In what I can only assume is one of the first of many similar projects, a 3D-printed Steam Machine clone is making the rounds online. The custom gaming PC comes from Jacob Terkelsen, an AMD AI GPU engineer who recently posted his personal creation on X.
The Terk Box v1.1, as it's known, is a compact mini-ITX build that uses a custom 3D-printed case that you, too, can download and try out if you're so inclined. It's available on Printables alongside a parts list, which was created by a user named 3DCatt.
Here she is, Terk Box v1. 1I'm working with the designer about future improvements, but for a first major revision and she's now "complete"We added more ventilation in the back so the RTX 5060 is no longer choked.HMU if you want me to build you one. pic.twitter.com/PAt0WaBXGXJune 24, 2026
The custom chassis measures 167mm x 168mm x 225mm (6.5 x 6.6 x 8.8 inches), which puts it very close to the Steam Machine's dimensions. According to the parts list, the custom gaming PC uses a mini-ITX motherboard with a 400W FlexATX power supply unit (PSU).
It's unclear exactly what performance hardware and cooling solution was used for the build, but, as Terkelsen points out, additional ventilation had to be added to the back of the custom PC to keep the RTX 5060 GPU from thermal throttling.
Terkelsen notes that he's working with 3DCatt to improve the design, so it's highly likely that this neat little project will continue to evolve over time.
Considering the Steam Machine's custom AMD GPU with 8GB of VRAM can be lined up with an RTX 3060, the RTX 5060 in the Terk Box represents a rather huge performance uplift. However, it's not all sunny days.
Steam Machine or a custom PC? It might be harder to choose than you think
Since Terkelsen's tweet has been receiving a lot of attention, he returned to add some context about the overall project.
He notes that the cost of this custom Steam Machine is "nowhere close to $1000," which refers to the $1,049 price that Valve set for its new PC. He adds, "People fail to grasp how difficult SFF builds are..."
1. My employer has nothing to do with this personal project.2. The cost of the build isn't close to $1000 - the site never asked for comment, which I would have declined.3. I recommend the fully-engineered solution Valve has designed, from the software to the mechanical design.… https://t.co/pDJTrVQIx6June 28, 2026
Terkelsen also clearly states that he recommends "the fully-engineered solution Valve has designed, from the software to the mechanical design."
It's not hard to see why. The Terk Box v1.1 is an interesting project that enthusiasts will get a kick out of, while the Steam Machine is a commercial product that underwent years of revisions and careful tuning. It arrives ready to play, no assembly required.
The worst part, and one that reflects the overall state of the PC component market, is that even a custom build like this costs a lot of money.
One last thing — the Terk Box v1.1 runs on Windows 11 with Xbox Full Screen Experience (FSE). In reply to some comments, Terkelsen says that "Linux is far better these days, and this build would support Bazzite or CachyOS." Let me know in the comments section below if you agree.
Valve's SteamOS so far only works with AMD GPUs, but Valve has publicly stated that it's working with NVIDIA to bring support to RTX GPUs.
It's clear that we're in the early days of Steam Machine knockoffs, and I expect there to be plenty more arriving in the near future.
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