Valve surprised many with the sudden reveal of several new hardware products this week, one of which was the return of the Steam Machine. This brand has been used on several SteamOS-focused PC and gaming devices over the years, but this time it returns as a mini PC designed specifically for living room gaming on big-screen TVs. The new Steam Machine is expected to launch sometime in 2026.
Valve announced the new Steam Machine alongside a collection of new hardware this week, including the new VR/AR Steam Frame and the new Steam Controller. This new Steam Machine is a refresh of the mini PCs that were originally released in 2015, now featuring SteamOS 3 with all-new hardware under the hood.
### Hardware and Performance
The base model of the Steam Machine boasts impressive specifications with a semi-custom AMD Zen 4 6-core / 12-thread CPU and an AMD RDNA 3 GPU featuring 28 compute units. It comes equipped with 16GB of DDR5 RAM plus 8GB of GDDR6 VRAM. Storage options include two versions: one with a 512GB NVMe SSD and another with a 2TB NVMe SSD. Both models also offer a high-speed microSD card reader slot for expandable storage.
Valve claims the Steam Machine is about six times more powerful than the average Steam Deck, which means it should be able to handle most games at reasonable settings without issue.
### Steam Machine Verified
Much like the “Steam Deck Verified” certification program, Valve has introduced a similar “Steam Machine Verified” tag. This new certification helps developers communicate to players if their games work properly on the Steam Machine hardware, ensuring a smoother gaming experience.
### Full Steam Machine Specifications
**General:**
– **CPU:** Semi-custom AMD Zen 4 6C / 12T, up to 4.8 GHz, 30W TDP
– **GPU:** Semi-custom AMD RDNA 3 with 28 CUs, 2.45 GHz max sustained clock, 110W TDP
– **RAM:** 16GB DDR5 + 8GB GDDR6 VRAM
– **Power:** Internal power supply, AC 110-240V
**Storage:**
– Two models available: 512GB NVMe SSD and 2TB NVMe SSD
– Both include a high-speed microSD card slot
**Connectivity:**
– Wi-Fi: 2×2 Wi-Fi 6E
– Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.3 with dedicated antenna
– Steam Controller: Integrated 2.4 GHz wireless adapter
**I/O and Display:**
– 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 Ports: Two USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 ports (front), two USB-A 2.0 high-speed ports (back), one USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port (back)
– Networking: Gigabit Ethernet
**Additional Features:**
– LED Strip: 17 individually addressable RGB LEDs for system status indication and customization
### Size and Weight
– Height: 152 mm (148 mm without feet)
– Depth: 162.4 mm
– Width: 156 mm
– Weight: 2.6 kg
### Software
– **Operating System:** SteamOS 3 (Arch Linux-based)
– **Desktop Environment:** KDE Plasma
The return of the Steam Machine marks an exciting step for Valve, blending powerful hardware with the convenience of a compact, living room-friendly design. Gamers looking for a seamless PC gaming experience on their TV screens will want to keep an eye on this new release, expected in 2026.
https://www.shacknews.com/article/146801/steam-machine-2026-reveal-tech-specs
