Greater than 12 years in the past, Steam creator Valve tried to usurp Microsoft’s maintain on PC gaming by introducing the primary Steam Machine. The reliance on Linux and a free maintain on OEM {hardware} specs in the end led to its failure, however Valve is lastly ready to present it a greater shot. The brand new Steam Machine is a compact, highly effective PC designed for desks, residing rooms, and extra, leveraging the entire classes Valve has learnt with its massively profitable Steam Deck.
We’re rounding up all the pieces we find out about Valve’s bold push into lounge gaming, together with confirmed specs, its launch window, potential pricing, and extra. Preserve checking for extra as we replace this submit with any new info that Valve shares main as much as the Steam Machine’s imminent launch in 2026.
Steam Machine Release Date
The Steam Machine will likely be launched in Q1 2026. Valve introduced a trio of recent {hardware} without delay, but in addition did not present a agency launch date for the brand new Steam Machine, Steam Controller, and Steam Body VR headset. As an alternative, it offered a imprecise launch window of “Early 2026,” with additional clarification limiting this to Q1 of 2026. Meaning you’ll be able to count on the Steam Machine to go on sale no later than 31 March 2026, except Valve runs into unexpected delays.
Steam Machine Value
One other essential element lacking from Valve’s Steam Machine announcement was its worth. The Steam Machine is a PC, and never strictly a console within the conventional sense, which could imply it will likely be priced larger than anticipated. That is backed up by statements made by Valve {hardware} engineer Yazan Aldehayyat who tempered expectations by reaffirming that the Steam Machine is competing with different equally powered PCs available on the market.
Analysts have predicted a worth between $400-$500, saying that the decrease finish of that vary can be the “candy spot” that may put stress on the likes of Sony’s PlayStation 5 and Microsoft’s Xbox Sequence X. Valve nonetheless sells the SteamOS-powered Steam Deck, beginning at $400 for the bottom LCD mannequin and rising all the best way as much as $650 for the 1TB OLED mannequin.
Steam Machine Specs
Whereas its worth and launch date are nonetheless a thriller, Valve was much more open as regards to what you are getting with every Steam Machine. The small type issue PC will likely be offered with two storage choices to select from–particularly 256GB and 2TB–whereas additionally providing a simple technique to set up new, bigger SSDs sooner or later.
Exterior of the storage, every Steam Machine will likely be an identical. It is geared up with a succesful AMD Zen CPU, that includes 6 cores and 12 threads with a most increase clock pace of 4.8GHz. That is paired with 16GB of DDR5 reminiscence through SODIMM modules, which Valve additionally says will likely be accessible for upgrades down the road. Not like fashionable consoles, the Steam Machine is not going with an APU method, as a substitute deciding on a devoted GPU that’s soldered onto the identical board because the CPU. This can be a AMD RDNA 3 GPU with 28 compute models and 8GB of GDDR5 reminiscence, with many noting that it intently matches the specs of the AMD RX 7600 from a couple of years in the past.
Just like the Steam Deck, the Steam Machine will run Valve’s spectacular SteamOS–a closely modified model of Linux Arch which turns the working system into an easy-to-use model of Steam Large Image mode. Whereas primarily configured to be used with Steam, SteamOS nonetheless lets customers boot right into a desktop model of Linux, letting you configure different storefronts (just like the Epic Video games Retailer, GOG, and others) in addition to set up something from emulators to phrase processors. It’s a PC, in any case.
Yow will discover the full list of specifications beneath.
| Class | Specification |
|---|---|
| CPU |
Semi-custom AMD Zen 4 6C / 12T (as much as 4.8 GHz, 30W TDP) |
| GPU |
Semi-Customized AMD RDNA3 28CUs (2.45GHz max sustained clock, 110W TDP) |
| RAM | 16GB DDR5 + 8GB GDDR6 VRAM |
| Energy | Inside energy provide, AC energy 110-240V |
| Storage |
Two Steam Machine fashions (512GB and 2TB) NVMe SSD. MicroSD card slot for added storage enlargement |
| Wi-Fi | 2×2 Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.3 devoted antenna |
| Steam Controller | Built-in 2.4 GHz Steam Controller wi-fi adapter |
| Show |
DisplayPort 1.4
HDMI 2.0
|
| USB |
Two USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 ports within the entrance Two USB-A 2.0 Excessive pace ports within the again One USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port within the again |
| Networking | Gigabit ethernet |
| LED Strip | 17 individually addressable RGB LEDs for system standing and customizability |
| Dimension | 152 mm tall (148 mm with out ft), 162.4 mm deep, 156 mm huge |
| Weight | 2.6 kg |
| Working System | SteamOS 3 (Arch-based) |
| Desktop | KDE Plasma |
This mix places the Steam Machine in the identical realm as current-gen consoles, with Digital Foundry’s Richard Ledbetter stating that it possible sits someplace between the Xbox Sequence S and PlayStation 5. Whereas the CPU appears completely succesful for contemporary gaming calls for, there’s some concern with the GPU, particularly with its present reminiscence allocation. Many fashionable video games have had some bother working properly on GPUs with 8GB of VRAM or much less, with even the Xbox Sequence X and PlayStation 5 providing extra bandwidth for recreation builders (nearer to 10GB for every). This limits the Steam Machine relating to storing textures in reminiscence, which might turn into a difficulty the nearer you try to push this in the direction of 4K/ 60FPS gaming that Valve says its PC is able to.
