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Valve and Xi3 announce Steam-based mini-PC

D

DTKT

Member
Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but an integrated GPU won't run any modern games at 1080p at a reasonable framerate. Since they don't mention a dedicated GPU for Piston(what a terrible name), I assume it's integrated into the CPU.
 
MrCunningham

MrCunningham

Member
Geek said:
It's called Piston. Some pics of the lil' Steam Box right here, y'all.

http://www.polygon.com/2013/1/7/384...-modular-computer-optimized-for-steam-and-big
Click to expand...

xi3-piston-04.0_cinema_960.0.jpg
 
P

PG2G

Member
My issue with this is we all hyped this 'Steam Box' as a potential threat to the Windows/DirectX monopoly on PC gaming and... this isn't going to do that

Guess we'll have to wait for all of the details
 
J

jwhit28

Member
DTKT said:
Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but an integrated GPU won't run any modern games at 1080p at a reasonable framerate. Since they don't mention a dedicated GPU for Piston(what a terrible name), I assume it's integrated into the CPU.
Click to expand...

Some games can run at a nice 30FPS on the lowest settings on an AMD A10. Skyrim.
 
C

crazyjah2003

Member
outunderthestars said:
People bought the tv's. Used the 3D feature once or twice, then had no desire to ever use it again.
Click to expand...

Maybe I am exited because I have waited so long to make the jump with a lot of hype building up. I bought the 3ds and it broke; I tried to fix it myself and probably broke warranty. I loved the 3d in games like SM3DL. I went as far as running my PC games in blue/red 3d for long stretches and enjoyed that a lot too.
 
Z

z0m3le

Banned
darkside31337 said:
Xi3 wouldn't discuss price for Piston, but commented that the Steam Box is built after its "performance level" X7A offering, which is priced at $999. Xi3 declined to comment on what would differentiate Piston hardware-wise from a standard X7A.

http://www.polygon.com/2013/1/7/3849284/piston-valve-steam-box-xi3

:/
Click to expand...
Interesting...
Xi3 says this new product is "housed in the uniquely shaped, grapefruit-size Xi3 Modular Computer chassis," pictured above; however, specifics like branding and ports are likely to change. We'll get an image from CES as soon as possible.
Click to expand...

Well, they are likely to move to richland, since that will be ready shortly... Also like I've been saying these components, while custom in physical form, do exist for consumers today... You are looking at a much much cheaper price for a massed produced unit.
 
H

Horse Detective

Why the long case?
Just popping in for a question...

What supports the possibility that this is not the Steam Box? I thought this Valve product we were waiting for was supposed to have more in common with consoles. This just looks like a miniaturized PC...
 
J

Jafku

Member
The demo unit of Piston featured an IO board boasting one ethernet port, 1/8" audio in/out, SPDIF optical audio, four USB 3.0 ports, four USB 2.0 ports (with one dedicated to keyboard input), four eSATAp ports, two Mini Display Port ports and one DisplayPort/HDMI port.
Click to expand...
new details from Polygon
 
T

Treemonkeys

Member
I'm sold on this, looks awesome. I don't think people are paying enough attention to it's modular design, even if it does not compete with xbox 720 and ps4 at launch, it's modular design means that it will soon enough.
 
T

Treemonkeys

Member
outunderthestars said:
That's cute. $800 X51's can barely outperform current consoles. Somehow pc's that are $300 less will be able to greatly outperform it?

Links to these $500 pcs please.
Click to expand...

Dude, my PC I paid $600 for 4-5 years ago drastically outperforms consoles...back when it still had an 8800GT in it. What AAA titles on console even run at 1080??? Seriously.
 
G

GotEmRunnin

Member
I'm more interested in the modular design at the moment. I'll have to wait and see what this thing can do once we get more information.

Also steam powers the piston. heh.
 
P

Pooya

Member
Piston? it's valve like branding too, valve -> steam -> piston

Xi3 wouldn't discuss price for Piston, but commented that the Steam Box is based on its "performance level" X7A offering, which is priced at $999. Xi3 declined to comment on what would differentiate Piston hardware-wise from a standard X7A.
Click to expand...

most notable part.
 
