That's a fair call out, you can definitely build cheaper if you're using used parts, my research had been looking at new components (to try to make it a more fair comparison).

The form factor on that is interesting though.

Do note the BC-250 can be LOUD with air cooling, uses much more power, and has no sleep or hibernate state.

That's to say nothing of the pretty substantial tweaking and modification that's needed to get it that 1:1 performance level. It's also not 4K/60.

Still a fun project but certainly not the same type of thing as "open box, play games" which is what SM aims to deliver.