Remember Steam Machine? Not the old one that fizzled out years ago. The new attempt Valve teased late last year alongside the Steam Frame and that revived Steam Controller. It’s finally here now, with real prices, actual availability, and some early supply issues that mean not everyone will be able to get one right away.
Valve is offering four options. The 512 GB model starts at US$1,049, while the 2 TB version commands US$1,349. Bundle either with the new Steam Controller and add another US$79. Folks springing for the 2 TB models also get two extra faceplates in red fabric and solid walnut. Because apparently wood paneling is cool again.
Unfortunately, Valve’s original pricing ambitions did not survive contact with reality. RAM and storage prices have gone in the opposite direction of what decades of PC hardware trends taught everyone to expect. Component shortages have not helped either, resulting in fewer launch units than Valve had hoped.
Rather than letting bots and lightning-fast F5 fingers decide who gets one, Valve is taking a surprisingly civilized approach. Interested buyers can sign up until June 25, after which Valve will randomize the reservation queue. Those lucky enough to secure a spot will begin receiving purchase emails starting June 29. Everyone else joins the waitlist and practices patience.
Valve is also quick to point out that Steam Machine is not a console. It sees the device as another expression of PC gaming rather than a locked ecosystem. In fact, if you miss out on the hardware, Valve would happily point you toward SteamOS 3.8 and encourage you to build your own living-room gaming PC.
Which, honestly, is such a Valve thing to do. Most companies would tell you to wait. Valve basically shrugs and says, “Or just make your own.” Just be sure to keep using Steam, alright. Before we go, here’s a rundown of the tech specs:
| General | |
| CPU | Semi-custom AMD Zen 4 6C / 12T – up to 4.8 GHz, 30W TDP |
| GPU | Semi-Custom AMD RDNA3 28CUs – 2.45GHz max sustained clock, 110W TDP |
| RAM | 16GB DDR5 + 8GB GDDR6 VRAM |
| Power | Internal power supply, AC power 110-240V |
| Storage | Two Steam Machine models – 512GB NVMe SSD – 2TB NVMe SSD |
| Connectivity | |
| Wi-Fi | 2×2 Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.3 dedicated antenna |
| Steam Controller | Integrated 2.4 GHz Steam Controller wireless adapter |
| I/O | |
| Displays | DisplayPort 1.4 – Up to 4K @ 240Hz or 8K@60Hz – Supports HDR, FreeSync, and daisy-chaining HDMI 2.0 – Up to 4K @ 120Hz – Supports HDR, FreeSync, and CEC |
| USB | Two USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 ports in the front Two USB-A 2.0 High-speed ports in the back One USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port in the back |
| Networking | Gigabit ethernet |
| LED Strip | 17 individually addressable RGB LEDs for system status and customizability |
| Size and Weight | |
| Size | 152 mm tall (148 mm without feet), 162.4 mm deep, 156 mm wide |
| Weight | 2.6 kg |
| Software | |
| OS | SteamOS 3 (Arch-based) |
| Desktop | KDE Plasma |
If you are down, you can learn more at the Steam Machine product page, where you can also find out how you can order.
Images: Valve.
