Valve says it is moving beyond fixed Steam Machine hardware and will let players build their own equivalents using standard PC parts. Multiple outlets report that the change starts with the release of SteamOS 3.8, with Valve describing the option as available “starting with the SteamOS 3.8 release.” The Verge adds that SteamOS 3.8.10 launches with additional updates, including improved compatibility, and frames the feature as an alternative for people who do not obtain a unit through Valve’s Steam Machine reservation process.
The coverage also highlights hardware flexibility. Digital Trends and Polygon both note that Valve’s approach supports mainstream components rather than requiring Valve-branded systems. Polygon specifically mentions support for AMD hardware, while Digital Trends says Nvidia support is also being actively developed. Overall, the reports describe Valve’s SteamOS updates as enabling a “build your own” Steam Machine experience on desktop PC hardware, rather than buying a single preconfigured device.
