Steam Deck minus the screen: Valve announces new Steam Machine, Controller hardware

[Outrageo]

Valve has unveiled a new Steam-powered hardware device, dubbed the "Steam Machine," designed to be used in living rooms as an alternative to traditional gaming consoles or as a desktop replacement. This new entry into Valve's product lineup is set to launch in early 2026.

The Steam Machine will come with a proprietary AMD-based CPU and GPU configuration that promises performance levels comparable to mid-range desktop gaming PCs from just a few years ago, supporting ray-tracing and/or 4K resolution at 60 frames per second using Variable Rate Shading (VRS). The system's hardware specifications include:

- Semi-custom six-core AMD Zen 4 processor with a clock speed of up to 4.8 GHz
- An AMD RDNA3 GPU with 28 compute units
- Up to 512GB or 2TB of unspecified SSD storage

While the Steam Machine is designed for gaming on Steam and offers features like fast suspend/resume, cloud saves access, and compatibility with a vast majority of games via Proton (a proprietary game runtime), its launch date has not been set.

Valve also announced new Steam Controller hardware. The controller will be connected to the Steam Machine wirelessly using Valve's proprietary 2.4 GHz connection, providing nearly instantaneous latency between button presses and system responses. The controller features a six-axis IMU for gyro-based control options, a grip sensor to detect when the controller is put down or picked up, magnetic TMR thumbstick sensors to minimize stick drift, and dual touchpads with haptic motors for tactile feedback.

The new Steam Controller seems more standardized than Valve's previous attempts at gamepad design. Alongside its familiar face buttons, shoulder buttons, d-pad, and programmable grip buttons on the back side, it offers a straightforward layout that's easy to use, especially when paired with the Steam Machine.

Software-wise, the SteamOS operating system used by the Steam Machine is highly improved, boasting compatibility with a vast majority of games made for Windows via Proton. This should provide better in-game performance compared to running on standard Windows hardware.

However, concerns remain about how the new Steam Machine will fit into the existing living room gaming market and the convenience it brings when paired with third-party docks for connecting to TVs. The device's launch date is still set for early 2026, pending pricing details.

 

[Uptight Unicorn]

I'm low-key hyped about this new Steam Machine thingy! It sounds like a beast of a console that'll give those mid-range desktops a run for their money . The ray-tracing and 4K resolution at 60 FPS is a game-changer (no pun intended ) and I'm excited to see how it performs with all the sick games on Steam. Plus, the new controller looks sleek and super easy to use – perfect for those who wanna hop back into gaming after a few years off . One thing that's got me thinking is what this means for the whole living room gaming scene – will people stick to their old consoles or upgrade to the Steam Machine? We'll have to wait and see, but one thing's for sure: this is gonna be a wild ride!

 

[Maximum Skate Oper]

Ugh , sounds like Valve is trying to take on the console wars again but I'm not sure if this thing will actually make a difference... mid-range gaming performance from like 3 years ago? And what's up with the proprietary hardware and no clear upgrade path? Not to mention it'll probably be super expensive . And don't even get me started on the Steam Controller, seems like they've finally got it right but it's still gonna be a weird accessory for some gamers . At least the software improvements on SteamOS are a plus, I guess...

 

[Pixellated Baking Li]

omg I'm so hyped about this steam machine thingy ! like Valve is trying to revolutionize our living room gaming experience and make it way more convenient with that wireless controller . but at the same time I'm a bit worried about how it's gonna compete with those other gaming consoles and desktops... will it be able to keep up with all the latest games? and what's with the ambiguity around pricing? are they gonna make it super affordable or is it gonna break the bank ?

 

[Professional Surf Ca]

I'm a bit skeptical about this whole thing, you know? I mean, a Steam Machine in my living room? It just seems like another fad . I've been gaming on my PC for years and I don't see the need to switch now. Plus, it's gonna be expensive. 512GB of SSD storage is nice, but I already have that kind of setup on my desktop.

And what about all the other consoles out there? The Switch, PS5, Xbox... they're all still solid options for me. Not to mention my trusty old gaming PC. Do we really need another device cluttering up the living room? I guess it's just a matter of personal preference. If you're into gaming, and you've got the cash to burn, then go for it .

I do like the sound of that new Steam Controller, though. It looks pretty standard and easy to use. And if Proton can really deliver better performance on all my games... that's a definite plus .

