CyberPower Syber Steam Machine Has Been Reviewed

I've said it before though, we need more AAA games no matter what people in our comments think about them, as they help sell it to the people that the general public will be taking at their word.

I disagree. We don't need AAA games already released on Windows.. We need some AAA exclusives games... (at least, exclusives for a while)
If VALVe release HalfLife 3 or Portal 3 first on SteamOs/Linux and MAC and a year later the Windows and consoles version, that will be a GOOD incentive for switch to SteamOS/Linux... But that will not happen..

Honestly, I don't understand what VALVe is trying to do with all this..

Another thing I would like to see are SteamOS/Linux ports from console exclusive games like the old but good Bad Company, The Last of US remastered; The Order: 1886; Bloodborne.. Uncharted..etc.. .. But, sadly, that is not going to happen...(unless VALVe make some deal with SONY, but that WILL NOT HAPPEN)

"we need more AAA games no matter what people in our comments think about them, as they help sell it to the people that the general public will be taking at their word"

That's the major issue. If Joe/Jane Blow who doesn't give a rats rear end about the underlying OS(which is most people) were out shopping for a console TODAY at their local electronics store do you think they are going to buy the one that has Fallout4, COD, Battlefront or Assassins Creed bundled with/available for it? Or the one that doesn't? That's a rhetorical question really.. we all know the answer.

As for the performance thing... I see reviewers talking about lower performance #'s than windows which is not a great thing, BUT when you're comparing 100+FPS in windows to 70-80FPS in Linux in reality it's a non issue. In most cases vsync should be turned on and if it gets 60FPS then that's what matters.. you're wasting power(computing and electrical) rendering frames you can't use. Unfortunately I don't think any of the reviews I've read have stated this, which sucks because the performance difference is not that big of a deal in the situations they have mentioned. In fact it's the one thing these "consoles" have over the "traditional" ones right now, seeing as how many of the PS4/XB1 games are sometimes even less than 1080p and only do 30fps.

It's going to be a rocky start for Steam Machines... Assuming we get a full release of the Vulkan spec this year it will be well into next year or maybe even 2017 before we see a Vulkan title(that the majority of the worlds population wants to play).


Last edited by EKRboi on 20 Nov 2015 at 11:31 pm UTC

Im starting to think this steamOS thing was designed to lure devs into just the Linux ecosystem and long term there not actually too bothered about it other than being an additional 'feature' to their software suite.

fine by me. it gets hardware & software houses developing more for Linux, at some point the Linux desktop will probably really take off ( especially in India, Russia / china ) and combined with Microsoft bizarre stop the desktop being a desktop philosophy, I wouldn’t be too surprised if the whole concept was a trojan horse of sorts to move more users over easier.

Valve are essentially providing the chicken..


Last edited by on 20 Nov 2015 at 11:32 pm UTC

As for the performance thing... I see reviewers talking about lower performance #'s than windows which is not a great thing, BUT when you're comparing 100+FPS in windows to 70-80FPS in Linux in reality it's a non issue. In most cases vsync should be turned on and if it gets 60FPS then that's what matters.. you're wasting power(computing and electrical) rendering frames you can't use. Unfortunately I don't think any of the reviews I've read have stated this, which sucks because the performance difference is not that big of a deal in the situations they have mentioned. In fact it's the one thing these "consoles" have over the "traditional" ones right now, seeing as how many of the PS4/XB1 games are sometimes even less than 1080p and only do 30fps.

This Steam Machine uses a 750ti - I'd say a 20 to 50% performance difference, which various game benchmarks show, make a world of difference. Sure, It's not that much of a problem if you're on a 970 or better. But people with mid range or worse hardware are going to feel it.

Their ending notes aren't too good for us though, they suggest going for the Windows machine due to the games available. I hope that eventually we will see sites look at what we do have, and not what we don't.

Call me a "troll" but I've to ask: what would that be? The smaller library, the bad drivers or the botched performance. And I'm talking about Steam OS, as a gaming OS, specifically. We're not talking about Linux in general and it's other benefits. What is it about Steam OS that makes it a more desirable gaming platform than Windows or Mac OS at this moment?

