LDLC, a French PC vendor, has introduced its 'PC Box' desktop as a direct competitor to Valve's Steam Machine. The system arrives at a time when Steam Machine pricing has dampened enthusiasm among gamers seeking better value in the living room PC market.

The pre-built configuration costs €1039.99 while a DIY kit runs €999.99. Both versions pack an AMD Ryzen 5 8400F processor, 16 GB DDR5 memory, and the new AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT graphics card inside a SilverStone Sugo SG13B case.

According to available benchmarks, the PC Box delivers roughly 70% better GPU performance than Valve's offering. This leap comes from using modern RDNA 4 architecture instead of the older graphics solution found in the Steam Machine.

The trade-off is size: despite using Mini ITX components, the SilverStone case measures 222 × 181 × 285 mm, making it significantly bulkier than the Steam Machine's compact 152 × 162.4 × 156 mm footprint. Consumers gain performance but lose the living room-friendly form factor that made Valve's design appealing.