The announcement was posted on Steam’s forums by Community Manager Greg Coomers, who detailed the specifications for the three hundred testing units, meaning the Steam Machine is likely to change specs before final release.
Here are the official specs:
GPU: some units with NVidia Titan, some GTX780, some GTX760, and some GTX660
CPU: some boxes with Intel i7-4770, some i5-4570, and some i3
RAM: 16GB DDR3-1600 (CPU), 3GB GDDR5 (GPU)
Storage: 1TB/8GB Hybrid SSHD
Power Supply: Internal 450w 80Plus Gold
Dimensions: approx. 12 x 12.4 x 2.9 in high
This looks like a powerful console, with 16GB of RAM and 3GB GDDR5 for the graphics card, it will make for some impressive gaming. The CPU range is a little odd, but i3 can normally hold its own on medium graphics levels.
We are glad to see Valve isn’t going easy on the storage, with 1TB of internal storage and Steam cloud storage availabilities, there should be enough for more than a few HD games installed on the Steam Machine.
GPU specifications are sound, the Nvidia Titan series packs a serious punch and anything above the GTX660 can handle most games without problems, the GTX780 is one of the most impressive GPUs on the market today.
The Steam Machine will come alongside Steam OS, the new Linux-based operating system for games. Valve has said it is committed to the Linux platform and hopes more video game studios will start porting games onto Steam Linux.
There is the Steam Controller as well, which we believe Valve will bundle with the Steam Machine. Valve has worked hard to make sure the controller is compatible with keyboard and mouse games, with unusual trackpads where the analog sticks sit.