Tinkerer converts ThinkCentre into compact Steam OS-powered gaming console

The large picture: A crafty tinkerer has managed to build a full-fledged Linux gaming PC that's astir nan size of a Wii and runs nan aforesaid console-like interface arsenic nan Steam Deck. We deliberation it could make a compelling replacement gaming console you tin link to your TV, fixed that its operating strategy is specifically designed for controllers.

We've antecedently covered really this aforesaid talented individual (Eta Prime) converted a busted Steam Deck into a mini gaming PC. But this newer build stands retired arsenic it's an existent PC build packing an Intel i7 spot and moreover a dedicated GPU – AMD's Radeon RX 6400. Fitting that GPU into nan compact Lenovo ThinkCentre M920q chassis is rather nan achievement. The erstwhile Steam Deck conversion relied connected nan handheld's original motherboard, limiting it to nan AMD APU sans a discrete GPU.

Usually, nan Lenovo ThinkCentre M920q pinch its i7-8700T (6 cores, 12 threads) functions good pinch basal cooling vents. But since Eta Prime was building a compact gaming beast, he opted for nan Radeon RX 6400 and had to drill a broadside spread for improved airflow utilizing a measurement drill bit. The spread aligned perfectly pinch nan GPU's fan, and nan GPU itself fresh snugly wrong nan compact lawsuit – a larger portion wouldn't person made it.

Apart from nan GPU, Eta Prime besides upgraded nan RAM and storage. The desktop supports up to DDR4 2667MHz RAM, which isn't blazing accelerated compared to RAM touching 10000MHz speeds nowadays, but should get nan occupation done. He managed to cram successful 16GB of RAM on pinch a 1TB M.2 SSD.

With nan hardware squared away, nan YouTuber proceeded to instal nan operating strategy – nan Bazzite distro. Bazzite is an OCI image serving arsenic an replacement Steam Deck OS and a ready-to-game SteamOS-like for desktop PCs. The website lets you configure nan OS per your CPU and GPU, and you tin moreover take to footwear straight into nan Steam Gaming Mode for that authentic console gaming experience.

Next, he wanted to trial his contraption's gaming chops. He first tried pushing nan RX 6400 to its limits pinch a mates of games astatine 1440p. Since nan RX 6400 is an entry-level 2022 GPU, getting modern AAA titles to tally good astatine precocious resolutions would beryllium tough, truthful Eta Prime had to commencement pinch older games. He tried Left 4 Dead 2 astatine 1440p, which ran astir 120fps connected very precocious settings.

Meanwhile, Street Fighter 6 averaged 60fps astatine 1080p mean pinch FSR framework generation. Elden Ring ran astatine 1080p debased settings, almost hitting a dependable 60fps. The well-optimized Doom Eternal exceeded 100FPS astatine 1080p. And Cyberpunk 2077 ran astatine 1080p debased pinch FSR balanced mode, averaging astir 56fps held backmost by 4GB VRAM.

It's a sleeper build, really. Standing consecutive up connected a tabletop, you'd ne'er conjecture it could grip titles for illustration Cyberpunk 2077 and Doom Eternal – fto unsocial footwear into a SteamOS flavor. But it does conscionable that, and amazingly well, too.