Valve Announces Next-Gen Steam Machine, Says It’s ‘Over 6x More Powerful Than Steam Deck,’ but There’s No Price Yet

Valve has announced a return to its Steam Machine PC / console hybrid hardware alongside a new version of the Steam Controller.

As part of a big day for Valve hardware announcements, Valve confirmed the next-gen Steam Machine and Steam Controller features and specs, but failed to announce one key piece of information: price.

We do know, however, that the Steam Machine comes as a 512GB model and 2TB model, and will ship in a bundle with Steam Controller as well as standalone at some point in 2026.

Next-gen Steam Machine Images

Specs wise, it has a semi-custom AMD Zen 4 6C / 12T CPU, a semi-Custom AMD RDNA3 GPU, and supports 4K gaming at 60 frames per second with FSR. Valve described the new Steam Machine as six times more powerful than Steam Deck, with 16GB DDR5 and 8GB GDDR6 VRAM. The full specs for the Steam Machine and Steam Controller are below.

It’s an interesting move from Valve considering the original Steam Machine range, released 10 years ago in November 2015, was considered a failure. The initial idea was to release a small form factor gaming computer that operated SteamOS and offered a home game console-like experience.

Valve also released a Steam Controller to support the release of the original Steam Machine, so it makes sense that it would release a next-gen Steam Controller to go alongside this new Steam Machine. But Steam Machine didn’t last long, and as interest dwindled, Steam pulled many models from the Steam store in 2018.

Next-gen Steam Controller Images

The next-gen Steam Machine does not have a release date or a price, both of which are key pieces of information Valve is keeping under wraps for now. But it’s an intriguing move in the context of the increased focus on console / PC hybrids from various gaming hardware companies. Microsoft, for example, is set to release a next-gen Xbox that by all accounts is basically a PC wearing a console’s clothing. It will be interesting to see how Valve entering the fray mixes things up.

Here’s a comment from Valve boss Gabe Newell: “We’ve been super happy with the success of Steam Deck, and PC gamers have continued asking for even more ways to play all the great titles in their Steam libraries. Our work over the years on other hardware and even more importantly on SteamOS has enabled Steam Controller, Steam Machine, and Steam Frame to do just that.”

We’ve got plenty more on all Valve’s hardware announcements made today, November 12, and have a handy roundup so you don’t miss a thing. We visited Valve’s office ahead of the reveal to go hands-on with Steam Machine and Steam Controller, and interview Valve to find out why it’s returned to the space. And if you’re wondering about Steam Deck 2, we asked Valve about that as well.

Steam Machine features and specs:

Models

• 512GB model and 2TB model
• Steam Machine will ship in a bundle with Steam Controller and will also be available standalone

Specs

• 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
• Supports 4K gaming at 60 FPS with FSR
• Ray tracing supported
• Over 6x more powerful than Steam Deck
• 16GB DDR5 + 8GB GDDR6 VRAM
• 512 GB & 2 TB SSD models
• micro SD card slot for expanded storage/ portable catalog
• Internal power supply, AC power 110-240V

1/0

• 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
• Ethernet 1 Gbps
• USB-C 10 Gbps, 3.2 Gen 2
• 4x Type USB-A ports
• 2x USB 3 in the front
• 2x USB 2 in the rear
• 2×2 Wi-Fi 6E, dedicated BT antenna
• Integrated Steam Controller 2.4GHz radio

Other features

• Works with other controllers, accessories, and PC peripherals
• Wake with Steam Controller
• Runs SteamOS
• Familiar, gaming first user experience
• Fast suspend / resume
• Steam cloud saves, and all the other Steam features you’d expect
• Customizable LED bar
• Personalize with colors and animation
• Reflect system status (e.g. downloads, booting, updating)

Steam Controller features and specs:

Works with any device that runs Steam

• Windows / Mac / Linux PCs
• PC handhelds
• iOS / Android (with Steam Link)
• Steam Deck
• Steam Machine
• Steam Frame

Three ways to connect

• Steam Controller Puck
• Pre-paired, plug and play
• Proprietary wireless connection
• Low-latency (~8ms full end-to-end)
• 4ms polling rate measured at 5m
• More stable than Bluetooth
• Up to 4 Steam Controllers per Puck
• Bluetooth
• USB tethered play

Li-ion rechargeable battery

• 35hr+ play time
• Charge with Steam Controller Puck or USB

Magnetic thumbsticks (TMR)

• Improved responsiveness and reliability
• Capacitive touch

Grip sense

• Quick way to activate/deactivate gyro
• Assignable input

HD haptics

• 4x haptic motors
• 2x LRA haptic motors in trackpads for HD tactile feedback
• 2x High output LRA haptic motors in grips for HD game haptics including rumble

Full input list

• ABXY, D-pad
• L/R triggers, L/R bumpers
• Magnetic thumbsticks (TMR)
• View / Menu / Steam / QAM buttons
• 4x assignable grip buttons
• 2x trackpads with haptic feedback
• Pressure sensitivity for configurable click strength
• 6-axis IMU
• Capacitive grip sense

Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.