in the gameplay, Sony Dualshock 4 went perfectly well. After the use of the utility, the ds4 tool turns into a great tool for games of any genre. We put DS4 tool in windows autoload. When you press a button on the “PS” joystick, steam switches to the full-screen “Big Picture” mode. The touch panel works and you can control the cursor as a mouse. When you start the computer, we start the Steam, DS4 tool, 2 times press the "PS" joystick button and all we have is the SteamOS (Big Picture)
The result was a compact gaming "homemade steam machine" with unlimited upgrade potential, depending only on budget and imagination.
Inspired sources:
Variants of builds on overclock.net.
Next, I will continue the search for the hull, in order to achieve the maximum approximation to the Valve standard - 7 liters
hull projects and description
time
two
three
Source: https://habr.com/ru/post/362145/
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