French computer retailer LDLC has taken a direct shot at the pricing of Valve’s newly launched Steam Machine by introducing a gaming PC called the “Stim Machine”.
The parody is not particularly subtle. LDLC has positioned its compact Mini-ITX computer directly against Valve’s system, complete with a comparison chart filled with green ticks for its own hardware and red crosses for the Steam Machine.
LDLC is offering the Stim Machine as a self-assembly kit for €999.95. A fully assembled and tested version cost €1,039, matching the European price of Valve’s entry-level 512GB Steam Machine.
The Stim Machine uses an RX 9060 XT
LDLC’s system is powered by an AMD Ryzen 5 8400F processor featuring six cores and 12 threads. It is paired with an AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT graphics card equipped with 8GB of video memory.
The rest of the configuration includes 16GB of DDR5-5600 memory, a 500GB NVMe SSD and WiFi connectivity. LDLC also highlights that the computer uses standard Mini-ITX components, allowing owners to replace or upgrade parts more easily.
Its memory can reportedly be expanded to 128GB, while the case provides two additional SATA storage slots. The assembled version also includes a five-year commercial warranty from LDLC.
The retailer’s main argument centres on the graphics hardware. Valve’s Steam Machine uses a semi-custom RDNA 3 GPU with 28 compute units, while the Stim Machine includes a discrete Radeon RX 9060 XT based on the newer RDNA 4 architecture.
That gives LDLC’s computer a generation advantage on paper, although the two products are not necessarily targeting exactly the same type of customer.
The €999 price comes with a catch
LDLC’s cheaper €999.95 model is supplied as a collection of components that the buyer must assemble. Customers who want a completed computer will have to purchase the €1,039 version, eliminating the price difference against Valve’s base model.
The Stim Machine also does not ship as the same ready-to-use living-room product offered by Valve. LDLC provides instructions explaining how to install SteamOS, meaning buyers must prepare a bootable USB drive and configure the operating system themselves.
Valve’s Steam Machine, by comparison, arrives with SteamOS already installed and has been specifically designed around a console-like experience. It also benefits from Valve’s custom enclosure, integrated software support and broader Steam hardware ecosystem.
The Stim Machine is therefore closer to a conventional small-form-factor desktop PC than a direct Steam Machine replacement. It offers standard components and potentially stronger graphics hardware, but requires more effort from the owner.
LDLC promises faster availability
LDLC says the kit version can be dispatched within 24 to 48 hours, while the assembled model has an estimated delivery time of around two weeks.
The retailer is also using the Steam Machine’s reservation system as another point of comparison, advertising the Stim Machine as being available without a lottery or waiting list.
Still, there is an amusing side effect to LDLC’s marketing campaign. Despite mocking Valve’s hardware, the retailer is actively encouraging customers to install and use SteamOS, effectively promoting Valve’s operating system in the process.
FAQ
What is the LDLC Stim Machine?
The Stim Machine is a compact Mini-ITX gaming PC created by French retailer LDLC as a tongue-in-cheek alternative to Valve’s Steam Machine.
How much does the Stim Machine cost?
The self-assembly kit costs €999.95, while the fully assembled and tested version costs €1,039.
What specifications does the Stim Machine have?
It includes an AMD Ryzen 5 8400F processor, Radeon RX 9060 XT 8GB graphics card, 16GB of DDR5-5600 memory and a 500GB NVMe SSD.
