LDLC is a popular tech retailer based in France that you could perhaps compare to the likes of Micro Center or Newegg in the United States. And when Valve launched the Steam Machine pre-orders last week, the French retailer answered back with its own alternative – the “Stim Machine,” offering even better specs for the same price (or even cheaper if you opt to build it yourself).

We’ve also seen Meta PCs selling its first prebuilt gaming PC with SteamOS pre-installed, albeit a full-sized desktop rather than a compact option like LDLC’s Stim Machine. It’s a Mini-ITX build with much better upgradability than what Valve can offer, fitted with a current-gen 8GB RX 9060 XT graphics card and built upon the latest AM5 platform with a Ryzen 8000 series chip.

RX 9060 XT and Ryzen 5 8400F combo ideal for a SteamOS gaming PC

The first thing to note is that it’s not immediately clear whether this product is simply out of stock or has been completely discontinued. LDLC simply says that “This product is no longer for sale” on the store page. Either way, you can’t buy one right now. Not that the situation with Valve’s Steam Machine is much better. The reservation queue has an element of randomness to it, and scalpers have already been selling the cubed mini PC for more than $2,000 on third-party marketplaces such as eBay.

• “Stim Machine” LDLC PC Box Kit – €999.95
• “Stim Machine” LDLC PC Box – €1039.99

The €1,039 price tag matches what you’ll pay for the official Steam Machine in Europe. As you can see, you could also buy the Stim Machine for just under €1,000 and go through the hassle of assembling it yourself. Likewise, SteamOS does not come installed as standard on either variant, though LDLC does provide a tutorial on the installation process.

It’s clear to see that LDLC was essentially paroding the Steam Machine with its own cubed gaming PC. The Stim, however, is considerably larger, measuring in at 181 x 222 x 285 mm (H x W x D) versus Valve’s 152 x 156 x 162.4 mm dimensions. This remains one of the biggest selling points for Valve’s system.

We also made the effort to create a DIY Steam Machine build, centered around Fractal Design’s Node 304 Mini-ITX case. We soon had to navigate compromises for such a compact design. Building a regular SteamOS gaming PC is much easier on the wallet. Either way, there’s a reason why the smaller form factor is more appealing for living room use.

About the Author

Jack Goodall

At PC Guide, Jack is mostly responsible for reporting on hardware deals. He also specializes in monitors, TVs, and headsets and can be found putting his findings together in a review or best-of guide.