Valve greenlights SteamOS installs on normal PCs with AMD GPUs, so you can go make your own Steam Machine if you don't wanna fork over $1,049

At PC Gamer, I've spent a fair amount of time convincing colleagues that Linux might be the answer to their tech woes. Whether it's a broken webcam, frame drops, or even a strained relationship with a family member, my go-to suggestion is always the same: install Linux. And now, if you're waiting for the perfect time to try it out, you might want to stop waiting for SteamOS—because it's here.

During the recent Steam Machine hardware announcements, Valve quietly made a significant update to SteamOS: as of version 3.8, you can now officially install Valve’s Linux distro on any hardware you choose, provided it has an AMD GPU. This opens the door for users to build their own Steam Machine without spending $1,049 on Valve’s pre-built hardware.

This wasn’t entirely impossible before, but the process wasn’t exactly seamless. Last year, our writer Dave James successfully installed an older version of SteamOS on a Framework laptop. However, Valve’s new update brings an official endorsement and likely a smoother experience for those looking to try it out.

Valve’s announcement was tucked into the end of the Steam Machine FAQ, where they note, “we are continuing to work toward enabling SteamOS to be used on more hardware than just ours. In fact, with the newly-released SteamOS 3.8, you can run the same code and operating system as Steam Machine on your own living-room PC using whatever PC parts you want… Right now, only AMD GPUs are supported, but we're working on expanding support for the future.”

While Valve is actively working on support for additional GPUs, the current limitations are clear. For now, only AMD GPUs are supported, which might be a hurdle for some users.

As any Nvidia owner on Linux (hello, that is me) will know, the driver situation can be a bit of a hassle. While AMD users typically default to the open-source Mesa drivers—which install seamlessly—Nvidia users are stuck with a mix of open-source and proprietary drivers. The open-source Nouveau project exists, but it's not up to par for gaming.

So, if you're an Nvidia user, you might have to wait a while before trying SteamOS out. However, if you're an AMD user, you can check out Valve’s guide to installing SteamOS right now and dive into the world of Linux on the desktop.

Best PC Games and Upcoming Releases

If you're looking for some gaming inspiration while you wait for broader SteamOS support, here are some of the best PC games and upcoming releases to keep an eye on:

  • 2026 Games: All the upcoming games that are set to launch in the next few years.
  • Best PC Games: Our all-time favorites that are still worth playing today.
  • Free PC Games: A list of free titles that offer great gameplay without the price tag.
  • Best FPS Games: Finest gunplay experiences that define the genre.
  • Best RPGs: Grand adventures that take you on epic journeys.
  • Best Co-op Games: Titles that are better when played with friends.

Whether you're ready to jump into SteamOS or just looking for new games to try, there’s something out there for everyone.