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Buy a conventional Windows gaming PC if dependable support and predictable performance are your priorities. Electronic Arts officially targets 64-bit Windows 10 or 11, with 32 GB of memory and an RTX 3080 or Radeon RX 7800 XT recommended for 1440p at 60 frames per second on High. A Steam Machine is attractive for a compact, controller-friendly living-room setup, but its SteamOS and Proton path is less certain: Zero Company launched without a Steam Deck Verified rating, and no Steam Machine-specific benchmark has been published.
What STAR WARS Zero Company requires
STAR WARS Zero Company is a single-player, turn-based tactics game set during the twilight of the Clone Wars. It launched on August 27, 2026, for PC through the EA app, Steam and the Epic Games Store, as well as PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. There is no online multiplayer or co-op requirement, so your decision is primarily about operating-system support, graphics performance, noise, upgradeability and how you intend to play.
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EA publishes two PC targets. The minimum specification is intended for 1920×1080 at 30 FPS on Low; the recommended specification targets 2560×1440 at 60 FPS on High. EA also warns that meeting the minimum does not guarantee smooth performance. Near that tier, reducing resolution or graphics quality may be necessary.
| Specification | Minimum target | Recommended target |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | 64-bit Windows 10 or 11 | 64-bit Windows 10 or 11; Windows 11 recommended |
| Processor | Intel Core i5-8400 or AMD Ryzen 5 2600X | Intel Core i7-10700K or AMD Ryzen 7 3700X |
| Memory | 16 GB RAM | 32 GB RAM |
| Graphics | GeForce GTX 1080, Radeon RX 5600 XT or Intel Arc B580 | GeForce RTX 3080 or Radeon RX 7800 XT |
| Graphics API | DirectX 12 | DirectX 12 |
| Storage | 50 GB | 50 GB |
| Target resolution and frame rate | 1920×1080, 30 FPS, Low | 2560×1440, 60 FPS, High |
Intel Arc owners should enable Resizable BAR for better FPS performance. That setting is a platform feature rather than a game-specific graphics option, so it should be checked in the motherboard firmware and supported driver configuration before troubleshooting the game itself.
#1 Best Overall
- System: AMD Ryzen 5 5500 3.6GHz 6 Cores | AMD B550 Chipset | 8GB DDR4 | 500GB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD | Windows 11 Home
- Graphics: AMD Radeon RX 6500 XT 4GB Graphics | 1x HDMI | 1x DisplayPort
- Connectivity: 4 x USB-A 3.2 | 4 x USB-A 2.0 | 1 x LAN | WiFi 5 | Bluetooth 5.0 | 7.1 Channel Audio
- Tempered Side Case Panel | Custom RGB Lighting | Keyboard and Mouse
- 1 Year Parts & Labor Warranty, Free Lifetime Tech Support
Steam Machine hardware compared with EA’s targets
Valve describes Steam Machine as a small-form-factor SteamOS device with fast suspend/resume and cloud saves, roughly six times more powerful than Steam Deck. The released-unit specification reported by PC Gamer includes a semi-custom AMD Zen 4 processor with six cores and 12 threads running up to 4.8 GHz, a semi-custom RDNA 3 graphics processor with 28 compute units and up to 2.45 GHz, 8 GB of GDDR6 VRAM, and 16 GB of DDR5 system memory.
| Steam Machine component | Published specification | Why it matters for Zero Company |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | AMD Zen 4, 6 cores/12 threads, up to 4.8 GHz | Substantially newer architecture than the minimum-class CPUs; no official game benchmark confirms its frame rate. |
| GPU | AMD RDNA 3, 28 compute units, up to 2.45 GHz | Newer generation than the listed Radeon RX 5600 XT minimum; direct performance equivalence is not established. |
| Dedicated video memory | 8 GB GDDR6 | Enough capacity to make the hardware comparison plausible, but EA does not publish a Steam Machine profile. |
| System memory | 16 GB DDR5 | Matches the game’s minimum memory amount, below the 32 GB recommended tier. |
| Storage options | 512 GB or 2 TB | Both exceed the 50 GB installation requirement, while the 512 GB model leaves less room for a large library. |
| Operating system | SteamOS 3, an Arch-based Linux distribution | Windows games run through Valve’s Proton compatibility layer rather than a native Windows installation. |
| Expansion and connections | microSD expansion, Ethernet, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth, DisplayPort 1.4 and HDMI 2.0 | Supports TV, monitor and network setups without the component flexibility of a full desktop. |
On paper, the Steam Machine’s six-core Zen 4 CPU and 16 GB of RAM fit the game’s minimum memory class, and its RDNA 3 GPU is a newer design than the listed RX 5600 XT minimum. Those are hardware-based inferences, not a measured Zero Company result. The recommended target is a different class: 32 GB of RAM and an RTX 3080 or RX 7800 XT leave substantially more headroom than the Steam Machine specification.
