Valve recently announced pricing for its new-generation Steam Machine, with the entry-level model starting at $1,049. The price quickly became a topic of discussion among PC gamers, especially those comparing the system with similarly priced gaming desktops. Shortly after the announcement, French technology retailer LDLC introduced its own compact gaming Mini PC called the Stim, offering hardware based on standard desktop components while maintaining compatibility with SteamOS.
The LDLC Stim is designed for users looking for a small gaming system without sacrificing desktop-class performance. While it is larger than Valve’s Steam Machine, its compact 11.5-liter form factor still takes up far less space than a traditional mid-tower PC. The system is housed inside the SilverStone SG13B-Q chassis and combines AMD’s latest desktop processor with a dedicated Radeon graphics card.
The system is powered by AMD’s Ryzen 5 8400F processor, a six-core, twelve-thread CPU based on the Zen 4 architecture. Graphics are handled by the Radeon RX 9060 XT 8GB, giving the Stim a clear performance advantage over systems that rely solely on integrated graphics. This hardware combination also enables users to install and run SteamOS without compatibility concerns while maintaining the flexibility of a standard desktop platform.
LDLC also equips the Stim with dual-channel DDR5 memory instead of a single memory module. The system includes 16GB of RAM configured as two 8GB sticks, helping deliver better memory bandwidth for gaming and multitasking. Storage is provided by a 500GB M.2 NVMe SSD, while a B650 motherboard and a 350W 80 PLUS Bronze power supply complete the build.
Compared to Valve’s Steam Machine, the Stim is approximately three times larger in physical size. However, the extra space makes room for a dedicated graphics card. While both systems use six-core Zen 4 processors, the Radeon RX 9060 XT 8GB is expected to offer significantly higher gaming performance than the Steam Machine’s integrated 28 Compute Unit RDNA 3 graphics, particularly in modern AAA titles and GPU-intensive workloads.
LDLC has announced two pricing options for the Stim. The version without an operating system starts at €999.99, while the Windows edition is available for €1,039.99. Valve’s Steam Machine is also priced at €1,039 in the Eurozone, placing both systems in nearly the same price category despite their different hardware approaches.
LDLC Stim Specifications
- Chassis: SilverStone SG13B-Q (11.5L)
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 8400F (6 cores / 12 threads, Zen 4)
- Graphics Card: AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT 8GB
- Motherboard: AMD B650
- Memory: 16GB DDR5 (2×8GB Dual Channel)
- Storage: 500GB M.2 NVMe SSD
- Power Supply: 350W 80 PLUS Bronze
- Operating System: SteamOS Compatible
- OS-less Price: €999.99
- Windows Version Price: €1,039.99
- Valve Steam Machine Price (Eurozone): €1,039
For buyers considering a compact gaming PC, the Stim offers the advantage of standard desktop components, making future upgrades and replacements much easier than a more integrated design. Its support for SteamOS also gives users the option of a console-like gaming experience while keeping access to the broader PC ecosystem.
