Steam Machines: First impressions, The Specs, Prices, and Release Dates

With Valve's various Steam Machines launching next month, gamers will finally be able get to their hands on these compact gaming PCs. To help you get the full details before you potentially take the plunge, we've compiled all the Steam Machine's first wave details you need to know!

This collection of over a dozen small living-room PCs--each with their own different specs, prices, and release dates--together encapsulate Valve's vision for Steam Machines: Scalable and modifiable units that aren't the typical desktop setup.

Each box will come with SteamOS, a Linux-based operating system designed by Valve, along with a Steam Controller. We recently did impressions on the controller itself, which you can watch in the above video.

If you'd like to learn more about the Steam Machine and the Steam Controller, check out our full coverage in the links below:

• Steam Machine and Controller Unboxing
• Alienware Steam Machine First Look
• Everything You Need to Know About the Steam Controller

Because the system runs on Steam OS, you won't have access to the complete Steam library; only Linux-supported games will work on the machine. For a full run down on what you can play, SteamDB has a comprehensive list of compatible titles.

Listed below are all 14 current units, with final details and images. Those interested in buying can also find these machines on the Steam Store page. They will also be available for purchase at GameStop.

Alienware Steam Machines

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Price: $480 upwards. Release date: Due November 10. Steam Page.

Gaming laptop specialist Alienware offers a living-room PC with a glowing alien logo on its front panel, which depending on your taste is either a wonderful idea or cast-iron deal-breaker. There are four variants available, with the most basic offering 2GB of video memory, 4GB of system RAM, and an i3 processor. The high-end model doubles the system RAM and swaps the processor for an i7, making it a far more forward-thinking system. Pricing on the more advanced systems, however, is not available yet. All units can play up to 4 Steam Controllers at once.

Specs:

Alienware Steam Machine A

• CPU: Intel Core i3 Dual-Core processor
• GPU: NVIDIA Geforce GTX - 2GB GDDR5
• Memory: 4GB DDR3L 1600MHz
• Storage: 500GB Hard Drive

Alienware Steam Machine B

• CPU: Intel Core i3 Dual-Core processor
• GPU: NVIDIA Geforce GTX - 2GB GDDR5
• Memory: 8GB Dual Channel DDR3L 1600MHz
• Storage: 1TB Hard Drive

Alienware Steam Machine C

• CPU: Intel Core i5 Quad-Core processor
• GPU: NVIDIA Geforce GTX - 2GB GDDR5
• Memory: 8GB Dual Channel DDR3L 1600MHz
• Storage: 1TB Hard Drive

Alienware Steam Machine D

• CPU: Intel Core i7 Quad-Core processor
• GPU: NVIDIA Geforce GTX - 2GB GDDR5
• Memory: 8GB Dual Channel DDR3L 1600MHz
• Storage: 2TB Hard Drive

Alternate Steam Machines

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Price: $1100 upwards. Release date: Due November. Steam Page.

Alternate is positioning itself for the more affluent PC games enthusiast. Its range of Steam Machines start at $1100, and for this you can expect an NVIDIA Geforce GTX 750Ti and 8GB of system memory. That's not too distant from the more affordable Alienware system, but the key difference is Alternate's Steam box comes with a 500GB solid-state hybrid drive, which will theoretically make things run faster.

Specs:

Alternate Steam Machine

• Price: $1,099 USD
• CPU: Intel Core i3-4130
• GPU: NVIDIA Geforce GTX 750Ti
• Memory: 8GB DDR3-1600MHz
• Storage: 500GB SSHD

Alternate Steam Machine - Advanced

• Price: $1,299 USD
• CPU: Intel Core i5-4570
• GPU: NVIDIA Geforce GTX 960
• Memory: 8GB DDR3-1600MHz
• Storage: 1TB SSHD

Alternate Steam Machine - Power

• Price: $1,499 USD
• CPU: Intel Core i5-4570
• GPU: NVIDIA Geforce GTX 970
• Memory: 8GB DDR3-1600MHz
• Storage: 1TB SSHD

Alternate Steam Machine - Ultra

• Price: $1,899 USD
• CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K
• GPU: NVIDIA Geforce GTX 980
• Memory: 8GB DDR3-1600MHz
• Storage: 2TB SSHD

Asus ROG GR8S

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Price: $700 upwards. Release date: Due November. Steam Page.

Hardware jack-of-all-trades Asus offers a compact PC tower with a unique, angular look. As well as being visually arresting, it's also designed to be upgradable with straightforward slide-off panels. The unit starts at $700 for a Intel i5, a GeForce 9 graphics card, and 4GB of system memory. The range on offer has some customisability too, with the option of paying extra of a solid-state hard drive.