"we need more AAA games no matter what people in our comments think about them, as they help sell it to the people that the general public will be taking at their word"

Agreed. No one is going to buy a steam machines for AAA games when they can already play those AAA games on windows (with steam big picture mode) with better performance. I know Valve thinks exclusives are evil, but they are a necessary evil. I think Linus said it best,"This is a different market. Your noble philosophy isn't going to sell consoles."

IMO, this whole steam machine thing is DOA for now. Even as a Linux users, I would tell people to get an Alpha instead of a steam machine.


Last edited by BillNyeTheBlackGuy on 21 Nov 2015 at 12:51 am UTC

Valve are essentially providing the chicken..

What are you on to with this, Mr. Egg?

BUT when you're comparing 100+FPS in windows to 70-80FPS in Linux in reality it's a non issue. In most cases vsync should be turned on and if it gets 60FPS then that's what matters.. you're wasting power(computing and electrical) rendering frames you can't use.

The problem arises when your Steam Machine is pulling 70FPS in typical scenes and then explosions or whatever start to occur which drag FPS down below 60. Then the user notices something is off. Meanwhile, the 100+FPS alternative is still sitting comfortably above their television's refresh rate.


Last edited by GustyGhost on 21 Nov 2015 at 1:20 am UTC

AAA Games on Linux? A temporary problem, the snowball is rolling downhill and picking up steam.

Once certain games and benchmarks start outperforming their Windows Counterparts it'll draw in the Windows crowd.

Until then, the PS4 and XBONE crowd can be the main people in the snowball.

Also, from reading the Steam Forums it sems some people out really equate More $$$ to More Better, so by a Console Gamers logic Steam Machines are #1 because they cost so much (Apple logic XD.)

Honestly I'm less interested in reviews from PC enthusiasts and more interested in ones from console/couch gamers. One thing that happens even on something like the Alpha is not everything works perfectly without needing to access something in Windows/using a m&kb. Windows also tends to build up a lot of cruft over time (even a short time) and can be very slow (comparing a vanilla/well maintained install to the average one). If SteamOS avoids this and feels like a smoother/more cohesive experience then people will prefer it.

Additionally EKRboi is right in that more than 60fps doesn't matter. Televisions are stuck at that refresh rate and should generally use vsync since tearing can be pretty noticeable. Many/most console games (even racing games for some reason) are stuck at 30fps, and if a Steam Machine is providing better graphics at the same performance level or the same graphics at a better performance level then it already succeeds.

Additionally the machines should be providing games that console gamers can't already get on their consoles. The kinds of titles that receive a lot of buzz but you wouldn't play unless you had a gaming pc setup. Over the years (anecdotes I know) I've known plenty of Xbox/PS players who are really interested in what PC has to offer (titles you only see there) but hate having to interact with the PC part of it. You have to build a box/have one built and in either case you have to know something about what you're getting. Additionally there's usually a good gap of time between when you get everything set up to when you're able to run your first game. It doesn't feel fun for them.

I'm not saying things are perfect, but I do hope to see more reviews and impressions from that side of the equation so that Valve can get good feedback and do some good iterations.


Last edited by Mblackwell on 21 Nov 2015 at 2:22 am UTC

Im starting to think this steamOS thing was designed to lure devs into just the Linux ecosystem and long term there not actually too bothered about it other than being an additional 'feature' to their software suite.

fine by me. it gets hardware & software houses developing more for Linux, at some point the Linux desktop will probably really take off ( especially in India, Russia / china ) and combined with Microsoft bizarre stop the desktop being a desktop philosophy, I wouldn’t be too surprised if the whole concept was a trojan horse of sorts to move more users over easier.

Valve are essentially providing the chicken..

Yea, I agree that steam machines were made to speed up the adoption of devs to produce games for linux. But also I don't think Valve's plan for steam machines are done; they still have VR. I'm thinking next year you'll see some steam machines bundled with an HTC Vive (and hopefully with something like Portal 3 too).

btw you can upgrade the Syber steam machine's gfx card from a 750 to a 950 for 10$, ram from 4 to 8 gigs for 8$, and 500 gig to 1 terabyte HD for free.

