DIY · Gaming · Reviewed by Linus Tech Tips · Published 2026-06-23
Based on a review by Linus Tech Tips (accessed 2026-06-23).
This page converts Linus Tech Tips's review of the DIY DIY Gaming PC Build (Steam Machine Killer) into structured evidence — timestamped claims, pros & cons, and buyer questions. It is not the original review and does not replace watching or reading the full source.
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The reviewer concludes that it is entirely possible to build a DIY PC, which they call the "Vapor Contraption," that delivers significantly superior gaming performance, double the VRAM, and greater upgradeability compared to the Steam Machine for the same budget. While the custom build sacrifices some console-specific conveniences like HDMI CEC and Steam Controller power-on, its raw performance gain makes it a worthwhile endeavor.
This video from Linus Tech Tips details building a custom PC designed to outperform Valve's Steam Machine while matching its $1,050 price point. The review covers component selection, cost considerations, and a direct side-by-side performance comparison in popular games.
This custom PC build is a highly recommended alternative to the Steam Machine, offering significantly superior performance and future upgradeability for a comparable price. It features a faster Ryzen 5 7500F CPU with larger caches and a Sapphire Pulse Radeon 9600 XT 16GB GPU, which has double the VRAM of Valve's offering. In 007, the DIY PC ran 50% faster at 4K medium settings with FSR quality, while the Steam Machine struggled at low settings, despite its convenience drawbacks. While it loses HDMI CEC and Steam Controller power-on functionality, it gains robust expansion slots for future CPUs and GPUs. If you prioritize raw gaming power, long-term upgrade potential, and enjoy a hands-on build experience, this system excels. However, if out-of-the-box console simplicity and specific integration features are paramount, you might find some creature comforts missing.
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comparisonneutralt=01:10–01:17
The custom PC's Ryzen 5 7500F CPU is noted to be nearly identical to Valve's, featuring six Zen 4 cores, 12 threads, and similar boost clocks.
Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvaO4DPM1ZM
measurement_testneutralt=01:21–01:28
The custom PC's CPU alone draws nearly as much power as the entire Steam Machine (65 W) in a light gaming workload, due to Valve's choice of a mobile CPU.
Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvaO4DPM1ZM
specification_claimneutralt=01:50–01:53
The reviewer found an mATX ASRock board with Wi-Fi for $130, indicating current competitive pricing in the PC hardware market.
Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvaO4DPM1ZM
comparisonpositivet=02:20–02:30
The custom system will be larger than the Steam Machine but offers greater expandability with sockets for future CPUs, a PCI Express Gen 5 slot for future GPUs, and extra slots for storage and other add-in cards.
Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvaO4DPM1ZM
specification_claimneutralt=02:50–02:55
The custom build uses a dual-channel 16GB kit of DDR5 RAM running at 6,000 megatransfers per second (CL36).
Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvaO4DPM1ZM
reviewer_claimmixedt=04:14–04:35
A cheap 512GB Adata Legend SSD for $85 was chosen to match the Steam Machine's capacity, acknowledging that a drive with DRAM cache or PCIe Gen 4 would be better for longevity, but the chosen drive is sufficient for gaming in the current market.
Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvaO4DPM1ZM
specification_claimpositivet=04:47–04:54
The Zalman Qubik's G mATX case was highlighted for its exceptional value at $30, including USB-C, three fans, and two tempered glass panels.
Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvaO4DPM1ZM
expert_opinionmixedt=05:54–05:59
The selected MSI MEG A650BN power supply had a 'C' rating, which is described as 'not great, but technically a pass,' indicating a budget-conscious compromise.
Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvaO4DPM1ZM
comparisonpositivet=06:05–06:16
The Sapphire Pulse Radeon 9600 XT 16GB GPU was acquired for $430, featuring double the VRAM of the Steam Machine and a newer architecture with improved ray tracing.
Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvaO4DPM1ZM
reviewer_claimpositivet=07:34–07:44
The reviewer recommends the Vader 5 Pro controller for $65 (street price) as a good option to use with the custom PC, noting it's $10 cheaper than the Steam Controller's bundle price.
Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvaO4DPM1ZM
comparisonmixedt=08:04–08:14
In Final Fantasy VII Remake, at 4K high settings with no upscaling, both systems performed similarly, but the Steam Machine's GPU was noted as less powerful, occasionally dropping below 30 FPS.
Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvaO4DPM1ZM
measurement_testpositivet=08:44–08:48
In 007 at 4K medium quality with FSR set to quality, the custom PC ran 50% faster than the Steam Machine, marking a significant performance win.
Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvaO4DPM1ZM
visual_inspectionpositivet=09:24–09:27
The custom PC exhibited significantly more sharpness and detail in the game 007, particularly on distant hills, compared to the Steam Machine's more 'Vaseline smear' or out-of-focus visual quality at lower settings.
Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvaO4DPM1ZM
hands_on_demomixedt=10:11–10:20
The custom PC's sleep and resume feature worked perfectly, contrary to expectations that the Steam Machine would have an advantage. However, the custom PC could not be woken up with a Steam controller.
Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvaO4DPM1ZM
hands_on_demonegativet=10:55–11:05
The Steam Machine's quick resume functionality exhibited a bug where resuming from sleep led to a performance lock at 60 FPS, requiring a reboot to restore full frame rates.
Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvaO4DPM1ZM
The reviewer demonstrates building a "Vapor Contraption" for the target price of $1,050, showing it provides a much faster and visually sharper gaming experience than the Steam Machine in direct comparisons.
The DIY PC's Ryzen 5 7500F CPU is faster, and its Sapphire Pulse Radeon 9600 XT 16GB GPU provides 16GB VRAM (double the Steam Machine's 8GB) and a newer architecture with improved ray tracing. Benchmarks showed the DIY PC running 50% faster in 007 and maintaining better visual detail.
The custom build features a socket for future CPUs, a PCI Express Gen 5 slot for next-generation GPUs, and additional slots for both storage drives and other add-in cards, providing significant long-term upgrade potential compared to the more closed Steam Machine.
Building a custom PC means it will inherently be larger than the compact Steam Machine. Additionally, it loses features such as HDMI CEC for automatic TV synchronization and the ability to power on the system using a Steam controller, requiring more manual setup and troubleshooting.
The custom-built PC demonstrated seamless sleep and resume functionality, returning to gameplay smoothly. In contrast, the Steam Machine experienced a bug where resuming from sleep led to performance issues, locking frames at 60 FPS until a full reboot was performed.
The reviewer suggests that with the budget savings, one can easily purchase a good quality controller. They specifically recommend the Vader 5 Pro, noting its street price of $65 (MSRP $80), which they personally enjoy despite lacking trackpads.
100/100 source quality
Linus Tech Tips undertakes the challenge of building a DIY PC to surpass the performance of Valve's $1,050 Steam Machine. The build features a Ryzen 5 7500F CPU, a B850 mATX motherboard, 16GB DDR5 RAM, a 512GB Adata Legend SSD, a Zalman Qubik's G case, an MSI MEG A650BN PSU, and a Sapphire Pulse Radeon 9600 XT 16GB GPU. Through direct gaming comparisons in Final Fantasy VII Remake and 007, the custom PC demonstrated markedly higher frame rates, better visual fidelity, and superior quick resume stability, despite being physically larger and lacking specific console integration features.
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