C

Cartman86

Banned
Ehhh I really hope Valve makes a dumb box that just receives video streams from my full PC. Not interested in buying both a steam box AND upgrading my PC. I have my PC hooked up to my TV, but the issues with dual monitors, switching audio inputs, wireless controllers, booting into steam etc are not ideal. This of course assumes that this thing is going to just be a PC, and not feature some cool new control input etc.
 
G

grimshawish

Banned
This sounds...dreadful.
Fits Valves frankly broken culture atm. What are they doing?

Seems their just sticking some money...in stuff...
No wonder they need greenlight, its becoming very clear Valve is painfully out of touch.

Waste of time.
2013 is going to have a lot of waste.
Which am fine with as I missed the 80s and 90s.
 
J

Jafku

Member
Felix Lighter said:
Ahhh ok. I was thinking it was thunderbolt. That might have allowed for external dedicated graphics cards in theory.
Click to expand...

Isn't that kinda the point of this? Couldn't you add a PCM board with a thunderbolt input be added to this, er device? In theory of course
 
G

GotEmRunnin

Member
grimshawish said:
This sounds...dreadful.
Fits Valves frankly broken culture atm. What are they doing?

Seems their just sticking some money...in stuff...
No wonder they need greenlight, its becoming very clear Valve is painfully out of touch.

Waste of time.
2013 is going to have a lot of waste.
Which am fine with as I missed the 80s and 90s.
Click to expand...

The minute Valve throws a companion cube skin on this thing and have Glados communicating with you in the OS ala Siri you'll be getting one like the rest of us :D
 
P

Pooya

Member
I don't see why Valve would be investing in this if they were making something else themselves too, must be joint project.
 
G

grimshawish

Banned
GotEmRunnin said:
The minute Valve throws a companion cube skin on this thing and have Glados communicating with you in the OS ala Siri you'll be getting one like the rest of us :D
Click to expand...

...
There was only one companion cube I loved...

Why did you have to remind me?!
I tried...I honestly...tried...

T_T
 
O

outunderthestars

Banned
Treemonkeys said:
What? I'm talking about a 4 year old $500 PC that out performs current consoles. Let me know where I can find next gen console specs and I'll try to make a comparison though... lol
Click to expand...

Then it shouldn't be difficult to find me a $500 PC that can crush current gen console games.

Ibuypower machines all hover around $100, X51's run $800 to $1200.

Lonovo announced their new gaming pc with starting prices of $1500.

PC gaming is awesome, but has a higher upfront cost. That said, there are long term savings to be had thanks to the aggressive sales and open nature of the platform.
 
Mikey Jr.

Mikey Jr.

Member
HoosTrax said:
Yes. Although, they're getting hard to find. If you ask at Gamestop, you might find that they have some of the more popular PC games available stashed behind the counter. Borderlands 2 and BLOPS2 would be safe bets imho. Also, Microcenter, being an actual dedicated PC store, has an entire store section devoted to games on DVD. And Amazon obviously.

As to why -- there are still people who don't have decent broadband, and even if you do, your basic cable or DSL service might be less than ideal for downloading 30gigs worth of Max Payne 3 in a reasonable amount of time, in which case it might actually take you less time to have the physical game shipped.
Click to expand...

Yep, I live in Canada and our internet is terrible. Not speed wise, but caps wise.

Like you said, Max Payne 3 is 30 gb. My bandwidth cap is 60gb a month.

I cant afford to download games like these. And games aren't going to get smaller.
 
D

DTKT

Member
outunderthestars said:
Then it shouldn't be difficult to find me a $500 PC that can crush current gen console games.

Ibuypower machines all hover around $100, X51's run $800 to $1200.

Lonovo announced their new gaming pc with starting prices of $1500.
Click to expand...

Hey, stop buying from manufacturers that jack up the prices because the consumer doesn't know any better.
 
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