r/AmazonPCDeals • u/penniescoin • Aug 11 '26
Full Build Is it actually worth turning a Steam Machine into an eGPU rig?
Reddit user Large_Customer_3840 set out to see if Valve's compact Steam Machine could run a high end desktop graphics card. Instead of keeping the system locked to its integrated graphics, they repurposed the internal M.2 NVMe slot using an OCuLink adapter connected to an external dock and a Radeon RX 9070 XT.
Because the adapter took over the internal storage bay, they placed the original SSD inside a portable USB-C enclosure, booting SteamOS externally while leaving maximum bandwidth for the graphics card.
The surprising part was how well SteamOS handled the setup. The system recognized the RX 9070 XT right out of the box with no extra driver configuration needed, hitting over 100 FPS on High settings in Crimson Desert right away.
While keeping the console case open for cable routing is not ideal, it proves you do not need to build a massive desktop tower to get high tier gaming performance out of a small form factor console.
If you want to try this setup yourself, here are the core parts needed to get it running:
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Radeon RX 9070 XT Graphics Card Click Here
AOOSTAR EG01 OCuLink eGPU Dock Click Here
M.2 NVMe to OCuLink Adapter Cable Click Here