That’s caveated with the usage of AI-upscaling methods, particularly AMD’s FSR 3 given the GPU limitation of the RDNA 3 structure over AMD’s newer RDNA4. At the moment because of this the Steam Machine can’t make use of the higher FSR4 upscaling in addition to AMD’s newest body technology know-how, which might assist ship higher larger resolutions experiences. Proper now, plainly Valve is cognizant of the potential worth of the Steam Machine and is configuring it appropriately, making its eventual announcement much more essential to the gadget’s attraction.
Steam Machine Peripherals
Whereas the Steam Machine will likely be suitable with most controllers available on the market at the moment, together with the Xbox Sequence controller and PlayStation DualSense, Valve may even be transport a brand new model of its Steam Controller with the PC.
Taking the entire classes learnt with the controller configuration of the Steam Deck, the Steam Controller appears virtually like Valve simply eliminated the massive display from the center, squished the 2 ends collectively, and referred to as it a day. And that is an incredible thing–the Steam Deck is extremely comfy to carry regardless of not at all times trying prefer it, and the identical factor appears to be true for the Steam Controller given early hands-on impressions.
Not like Valve’s earlier controller, this new model comes with two thumbsticks in a symmetrical format, powered by new TMR modules that Valve says mix the accuracy of hall-effect know-how with much more reliability. Beneath them are a pair of haptic touchpads which let you simply play mouse-based video games, in addition to map further performance to them relying in your wants. The controller comes with movement management assist, which can be utilized with capacitive sensors that activate as you grip the controller. This can be utilized in a wide range of methods, with Valve utilizing gyro aiming (which you’ll toggle by merely holding the controller) as a typical instance.
The controller additionally options new, higher-definition rumble motors for improved vibrations over the Steam Deck, in addition to the identical analogue triggers and 4 programmable grip buttons on the again. The controller connects to the Steam Machine, or every other desktop, utilizing a proprietary puck for the quickest and most steady connection. The puck options pogo pin capabilities too, letting you set your Steam Controller onto it for simple charging. The Steam Controller can join through Bluetooth or wired connections too for extra flexibility.
Valve says that it’s going to bundle the Steam Controller with the Steam Machine at launch, and likewise supply the controller to buy individually. Yow will discover the full specifications beneath.
| Class | Specification |
|---|---|
| Gamepad controls |
A B X Y buttons D-pad L & R analog triggers L & R bumpers View & Menu buttons Steam & QAM buttons 4x assignable grip buttons |
| Thumbsticks | 2x full-size magnetic thumbsticks (TMR) with capacitive contact |
| Haptics |
4x haptic motors
|
| Trackpads |
2x 34.5mm sq. trackpads with haptic suggestions Stress-sensitive for configurable click on power |
| Gyro | 6-axis IMU |
| Grip Sense | 2x capacitive areas alongside again of Steam Controller handles |
| Steam Controller Puck |
2.4GHz Wi-fi connection ~8ms full end-to-end, 4ms polling price (measured at 5m) As much as 4 Steam Controllers per Steam Controller Puck Steam Controller Puck connects to PC through USB-C |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 4.2 minimal, 5.0 or larger advisable |
| USB | USB-C tethered play |
| Charging |
Steam Controller Puck charging interface USB-C connector |
| Battery |
8.39 Wh Li-ion battery 35+ hours of gameplay* Battery life for tracked gameplay with Steam Body is decreased |
| Dimension |
Steam Controller: 111mm x 159mm x 57mm Steam Controller Puck: 50mm x 28mm x 9mm |
| Weight |
Steam Controller: 292 g Steam Controller Puck: 16 g |