Valve, the company behind the popular PC gaming platform Steam, has officially announced the Steam Machine. In a way, it feels like a return to an idea they tried once before, although this time the approach seems much more focused. The new home console is built to bring the entire Steam library to televisions, and it steps directly into competition with established platforms like Sony’s PlayStation and Microsoft’s Xbox. The device looks like a small and fairly neat cube and is scheduled for release in early 2026. It also follows the momentum of Valve’s handheld Steam Deck, which perhaps encouraged the company to try bringing PC gaming back into the living room with a more traditional console form.
Key Takeaways
- Valve announced a new home console called the Steam Machine.
- It aims to play PC games from the Steam library on a TV, competing with Xbox and PlayStation.
- The console targets 4K resolution at 60 frames per second using a custom AMD Zen 4 CPU and RDNA 3 GPU.
- The release date is set for early 2026, but the price is still unknown.
- A new Steam Controller and a VR headset called the Steam Frame were also revealed.
The name Steam Machine might sound familiar to people who remember Valve’s first attempt about a decade ago. That earlier effort depended heavily on third party hardware makers, and those devices never quite reached a large audience. This new version is different since it is designed and manufactured entirely by Valve. It seems to build on the lessons learned from the Steam Deck, which turned into a surprisingly successful handheld gaming PC. Valve says this home console is more than six times more powerful than the Steam Deck, which is a fairly bold statement and perhaps part of why there is renewed optimism around the idea.
The console itself is a black cube, roughly six to seven inches on each side. It is even a bit smaller than an Xbox Series X. Valve confirmed that the power supply is internal, so users will not have to deal with a large external power brick. On the front is a customizable LED light strip that can display things like system status or even download progress. It is a small detail, but it makes the device feel a little more personal.
Inside the compact box is a surprisingly strong hardware setup. The Steam Machine uses a custom AMD chip with a 6 core and 12 thread Zen 4 processor. Graphics are powered by a custom AMD RDNA 3 unit with 28 compute units. The system is built to handle demanding games at 4K and 60 frames per second, and it uses AMD’s FSR upscaling technology to help maintain stable performance. I think many players will be curious to see how consistently it can hit those targets.
The system comes with 16GB of DDR5 system memory along with a separate 8GB of GDDR6 video memory. Valve will offer two models at launch. One includes a 512GB NVMe SSD, and the other comes with a 2TB NVMe SSD. Storage can be expanded with a microSD card or by replacing the internal M.2 SSD, so people who like keeping larger libraries installed will have some flexibility. Connectivity includes Wi Fi 6E, HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.4, and several USB ports.
The console runs SteamOS, Valve’s Linux based operating system. It is the same OS used on the Steam Deck. The system relies on Proton, a compatibility tool that allows many Windows games to run smoothly on Linux. This means that most buyers will probably have access to a large portion of their existing Steam libraries almost immediately. It is an appealing idea, though there may be occasional exceptions as with any compatibility layer.
Alongside the console, Valve revealed a new Steam Controller. This updated version keeps the two trackpads familiar to those who used the original controller, but it adds traditional magnetic thumbsticks. These sticks use Tunnel Magnetoresistance technology, which helps prevent stick drift. For many players, that is probably a welcome improvement. Valve also announced the Steam Frame, a new virtual reality headset, suggesting they are thinking about more than just living room gaming.
The announcement places Valve directly within the modern console landscape. Xbox boss Phil Spencer commented on social media that he welcomes new options for players. Valve has not announced a price yet for the Steam Machine, which leaves some open questions. Still, the company seems confident, and perhaps players who enjoy PC gaming but also appreciate the simplicity of a living room setup will be paying close attention.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. What is the new Valve Steam Machine?
A. The Steam Machine is a new home video game console from Valve. It is a small, cube-shaped device that connects to your TV and is designed to play games from the PC Steam library.
Q. Will the Steam Machine play all my Steam games?
A. It will run SteamOS, which uses a tool called Proton to play Windows games. While most modern games and a huge part of the Steam library will work, not every single game on Steam may be perfectly compatible at launch.
Q. How powerful is the Steam Machine compared to the Steam Deck?
A. Valve claims the new Steam Machine is “over six times more powerful” than the Steam Deck handheld. It targets 4K 60FPS gaming, a large step up from the Steam Deck’s handheld performance.
Q. Does the Steam Machine have a price?
A. No, Valve has not announced the price for the Steam Machine yet. The company said pricing details will be shared closer to the release.
Q. When will the new Steam Machine be released?
A. The Steam Machine is scheduled to launch in early 2026.
Q. Is the Steam Machine a PC or a console?
A. It is a hybrid. It is built like a console for ease of use in the living room, but it runs a PC operating system (SteamOS) and can play PC games. Users will also be able to access a desktop mode, similar to the Steam Deck.
