Valve has done it again, surprising everyone with a brand-new line of hardware products that are even more exciting than the launch of the Steam Deck. A new controller, a new flagship independent VR headset, and of course, a revamped Steam Machine that is looking to make a splash in the PC and console gaming market.
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A lot of people may be aware of the device, the use cases, modularity, and a basic overview of what it offers, but there are a few details that may have been missed in the Steam Machine announcement. There are still a lot of questions regarding pricing and availability, but for now, there is enough information for people to get excited about and potentially inform their decision on whether to make the purchase.
While lesser-known info is included, this article also covers the basics in order to be a comprehensive summary of the most important details relating to the Steam Machine.
Upgradability
Not Quite A Custom PC, But Close Enough
PCs have always had an edge over consoles in the gaming space in one specific area: upgradability. It is significantly easier to swap in newer RAM or a better GPU in a PC than it is for a console, and the Steam Machine is looking to sit somewhere in between the two.
People won't be able to pull the console apart and replace every single component like they can with a PC, but they can upgrade the storage with both a microSD card and by swapping in a bigger M.2 drive in the easily accessible slot. The RAM is also fairly easy to switch out, but the rest of the components are integrated or soldered on, and until Valve releases some more details regarding warranties, it is safe to assume that, for the average consumer, what they get out of the box is what they will be living with.
Launch Models
A Few Options To Choose From
Something that may have flown under the radar during the announcement for many people is the various launch options that will be available when the Steam Machine releases in 2026. The two options right now are between a 512GB SSD and a 2TB SSD, which makes the launch options feel similar to the different models available for the Steam Deck.
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These two different storage levels will, of course, come with their own set prices, but aside from size, there doesn't seem to be any changes in speed or other components between the two versions of the system. It is nice to have the choice from the get-go, and even if those storage levels aren't enough, there is, of course, room to add more storage down the line for those who need it.
Specifications
What's Inside The Tiny Cube
The biggest question on everyone's mind regarding the Steam Machine, aside from its eventual price, is the device's specifications. A lot of the parts are either semi-custom or fairly vague, but there is still enough info available for people to understand the kind of system that they will be buying, with everything from the CPU to the I/O having already been clearly laid out by Valve.
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Certain things will be of more interest to some than others, but it is still nice to know exactly what Valve is putting into their next big piece of hardware. It is worth noting, however, that some specs are subject to change depending on availability and other external factors that may or may not impact the current list.
Full spec list:
|
CPU |
Semi-custom AMD Zen 4 6C / 12T (up to 4.8 GHz, 30W TDP) |
|
GPU |
Semi-Custom AMD RDNA3 28CUs (2.45GHz max sustained clock, 110W TDP) |
|
RAM |
16GB DDR5 + 8GB GDDR6 VRAM |
|
Power |
Internal power supply, AC power 110-240V |
|
Storage |
512/2TB NVMe SSD + high-speed microSD slot |
|
Wi-Fi |
2x2 Wi-Fi 6E + Gigabit Ethernet |
|
Bluetooth |
Bluetooth 5.3 dedicated antenna |
|
Display |
DisplayPort 1.4 (Up to 4K @ 240Hz or 8K@60Hz, Supports HDR, FreeSync, and daisy-chaining), HDMI 2.0 (Up to 4K @ 120Hz, Supports HDR, FreeSync, and CEC) |
|
USB |
Two USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 ports in the front Two USB-A 2.0 high-speed ports in the back One USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port in the back |
|
LED Strip |
17 individually addressable RGB LEDs for system status and customizability |
|
Size |
152mm tall (148mm without feet), 162.4mm deep, 156mm wide |
|
Weight |
2.6kg |
|
Operating System |
SteamOS 3 (Arch-based) |
|
Desktop |
KDE Plasma |
Operating System
The Choice Is Yours
The Steam Machine OS is looking to take a similar path as the Steam Deck, using Valve's in-house SteamOS 3 to deliver an optimized experience for gaming while still being capable of running as a fully-fledged desktop. In terms of compatibility, the device will come with the same Proton layer that allows so many games to work as well as they do on the Steam Deck, but with more powerful hardware comes the potential for fewer hiccups, and thus, more games to play.
Despite being built with SteamOS in mind, the Steam Machine will work fine if users decide to swap over to Windows 11 or another operating system of their choosing. However, this should only be done by experienced tinkerers and, of course, at their own risk. At the end of the day, Valve is selling a PC product, not explicitly a console, so it can serve far more purposes to consumers than just playing games.
