Jacob Terkelsen recently went viral for a project that is likely one of many upcoming attempts to build a gaming PC inspired by Valve's Steam Machine. Called Terk Box, it features a custom 3D-printed case that you, too, can download, along with a Ryzen 5 5500, a mini-ITX motherboard, 16GB of RAM, an RTX 5060, and a 400W flex PSU.

The engineer noted that he is working with the designer to refine the build, so future iterations of this project are likely. Terkelsen also mentioned that the cost of the build is not "close to $1,000," referencing the original Steam Machine launch price of $1,049. He added that he recommends "the fully-engineered solution Valve has designed, from the software to the mechanical design".

Sure, Terk Box is a fascinating concept from a professional that enthusiasts will appreciate, but it's not a practical DIY build for most people. And unfortunately, with Valve's approval for users to build custom Steam Machines using SteamOS, the current hardware landscape means that even custom builds can still end up being quite expensive.

There is a small advantage to Terk Box, though: since it runs on Windows 11, it avoids a recently noted limitation where games with anti-cheat systems are incompatible with Linux-based SteamOS. This means that titles like Destiny 2, Fortnite, Battlefield 6, GTA Online, Apex Legends, and League of Legends may not run properly on Steam Machine.

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