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Steam Machine Companion Cube case is back as a DIY print
A fan-made 3D-printable Companion Cube-style Steam Machine case has surfaced on Printables, alongside other custom faceplate and SFF PC projects.
Image: TechRadar
Valve’s canceled Companion Cube case idea for the Steam Machine has resurfaced as a fan project. According to Tom’s Hardware, a user named Jaron has posted files on Printables that let owners 3D-print their own version of the Dbrand Companion Cube case, after Dbrand’s original hard-shell design was pulled when it failed to secure official permission from Valve.
The project includes printable parts, assembly instructions, video guides, and a list of extra hardware such as screws. On X, the creator said the case was made “from scratch” and based on images of Dbrand’s design. Jaron also states that it is not an official product, has no connection to Valve, and uses “any official assets from any game”.
There is still a practical concern: cooling. Jaron wrote:
“I have not done any extensive thermal tests but no airflow or venting is blocked, and the additional vent provided by the front face plate aperture logo can help provide a little extra airflow. So I don’t believe there will be any cooling issues caused by this case.”
That may not settle every concern, especially for systems running on warm days or inside tight TV cabinets. But for users with a 3D printer and solid DIY skills — including work with a soldering iron — the option now exists.
Other Steam Machine custom projects
The Steam Machine has also inspired a wider modding scene. Simpler projects include replacement faceplates or front panels, like Reddit examples with a slatted finish or a blue redesign.
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More ambitious builds go much further, turning the idea into custom small form-factor PCs with stronger components than Valve’s system. One standout is “The Orange Box”, shared on Reddit, built in a SilverStone SG05BB-Lite case with a Ryzen 7 5800X and an RX 9060 XT. Other designs on Printables and from 3DCatt push the same idea: a larger, more powerful PC that keeps the Steam Machine look for the living room.
Culture Editor
Maya explores gaming, streaming, and the internet as a place where people actually live. From deep-dives into creator economies to the anthropology of digital communities, she tracks platform drama and cultural shifts so you don't have to. She believes the best tech stories are fundamentally about human behavior.
via TechRadar