Specs:

• CPU: Intel Core i5/i7 processors
• GPU: NVIDIA GeForce 9-series graphics
• Memory: DDR3 4GB ~ 16GB
• Storage: 500GB/1TB 7200rpm HDD, or 128GB ~ 512GB SSD
• Audio: ROG SupremeFX 5.1 HD audio
• Network: Intel Gb LAN with 802.11 ac Wi-Fi

Digital Storm Eclipse Steam Machine

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Price: $700. Release Date November. Steam Page.

One for the traditionalists, the Digital Storm Eclipse comes in a familiar frame that can either stack vertically or horizontally. One of the benefits of this standardised size is that its graphics card can be swapped out, while other key components are upgradable too. Opting for a hard drive instead of solid state, the Digital Storm Eclipse offers 1 terabyte of storage at a reasonable price.

Specs:

• CPU: Intel Pentium G3220
• GPU: NVIDIA Geforce GTX 960 2GB
• RAM: 8GB DDR3 1600MHz
• Storage: 1TB 7200RPM Machnical

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Falcon Northwest Tiki Steam Machine

Price: $2000 - $5000. Release date: Due November. Steam Page.

Just four inches wide and 13 inches tall, Tiki is a premium micro-tower that is described by manufacturer Falcon Northwest as the world's most powerful. It also has a shot at being the most expensive too, with top-of-the-line models fetching $5,000. GPUs range from GeForce 9 series to the Titan-Z class, with up to 8 terabytes of solid-state memory, and a liquid-cooled Intel i7. Comes in a range of colours too, which you can see in the gallery above. One thing worth asking yourself before you give into temptations to splurge: how much would this actually cost if I made it myself?

Specs:

• CPU: Intel Core up to i7-4790K
• GPU: NVIDIA Geforce GTX 900 series, including Titan and Titan-Z class
• Memory: Up to 16GB of DDR3-1866 MHz
• Storage: Up to 8 TB of SSD or SSDs and a standard HDD
• Completely customizable configurations
• Liquid cooled CPU
• Overclocking available

Gigabyte BRIX Pro

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Price: $600. Release date: Due November. Steam Page.

Though some might find its stout body a little uninviting, Gigabyte's BRIX Pro is tiny, measuring just 62mm high and 114mm wide and deep. This barebones unit shrinks its size so rapidly by integrating its GPU onto its Intel i7 chip. The likelihood is you'll need to turn settings down on modern PC games. It also will require additional laptop memory and a 2.5 inch drive before it's up and running.

Specs:

• CPU: Intel Core i7-4770R
• GPU: Intel Iris Pro graphics 5200
• Memory: 2 x SO-DIMM DDR3L slots 1600 MHz
• Storage: Supports 2.5” SSD/HDD (1 x 6Gbps SATA3)

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Maingear Drift

Price: $850 upwards. Release date: Due November. Steam Page.

It would be somewhat futile to gauge the value of the Drift since Maingear lists the cheapest price and the highest spec, but does not detail the prices relative to the specs. At maximum, the machine offers an i7 processor and a GTX 980, with the option to throw in up to 16GB of system memory, and two 1TB solid-state hard drives. It uses liquid cooling so will likely be quieter too.

Specs:

• CPU: Up to Intel Core 4790K
• GPU: Up to NVIDIA Geforce GTX 980 and AMD R9 290X
• Storage: Up to 2x 1TB SSD and 1x 6TB 3.5’ HDD
• RAM: Up to 16GB of DDR 3 Memory
• Other: Epic 120 Liquid Cooling

Materiel.net Steam Machine

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Price: $900. Release date: Due November. Steam Page.

Looking past its curious look (slightly resembling an unfinished washing machine), Material.net's imaginatively titled Stream Machine packs an i5 processor with a GeForce GTX 960, and a 1TB hybrid drive. The system memory spec isn't final yet, so it's hard to determine the true value of this set.

Specs:

• CPU: Intel Core 4440
• GPU: NVIDIA Geforce GTX 960 OC
• Memory: TBD
• Storage: SSHD - 1TB To (8GB Nand)

NextBox

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Price: $800 - $1300. Release date: Due November. Steam Page.

Straddling the line between creative inspiration and copyright violation, the NextBox offers a trio of mid-to-high-end systems emblazoned with a green X logo. Word of warning: Some might mistake it for an amp. The low-end unit offers an i3 processor, a GTX 750, 8GB or system memory, and 1TB hard drive for $800.

