Valve has officially unveiled its next-generation Steam Machine, signaling a strong return to the living room. Built on the same ecosystem as the Steam Deck but with a more powerful semi-custom AMD APU, this compact console aims to bridge the gap between PC and traditional gaming consoles. Competing directly with the PS5 and Xbox Series X, the new Steam Machine promises to shake up the mid-range console market.
AMD Zen 4 + RDNA 3 Power #
At the heart of the Steam Machine is an AMD Zen 4 6-core CPU clocked up to 4.8 GHz paired with an RDNA 3 GPU featuring 28 Compute Units and 8 GB of GDDR6 memory. The system targets 4K @ 60 FPS gameplay with the help of FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution) upscaling. While its raw performance may roughly match the PS5, Valve claims it delivers over six times the power of the Steam Deck.
Storage options include 512 GB and 2 TB SSDs, expandable via microSD, with networking support for Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3. The integrated Steam Controller receiver eliminates the need for external dongles, while the internal 300 W PSU keeps setup clean and clutter-free.
“From an FP32 floating-point perspective, the PS5 is roughly five times more powerful than the original Steam Deck.”
Industrial Compact Design #
The Steam Machine’s design language is clean and minimalist — a 16 cm cube with industrial lines. Core components are mounted at the base, while cooling hardware occupies the upper section. The front light strip provides visual feedback for system states such as startup, updates, and downloads. The magnetically attached front panel supports customization, and Valve will release 3D printing files so users can design and swap their own covers.
Rear connectivity includes DisplayPort 1.4, HDMI 2.0, 1 GbE LAN, USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, and four USB-A ports. Inside, the system carries 16 GB DDR5 SO-DIMM memory (upgradeability not yet confirmed). The OS is SteamOS, featuring the same UI as the Steam Deck and Steam Big Picture mode, with full support for app installation or OS replacement. Game compatibility will be clearly indicated through Valve’s Verified certification system.
Seamless Multi-Device Ecosystem #
The console supports up to four Steam Deck controllers and other Bluetooth gamepads, though only official Steam controllers can wake the device. It also integrates with Steam Link, enabling cross-device streaming between Steam Deck, Steam Frame, and other supported platforms — blurring the line between handheld and home gaming.
New Steam Controller with TMR Joysticks #
Launched alongside the console, the new Steam Controller introduces TMR (Tunnel Magnetoresistance) joysticks offering ultra-low latency and higher resolution than Hall-effect sticks. Capacitive sensors on the sticks enable motion control, while the haptic system now supports richer waveform feedback.
The layout includes 4 face buttons, 4 shoulder buttons, 4 back paddles, 2 joysticks, and 2 trackpads. Valve also introduced a new Grip Sense input system that combines capacitive grip detection with gyroscope aiming — particularly beneficial for first-person shooters. Upon pairing, the controller can automatically load community preset mappings while allowing full user customization.
A Bridge Between PC and Console Gaming #
Valve’s new Steam Machine is designed as a fully functional PC with console-like simplicity. If pricing remains competitive, it could attract console users seeking an entry into the Steam ecosystem — where games are typically more affordable.
Rather than directly challenging PlayStation or Xbox, the Steam Machine extends the PC gaming ecosystem into the living room. With fast sleep/wake functionality, streamlined user experience, and full compatibility with Steam’s vast library, this device could redefine how PC gaming fits into the console world.
Expected release: Early next year.