I built a cheaper, faster Steam Machine using Prime Day deals

The release of Valve's Steam Machine landed just as Amazon Prime Day deals were rolling out, and the Steam Machine's base price—$1,049 (no controller, 512 GB storage)—prompted a challenge: could those deals be used to build something better for the same money?

Using current discounts, the author assembled a "Nick Machine" with a grand total of $1,047. It can't match the Steam Machine's ultra-compact shape and snazzy styling, and the DIY build certainly isn't a looker, but the hardware delivers stronger gaming performance and includes twice the storage.

The trade-offs are obvious: the system is bulkier and, unless you're adept at cable management, it can look like a crow's nest inside. For a couple of dollars less, though, you get noticeably more performance and room for games.

All you need to do is slap on Bazzite and enjoy. Nick, who built the system, has written about tech since the late 1990s and freely admits to being far too obsessed with GPUs and open-world grindy RPGs.

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