Cheapest streaming only Steam OS build?

Matthew Langley · Jan 12, 2014

I'm trying to construct the cheapest streaming only Steam OS build. In this case I don't care if it can play any games natively, just act as a streaming box for my gaming rig.

Here are the min reqs on the steam site:
http://steamcommunity.com/groups/steamuniverse/discussions/1/648814395741989999/

Intel or AMD 64-bit capable processor
4GB or more memory
500GB or larger disk
NVIDIA, Intel, or AMD graphics card
UEFI boot support
USB port for installation

Any ideas?

mcdonh · Jan 12, 2014

what exactly is your budget?

Matthew Langley · Jan 12, 2014

So the cheapest Steam OS Box right now is $500, but it still tries to be a descent gaming machine... I'm trying to see how cheap I can get it... so 400 or less, 300 or less, etc.

mcdonh · Jan 21, 2014

yeah.....nope only thing you can get for that kinda stuff would be a crappy laptop or a horrible PC, $600 is about that min for a pc that will even run recent programs let alone well.

Steam Machinist · Jan 27, 2014

Pentium g3220- $50
Thermaltake v3 black- $37
Gigabyte GAH81M- $50 ($40 after MIR)
Inland GOLD 400W PSU- $22
PNY optima 4GB DDR3 1333- $37
Seagate Barracuda 750GB 7200rpm SATA-$45
MSI Nvidia Geforce GTX 650 OC- $88
*prices courtesy of Microcenter
Total- <$330

Steam Machinist · Jan 27, 2014

^system will still game decent
OR cheaper
A6-6400K- $70
ASUS A55BME-free after rebate (Or $10)
diablotek 500watt psu- $20
Seagate Barracuda 750GB 7200rpm SATA-$45
MSI Nvidia Geforce GTX 650 OC- $88
ADATA 4GB DDR3 1333-$35

*Microcenter <$290

DaveTheSane · Jul 15, 2014

I know this thread is old, but why are you guys using a seperate graphics card? Doesn't the Pentium have one on-chip?
I thought that would be enough for steam os and xbmc...

PbPomper · Jul 20, 2014

Hey Matthew, I want to be able to do the exact same thing. The option I'm looking at right now is the AMD AM1 platform. The 5350 will cost you about $50 and for the motherboard I am looking at the Asrock Am1H-ITX (http://www.asrock.nl/mb/AMD/AM1H-ITX/) which has a mini-ATX form factor and a built-in pico PSU meaning that you can attach any 19V laptop power brick. Also it has an optical audio output. It is one of the more expensive ones @$58, but I think the optical output and the internal PSU are worth the money. You could also consider a Celeron J1900 motherboard which has an onboard CPU and is passively cooled (which is def nice). It is cheaper (about $70), uses slightly less power but has much less performance.

At first I was looking at the Raspberry Pi for $35. It can play 1080P, is passively cooled, very cheap, and consumes almost no power. However, it has an ARM chip. Which means that it will probably not be SteamOS capable since they initially focus on x86. If it would, then it would be a no brainer for me for that kind of money.

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