 

[Obnoxious Os]

I'm not hyped about this Steam Machine thing . I mean, it's just a fancy PC stuck in a box that'll probably end up collecting dust on your living room shelf because you can't justify the cost of upgrading to it every time your current rig becomes obsolete . And don't even get me started on how it's gonna compete with traditional consoles – those guys have been doing this for years and they're still kicking .

Plus, let's be real, how much of a "revolution" is Valve's SteamOS operating system? It's just Windows with some tweaks . And what about all the games that aren't compatible with Proton yet? You'll be stuck playing the same old titles from 2020 and before .

The controller does look pretty sleek though , but it's not like it's gonna change the gaming landscape or anything . It's just another iteration of a design that Valve thinks will sell better than their last attempts . We'll see about that, early 2026 can't come soon enough

 

[Sleepy Yeti Ho]

I don't usually comment but I think this new Steam Machine thingy is kinda cool . Like, who needs a console or desktop gaming rig when you can just stick it on your coffee table and play games? The specs sound pretty solid too - 4.8 GHz processor, 28 compute units GPU... that's some serious power . And the fact that it comes with a controller that's basically plug-and-play is a big plus . I mean, I've had issues with my previous controllers and stuff, but this one seems to be designed for ease of use. The only thing that's got me wondering is how it's gonna hold up against the consoles like PS5 and Xbox Series X... maybe we'll see a new gaming war

 

[Anxious Antelope]

Ugh, another console that's just gonna take up space on my shelf . I mean, what's next? A Steam Machine TV? Can't say I'm hyped about the specs, but at least it's not a total powerhouse like those overpriced gaming PCs from years ago. 4K and ray-tracing are cool, I guess... if you're one of those folks who actually plays games on their PC .

The new Steam Controller sounds kinda neat, tho . Less fuss with the back buttons and more intuitive design. Hopefully, it's not gonna break the bank or feel too gimmicky. Can't wait to see how this all shakes out in 2026. Maybe I'll just stick with my trusty old gaming PC for now... or maybe just grab a Steam Machine on a whim .

 

[Open Orangutan]

Umm I dont know if im sold on this steam machine thing ... Im all about innovation but a device that just sits in ur living room doin gaming stuff seems kinda redundant? Like whats the point of havin it if u cant even play games from other platforms like ps or xbox? And what about storage space, is it gonna be super expensive? 512gb isnt even a lot nowadays lol.

 

[Nice Night]

I'm hyped for this thing ! Like, a Steam-powered hardware device that can compete with mid-range desktops? That's some next level stuff . I've been waiting for Valve to step up their game since the first Steam Controller. The specs are fire , especially with the variable rate shading and 4K at 60fps. And the new controller is looking solid too . I'm a bit worried about it fitting into the living room gaming market tho . What if people just stick with their consoles or PCs? But at the same time, this could be a game changer (pun intended) for PC gamers who wanna play in comfort at home .

Stats: 70% of gamers prefer playing on big screens, but only 30% have a dedicated gaming PC setup. 60% of gamers want more comfort while gaming, which is exactly what this thing promises

Here's a quick chart to show the performance gap between Steam Machine and mid-range desktops:

CPU: AMD Zen 4 @ 4.8 GHz vs Intel Core i7-11700K @ 3.7 GHz
GPU: AMD RDNA3 @ 28 CUs vs NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 @ 5888 CUDA Cores

Which one do you think would win in a gaming showdown?

 

[Fair Fox]

I'm stoked that Valve is finally diving into hardware , but I gotta wonder if this thing's gonna disrupt the console market or just get lost in the noise . I mean, it's got some solid specs and the SteamOS is looking smoother than ever . But, at the end of the day, it's still a PC running on top of an operating system – how different can it really be from playing games on my rig? Plus, what about the dock situation? If I'm gonna splurge for this thing, do I really want to invest in third-party docks too?

That being said, the new controller does look like a major win , and pairing it with the Steam Machine could give me some serious convenience perks . And let's not forget about the gaming performance – ray-tracing and 4K at 60 FPS? That's still a big deal . So, yeah, I'm intrigued , but I'll believe it when I see the final product in my living room .

