this post was submitted on 11 Jul 2026

158 points (94.4% liked)

Linux Gaming

26722 readers

121 users here now

Discussions and news about gaming on the GNU/Linux family of operating systems (including the Steam Deck). Potentially a $HOME away from home for disgruntled /r/linux_gaming denizens of the redditarian demesne.

This page can be subscribed to via RSS.

Original /r/linux_gaming pengwing by uoou.

No memes/shitposts/low-effort posts, please.

Resources

Help:

Launchers/Game Library Managers:

General:

Discord:

IRC:

Gaming on Linux

Matrix:

Telegram:

Gaming on Linux

founded 3 years ago

MODERATORS

monolalia@lemmy.world

158

Steam Machine not available in my country. What would you do? (sh.itjust.works)

submitted 1 week ago* (last edited 4 days ago) by Dariusmiles2123@sh.itjust.works to c/linux_gaming@lemmy.world

96 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Hi everyone!

I had been a Playstation user since the first one and I own the fifth one.

After using Linux for years on weak computers for my admin, I decided to try Linux gaming in 2025 and bought a used LCD Steam Deck.

While I’ve been enjoying the Steam Deck, it hurts my neck and isn’t powerful enough for sim racing games.

Naturally, I was happy to learn that the Steam Machine was coming and was willing to invest up to CHF1000.- (~$1236) to get it.

Sadly, it’s not available to order in my country, Switzerland.

So now I have to choose between finding ways to order a Steam Machine or buying a prebuilt computer since I don’t want to source components to build something myself.

My priority would still be the Steam Machine, but I’d be open to alternatives.

What are your advices, what would you do if you’re in the same situation?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Edit and update:

Thank you all for your answers and useful links! You gave me some great advices!

In the end, I'll keep using a combo of Steam Deck and Playstation 5 for a while. The Steam Deck for almost every game, but more often than before docked to preserve my neck, and the Playstation 5 for demanding racing games or an eventual Last Of Us 3.

Then, around 2029, once my Playstation 5 is gonna be old and not upgradeable, I'll get a Linux gaming rig which is gonna be more powerful. At that time, I'll have a better disposable income, but I'd still want to pay around CHF 1000.- anyway.

It'll also allow me to fully emulate all my Playstation games which aren't available on PC, at least from PS1 to PS4 generations, and use these consoles as decoration for memories.

top 50 comments

sorted by: hot top controversial new old

[–] Kazumara@discuss.tchncs.de 3 points 5 days ago

I would do what I always do and build my own computer. But as for what you should do, probably get a pre-built with AMD GPU, without operating system to avoid paying for Windows, and then follow Valve's instructions here to install SteamOS: https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/65B4-2AA3-5F37-4227

[–] phx@lemmy.world 8 points 6 days ago

I just installed SteamOS on a mini PC that costs about half what the Steam Machine does (and less than the Deck under current pricing), and runs on an AMD 7840HS with 32GB of RAM in a form-factor that's the size of 3 stacked pieces of bread.

While that APU is likely powerful than the Steam machine's with its dedicated VRAM, I did test a few games and it definitely outperforms the Deck and the higher system RAM makes it potentially more versatile than either.

[–] Psythik@lemmy.world 4 points 5 days ago (1 children)

I'd just build my own PC, duh.

Never understood the hype behind pre-builts. Over half the fun of owning a gaming PC is picking your own parts and assembling it yourself. By having someone else do that part, you're robbing yourself of the joy of owning your own custom machine.

[–] OneCardboardBox@lemmy.sdf.org 6 points 5 days ago (3 children)

Plenty of people just want an appliance to play games.

I build my own, but that's because I want to save money. Actually picking the parts and figuring out compatibility, specs, etc is my least favorite exercise. Luckily I have a friend who cares way more about that, so I tell them what I want to achieve and they give me a shopping list.

[–] Tiral@lemmy.world 3 points 5 days ago

Hence why consoles exist.

load more comments (2 replies)

[–] jenings@lemmy.world 4 points 5 days ago

What others are saying plus install bazzite

[–] sp3ctr4l@lemmy.dbzer0.com 4 points 6 days ago

Look into MiniPCs!

I'm not sure what will have availability in your country, but MinisForum, GMKTec, AOOSTAR would be where I'd start looking.

