Valve Unveils Next-Gen Steam Machine and Controller

Valve has announced a return to its Steam Machine PC/console hybrid hardware, alongside a new version of the Steam Controller. While the company confirmed features and specifications, a key piece of information, the price, remains unannounced.

Credit: IGN

The next-gen Steam Machine will be available in 512 GB and 2 TB models. It is expected to ship in a bundle with the Steam Controller and also be sold standalone sometime in 2026.

Specification details include a semi-custom AMD Zen 4 6C/12T CPU and a semi-custom AMD RDNA3 GPU. The system supports 4K gaming at 60 frames per second with FSR, and offers ray tracing capabilities.

Credit: IGN

Valve described the new Steam Machine as over six times more powerful than the Steam Deck, incorporating 16 GB DDR5 and 8 GB GDDR6 VRAM. The system also features a micro SD card slot for expanded storage or a portable catalogue, and an internal power supply.

This announcement marks an interesting move by Valve, considering the original Steam Machine range, released 10 years ago in November 2015, was largely considered a failure. The initial concept aimed to offer a small form factor gaming computer running SteamOS, providing a home console-like experience.

A Steam Controller was also released to support the original Steam Machine, so a next-gen controller accompanying this new hardware makes sense. However, interest in the original Steam Machine dwindled, leading Valve to pull many models from the Steam store in 2018.

Both a release date and price for the next-gen Steam Machine are still undisclosed. This re-entry into the market is notable given the increased focus on console and PC hybrids from various gaming hardware organisations.

Valve boss Gabe Newell stated, "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."

The new Steam Machine features a CPU with up to 4.8 GHz and 30W TDP, alongside a GPU with 28 CUs, a 2.45 GHz maximum sustained clock, and 110W TDP. Display connectivity includes DisplayPort 1.4, supporting up to 4K at 240 Hz or 8K at 60 Hz, as well as HDR, FreeSync, and daisy-chaining.

HDMI 2.0 is also included, supporting up to 4K at 120 Hz, HDR, FreeSync, and CEC. For networking, it offers Ethernet at 1 Gbps, 2x2 Wi-Fi 6E with a dedicated Bluetooth antenna, and an integrated Steam Controller 2.4 GHz radio.

I/O ports include a USB-C 10 Gbps 3.2 Gen 2 port, two USB 3 Type-A ports in the front, and two USB 2 Type-A ports in the rear. Other features comprise compatibility with various controllers and PC peripherals, the ability to wake with a Steam Controller, and a fast suspend or resume function.

The system runs SteamOS, offering a familiar, gaming-first user experience, and supports Steam cloud saves along with other expected Steam features. It also includes a customisable LED bar to personalise with colours and animations, and to reflect system status.

The Steam Controller works with any device running Steam, including Windows, Mac, and Linux PCs, PC handhelds, iOS, Android via Steam Link, Steam Deck, Steam Machine, and Steam Frame. It offers three connection methods: the Steam Controller Puck, Bluetooth, and USB tethered play.

The Puck provides a pre-paired, plug-and-play proprietary wireless connection with low latency, measured at approximately 8 milliseconds end-to-end, and a 4-millisecond polling rate at 5 metres. Up to four Steam Controllers can connect per Puck.

The controller features a Li-ion rechargeable battery, providing over 35 hours of play time, chargeable via the Steam Controller Puck or USB. Magnetic thumbsticks with capacitive touch offer improved responsiveness and reliability.

Grip sense provides a quick way to activate or deactivate the gyro, and it can be assigned as an input. HD haptics are included with four haptic motors, featuring two LRA haptic motors in the trackpads for HD tactile feedback and two high-output LRA haptic motors in the grips for HD game haptics, including rumble.

A comprehensive input list for the controller comprises ABXY buttons, a D-pad, L/R triggers, L/R bumpers, magnetic thumbsticks, View, Menu, Steam, and QAM buttons. Additionally, it has four assignable grip buttons, two trackpads with haptic feedback and pressure sensitivity for configurable click strength, a 6-axis IMU, and capacitive grip sense.

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• Valve announced a new Steam Machine and Steam Controller.

• The next-gen Steam Machine is over six times more powerful than the Steam Deck, with 4K gaming support.

• Models include 512 GB and 2 TB storage, shipping in 2026 as a bundle or standalone

Source: IGN