Operating-system support is the biggest difference
Windows has the documented path
EA’s published requirements are explicitly for 64-bit Windows 10 and 11, with Windows 11 recommended. The game is distributed through the EA app, Steam and the Epic Games Store, so a Windows PC follows the platform assumptions used in the requirements, driver guidance and troubleshooting material. If the game fails to launch or performs poorly, you can compare your system directly with EA’s CPU, GPU, memory, DirectX 12 and storage targets.
SteamOS depends on Proton
Steam Machine runs Windows games through Proton. Valve engineer Yazan Aldehayyat calls Proton “the secret sauce,” and Valve says Steam Machine compatibility builds on the company’s Steam Deck compatibility work. That makes Proton an important part of the device’s appeal, but it is still a compatibility layer rather than the Windows environment named in EA’s specification.
Rank #2
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- GeForce RTX 3050 8GB Graphics – Equipped with 8GB GDDR6 dedicated VRAM and real-time ray tracing support. Experience smooth 1080p gaming at 55-60 FPS in AAA titles like Cyberpunk 2077, 70+ FPS in Fortnite, and 90-100 FPS in Apex Legends with DLSS enabled. The 8GB buffer handles modern game textures comfortably – a step above 6GB variants
- High-Speed Memory & Storage – Paired with 16GB of DDR4 3200MHz dual-channel RAM (16GB), the PC ensures responsive multitasking—whether streaming while gaming or editing videos. It also includes a 512 GB NVMe M.2 SSD for lightning-fast boot times, quick game loads, and ample storage for your game library, creative projects, and files.
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- Ready-to-Use Value Desktop – Pre-built and ready to go right out of the box. Perfect for gamers, students, content creators, and home office users seeking reliable performance without the hassle of building a PC themselves. The mature AM4 platform with DDR4 memory offers excellent value and proven stability.
Zero Company was not Steam Deck Verified at launch. The launch information describes the Steam release as Steam-native without requiring the EA app, yet it does not provide a SteamOS certification, a Steam Machine rating or a performance benchmark. The practical conclusion is not that the game cannot run; it is that no official game-specific evidence promises a particular resolution, frame rate or graphics preset on Steam Machine.
Expected performance by buying scenario
Choosing the Steam Machine for 1080p play
A Steam Machine is most defensible when your priority is a compact system for a television and you are comfortable starting at conservative settings. Its 16 GB of RAM meets the minimum amount, while the newer RDNA 3 GPU makes a 1080p attempt technically plausible. Because no official result exists, plan to adjust resolution, upscaling or quality settings if frame pacing is uneven. Do not treat “roughly six times more powerful than Steam Deck” as a Zero Company frame-rate guarantee; that is Valve’s broad device comparison, not a game test.
Choosing the recommended 1440p/60 target
If you specifically want 2560×1440 at 60 FPS on High, use a Windows PC built around EA’s recommended class: 32 GB of RAM plus an RTX 3080 or RX 7800 XT, paired with the listed Core i7-10700K or Ryzen 7 3700X class of processor. A desktop with newer parts is also reasonable, but the important decision point is meeting or exceeding those published tiers rather than matching a product name.
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Using a 4K television
The recommended requirement is a 1440p/60 target, not a promise of native 4K performance. A 4K television can display a lower-resolution output, but neither EA nor Valve publishes a Zero Company 4K setting or frame-rate guarantee for Steam Machine. A Windows system with additional GPU headroom gives you more room to experiment; the Steam Machine is better approached as a 1080p-or-console-style living-room option unless testing confirms more.
Rank #3
- POWERHOUSE 8-CORE GAMING PERFORMANCE — Driven by the AMD Ryzen 7 8700F with 8 cores and 16 threads, boosting up to 5.0 GHz for smooth, responsive gameplay and the ability to handle AAA titles, streaming, and background tasks all at once
- NEXT-GEN BLACKWELL ARCHITECTURE — The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 is powered by NVIDIA's cutting-edge Blackwell GPU architecture, delivering a massive generational leap in rasterization and ray tracing performance so you can experience your games the way they were meant to be played.
- Simplistic Design: Enjoy the latest generation of Windows 11 Home for your everyday needs. *MSI recommends Windows 11 Pro for business use.
- Cool While Gaming: In conjunction with an ARGB fan Air Cooler, the Codex R2 features four system cooling fans; three in the front and one in the rear to pull in cool air and push heat out of the PC.
