A home-built Steam Machine alternative is starting to look far more practical than Valve’s own hardware. A build called Terk Box reportedly comes close to the Steam Machine concept for a total of $706.94, well below Valve’s starting price of $1,049.
That gap matters because Valve has already pointed to RAM supply issues as one reason its Steam Machine pricing landed so high. At the same time, the company has confirmed it is preparing a SteamOS update that should make it easier for users to build a Steam Machine-style system at home.
A compact gaming build with a familiar idea
The project was shared on X by builder Jacob Terkelsen. The name appears in two forms, “Terk Machine” and “Terk Box,” although Terk Box is the label used for the release.
Its appeal is straightforward: it takes the small-form-factor, console-like idea behind a Steam Machine and recreates it with off-the-shelf parts. It is not a one-to-one copy of Valve’s hardware, but the component choices are close enough to make the comparison obvious.
Parts list and total cost
Terkelsen also published the hardware list and the price of each component. The final total comes to $706.94, with the graphics card taking the largest share of the budget.
| Component | Chosen Part | Price |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | AMD Ryzen 5 5500 3.6 GHz 6-Core Processor | $83.00 |
| Motherboard | ASRock B550M-ITX/ac Mini ITX AM4 Motherboard | $74.99 |
| Memory | TEAMGROUP T-Force Vulcan Z 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory | $109.99 |
| Storage | Patriot P300 512 GB M.2-2280 PCIe 3.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive | $85.99 |
| Video Card | XFX Speedster SWFT 210 Core Radeon RX 7600 8 GB Video Card | $279.99 |
| Case | Zalman CUBIX MicroATX Mini Tower Case | $29.99 |
| Power Supply | Thermaltake Smart 600 W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply | $42.99 |
| Total | $706.94 |
The AMD Ryzen 5 5500 is the cheapest major part in the build at $83.00, while the Radeon RX 7600 graphics card is the most expensive item at $279.99. That combination keeps the system within a range that is far easier to reach than Valve’s own starting configuration.
The rest of the setup stays focused on practical, widely available hardware. The build uses an ASRock B550M-ITX/ac Mini ITX AM4 motherboard, 16 GB of TEAMGROUP T-Force Vulcan Z DDR4-3200 memory, and a Patriot P300 512 GB NVMe SSD.
Why this build stands out
Terk Box is interesting because it shows how flexible the Steam Machine idea can be when the parts are chosen for value rather than branding. It keeps the compact gaming format intact while leaving room for enthusiasts to adjust the build to their own budget and needs.
The project also fits the broader direction Valve has signaled with SteamOS. If that software path becomes easier for home builders, systems like this could become a realistic option for users who want a living-room-friendly gaming PC without paying premium hardware prices.
There is also an extra community angle to the project. Users can even 3D print a Steam Machine-style SFF Mini ITX case from a model available on Printables, which makes the concept feel even more approachable for DIY builders.
For now, Terk Box works as a concrete example of what a lower-cost Steam Machine alternative can look like. It is compact, familiar in concept, and detailed enough to show that Valve’s idea can be matched without following Valve’s price tag.