Specs:

NextBox Steam Machine - $800

• CPU: Intel Core I3 4160
• GPU: NVIDIA Geforce GTX 750
• Memory: 8Gb DDR3
• Storage: 1TB

NextBox Steam Machine - TBD

• CPU: Intel Core I3 4160
• GPU: NVIDIA Geforce GTX 960
• Memory: 8Gb DDR3
• Storage: 1TB
• CPU: Intel Core I5 4460

NextBox Steam Machine - $1300

• CPU: Intel® Core™ I5 4460
• GPU: NVIDIA Geforce GTX 970
• Memory: 8Gb DDR3
• Storage: 512GB SSD

Origin Omega Steam Machine

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In a game of PC spec oneupmanship, OriginPC's Omega will prove hard to beat. The high-end model offers 32GB of DDR3 system memory, an Intel i7 4770k, up to three Nvidia GTX980 cards, and up to 14TB of disc space. That'll fetch you $5000, while the more modest systems start at $900. It also comes in a range of form factors, from bulky boxes to units that resemble hi-fi seperates.

Specs:

• Price: $899 - $4,999+ USD
• CPU: Up to an Intel Core i7 4770k
• GPU: Up to 3-WAY Nvidia Geforce GTX 980
• Memory: Up to 32GB of 1866Mhz
• Storage: Up to 14TB

Scan 3XS ST Steam Machine

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Price: $1000 - $1300. Release date: Due November. Steam Page.

Offering a console-sized system that's fully upgradable throughout, Scan's 3XS ST range offers three variants of a premium living-room PC. At $1000, the 3XSST offers 8GB of system memory, a GeForce GTX 750 Ti, and Intel i3 processor, and 120GB solid-state drive. Upgrading to the i5 and a GTX 970 will cost about $300 more.

Specs

Scan 3XS ST5 Steam Machine - $1000

• CPU: Intel Core i3
• GPU: NVIDIA Geforce GTX 750 Ti
• Memory: 8GB of Corsair DDR3 as standard, with 16GB available
• Storage: 120GB SSD as standard, with larger options available

Scan 3XS ST10 Steam Machine - $1160

• CPU: Intel Core i5
• GPU: NVIDIA Geforce GTX 960
• Memory: 8GB of Corsair DDR3 as standard, with 16GB available
• Storage: 120GB SSD as standard, with larger options available

Scan 3XS ST15 Steam Machine - $1300

• CPU: Intel Core i5
• GPU: NVIDIA Geforce GTX 970
• Memory: 8GB of Corsair DDR3 as standard, with 16GB available
• Storage: 120GB SSD as standard, with larger options available

Syber Steam Machine

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Price: $500 - 1400. Release date: Due November 10. Steam Page.

Syber is offering the widest range of Steam Machines, from humble $500 units (4GB RAM, AMD Athlon X4, 2GB Radeon R9) to high-end $1400 systems (8GB RAM, Intel i7, GTX 980 4GB). It resembles a PlayStation 2 if it were designed by Batman, with its corrugated plastic available in a range of hues.

Specs

Syber Steam Machine A

• Price: $500
• CPU: AMD Athlon X4 840
• GPU: AMD Radeon R9 270 2GB
• Memory: 4GB DDR3 1600MHz
• Storage: 500GB 7200 RPM HDD

Syber Steam Machine I

• Price: $700
• CPU: Intel Core i3 4150
• GPU: NVIDIA Geforce GTX 750Ti 2GB
• Memory: 8GB DDR3 1600MHz
• Storage: 1TB 7200 RPM HDD

Syber Steam Machine X

• Price: $1400
• CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K
• GPU: NVIDIA Geforce GTX 980 4GB
• Memory: 8GB DDR3 1600MHz
• Storage: 1TB 7200 RPM HDD

Webhallen S15-01

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Price: $950 upwards. Release date: Due November. Steam Page.

Fans of Fred Perry apparel might have thought the outfitter has expanded into PCs when admiring the designer look of the S15-01. Manufacturer Webhallen says it has built the unit from the ground-up with optimum price in mind. It packs together an Intel i5, a 2GB GTX 960 and a 1TB solid-state hard drive for $950.

Specs:

• CPU: Intel Core i5-4460
• GPU: NVIDIA Geforce GTX 960 2GB
• Memory: 8GB DDR3 1600MHz
• Storage: 1TB SSHD

Zotac Steam Machine SN970

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Price: $1000. Release date: Due November. Steam Page.

The SN970 delivers premium specs within a diminutive case, which explains the $1000 price tag. Zotac says the CPU will be Intel 6th gen, but didn't specify, along with a 1TB Laptop-size hard drive, plus a 64GB SSD for zippy booting. Perhaps the standout feature is the 3GB GDDR5 GeForce 970M.

Specs:

• CPU: Intel 6th Gen Processor
• GPU: NVIDIA Geforce GTX 970M with 3GB GDDR5
• Memory: 8GB DDR3 SODIMM bundled
• Storage: 2.5” 1TB HDD + 64GB M.2 SSD