Jacob Terkelsen’s Terk Box v1.1 is a shot across the bow of Valve’s living-room PC ambitions. Revealed on June 24, 2026, the AMD AI GPU engineer and PC modding enthusiast’s latest creation packs an Nvidia RTX 5060 into a 3D-printed mini-ITX chassis—and it does so at a price point that could embarrass Valve’s own Steam Machine hardware. The Terk Box v1.1 is a testament to just how far small-form-factor PC building has come, and how fiercely custom rigs can compete with off-the-shelf console-style gaming PCs.

The Engineer Behind the Box

Jacob Terkelsen is not a new name in enthusiast circles. By day, he works on AI GPU architectures at AMD; by night, he’s known for building ultra-compact PCs that push the boundaries of what’s possible with off-the-shelf parts and a 3D printer. His Terk Box series has evolved over several iterations, each refining the balance between raw performance, thermal headroom, and that elusive living-room-friendly aesthetic. With the v1.1, he’s made a bold statement: top-tier 1440p gaming in a box barely larger than a game console, at a build cost that challenges commercial offerings.

Inside the Terk Box v1.1

The Terk Box v1.1 is built around a standard mini-ITX motherboard and powered by a FlexATX power supply—a compact PSU form factor that often appears in server and small-form-factor builds, prized for its high power density despite its tiny footprint. The star of the show is Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 5060, a GPU that has quietly become the sweet spot for 1440p gaming since its launch. Terkelsen’s case is entirely 3D-printed, allowing for custom airflow paths and a snug fit that leaves no wasted cubic millimeter.

Exact dimensions weren’t disclosed, but photographs show a case smaller than an Xbox Series X, with a minimalist, vented design. The 3D-printed shell likely uses PETG or ABS filament for durability and heat resistance, and the layout appears to separate GPU and CPU cooling zones—a common trick in SFF builds to avoid thermal recirculation. Power delivery is handled by a high-wattage FlexATX unit, possibly in the 600–750W range, which is more than enough to feed an RTX 5060 and a modern mid-range CPU.

The RTX 5060 Factor

The GeForce RTX 5060 isn’t the fastest card in Nvidia’s current stack, but it’s the most practical for a console-killing living-room PC. It delivers smooth 60+ fps at 1440p in virtually every modern title, supports DLSS 4 with frame generation, and sips power compared to its bigger siblings. For a machine intended to sit under a TV, it’s an ideal choice—quiet, efficient, and capable of driving a 4K display with upscaling when needed. Terkelsen reportedly chose a partner-model card with a compact dual-fan cooler, which fits perfectly within the height constraints of the custom chassis.

Challenging Valve’s Steam Machine Pricing

Valve’s revival of the Steam Machine concept has seen official hardware that, while capable, carries a premium price tag. A typical Steam Machine configuration with RTX 4060-level performance often starts above $999. The Terk Box v1.1, by using off-the-shelf desktop components and a self-printed case, could be assembled for significantly less. While Terkelsen hasn’t published an itemized bill of materials, a rough calculation based on current component prices paints a compelling picture: an RTX 5060 can be found for around $300–$350, a mini-ITX B650 or B760 motherboard for $150–$200, a capable 6-core CPU for $150, 16GB of DDR5 for $60, a FlexATX PSU for $100–$130, and a 1TB NVMe SSD for $50. That brings the core hardware to roughly $800–$900, even before factoring in the near-zero cost of the 3D-printed case (filament is cheap) and the reuse of a Windows license or the free version of SteamOS.

That total undercuts similarly specced Steam Machines by $100 to $300—and it does so with standard desktop components that can be upgraded individually down the line. The trade-off, of course, is the need for assembly and the absence of a polished warranty and support ecosystem. But for the growing audience of tech-savvy gamers, that’s a trade worth making.

