Before it launched, Valve promised its Steam Machine would bring 4K/60 fps PC gaming to living rooms – though it would need FSR to do it. That claim has now been deleted from the device’s hardware page.
TechSpot reports that the page has been updated quietly to now read “up to 4K gaming with FSR 4.1” with no mention of frame rates.
The change, reportedly made on June 25th, comes in the wake of numerous hardware reviewers having gotten their hands on the machines recently and testing them. The results were just OK.
A thorough analysis across multiple major titles by Digital Foundry found a base PS5 in performance mode, with its more ample memory bandwidth, performing from 3-17% better than a Steam Machine.
Even when upscaled from lower resolutions, reviewers have reportedly found it hard to maintain a consistent 60 FPS on the Steam Machine at anything but mid-to-low graphical settings.
Reviewers have praised the design and operation of the machine, but the value question has left many unable to recommend it to consumers.
Meanwhile, Pirat Nation reports that French retailer LDLC is launching its own box-like gaming PC called the PC STIM for about the same price as Valve’s Steam Machine but with “better graphics performance and the freedom to upgrade the hardware in the future”.