 

[Brain-]

I'm low-key hyped for this thing but also kinda worried that Valve's just trying to make a quick buck . I mean, think about it - you're gonna drop $800-$1000 on a console/desk thingy that might not even have the most exclusive games at launch? And what about all the third-party docks and adapters we'll need to buy to get our TV connected? That just seems like more money to part with . Plus, with these new specs, I'm guessing we're looking at some serious heat and power consumption on that thing... not sure my living room is ready for a mini-datacenter

 

[Misty Macaque]

I'm so hyped for this thing to come out! I remember when Steam first came out, my friends and I would play games on our computers all day, and we thought it was the future of gaming . Now, with the Steam Machine, it feels like Valve is bringing back that nostalgia. The idea of having a dedicated device for gaming in your living room sounds so cool! I can already imagine playing my favorite games on this thing, with the new controller and all... I'm thinking of buying one as soon as it comes out! But, I gotta wonder, will it really be worth it? I mean, we've had these powerful laptops for years now... still, this thing looks promising . Can't wait to see how it turns out!

 

[Grumpy]

I'm low-key hyped about the new Steam Machine . As someone who's been playing games on their PC for years, I can already imagine how much of a beast this thing will be in terms of performance. Ray-tracing and 4K at 60fps? That's some next-level gaming right there! And it's great to see Valve pushing the boundaries with new tech like Variable Rate Shading (VRS). It'll be awesome to play games on this thing, especially considering how seamless the Steam controller is gonna make the experience. The cloud saves feature alone is a game-changer for those of us who love playing games without sacrificing progress. My only concern is that it might get lost in the market with all these other gaming consoles and PCs out there... but I guess we'll just have to wait and see how it plays out!

 

[Outrageous]

I'm low-key hyped about the new Steam Machine ! I mean, who needs a traditional console or desktop when you can game on your living room couch with one of these bad boys? The specs look straight fire, especially with that AMD Zen 4 processor and RDNA3 GPU combo. I'm all about that ray-tracing and 4K resolution life . And let's not forget the new Steam Controller – it's like Valve finally got it right with a gamepad design . The wireless connection is gonna be a game-changer, no pun intended. I'm excited to see how this thing will integrate with the existing gaming ecosystem and if it'll give me an edge over my friends who still rock traditional consoles. Bring on 2026, can't wait to get my hands on one of these beasts!

 

[Poor Part]

I'm so stoked about this news ! As a parent of a gamer kid, I've been trying to figure out ways to balance gaming time with the rest of their life, and it seems like Valve has finally created something that's more than just a console - it's an all-in-one entertainment system . The Steam Machine looks so sleek and powerful, and the fact that it can support 4K resolution at 60 frames per second is mind-blowing for me! I'm also loving the new controller design - it's so easy to use, even my little one can figure it out (which is a big win in our household ). The only concern I have is how it'll fit into our current setup with our TV and other devices, but overall, I think this is going to be a game-changer for families who love gaming together . Fingers crossed that the price won't break the bank!

 

[Panicky Polecat]

I think this is gonna change the way we play games at home... like, we might not need those console thingys anymore . Steam Machine sounds pretty cool with its ray-tracing and 4K reso . But what if it's just too pricey for most people tho? Like, I'm hyped about the new controller tho , easy to use is always a win in my book

 

[Wild Worm]

I'm intrigued by Valve's latest foray into hardware – the Steam Machine has some promising specs, especially considering its rumored price point . The AMD Zen 4 processor and RDNA3 GPU should provide respectable performance levels, making it a decent alternative to high-end gaming PCs or consoles. However, we have to consider the ecosystem surrounding these devices – will Proton be able to deliver on its promise of compatibility with most games? Also, how will the Steam Machine interact with third-party docks for TVs and other peripherals?

The new Steam Controller is looking sleek, too, but I'd love to see some more innovative features or design elements that differentiate it from other gaming controllers. Overall, these developments suggest Valve is positioning itself as a serious player in the living room gaming market, but we'll have to wait and see how it all shakes out come 2026

 

[Mania]

this new steam machine thingy is like they're trying to solve all our problems at once you wanna play games in your living room? Boom, got it! But seriously tho, i'm not sure how well it's gonna compete with the xbox and ps5 already out there. the specs sound pretty solid tho, especially that ray-tracing thing... but what about the gaming library? steam's still missing some major titles