Steam 'box' console

[Alen]

From what I saw when they first announced this, it's running on and x86 based OS. Hope this changes before it launches.

I have no clue what you're trying to say, but the x86 (and inherently also the x86-64) isa is perhaps the most common in higher-end systems, so why not?

It's a linux based OS that has a controlled enviroment, but you have the option to make it Windows or fresh Linux install.

3 tiers of console:
$99, $300, and a version where you can theoretically pay as much as you want (I suspect it uses modular parts and is intended for those who want powerful setups)

But the main advantage is probably the fact that you can easily get a 'PC' in your living room now.

Essentially you get to replace a useless console of a certain tier (be it current gen ~$300 tier or older/lower-tier ~$100 gen) with a decent PC, preconfigured with Linux and Steam (and yes, Valve is working on porting Source games to Linux, currently they're getting amazing results - e.g. L4D2 runs better than on Windows). Without restrictions and with Valve's recent focus on making usable crap (just look at how much Steam improved over the years - and then look at how much MS "improved" Windows and the Xbox platform) I'm pretty sure this could very well be a big thing. Not to mention that them offering a "build-it-yourself" option would literally bring the custom PC .. ehm ... "console" ... market right to every newbie's doorstep.

to be honest its more of a mini pc than a console

Bingo, you win free internets.

I already have it, can't figure out how this shit works.

You must be hella tarded then.

[Larity2056]

So, this will run Crysis 3 maxed out?

[scotbud123]

I have no clue what you're trying to say, but the x86 (and inherently also the x86-64) isa is perhaps the most common in higher-end systems, so why not?

Correct if I'm wrong (which I may be), but doesn't x86 mean 32-bit? And doesn't 32-bit have a memory cap of 4gb? If that's the case, that's what I meant.

[yugurt]

So, this will run Crysis 3 maxed out?

if you deck it out properly yes

[[MPGH]iverson954360]

Correct if I'm wrong (which I may be), but doesn't x86 mean 32-bit? And doesn't 32-bit have a memory cap of 4gb? If that's the case, that's what I meant.

How much ram do you think current generation consoles run with? Definitely less than 4gb.

[scotbud123]

How much ram do you think current generation consoles run with? Definitely less than 4gb.

Well yeah, the generation is what, 7 years old now? But modern day computers run with a lot more, if this "console" is going to be outputting DirectX 11 (or even 13 in the near future) on a big screen TV, it should have some more. (Especially if it's going to be running an entire OS with other things to do on it as well). I don't know, not saying it's BAD, just saying, hope they change it to x64.

[Alen]

Correct if I'm wrong (which I may be), but doesn't x86 mean 32-bit? And doesn't 32-bit have a memory cap of 4gb? If that's the case, that's what I meant.

x86-64 is just an extension of the 32 bit x86 isa Though many people do use "x86" and "x64" to refer to 32 or 64 bit software/hardware.

[scotbud123]

x86-64 is just an extension of the 32 bit x86 isa Though many people do use "x86" and "x64" to refer to 32 or 64 bit software/hardware.

Oh, alright. My bad.