An AMD Engineer Built a Steam Machine at Home... with a GeForce RTX 5060

The limited availability and price of Valve's Steam Machine have fueled numerous attempts to create compact alternatives for PC enthusiasts. Among the most recent projects is Terk Box v1.1, a 3D-printable open-source solution that captures the spirit of the original system through a compact format and a design clearly inspired by the platform proposed by Valve.

The project is born from the collaboration between Jacob Terkelsen, a former contributor to Tom's Hardware now at AMD, and 3DCatt, a fan of SFF (Small Form Factor) systems and 3D printing. All the necessary files are available on Printables.com under a Creative Commons license. In addition to the .STL files, the authors have also provided a list of necessary components, which includes screws, PCIe riser cables, and numerous other essential accessories for assembly.

Here she is, Terk Box v1.1. I'm working with the designer on future improvements, but for a first major revision, 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/PAt0WaBXGX
— Jacob Terkelsen (@theterk) June 24, 2026

From a technical standpoint, Terk Box v1.1 measures 167 x 168 x 225 mm, dimensions that echo those of the original Steam Machine, which are 152 x 162 x 156 mm. The project utilizes Mini-ITX components but requires special attention in choosing the hardware due to the available space inside the chassis.

One of the main constraints concerns the graphics card. According to the developers, the recommended maximum length is about 180 mm. Some users have also reported difficulties with the suggested PCIe riser cable, which turned out to be too short based on the model of the installed GPU. Terkelsen himself has confirmed the compatibility of his RTX 5060 LP but has also admitted to wanting more space to install a 140 mm front fan.

The internal layout also presents some compromises. The position of the CPU socket relative to the power supply is not optimal and partially limits configuration options. However, the developers are aware of these issues and have already hinted at the arrival of a future revision v1.2, which should introduce further refinements to improve compatibility and ease of assembly.

Despite the project still being a work in progress, Terk Box v1.1 represents one of the most faithful interpretations of the original Steam Machine idea. The need to carefully select components and the overall cost of a DIY configuration may limit its appeal to the general public, but enthusiasts of 3D printing and SFF PCs can directly contribute to development through suggestions, modifications, and new revisions of the design.