Steam Machine alternative with Ryzen 9 available for under $850

Some readers may remember our coverage of the Aoostar GODY. First launched in China, the mini-PC is now available to customers in other countries at a starting price of $849 (€945). As it is sold as a barebone system, users will need to provide their own RAM and SSD. Sales and shipping are both handled directly by the company.

Measuring 200 × 80 × 193 mm (7.87 × 3.15 × 7.60 in), the mini-PC features a Ryzen 9 7940HX – a high-performance processor with 16 cores – and a Radeon RX 7600 XT. This dedicated GPU offers a major advantage on paper: It comes with 16 GB of video memory, twice the amount of VRAM found in the Steam Machine. That said, how much additional performance this extra VRAM delivers naturally depends on the specific games – and potentially on software-level optimizations.

For network connectivity, the Aoostar GODY supports Wi-Fi 7 and includes two 2.5 Gbps Ethernet ports. The system has space for two DDR5 RAM modules and two M.2 SSDs. It supports video output via HDMI, DisplayPort and USB-C. Five USB 3.2 ports are also available for fast connectivity. While aesthetics are largely a matter of personal preference, the Aoostar GODY is much more reminiscent of conventional PC systems than the Steam Machine, whose stylish and minimalist design makes it a good fit for the living room.