The Steam Machine was announced by Valve last month, and fans can not wait to get their hands on it – it’s easily the most talked about of the new hardware launches. It’s scheduled to ship in early 2026, but Valve is yet to provide a specific release date. However, while we wait for the console-like gaming PC to arrive, someone has already made their own version. And no, this isn’t just a 3D-printable model, it’s a full working system.

A user on Printables has built something that looks similar to the upcoming Steam Machine, but with a unique touch: a custom water cooling system in a tiny 7.4-liter case. The project comes from user PlastikSchmied, who shared the full build, complete details, and all the 3D-printable files on Printables.

Powered by a Ryzen 3700X CPU and GTX 1060 GPU

The case is very small, yet it fits a full desktop system. Inside, it comes packed with the MSI B450I Gaming Plus AC motherboard paired with a Ryzen 7 3700X. There is also 16GB of DDR4 3200MHz RAM, a 250GB M.2 SSD, and a Zotac GTX 1060 3GB GPU. It’s not a high-end GPU, but it works well for this first version of the build. PlastikSchmied also plans to upgrade to something stronger soon, like an RTX 4060 Ti, as long as the card fits the 180mm length limit. The performance of the 1060 puts it closer to the Steam Deck than the Steam Machine; Valve claims the cubed console has “over six times the horsepower” of the handheld.

One of the main highlights of this machine is the cooling setup. Instead of a normal air cooler, the entire system uses custom water cooling. It features an Alphacool NexXxoS XT45 radiator and a modified Alphacool DC-LT 2600 pump running at around 3000 rpm. Even more impressive, the CPU and GPU water blocks are custom-designed and 3D-printed using an Elegoo Mars 2 Pro. The cooling plates inside came from two Alphacool Eisblock coolers, giving the printed blocks real metal internals for better heat transfer.

To prevent leaks, PlastikSchmied used automotive silicone sealant on the 3D-printed parts, along with an AquaComputer pressure equalization membrane. The loop uses a total of five 90-degree fittings and seven straight connectors. Airflow comes from a 120mm Arctic P12 Pro fan on the radiator, one 40×20mm Noctua fan for the PSU, and two tiny 40×10mm Noctua fans to cool the GPU’s VRAM and VRMs. Even with the small size, the system handles heat surprisingly well. According to PlastikSchmied, it can cool the Ryzen 7 3700X at its full 88W PBO power and the GPU’s 130W TDP without generating too much noise.

Building the system does require a few extra parts. You need M2.5, M3, and M4 threaded inserts, a variety of screws, an XT60E-F power connector, springs for the water blocks, and a 200mm 90-degree PCIe riser cable for the GPU.

The best part is that all the 3D-printable files are available for free on Printables. Anyone with a 3D printer and some patience can try this unique Steam Machine-style project themselves if they can not wait for the original one to arrive – or perhaps fear the possibility of low stock making it difficult to find one.

About the Author

Abdul Haddi

Abdul is a tech writer and Editor for PC Guide, specializing in all things tech, gaming, and hardware.