Valve tried unsuccessfully to bridge the gap between PC and console a decade ago. Now they're back with the new Steam Machine, a compact box that offers all the benefits of a PC in console form - and with style.
Ten years ago, they Valve tried something bold – to create a console that would bring freedom to the living room PC gaming. Unfortunately, the first attempt ended up in the museum of technological misadventures. But now that the world is more prepared, the Steam Machine is back. And if the first version fell flat on its face, the second one rises like a phoenix. Six times more powerful than the Steam Deck, designed entirely in-house at Valve, and ready to take its place next to your TV.
It's a pleasure to go the second time.
Valve has clearly taken things more seriously this time. Instead of outsourcing production to third-party manufacturers and creating a mess of different specifications, they've developed the new Steam Machine entirely in-house. What does that mean? A unified experience, without compromise.
At the heart of the new console is a custom AMD chip with six cores based on the Zen 4 architecture, clocked at up to 4.8GHz, and RDNA3 graphics running at 2.45GHz. In practical terms, that translates to about six times the performance of the Steam Deck. And yes, 4K at 60fps with ray tracing enabled is no longer science fiction.
The calm before the storm (capabilities)
One of the biggest achievements of this new console? Cooling. Valve decided to design the fan first—yes, you read that right—and then build everything else around it. The result is a 120mm fan that operates at just 25 dB at idle and around 30 dB at full load. That's about as much noise as your smartwatch makes when it vibrates.
Heat is dissipated by a four-channel system with four 8 mm heat pipes and an aluminum finned heatsink, while the integrated 300W power supply does not need its own fan - and yet does not overheat.
Air enters from all sides (360 degrees), with intelligent flow distribution (50/50), which means the Steam Machine is not picky about placement - on a shelf, in a closet, under the TV - anything goes.
Smart in a small package
Dimensions of the new Steam Machine It measures a modest 15.2 x 15.5 x 16.3 cm – Valve says they even used a caliper to fit it to the classic dimensions of a TV shelf. But there's a lot more to this box.
The custom 10-layer motherboard supports HDMI CEC, meaning you can turn on your console, TV, and speaker with the press of a button. The front panel is magnetic and ready for customization—Valve will share CAD files so you can 3D-print your own custom design.
The RGB light bar on the front isn't just for show, it shows system status, game loading, and even download progress. The M.2 SSD is easily swappable, with the option to upgrade to larger 2280 drives. User-friendly? Checked.
Technical specifications – for all those who love numbers
Model: Steam Machine
Processor: Semi-custom AMD Zen 4, 6 cores/12 threads, up to 4.8 GHz, 30W TDP
Graphics: Semi-custom AMD RDNA3, 28 CU, 2.45GHz, 110W TDP
Memory: 16GB DDR5 + 8GB GDDR6 VRAM
Storage: 512 GB or 2 TB SSD (M.2 2230), microSD card slot
Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.4 (up to 4K at 240 Hz), HDMI 2.0 (up to 4K at 120 Hz), 1 Gbps Ethernet, USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, USB-A
Wireless: 2×2 Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, separate 2.4 GHz receiver for Steam Controller
Operating system: SteamOS 3 (based on Arch Linux) with KDE Plasma desktop
Dimensions: 15.2 × 15.5 × 16.3 cm
Price and future
Although the price has not yet been definitively confirmed, Valve promises that it will Steam Machine competitively priced with comparable PCs. There will be two models available – 512 GB and 2 TB – both bundled with the new wireless Steam Controller. The console is coming in early 2026, with the controller available separately at a later date.
And what's more - Valve has also officially unveiled its new VR device, called the Steam Frame, which has been in development since 2019. It seems that the company has much bigger ambitions than just the living room.
Below the line
The new Steam Machine is Valve's second attempt, but it works like a retake with honors. Now that the lessons of the past have paid off and the SteamOS operating system is finally mature enough, this little cube is ready to take the throne in your living room - quiet, efficient, and with incredible performance.
If you've been waiting for PC gaming to enter the console world without compromise - that moment is now.