SteamOS vs. Windows 11 on a DIY Box

One of the key differentiators of an official Steam Machine is SteamOS 3.0, a Linux-based operating system designed from the ground up for gaming with the Steam Deck’s Proton compatibility layer. The Terk Box v1.1 can run SteamOS just fine—HoloISO and similar community distributions make installing a near-stock SteamOS experience trivial on any AMD- or Intel-based PC. However, the RTX 5060 introduces a wrinkle: Nvidia’s Linux drivers, while greatly improved, still lag behind the open-source AMD counterpart in some edge cases. Many SFF builders opt for Windows 11 instead, gaining full DLSS, Reflex, and broader game compatibility without translation layers.

Terkelsen himself hasn’t specified which OS his box runs, but the photos show Windows 11 on the screen during the reveal. That choice adds a cost—a Windows 11 license can add $100–$140 to the bill—but also eliminates any Proton-related performance quirks. For a living-room PC that needs to just work with a controller, Windows 11’s Big Picture Mode or a frontend like Playnite can mimic the console experience well. The real question is whether Valve can convince buyers that SteamOS’s integration and the plug-and-play nature of its hardware justify the premium over a more powerful, albeit more complex, DIY alternative.

The SFF Renaissance and 3D Printing

The Terk Box v1.1 is part of a broader renaissance in small-form-factor PC building. Affordable 3D printers have democratized custom case design, allowing enthusiasts to create enclosures that perfectly fit their chosen components—something no mass-production case can match. FlexATX and SFX power supplies have become more accessible, and GPU makers are finally offering compact versions of mid-range and even high-end cards. The community around sub-10-liter PCs has exploded, with forums and Discord servers swapping STL files and build logs daily.

Terkelsen’s build is notable for its refined execution. The case’s panel gaps are tight, the ventilation pattern is clearly optimized for airflow, and the internal cable routing appears meticulously planned. It’s the kind of project that inspires others to try their hand at building rather than buying—and that cultural shift could eat into Valve’s addressable market for Steam Machines.

Potential Drawbacks and Real-World Use

Despite the impressive price-to-performance, the Terk Box v1.1 isn’t a flawless substitute for a commercial product. FlexATX power supplies, while compact, can be noisier than standard ATX units because of their small 40mm fans. Thermal management in a sub-7-liter case also requires careful fan curve tuning; without it, the box could become a warm, whirring presence under a TV. The 3D-printed chassis, while rigid, lacks the EMI shielding and premium feel of metal cases. And support is limited to what the builder can troubleshoot themselves.

But for a PC that will likely spend its life hidden in a media cabinet, these drawbacks might be negligible. The core value proposition—a future-proof, upgradable gaming PC that can hang with any current game at high settings, for less than a grand—is difficult to argue against.

What This Means for Valve and the Market

Valve has always positioned Steam Machines as an option for those who want a console-like experience without leaving the Steam ecosystem. The Terk Box v1.1 proves that the barrier to building your own console-killer has never been lower. If a single engineer can produce something this compelling in a home workshop, it raises the stakes for companies selling pre-built SFF gaming PCs.

Valve might respond by leaning harder into its software advantages—SteamOS’s seamless Big Picture mode, verified game compatibility, and cloud saves—or by lowering hardware margins to compete on price. Alternatively, it could embrace the maker community by offering official 3D-printable case files or component bundles. Either way, the Terk Box v1.1 is a reminder that the PC gaming ecosystem is as much about user innovation as it is about corporate roadmaps.

Building Your Own Terk Box?

Terkelsen hasn’t yet released the full build guide or STL files for the v1.1, but previous Terk Box designs have been teased on his social channels. Enthusiasts eager to replicate the build can start by sourcing a short RTX 5060 card (models like the MSI Aero ITX or Gigabyte Windforce OC SFF are good options), a mini-ITX board with a socket that matches their CPU of choice, and a high-quality FlexATX PSU from a reputable brand like Enhance or FSP. The 3D-printed case files will likely appear on platforms like Printables or Thingiverse once finalized, and the SFF community’s collective knowledge can fill in any gaps.

As Steam’s summer sale approaches and more gamers consider moving their primary play setup to the living room, the Terk Box v1.1 stands as a symbol: you don’t need to pay a premium for compact power. With a little patience and a 3D printer, the ultimate console-like PC might already be within reach.