If you go for a MiniPC with an OcuLink external port... well, then you can get a GPU cradle and a small PSU for it, plug that in to MiniPC when you need the graphical power.

Its hard to find exact numbers on this, but basically, OcuLink appears to perform better than Thunderbolt 4 as a kind of eGPU data transfer method... there is some efficiency loss as compared to directly slotting it into a MoBo, but in practice, its often 10% or less.

And, now that FSR 4 works on 7000 series AMD GPUs, you may be able to find such a GPU that is cheaper, yet still performs somewhere between a Steam Machine and a more powerful PC.

This kind of setup is about as spatially small as a Steam Machine, and allows you the ability to upgrade to either a new GPU or MiniPC when you want to.

The MiniPC will be the CPU and storage memory and RAM.

MiniPCs often use laptop style SODIMM RAM and M.2 SSDs... so... if prices for those remain high, you can at least take those out of your old MiniPC, and then get a new 'barebones' MiniPC based around a newer CPU, and slot them into it.

[–] LegoBrickOnFire@lemmy.world 2 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago) (1 children)

La france est jamais bien loin :p

Tu as pas des amis avec une adresse en france?

[–] Dariusmiles2123@sh.itjust.works 1 points 5 days ago

Non c’est bien ça le problème, pas d’ami proche qui pourrait me rendre ce service, juste des connaissances.

Mais à la lecture des autres commentaires, je pense de plus en plus attendre et me construire/faire construire un pc gaming dans quelques années.

[–] TheHobbyist@lemmy.zip 5 points 6 days ago (7 children)

Gruezi, I built my own steam machine, with the following specs:

AMD ryten 7 5800X cpu
16GB DDR4 leftover memory (2666MHz)
AMD RX 9070 XT graphics card (they're a great deal at the moment compared to other graphic cards, great bang for bucks e.g. https://www.brack.ch/acer-grafikkarte-predator-bifrost-amd-rx-9070-xt-16g-oc-1841447)
Lian-Li A3-mITX case (can accomodate graphic cards up to at least 32cm)
asrock b550M pro-4
be quiet pure rock slim 3
lian - li edge gold 850W PSU (I bought this as it was advertised SFF on galaxus but it is in fact a regular ATX, which still fits but prevents graphic cards of 32cm or larger, mine just barely fit).

The main difference with the steam machine is that it is larger, does not have HDMI-CEC (which turns on your TV automatically when the pc turns on, but I don't mind), or the official valve support, but frankly, my experience with steamOS has been stellar, I've run it for multiple months and I really love it. But with the official steam controller (which I'm also waiting on) I'm sure my experience would be close enough to perfect for myself. Good luck!

load more comments (7 replies)

[–] Glytch@lemmy.world 2 points 5 days ago (1 children)

Is there any reason other than FOMO that you need a Steam Machine right now?

You could get a dock for your Steam Deck and play on a TV using a controller, that way it would be a larger screen that wouldn't hurt your neck.

[–] Dariusmiles2123@sh.itjust.works 2 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago) (1 children)

I already have a dock and might be exploring waiting 3 more years until getting something more powerful.

To be honest, it’s only for the sim racing side that I really need something powerful. I tried Asseto Corsa Competizione on the big screen with my wheel and it was unplayable..

But I might just use my Playstation 5 for this for a few more years even if I wanted to get out of that ecosystem and fully enjoy Linux gaming.

[–] Willdrick@lemmy.world 2 points 5 days ago (1 children)

Self built pc user here, but fellow sim racing degenerate.

ACC runs great on bazzite, though I have never played competitively. Got a g29 and works OOTB on Bazzite. The only extra step was downloading "oversteer" to adjust settings per game. You might need a different piece of software (from Bazaar aappstore) depending on your base's brand.

If you are somewhat inclined, I'd highly recommend building your own machine, especially if you have a nerdy friend, relative or coworker that could coach you along the way.

FWIW, here are some titles I've tried and ran without issues:

AMS2
RaceRoom
Project Cars 2
Beam.ng (AI drivers have a lot more cpu overhead tho)
Asetto Corsa (tho CSP and launcher are a pain to set up)
Dirt Rally 2.0
Forza 4 5 and 6 (6 needs a few tweaks)
RaceRoom

Depending on the usecase for your future machine, you can choose between regular and "deck" versions of bazzite. Deck versions boot straight to big picture mode, easier if you want it on your living room or as a dedicated simrig pc.

