Steam Machine vs PS5: The Battle of Mini PC and Console

The Steam Machine has arrived, and let’s just say it’s not exactly a budget-friendly option when it comes to gaming performance. If you’re primarily focused on gaming and don’t already own a Steam library, you might want to lean towards the PS5 or Xbox Series X instead. In terms of performance, the Steam Machine holds its own against the PS5, but there are a few hiccups along the way that are worth noting.

To really put the Steam Machine to the test, I decided to compare it with the PS5 by running four popular games side by side in ‘Performance’ mode, which usually aims for a solid 60 fps. While the Steam Machine has its moments of struggle, I was pleasantly surprised by its power packed into such a compact form.

When it comes to comparing consoles and PCs, it’s a tough gig. PCs like the Steam Machine allow for a lot more tweaking of graphical settings, while consoles stick to a couple of preset options that don’t fully illustrate what’s happening behind the scenes. Most console games are optimized for specific frame rates, adjusting the resolution to maintain that speed. PCs give you more freedom, but sometimes that means you have to manually adjust settings to hit your target frame rate. And with a busy scene, even the Steam Machine can stumble below that 60 fps mark. But hey, that’s just the wild world of PC gaming!

So how did the Steam Machine perform against the PS5? For my tests, I set each game to a ‘medium’ graphical preset at 4K resolution (3840×2160) with FSR set to ‘Performance.’ It’s not a perfect apples-to-apples comparison, but it gives a good idea of what to expect. I tried out Cyberpunk 2077, 007 First Light, Resident Evil Requiem, and Death Stranding 2.

In Cyberpunk 2077, the Steam Machine managed an average of 68 fps at the medium settings. There were moments when it dipped to 56 fps, but for the most part, it held a smooth 60-70 fps. The PS5 version, on the other hand, locks in at a smooth 60 fps, but there are some graphical details, like texture quality, that look sharper on the PS5. So while the Steam Machine keeps up well, the PS5 takes the edge in finer visuals.

Moving on to Resident Evil Requiem, the Steam Machine averaged around 60 fps (59.74 to be exact). During a rainy street scene, it dropped to the lower 50s at times, but mostly stayed within a solid range of 58 to 63 fps. The PS5 also maintains that steady 60 fps, and honestly, you probably wouldn’t notice the difference in gameplay.

However, things weren’t so rosy with 007 First Light. The Steam Machine averaged only 53 fps at 4K, particularly struggling during explosive scenes with drops down to about 35 fps. The PS5, in its performance mode, stayed locked at 60 fps. But if you drop the resolution on the Steam Machine to 1800p, you could get around 70 fps, which is a decent workaround. Interestingly, the Steam Machine’s visuals actually looked sharper in this case, showcasing the flexibility of PC gaming.

Things took a nosedive with Death Stranding 2, where the Steam Machine only managed an average of 35 fps at 4K. Even after lowering the settings and resolution, I struggled to get it to a steady 60 fps. In contrast, the PS5 consistently delivered a locked 60 fps with richer graphics. It’s a tough pill to swallow, but when it comes to visuals, the PS5 clearly pulled ahead with a more impressive display.

Overall, the Steam Machine and PS5 perform similarly in most scenarios, with the PS5 often having the upper hand. For anyone purely looking for a gaming experience, sticking with consoles might be the safer bet for now. The Steam Machine, while compact and relatively quiet under load, just doesn’t offer enough to justify its hefty price tag of $1,049 (approx. Rs 291,620) for many gamers. But if you’re in the niche that appreciates a mini gaming PC, it’s not a terrible option—just avoid Death Stranding 2 for the time being!

Note: PKR figures are approximate, based on a rate of Rs 278.00 per USD. Exchange rates fluctuate — please check the latest dollar rate for exact pricing.