I would tell people to get an Alpha instead of a steam machine.

Windows as a gaming console OS is crap. And last I checked, the Alpha ships with the 360 gamepad, not a Steam Controller, which is going to cut down the number of playable games by a ton. Keyboard and mouse in the living room sucks, unless maybe you own one of those virginity-protecting keyboard and mouse tray things.

I would tell people to get an Alpha instead of a steam machine.

Windows as a gaming console OS is crap. And last I checked, the Alpha ships with the 360 gamepad, not a Steam Controller, which is going to cut down the number of playable games by a ton. Keyboard and mouse in the living room sucks, unless maybe you own one of those virginity-protecting keyboard and mouse tray things.

Windows is not for me but I hate to see completely unqualified and unsubstantiated statements like: Windows as a gaming OS is crap, when any impartial person would tell you Windows is streets ahead in this regard. I mean: They have the games; the drivers the user-base and and the 3D performance. Which part of the gaming experience is Linux winning?

As for Steam boxes...Every use I can think of for these leaves me thinking: well yeah, but, why bother?

Honestly I'm less interested in reviews from PC enthusiasts and more interested in ones from console/couch gamers.

The picture is pretty clear from their viewpoint: Steam Machines, even those at lowest specs, are several times more expensive than the consoles; and the argument that 'games are cheaper on PC, thanks to steam sales', etc., isn't as strong as many would think. New games, especially those that are good sellers, don't really get any discounts; and as to the 'back catalogue', at least on the PlayStation you get frequent sales and price cuts that are not too shabby -- they've indeed picked up a few tricks from Valve's book. Besides, physical copies of console games can always be sold or traded in, or bought cheaper used, in the first place.

Neither is the sheer number of games on SteamOS an advantage -- as though an abundance of survival horror hack jobs and mobile ports have anything whatsoever on GTA Vs, and Witcher 3s.

For the life of me, I HONESTLY can't think why someone, especially if they're 'console/couch gamers' who wouldn't have an interest in PC exclusive strategies (not all of which are available on SteamOS, mind you), would prefer a Steam Machine over a PS4, at *this* point in time. And obviously I'm saying this as a dyed-in-the-wool Linux-head.

For some reason people didn't quite listen to Gabe Newell when he stated what SteamOS was all about.
Did he claim better driver support? More Games? That DirectX 12 would suck over OpenGL 4?

No! What he claimed he will do is to end walled gardens. A machine and OS you own, meaning you won't get sued if you hack it to build a freaking robot with it. Hotz, anyone?

No, with that you don't make a glorious entrance with fanfare and dancing babes and surely not with exclusives (cursed be their names). You put a foot in the door, being just there, getting better from year to year, version to version. Just waiting for the time to be right, when the likes of Sony or Microsoft screw their customers over yet again.

Your patience is running dry? Think of how you felt when you first had to install Steam to play Half Life or something.
I didn't even get past this point back then.
Look where Steam is now and compare SteamOS entrance to that, then you get the bigger picture.


Last edited by Caldazar on 21 Nov 2015 at 11:25 am UTC

Mmm... I would like to see benchmarks of MLL on this console vs others at the same level of details. I don't know if it's still the case, but last time I checked, traditionnal console graphics quality of MLL could not stand agaisnt the PC version.

Has for SteamOS, based on my personnal experience with it and what I read from other platforms, the integration of the Steam Controller and Steam Link seems much less buggy in the SteamOS ecosystem than in any other platforms.

That might not be a game changer but I tought it was worth mentionning.

Windows as a gaming console OS is crap.

Windows is not for me but I hate to see completely unqualified and unsubstantiated statements like: Windows as a gaming OS is crap, when any impartial person would tell you Windows is streets ahead in this regard.

