Valve announces the configuration of the first 300 prototypes of its Steam Machines

While the first shipments of prototype approach Steam Box, Valve announced the configurations of these machines. They are strong and have desires, but worried by their price.

Strike while the iron is hot, keep caring community and, if possible, to make your mouth water. This is what seems to masterfully Valve has announced that the configurations of the prototype machine Steam it will soon send the testers from the community.

Wide range of configurations

We discover that Valve decided to trust Intel and Nvidia. For processors, three models will be available, a Core i7 clocked at 3.5GHz, a 3.2 GHz Core i5 and Core i3 finally, not detailed. Side memory alive, it is 16 GB which should be embedded in these different machines. For the graphics chip, Valve chose the GeForce GTX 660, 760, 780 and Titan ... in the version 3 GB of GDDR5 video memory, according to Valve. What is surprising since usually ship Titan 6 GB of memory, while the other chips are between 2 and 4 GB Or 3 GB are only floor.

Anyway, the delta between the three configurations is quite large and should allow Valve to refine the models available in the final. In any case, the company's Gabe Newell seems to take things seriously, just take a look at the storage to be convinced. To believe the data sheet, the Steam machines are equipped with a split in 1TB Flash and 8 TB of hard disk mechanical hybrid. All in a very compact 30 x 31.5 x 7.4 cm case.

The issue of cost and positioning

Strong enough configurations that could exceed 2,000 euros for the most powerful. A weak point, while the new generation of consoles sold between 400 and 500 euros, although Valve clearly indicates that these prototypes (and final versions) of Steam Machines are not designed to replace PC gamers already post. In American society, "many users would like to have the opportunity to build a bridge to the living room without having to abandon their current hardware or without spending much money." If the goal seems laudable though these configurations do not seem to respond to the two previous points. They will certainly be costly and redundant short terms with the machines already adopted ... We will wait to see the final configurations offered by Valve and its partners.

Valve plans to expand the universe of Steam to your living room and your TV ...

More information to come

Before that, we should soon discover the design of these machines, which in turn Steam OS, will be revealed later. Meanwhile, Valve intends to educate players to understand the differences between the machines and the strengths and weaknesses of configurations to make the right decision when updates. For the Steam Machines are evolving, unlike the current queens of our shows, game consoles.
Next step, according to the ticket Valve, more information on the Steam Controller, one of the most exciting elements of the tender Steam Machine, since PC gamers could reconcile with joysticks ...