The Steam Machine Has An Internal Power Supply
No Power Brick
When Valve revealed its range of new products, you might have noticed that the Steam Machine was on its own without a power brick. While this might have seemed like a creative choice for the presentation, Valve has confirmed that the Steam Machine uses an internal power supply, eliminating the need for an external brick. This is impressive considering the system's small size, and it shows the hardware's efficient design. The Steam Machine might not be a portable system, but everything suggests it will be pretty easy to take on the go, at least by the standards of PCs and home consoles.
The Light Bar On the Steam Machine Shows A Game's Download Progress
Always Know When A Game Is Ready To Go
Customization is a huge part of PC gaming, and the Steam Machine does promise to highlight that aspect, despite being something a bit closer to a home console. A fantastic feature is that the RGB light bar can be customized to display different statuses, which you can choose.
While the full scale of options is not known yet, you will be able to use the light bar to show the progress of your downloads, which is an absolutely great concept that honestly should be added to all consoles moving forward. Apparently, the light bar consists of different zones, so you might also be able to customize them individually.
Performance
Taking A Big Leap Forward
With any new hardware release, arguably the biggest dealbreaker for consumers is just how powerful the device is. For the Steam Machine, it does look mighty impressive on the surface, with Valve promising a performance level six times that of the Steam Deck, as well as a goal of running virtually any game on Steam at 4K 60fps.
Now, that second aspiration does come with the caveat of needing to turn down some settings and enable upscaling for more graphically intensive titles, but from the initial tests behind the scenes, it seems far closer to reality than fiction. What makes this level of performance so interesting is how Valve used hardware surveys to build a device that accommodates the needs of a wide range of users, providing a well-rounded, but still entry-level, device that will please the majority of consumers.
The New Steam Controller's Grip Sense
Gyro Activation In The Palm Of Your Hands
With all the hype around the Steam Machine and Steam Frame, it is easy to overlook the Steam Controller, which will certainly be the best way to interact with Valve's upcoming gaming PC. From two trackpads to four grip buttons and built-in rumble, the gamepad gives a lot of options and the possibility to customize quite a few of them.
However, the controller's most novel feature is called Grip-Sense, which allows users to activate gyro functionality through capacitive touch. Basically, two buttons at the back of the controller can be held to turn on gyro, and you just need to release them to turn it off. If you have absolutely no interest in gyro controls, you can just remap these buttons.
The Steam Controller's TMR Thumbsticks
Magnetic Thumbsticks That Should Last And Feel Great In The Process
The Steam Controller's thumbsticks are set to be very high-end, as they use tunnel magnetoresistance technology. Generally speaking, TMR thumbsticks are the best in the business nowadays, being slightly more reliable and responsive than the Hall Effect alternatives. The technology is complex, but what it ultimately means is that these thumbsticks are capable of reading your tiniest movements, making them particularly great for precision-based games like first-person shooters. If you are not going to use a keyboard and mouse, TMR thumbsticks are the next best thing.
Peripheral Support
Anything You Could Ever Need
Being a PC/console-style device, it is crucial that the Steam Machine can support a wide range of peripheral devices to accommodate the needs of all types of consumers. For first-party devices like the new Steam Controller, the adapter is built directly into the device, allowing seamless connection and few dropouts, even when using several controllers at once.
However, for those who prefer their own devices or who want to use a mouse and keyboard, the Steam Machine will have all the same functionality out of the box as any other PC. There are enough slots for a mouse, keyboard, microphone, charger, and anything else that needs a USB socket, giving users the freedom to use the device however they choose without needing any special adapters or updates to make things work properly.
- Brand
- Valve
- Operating System
- SteamOS 3 (Arch-based)
- Processor
- Semi-custom AMD Zen 4 6C / 12T up to 4.8 GHz, 30W TDP
- Resolution
- Up to 4K @ 240Hz or 8K@60Hz
- HDR Support
- Yes
- Wi-Fi
- 2x2 Wi-Fi 6E
- Bluetooth
- Bluetooth 5.3 dedicated antenna
- Ports
- DisplayPort 1.4 / HDMI 2.0 / 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 / 2x USB-A 2.0 / 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 / Gigabit Ethernet / microSD / AC power
- Dimensions
- 152 x 162.4 x 156 mm
- VR Support
- Yes