I think 'console' is the operative word in what adolson is saying. Windows is better for PC gaming, with better driver support and more games developed for the OS. But as a console OS for hassle-free comfy couch gaming in the living room, it's less than ideal. A lot of that is due to MS's limitations on how much third-parties are allowed to modify the system (afaik the xb1 runs a Windows kernel, but since it's made by MS, they can modify the OS to suit their needs). That is where Linux has the advantage, Valve can do whatever they want, and all updates running through one central application that Valve controls makes it a lot easier to have a console-like experience.

For some reason people didn't quite listen to Gabe Newell when he stated what SteamOS was all about.
Did he claim better driver support? More Games? That DirectX 12 would suck over OpenGL 4?

No! What he claimed he will do is to end walled gardens. A machine and OS you own, meaning you won't get sued if you hack it to build a freaking robot with it. Hotz, anyone?

No, with that you don't make a glorious entrance with fanfare and dancing babes and surely not with exclusives (cursed be their names). You put a foot in the door, being just there, getting better from year to year, version to version. Just waiting for the time to be right, when the likes of Sony or Microsoft screw their customers over yet again.

Your patience is running dry? Think of how you felt when you first had to install Steam to play Half Life or something.
I didn't even get past this point back then.
Look where Steam is now and compare SteamOS entrance to that, then you get the bigger picture.

Those are a couple of points I'd like to see brought up in reviews, but unfortunately consumers seem to have the attention span and the memory of oysters.
Who else than traditional PC gamers have more to win from a viable alternative in the PC gaming space? How many vistas and win8 does there have to be before people realize competition is the best leverage they can use? Did the xbone get rid of the mandatory online+kinect requirements in an act of kindness from redmond?

Every review of a Steam Machine should be one line: "Get one, then send an e-mail to the devs of your favorite, currently unsupported gaming asking for a native port. Bonus points if you mention that performance should similar across hardware vendors."

Im starting to think this steamOS thing was designed to lure devs into just the Linux ecosystem and long term there not actually too bothered about it other than being an additional 'feature' to their software suite.

fine by me. it gets hardware & software houses developing more for Linux, at some point the Linux desktop will probably really take off ( especially in India, Russia / china ) and combined with Microsoft bizarre stop the desktop being a desktop philosophy, I wouldn’t be too surprised if the whole concept was a trojan horse of sorts to move more users over easier.

Valve are essentially providing the chicken..

In case you guys missed it in another thread the whole "Linux initiative" by Valve was in response to the Windows store, that since has blown over so they no longer throw their weight into it but just keep prodding it enough to keep Microsoft from double crossing the largest game distributor.

Every review of a Steam Machine should be one line: "Get one, then send an e-mail to the devs of your favorite, currently unsupported gaming asking for a native port. Bonus points if you mention that performance should similar across hardware vendors."

That wouldn't be a 'review', it would be an 'ad'.

I don't see why reviewers are supposed to mobilize people for some corporation's backup plan -- because that's what SteamOS is. And while Valve's 'ecosystem' (when there's a healthy one in place) is not AS closed-off as that of, say, Sony, it IS its own kind of 'walled garden' nevertheless.

Pretty remarkable how a DRM-empire can 'market itself' as the bastion of software freedom.

Every review of a Steam Machine should be one line: "Get one, then send an e-mail to the devs of your favorite, currently unsupported gaming asking for a native port. Bonus points if you mention that performance should similar across hardware vendors."

That wouldn't be a 'review', it would be an 'ad'.

I don't see why reviewers are supposed to mobilize people for some corporation's backup plan -- because that's what SteamOS is. And while Valve's 'ecosystem' (when there's a healthy one in place) is not AS closed-off as that of, say, Sony, it IS its own kind of 'walled garden' nevertheless.

Pretty remarkable how a DRM-empire can 'market itself' as the bastion of software freedom.

You are quite right but there's a major diffrence. The Steam client is a walled garden but you can still use it on Fedora, Ubuntu and derivatives, Arch, SteamOS and many other Linux distributions if you prefer. Can you say the same about Sony or M$ propositions?

Pretty remarkable how a DRM-empire can 'market itself' as the bastion of software freedom.

The same way Apple convinced people using a Mac/iPhone makes you stand out of the crowd. Guess some people have no sense of irony :))).