- Turn on the Bright Lights: With the built-in RGB lighting, take your gaming experience to the next level by pressing the MSI LED button to cycle through lighting options. Customize lighting even further with MSI Center software.
Living-room convenience and controls
Steam Machine’s strongest case is not a specification-sheet victory. SteamOS is designed around a controller interface, fast suspend/resume and cloud saves, and the small enclosure is easier to place beside a television than a conventional tower. Bluetooth, Wi-Fi 6E, Ethernet, HDMI 2.0 and DisplayPort 1.4 cover common display and network arrangements. A microSD slot can supplement internal storage for a broader library.
Bundles may include Valve’s Steam Controller or omit it. The controller has twin sticks, trackpads, gyro controls and rear grip buttons; its battery is rated for more than 35 hours. Trackpads and gyro aiming are useful when a game’s menus or cursor movement feel awkward on a traditional gamepad, while rear buttons can keep tactical commands close to your hands. The controller is optional, so a bundle is not automatically the best value if you already own a compatible pad.
A Windows desktop can also be connected to a TV and used with a controller, but it normally requires more setup around the operating system, desktop notifications, launchers and sleep behavior. The trade-off is that Windows gives you the official support target and a much wider range of hardware configurations.
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Storage, upgrades and long-term ownership
Steam Machine capacity
The two listed internal capacities are 512 GB and 2 TB. With a 50 GB game requirement, either model has room for Zero Company; the 2 TB option is more comfortable for a large Steam library, patches and other modern games. A 512 GB model can fill quickly once several large titles are installed, although microSD expansion provides an additional library location.
Rank #4
- POWERED BY RTX 5070 12GB + RYZEN 7 9700X - The GeForce RTX 5070 12GB GDDR7 graphics card pairs with an 8-core AMD Ryzen 7 9700X processor to drive smooth 1440p and 4K gameplay, giving this gaming PC the headroom for modern titles, streaming, and creative work.
- 32GB DDR5 6000MHz MEMORY & 1TB NVMe SSD - 32GB of high-speed DDR5 memory and a 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe solid state drive deliver quick load times, smooth multitasking, and generous storage, keeping this prebuilt gaming desktop responsive under heavy workloads.
- BUILT-IN 11.3-INCH Smart DISPLAY - An integrated smart screen shows real-time CPU and GPU temperatures, usage, and weather while you play, adding a distinctive and functional touch to your battlestation.
- 850W 80+ GOLD POWER SUPPLY, 360MM LIQUID COOLING & WiFi 7 - An 850W 80 Plus Gold certified power supply provides stable, efficient power with headroom for future upgrades, while a 360mm AIO liquid cooler, WiFi 7, and an ARGB mid-tower case keep the Ryzen 7 CPU cool and connected in a clean build.
- READY TO PLAY OUT OF THE BOX - Arrives fully assembled and tested with Windows 11 Home pre-installed, so your prebuilt gaming computer is ready to set up in minutes. Assembled in the USA, and backed by a one-year limited warranty and lifetime free technical support.
Steam Machine uses a compact, semi-custom design and offers less component-replacement flexibility than a desktop. The published specification confirms storage choices and microSD expansion, but it does not establish a complete upgrade path for every internal component. Buy the capacity you expect to need rather than assuming a future CPU or GPU swap will be straightforward.
Desktop PC flexibility
A conventional desktop lets you replace storage, memory, graphics card, processor and cooling components according to the motherboard and power supply. That matters if a future update raises the game’s recommended target or if you later move from 1440p to a higher-resolution display. It also lets you address a single failing part instead of replacing an entire compact system.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Cost: compare the complete setup, not only the box
PC Gamer reviewed a 2 TB Steam Machine at $1,349 without a controller and a controller bundle at $1,428. Those are review-period prices, not permanent global prices; availability, taxes and regional pricing can change. The controller difference in that comparison is $79, so check whether you need the accessory before comparing bundles.
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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →| Purchase path | Published price information | What to include in your budget |
|---|---|---|
| Steam Machine, 2 TB, controller-less | $1,349 in PC Gamer’s review | Display, optional controller, storage expansion and any regional tax or delivery cost. |
| Steam Machine, 2 TB, controller bundle | $1,428 in PC Gamer’s review | Display and any additional storage; the bundle already includes the reviewed controller. |
| Windows gaming PC | No specific model price established | Hardware meeting EA’s target, Windows license where applicable, display, keyboard, mouse or controller and storage. |
There is no verified model-specific Windows price to use as a fair one-to-one comparison. Instead, compare a complete Windows build against the Steam Machine bundle: match the display, input devices and storage, then decide whether the Windows system’s upgrade headroom is worth the larger footprint.
