How to Build a Budget Gaming PC with SteamOS in 2025

What if you could enjoy the power and flexibility of PC gaming without the sky-high price tag of modern consoles or premium gaming rigs? Imagine a sleek, compact system nestled in your living room, effortlessly running your favorite titles at 1080p or even 1440p—all for a fraction of the cost. The secret? Building your own small form factor (SFF) gaming PC powered by SteamOS, a Linux-based operating system optimized for gaming. This approach not only saves you money but also gives you the freedom to customize and upgrade your system as you see fit. It’s a bold departure from the console status quo, offering a budget-friendly alternative that doesn’t skimp on performance or usability.

In this project, ETA Prime guides you through crafting a compact gaming powerhouse that’s perfect for both casual and competitive gamers. You’ll discover how to pair affordable yet capable components like the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X CPU and Radeon RX 6600 GPU to achieve smooth gameplay without overspending. We’ll also explore the advantages of SteamOS, from its intuitive gaming interface to its full desktop functionality, making this build as versatile as it is cost-effective. Whether you’re a seasoned PC enthusiast or a console gamer looking to make the leap, this guide will show you how to create a system that redefines what budget gaming can look like. Let’s reimagine the gaming experience—one component at a time.

Build a Budget Gaming PC

TL;DR Key Takeaways :

Build a cost-effective small form factor (SFF) gaming PC powered by SteamOS, optimized for 1080p and 1440p gaming, with a focus on affordability and living room usability.
Key components include an AMD Ryzen 5 5600X CPU, Radeon RX 6600 GPU, 16GB DDR4 RAM, 1TB NVMe SSD, and a MicroATX motherboard, making sure a balance of performance and cost.
Compact design features include a MicroATX-compatible case, 500W SFX power supply, and the stock Wraith Spire cooler, making it ideal for space-saving setups.
SteamOS provides a gaming-optimized Linux environment with a user-friendly interface, full desktop functionality, and advanced customization options via developer mode.
The build delivers impressive gaming performance at a budget-friendly cost of approximately $440, with flexibility for further cost reductions through component adjustments.

Key Components for Your Build

The foundation of this gaming PC lies in selecting components that balance performance and cost. Here’s a breakdown of the essential hardware:

AMD Ryzen 5 5600X CPU: This six-core processor provides excellent gaming performance and multitasking capabilities. If you’re on a tighter budget, the Ryzen 5600 or 5700G are viable alternatives that still deliver solid results.
ASUS Prime B550 MA MicroATX Motherboard: A reliable and compact motherboard that supports DDR4 RAM and PCIe 4.0, making sure compatibility with modern components and future upgrades.
16GB DDR4 RAM (3200 MHz): Sufficient memory for smooth gameplay and multitasking. This capacity is ideal for most modern games and general computing tasks.
1TB NVMe SSD: Provides fast storage for quick load times and system responsiveness. If you need to save money, a 512GB SSD is a good alternative, though you may need to manage storage space carefully.
Radeon RX 6600 GPU: A capable graphics card for 1080p gaming, offering excellent performance for its price. Exploring used options can help reduce costs further.

This combination of components ensures smooth gaming performance while keeping the overall cost low. The pairing of a Ryzen CPU with a Radeon GPU is particularly effective for maximizing value, making it a great choice for budget-conscious gamers.

Additional Hardware for a Compact Setup

To complete your SFF gaming PC, you’ll need a few additional components tailored for a compact and efficient design:

Compact PC Case: Select a case that supports MicroATX motherboards. Affordable options start at around $55, with even cheaper alternatives available if aesthetics are not a priority.
500W SFX Power Supply: A small form factor PSU priced at approximately $37, providing sufficient power for this build while maintaining a compact footprint.
Wraith Spire Cooler: The stock cooler included with Ryzen CPUs is more than adequate for this build, eliminating the need for an aftermarket cooling solution.

The compact design of this build makes it perfect for living room setups, offering a sleek and space-saving alternative to traditional gaming PCs. Its small size ensures it blends seamlessly into your entertainment center while delivering powerful gaming performance.

Budget SteamOS SFF Gaming PC Project Guide

Watch this video on YouTube.

Here is a selection of other guides from our extensive library of content you may find of interest on SteamOS.

Installing SteamOS

SteamOS, a Linux-based operating system optimized for gaming, serves as the backbone of this build. It provides a user-friendly interface for gaming while also offering the flexibility of a full Linux desktop environment. Follow these steps to install SteamOS on your system:

Download the Steam Deck recovery image from Valve’s official website.
Use Rufus, a bootable USB creation tool, to flash the recovery image onto a USB drive.
Boot your PC from the USB drive and install SteamOS. Once installed, update it to the latest main branch to access enhanced features and improved performance.
Enable developer mode to unlock advanced system settings and updates, allowing for greater customization and control.

SteamOS not only simplifies gaming but also provides access to a full desktop environment, allowing you to use the system for productivity tasks, web browsing, and media consumption.

Performance Benchmarks

This budget-friendly build delivers impressive gaming performance, particularly at 1080p resolution. Below are some benchmarks from popular titles to give you an idea of what to expect:

Cyberpunk 2077: 1080p high settings, ~81 FPS with FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) balanced mode enabled.
Doom Eternal: 1440p ultra settings, ~130 FPS, showcasing the system’s capability for higher resolutions.
Spider-Man 2: 1080p high settings, ~66 FPS with frame generation enabled for smoother gameplay.
The Witcher 3: 1080p high settings, ~60 FPS after resolving initial performance issues.
Borderlands 3: 1080p high settings, ~111 FPS; ultra settings, ~72 FPS for those seeking enhanced visuals.
Oblivion Remastered: 1080p high-medium mix, ~74 FPS using Xe Super Sampling (XESS) for improved image quality.

With technologies like FSR and XESS, you can further enhance performance and image quality in supported games, making this build a versatile choice for modern gaming.

Cost and Customization Options

The total cost of this build is approximately $440, making it an affordable alternative to traditional gaming consoles. However, you can reduce the cost to around $400 by opting for more budget-friendly components, such as a less expensive case or a lower-end GPU. This flexibility allows you to customize the build to fit your specific budget and performance needs, making sure you get the best value for your investment.

Usability and Features

This SFF gaming PC is designed with convenience and versatility in mind. Its compact size makes it an excellent choice for living room setups, where space is often limited. The system supports Xbox and PlayStation controllers, providing a console-like gaming experience that’s perfect for casual and competitive gamers alike. Additionally, SteamOS offers full desktop functionality, allowing you to use the system for productivity tasks, media streaming, and more alongside gaming.

By combining affordability, performance, and versatility, this build offers a practical solution for gamers looking to enjoy modern titles without the high cost of traditional gaming setups. Whether you’re a casual player or a seasoned enthusiast, this SFF gaming PC delivers exceptional value and functionality for your gaming needs.

Media Credit: ETA PRIME

Filed Under: Gaming News, Hardware, Top News

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