Go for amd and you'll have absolutely no issues, everything will run straight out of the install

[–] Dariusmiles2123@sh.itjust.works 1 points 5 days ago (1 children)

But did you try these games on a big screen with the Deck?

I’ll try running ACC again because I’ve just watched the wrong settings video since it was unplayable.

[–] Willdrick@lemmy.world 1 points 5 days ago

I dont have a deck, I'm on LATAM so I don't even expect neither the deck nor the gabecube ever coming here...

Used to play it on my previous rig (ryzen 5 2400G + rx580) on lower settings. That's why I got hooked with AMS 2, ran far better 😁

[–] aski3252@lemmy.world 2 points 5 days ago

The only way to get steam hardware, according to support, is to have a credit card, address and steam account from an EU country or other supported country. Or wait if a local reseller (like digitec) gets their hands on them.

[–] zr0@lemmy.dbzer0.com 4 points 6 days ago

Yeah VALVe seems not to like Switzerland, as no hardware has ever been released here. Additionally, they do not allow resellers, so you literally cannot buy it with proper warranty.

What I did with the Index was ask a friend in Germany to order and ship it to me. This time, I will use my legal entity in Estonia. Costs a bit of extra shipping and taxes, but there is no other option.

[–] FoxAlive@lemmy.zip 2 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago)

So they sell the steam deck in your country now? You can probably just wait a good while for them to sell the console in your country.

If you wait long enough they might offer a barebones kit kind of like the old Intel nuks. You can get for cheaper and buy your own ram and storage. Its rumored that the failure for many ai data centers to come to fruition, will line up with the ram manufacturers getting new facilities up, will cause a crash in hardware prices. Don't know if that means cheap ram or if it gets more expensive in the wacky economy anymore, but its something to gain or lose from when you wait long enough.

I would definately not buy from a scalper though. The thing is barely worth it to me at 700 dollars as a fan boy who would love a new toy from valve. I could not imagine paying close to double for it, or risk getting just scammed. I'm sure I could do something like a charge back, or having to get on some Ai customer support to get my money back but its not worth it to me anymore.

[–] Padit@feddit.org 2 points 6 days ago (1 children)

Just for your information: the steam machine is not availne anywhere right now.

I honestly really want one and will wait some months, to see how the supply situation changes.

[–] dustyData@lemmy.world 4 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago) (1 children)

That's not what's happening to OP. It's not that they can get into a raffle and wait their turn. As I've said elsewhere, 90% of Steam users can't even get to the raffle as the Steam Machine is not sold to their region. Due to the hardware supply chain constraints. Fuck AI.

[–] Padit@feddit.org 1 points 6 days ago

Ah, i see! Thanks for the info.

[–] Adulated_Aspersion@lemmy.world 2 points 6 days ago (1 children)

BUY A DOCK. CONNECT TO YOUR TV OF CHOICE.

Once you have that set up, pair a controller/keyboard/mouse to the deck. You just replaced your PS5. Not in the sense of complete power or graphical fidelity, but its bananas what the games pumped through my docked steam deck look like on the tv.

I have been linux gaming for a couple of years. I was in a transition away from Playstation already due to expense of multiplayer and the general value that I WASNT receiving from Sony. I was a day 1 adopter of the original deck, and it has worked very well for me in handheld mode, so I bought a dock to try it out. I only use my desktop gaming PC for true keyboard and mouse games that make me want to be close to the screen.

[–] Dariusmiles2123@sh.itjust.works 3 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago)

That’s clearly something that I’m already doing and enjoying.

Still I need something more powerful for sim racing even if all my other games work well docked.

But yeah the Deck can be surprisingly good when docked, especially if like me you don’t mind 720p and 30fps👍

[–] randomaside@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 6 days ago

I haven’t seen anyone suggest Bazzite here so I will. Especially if you like racing titles, compatibility with most racing peripherals have better support under bazzite as its goal is to support the most devices it can while steam OS is purpose built for a few specific devices.

If you’re savvy enough to, check out some channels like eta prime on YouTube. Maybe that can inspire your purchase.

I personally run a minisforum BD 775Si motherboard with a mobile ryzen cpu in conjunction with a Radeon 7800xt sapphire nitro + as my Bazzite box for the past two years now and it’s been a pretty stellar experience.

load more comments