Valve Steam Machine Returns: From Announcement to Delay
Valve announced the Steam Machine in November 2025 as a console-like PC for the living room, powered by semi-custom AMD hardware running SteamOS. The device features AMD Zen 4 CPU with 6 cores reaching 4.8GHz, RDNA3 GPU with 8GB GDDR6 VRAM, and either 512GB or 2TB storage. The company positioned it alongside the Steam Controller and Steam Frame VR headset.
Initial plans targeted Q1 2026 launch, but memory shortages caused by AI industry demand forced Valve to delay and revisit pricing. The Steam Machine now targets first-half 2026 release, with final pricing yet to be announced.
Development Timeline
Track the journey from announcement through delays to expected launch
Hardware Specifications
Semi-custom AMD architecture designed for 4K gaming with FSR upscaling
6 Cores, Up to 4.8GHz
8GB GDDR6 VRAM
RAM
NVMe SSD
HDMI 2.0
USB-A × 4, USB-C × 1
(162.4 × 156 × 152mm)
with AMD FSR
🧮 RAM Price Impact Calculator
Explore how RAM price increases affect gaming PC costs. AI industry demand has caused RAM prices to triple or quadruple since early 2025. Drag the slider to see the impact.
Memory Shortage Impact
AI industry demand for RAM created unprecedented shortages affecting consumer electronics. Valve stated it must revisit pricing for Steam Machine and Steam Frame due to “limited availability and growing prices” of critical components.
Framework Desktop experienced similar issues, with base configuration increasing from $1,099 to $1,139, while 128GB RAM configurations reached $2,459. These pricing changes demonstrate the severe impact on gaming hardware manufacturers.
Valve designer Pierre-Loup Griffais told press that Steam Machine pricing would be “comparable to a PC with similar specs” and “positioned closer to the entry level of the PC space.”
Launch Window Uncertainty
The Steam Machine was announced in November 2025 with specifications including AMD Zen 4 CPU, RDNA3 GPU, and up to 2TB storage. Initial Q1 2026 targets shifted to first-half 2026 due to memory shortages.
Valve has not announced final pricing, though the company indicated positioning closer to entry-level PC prices rather than console prices. The RAM crisis continues to affect manufacturing costs across the industry.
The Steam Machine will run SteamOS with Proton compatibility layer for Windows games. Valve mentioned that developer participation in anti-cheat support may increase with the Steam Machine compared to Steam Deck.
