Valve has indicated a growing commitment to making its SteamOS a viable option for custom PC builds, aiming to simplify the process for users interested in creating their own Steam Machine or a similar living room-focused gaming setup. Recent updates to SteamOS, including version 3.8.10, are part of an ongoing effort to enhance compatibility with a wider range of desktop hardware, specifically mentioning improved support for recent Intel and AMD platforms.
Pierre-Loup Griffais of Valve explained that users with PCs that closely resemble the Steam Machine's intended use case—connecting to a TV with a single hard drive and no dual-booting—can install SteamOS. This would provide an experience comparable to a docked Steam Deck or a pre-built Steam Machine, with access to core features like the SteamOS graphics driver and shader precompilation.
However, current SteamOS versions do not include Nvidia driver support. Griffais stated that Valve is collaborating closely with Nvidia on this issue, but a release of compatible drivers for SteamOS is unlikely within the current year. While building a high-end PC comparable to the official Steam Machine might not offer significant cost savings over the $1,049 512GB model, custom builds present an opportunity for users to potentially overcome limitations in video memory and graphical power found in the official hardware. In a move to manage demand and deter bots and resellers, Valve will employ a randomized invitation system for Steam Machine preorders after the initial reservation list closes on June 25, a departure from the previous Steam Controller preorder process.