Once I first noticed the Steam Machine at Valve’s workplace again in October 2025, the corporate informed me that it’d launch the information to 3D print new faceplates for the mini gaming PC. And whereas there have been loads of 3D-printed faceplates on the market, a stonemason has reduce a Steam Machine faceplate from the identical marble Michelangelo used.
I noticed these faceplates on Reddit, the place consumer /u/GinoWT confirmed off three faceplates they made out of completely different stones. The primary of those was Statuario from Carrara, which is “the identical quarry basin Michelangelo labored from,” based on the thread. They made faceplates from Sahara Noir (with a fantastic gold stripe going throughout it) and Roman Travertine as effectively.
Every slab is 5–6mm thick and bonded onto a 3D printed faceplate. That is tremendous skinny, however based on the put up, that is to maintain the burden down and stop cracking. The consequence appears to be like unbelievable. The Statuario one particularly pops, contrasting actually properly off the black chassis of the mini PC.
In the event you actually need to get your fingers on considered one of these faceplates on your personal Steam Machine, you may. It appears to be like like /u/GinoWT is getting ready a small batch to promote. They’ve thrown together a website the place you may enter your identify and e-mail, and so they’ll ship alongside the pricing and transport information each time the marble plates are prepared.
The most important query I’ have about these faceplates is whether or not or not they negatively influence Steam Machine temperatures and efficiency. I did attain out to /u/GinoWT to ask in the event that they’ve examined thermal efficiency, and so they informed me they have been working the Steam Machine every day with the faceplate connected and have not seen any issues. Additionally they stated they’d be working a stress take a look at with the inventory faceplate towards the marble one to see if there is a distinction. If that occurs, I am going to replace this text with that data.
Regardless that the Steam Machine was fairly a bit more expensive than Valve was planning, I really like all of the cool issues I’ve seen individuals doing with it. As extra models make their method into the wild as reservations are filled, I can solely think about the unbelievable issues persons are going to do with it.
Jackie Thomas is the {Hardware} and Shopping for Guides Editor at IGN and the PC elements queen. You’ll be able to observe her @Jackiecobra