Menace 4 With 1XGPU 2: A Compact Steam OS Gaming Setup That Surprised Us

Introduction

Small form factor gaming setups usually involve compromises, but this particular pairing of a compact mini PC and an external GPU enclosure turned out to be one of the more surprising builds we have tested. The system combines a Menace 4 mini PC with a 1XGPU 2 external GPU, connected over an Oculink interface, and runs Steam OS as its primary operating system.

The result is a setup that handles modern titles at high settings with frame rates that rival much larger desktop systems. It is not a configuration most people will rush out to build, especially given current pricing, but for those who already have compatible parts or are curious about compact gaming, it is worth a closer look.

The Setup at a Glance

The Menace 4 mini PC is a compact unit powered by an AMD Ryzen 7 255 processor with 8 cores and 16 threads. The system in this build includes 32 GB of system memory. While the mini PC has its own integrated Radeon 780M GPU, the real performance comes from the external GPU connected over Oculink.

The 1XGPU 2 houses a Radeon RX 7800M with 12 GB of VRAM. Oculink provides a PCIe X4 connection that is significantly faster than USB 4 or Thunderbolt 4, with throughput up to 64 GB per second. In practice, the connection delivers near full speed from the 7800M, with minimal performance loss compared to a direct motherboard connection.

Hardware and Connectivity

The 1XGPU 2 has a few controls on its front panel. There is a standard power button, an LED button for adjusting the lighting on top of the enclosure, and a performance button that switches between balanced and maximum performance modes. Pressing the performance button increases the TGP on the 7800M, unlocking up to 180 watts for the GPU.

The Menace 4 itself supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and the integrated GPU remains available if needed. However, in this configuration, all graphics processing is handled by the external 7800M. The system boots into Steam OS, and the setup was tested on the stable channel at version 3.8.16.

Gaming Performance on Steam OS

The performance numbers from this compact system are impressive. In Forza Horizon 6 at 4K ultra settings with no FSR, the system averaged over 70 FPS. Cyberpunk 2077 at 1440p ultra settings with FSR 2.1 set to quality ran at over 70 FPS on average, with the GPU pulling around 150 watts.

Mortal Kombat 1 at 1440p very high settings with no FSR held a continuous 60 FPS, with the GPU drawing only around 98 watts. Ratchet and Clank Rift Apart at 1440p very high settings with no FSR averaged well over 100 FPS. Crimson Desert at 1440p high to ultra settings required FSR frame generation, but with that enabled, it ran smoothly.

Steam OS Compatibility Notes

One of the more interesting aspects of this build is that it runs Steam OS with an external GPU over Oculink. In the past, external GPUs and Steam OS have had compatibility issues, but newer updates appear to have resolved most of them. The system was tested on the stable Steam OS channel and worked without major problems.

It is worth noting that an Intel-based mini PC was also tested in this configuration. While that CPU may outperform the Ryzen 7 255 in Windows, it presented issues in Linux due to its hybrid architecture. The Linux kernel had difficulty boosting the performance cores properly, resulting in lower frame rates. The AMD-based Menace 4 boosted correctly and delivered roughly 20 FPS more in demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077.

Buying Advice

This setup is not for everyone. The 1XGPU 2 was purchased at launch when pricing was lower, and current prices may be significantly higher. For most gamers, a traditional desktop or a gaming laptop will offer better value. However, for those who already own a compatible mini PC or external GPU, or who want a compact system that can switch between Windows and Steam OS, this combination is genuinely capable.

The Menace 4 is a relatively inexpensive mini PC when purchased bare bones, making it an accessible starting point for this kind of build. The 1XGPU 2 adds substantial graphics power, and the Oculink connection ensures the GPU is not bottlenecked.

Conclusion

The Menace 4 paired with the 1XGPU 2 is a compact gaming setup that delivers far more performance than its size suggests. It handles modern titles at high settings with strong frame rates, and Steam OS compatibility with external GPUs has clearly improved. While it is not a mainstream recommendation, it is a compelling option for enthusiasts who value small footprints and are willing to experiment.