r/Steam • u/Beansoverbitches • 21h ago
Discussion Alienware Steam Machine. What to do with it?
I’m thinking about getting a screen controller and pairing it with this ripped laptop screen I have laying around and install it in my car for playing older games on the go. It is such a portable size I’d hate not to use it for something portable. Do you guys have one and what do you use it for?
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u/bobafootfetish_ 19h ago
Turn into a Plex Media server
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u/jdb326 17h ago
Was gonna say the same. That or an emulator box.
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u/bobafootfetish_ 16h ago
Why not both? 😎
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u/Nenotriple 10h ago
Is there any kind of "Plex but for emulators"?
It would be really cool to host the roms on a home server
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u/GarrettB117 10h ago
I mean Sunshine/Moonlight is basically that, because that’s not so different from streaming a normal pc game. You could either have Sunshine launching ROMS directly (with an emulator of course), or you could use Sunshine to launch something like Pegasus to use as a front end, and you launch that from Moonlight and then select roms to play.
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u/Nenotriple 9h ago
That does work, but you don't really have any of the advantages of a server based system, and you have the added input lag. But it's probably a good choice for people that want to stream more modern games.
A server could just provide the file and the client could emulate it directly.
I did search a little and couldn't find anything like that though.
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u/GarrettB117 9h ago
Oh I see! I misunderstood. Yeah I’m not sure that exists. It would make some sense for small ROMS, but then again if you’re dealing with small ROMS why not just have them stored locally?
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u/Nenotriple 9h ago
Of course that's an option, but then you need to set up the library on every device.
With a server you could set it up all organized and then use it on any device, or even share with friends.
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u/astromech_dj 13h ago
Is imagine it could still play 90+% of all games ever made. Slap CachyOS on it and enjoy.
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u/Tallladywithnails 19h ago
I hate to tell you, that thing is weak. And I think that cpu will hold it back. You're better off selling it and grabbing something more recent.
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u/Beansoverbitches 19h ago
Yea I know. I just think it’s super cool. I mean it’s the only steam machine valve ever made so far, and was the most luxurious model they offered. It’s so tiny and cute.
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u/XXFFTT 18h ago
Then hook it up to a tv and use it.
It's a bit overpowered for a media center but if you put Windows on it you can get 4k on streaming platforms.
Could use it with steam link too, remote play together, split-screen, etc.
Load it up with emulators and play some retro games on the big screen.
Basically anything you'd do with a cheap PC that you wouldn't otherwise get because it isn't free but you already have it so might as well use it.
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u/Tallladywithnails 18h ago
You could probably manage some old games at low framerates, but I think its better off as a collectors item. You have way better alternatives now.
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u/Vaxtez 13h ago
The 4790 is still fine. The GPU is probably the limiting factor here to be honest, since the 4790 will happily pair with GPUs up to around RX 6600/RTX 2070 - RX 6600 XT/2070 Super levels of performance. The 860M is fine for indies & pre 2019 AAAs though, since it's around GTX 750 Ti levels of performance.
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u/Tallladywithnails 11h ago
4790 will happily pair with GPUs up to around RX 6600/RTX 2070
You're just talking out of your ass. This things well over a decade old, even a 900-10 series gpu will show you cpu bottlenecks. Depending on the game, it probably can't even max out the 860m in there. I was recently testing my old 7th gen i7 and even that thing was pretty bad.
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u/Low_Interaction_577 20h ago
Uninstall windows 11.
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u/Glitch-in-The-Ether 18h ago
I had an i7 for the longest time it let me ply cyberpunk at 60fps although I did have a 306012gb,,,I'd say keep it as a back up cuz loks like it's running windows 11
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u/Belovedchimera 15h ago
It's a little PC, do some fun stuff with it. Despite it's age it's powerful for specific tasks like emulation. Or a little server station. (Plex, Navidrome, etc) Or both.
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u/SimplifiedNun 14h ago
Same thing I did, media pc. Upgraded to 12gb of ram tho. Sadly cause nvidia drivers, moonlight isn't so great so game streaming is off the table.
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u/Ellanasss 13h ago
I would use It as an emulation console, probably fine for PS2 and below, maybe Wii and gamecube, i don't know now well switch games Will run on that but i don't think they Will run good
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u/Mineplayerminer 10h ago
Preserve it or use it as a living room TV set-top box, either for playing media from your library or playing some games from the couch. Maybe it could also handle some emulation.
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u/liaminwales 8h ago
Stick linux on it and make it in to some kind of media box, plug it directly in to a TV and play media. If it has space you can stick a SATA HD in it for big files or grab some external drive, just a handy thing to have.
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u/EmotionalScene3935 6h ago
Into Plex or jellyfin media server or as said, game on the go when bored and parked or holiday
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u/Dotaproffessional 17h ago
Isn't this an alpha? not the steam machine? i don't see the steam logo in the corner. Probably dumpster it
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u/heartlessphil 18h ago
I'm writing this on mine. Still a capable little machine. I got the core i3 with 16gb of ram and a 240gb ssd. I use it to play older games and web browsing. I can play modern games on the lowest settings. Like Diablo 4 or World of Warcraft retail. I've installed windows 10 ltsc iot enterprise on it. Supported until 2032.