How to set up a Windows PC for Zero Company
- Confirm the platform. Use 64-bit Windows 10 or 11; Windows 11 is EA’s recommended operating system.
- Check the hardware tier. For the minimum target, verify the listed Core i5-8400/Ryzen 5 2600X class, 16 GB RAM, one of the listed GPUs, DirectX 12 and 50 GB of free storage. For 1440p/60 High, aim for the recommended CPU, 32 GB RAM and RTX 3080/RX 7800 XT class.
- Update graphics drivers and firmware. Intel Arc users should verify that Resizable BAR is enabled. If you are near minimum specifications, update before changing in-game settings.
- Install through your chosen PC storefront. The game is available through the EA app, Steam and the Epic Games Store. Keep at least the required 50 GB free, with additional working space if the storefront requests it for updates.
- Start at the appropriate target. Use 1080p/Low and 30 FPS as the minimum-class starting point. A recommended-tier system can begin at 1440p/High and then adjust only if frame pacing or thermals demand it.
- Use EA’s diagnostic information if problems persist. Record your Windows version, processor, memory, graphics card, driver version and display resolution so support can compare the system with the published requirements.
How to try Zero Company on Steam Machine
- Install from SteamOS. Use the Steam library to install the Steam version; the launch information identifies it as Steam-native without requiring the EA app.
- Let Steam handle Proton first. Begin with the default compatibility configuration. Proton translates the Windows game for SteamOS, so the first launch may take longer while shader data or compatibility components are prepared.
- Test a conservative display mode. Start at 1920×1080 with a lower quality preset. This does not establish a guaranteed setting; it gives you a controlled baseline on hardware that has no official game benchmark.
- Change one variable at a time. If the game launches but stutters, test a different Proton version or lower graphics settings individually. Record which change affects launch behavior or frame pacing.
- Keep a fallback plan. If a Proton update introduces a regression, return to the previously working version or use a Windows PC for the supported path. There is no Steam Deck Verified badge or Steam Machine certification to serve as a compatibility guarantee.
Troubleshooting decision guide
- The game will not launch on Windows: confirm 64-bit Windows, DirectX 12 support, current graphics drivers and the correct storefront installation. Compare the processor, GPU, RAM and free-space figures with EA’s table before changing advanced settings.
- Performance is poor near minimum requirements: lower resolution or graphics quality first. EA explicitly cautions that minimum specifications do not guarantee smooth performance.
- Intel Arc performance is below expectation: check Resizable BAR in firmware and the driver configuration, then retest.
- The game launches on Steam Machine but feels inconsistent: test a different Proton version, reduce the output resolution or quality preset, and change only one setting between runs. Treat the result as a compatibility experiment because no official Steam Machine benchmark is available.
- Storage is running low: the installation requires 50 GB. On the 512 GB Steam Machine, move less-used games to microSD or consider the 2 TB configuration; on a desktop, adding or replacing an internal drive is generally more flexible.
- You need guaranteed support: move to a Windows PC that meets EA’s recommended tier. That removes the SteamOS compatibility uncertainty and provides the clearest route for driver and diagnostic support.
Which one should you buy?
Choose a Windows gaming PC when
- You want the platform EA officially specifies and the lowest compatibility risk.
- Your goal is 1440p at 60 FPS on High.
- You want 32 GB of RAM, a recommended-tier GPU and room to upgrade later.
- You use mods, multiple PC launchers or peripherals that may not be supported cleanly through Proton.
Choose a Steam Machine when
- Your priority is a compact, controller-first living-room system.
- You value SteamOS suspend/resume, cloud saves and console-like navigation more than guaranteed game-specific support.
- You accept that 16 GB of RAM is below EA’s recommended tier and that performance must be validated through your own Proton setup.
- You are comfortable lowering settings or troubleshooting Proton if the default configuration is not smooth.
Verdict
For STAR WARS Zero Company, a Windows gaming PC is the safer purchase. EA’s requirements, DirectX 12 target and troubleshooting assumptions all point to Windows, and the recommended 32 GB/RTX 3080-or-RX 7800 XT class gives you a clear 1440p/60 High objective. Steam Machine is the more appealing form factor for a couch, but its 16 GB design sits at the game’s minimum memory level, and SteamOS relies on Proton without a Steam Deck Verified badge or a published game benchmark. Buy it for the living-room experience and the willingness to tune settings—not as a substitute for the certainty of a recommended-tier Windows system.
Quick Recap
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