Gigabyte Brix Pro Steam Machine First Look

By photos by Alex Davies, Marcus Yam
published

Gigabyte's Steam Machine is the smallest of them all.

The Gigabyte Brix Pro is a cool little piece of kit. In fact, it was the smallest Steam Machine at Valve's event, but it was also light on details. We've talked about the Brix Pro before when we found out that it would be running Intel Iris Pro 5200 graphics. It may not be able to keep up with discrete graphics cards, but we can tell that Gigabyte is going after an entirely different target with its Steam Machine.

  • Price TBD
  • CPU: Intel Core i7-4770R
  • RAM: 2 x 4 GB
  • Graphics: Intel Iris Pro 5200
  • Storage: 1 TB SATA 6 Gb/s

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photos by Alex Davies
21 Comments Comment from the forums
  • grazed
    I could slap a Steam logo on my 3 year old laptop and call it a Steam Machine too. Integrated graphics from Intel and gaming do not go together. Valve should seriously start limiting the Steam Machine label to pre approved configurations such as "Needs at least this processor, needs at least this GPU".
    Reply
  • rad666
    This might work...if you only use it for local game streaming that is. For playing games it's an epic fail.
    Reply
  • dotaloc
    I'd have to agree. Well...nothing wrong with integrated graphics for most humble bundle or 3+ yr old games, but some type of steambox rating is needed so buyers know what their system is rated at and a corresponding rating system for all steam games.For instance, my new game requires a steambox 1.2 for high graphics detail @ 60 fps and 1080 or a .9 rating for medium graphics at 30 fps and 1080. Something like that.
    Reply
  • jwcalla
    There are a lot of Intel players on Steam, so I don't necessarily agree. But I think this is going to be too expensive for what you get in terms of graphics performance, especially with the i7.
    Reply
  • jwcalla
    And Tom's new article / comments layout is an absolute trainwreck. Thanks for making it as annoying as possible!
    Reply
  • Zeh
    Perhaps you're all being too harsh on Gigabyte. HD5200 isn't all that bad, since it can play many AAA games on medium/high at 720p. That's certainly enough for most people (specially console users).If this helps them keep costs really low, this might be intereseting. I might actually prefer this to a console.
    Reply
  • vmem
    @Zeh WHY would you perfer this over a console? it's going to cost the same, while only deliverying xbox 360 level of graphics (720p). not to mention that given the trend of PC gaming, it'll be outdated in a year or two. I understand PC gaming is where it's at, but once you fall below a certain spec level, consoles become a pretty darn good alternative
    Reply
  • SlitWeaver
    If only those Intel stickers were not coving that good-looking top :/
    Reply
  • joditas
    A Steam Machine should be foremost about playing game, not CPU only intensive tasks. A balanced system for gaming, namely CPU and GPU, should be in the similar performance and price tier to give the most bang for the buck for gaming, not because they happen to be together, e.g. i7-4770R. Brix Pro is not a bad product, but it's not a balanced system for gaming. This theme is like many brand names that sell "gaming PC" with a top of line CPUs paired with entry or mid level GPUs. Isn't that the very thing Valve's Steam Machine trying to change? If it's for streaming, there should be a big, huge sticker or warning that it's for steaming, not a primary gaming machine, and sell for at most 150~200 dollars. I doubt this system is that cheap. I agree with the above, it's like Valve is getting carried away with so many "Steam Machines" cropping up. If there is no guild line or restriction, this whole idea won't end well.
    Reply
  • joditas
    A Steam Machine should be foremost about playing game, not CPU only intensive tasks. A balanced system for gaming, namely CPU and GPU, should be in the similar performance and price tier to give the most bang for the buck for gaming, not because they happen to be together, e.g. i7-4770R. Brix Pro is not a bad product, but it's not a balanced system for gaming. This theme is like many brand names that sell "gaming PC" with a top of line CPUs paired with entry or mid level GPUs. Isn't that the very thing Valve's Steam Machine trying to change? If it's for streaming, there should be a big, huge sticker or warning that it's for steaming, not a primary gaming machine, and sell for at most 150~200 dollars. I doubt this system is that cheap. I agree with the above, it's like Valve is getting carried away with so many "Steam Machines" cropping up. If there is no guild line or restriction, this whole idea won't end well.
    Reply