Valve is stepping back into the hardware spotlight with the long-awaited Steam Machine, a gaming console that blends PC power with living-room comfort. Alongside it, the company also introduced the Steam Controller and the Steam Frame, a new VR headset built for Steam.
It’s been nearly a decade since Valve’s first “Steam Machine.” This new version is smaller, sleeker, and far more powerful. If you’ve ever wanted a gaming PC that doesn’t eat up your desk space, this might be your next favorite gadget.
Steam Machine release date and price
Let’s start with what everyone wants to know — when and how much.
Valve hasn’t confirmed an exact release date, but the company hinted that the Steam Machine will start shipping in early 2026. That likely means between January and March, assuming there are no delays.
Distribution will follow the same pattern as the Steam Deck, according to Valve’s PR lead, Kaci Aitchison Boyle. You’ll be able to buy it directly from Steam or Komodo, depending on your region. It should launch in all markets where the Steam Deck is already available.
Pricing details are also still under wraps. Valve plans to release two models — one with 512GB of storage and another with 2TB. You’ll also be able to buy a bundle with the new Steam Controller.
The company says it’s still finalizing production and pricing details, so expect official numbers closer to launch. Translation: it’s time to start saving.
Steam Machine design: compact, clever, and cool
At first glance, the Steam Machine looks like a tiny Xbox Series X — and yes, that’s a compliment. It’s a small black cube designed to slide neatly under your TV.
Size-wise, it’s similar to the GameCube, though without the handle. The design is more about airflow than aesthetics.
Valve built the console around thermodynamics, literally starting with the fan. Once the engineers figured out the airflow, everything else fell into place. The result is a quiet, cool-running console that won’t overheat, even during long gaming sessions.
On the front, you’ll find a customizable LED light bar that changes color or shows your game’s download progress. The magnetic front plate is also replaceable, and Valve will release the 3D files so fans can print their own custom plates. Expect Etsy to fill up with creative designs soon after launch.
Steam Machine specs: powerful yet compact
Here’s what’s inside the Steam Machine, based on what Valve has shared so far.
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| Models | 512GB or 2TB (standalone or bundled with Steam Controller) |
| CPU | AMD Zen 4 (6 cores / 12 threads, up to 4.8GHz) |
| GPU | AMD RDNA 3 (28 CUs, 8GB GDDR6 VRAM) |
| RAM | 16GB DDR5 (upgradeable) |
| Performance | 4K at 60fps with FSR upscaling, ray tracing supported |
| Connectivity | HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.4, 4x USB-A, USB-C 3.2, Ethernet, Wi-Fi 6E |
| Other | Custom LED bar, third-party controller support |
Valve’s goal is simple: deliver a true 4K60 experience across the Steam library.
With its Zen 4 CPU and RDNA 3 GPU, the Steam Machine might just manage it. Valve claims it can run Cyberpunk 2077 at double the frame rate of a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X. We’ll need hands-on tests to confirm, but that’s an ambitious claim.
The console runs SteamOS, just like the Steam Deck. You can, however, install Windows or Linux, and even load third-party apps. There’s also a microSD slot for easy file transfers.
In short, it’s a PC in a console’s body — designed for your living room.
Steam Controller: familiar feel, smarter design
The new Steam Controller looks a lot like an Xbox controller but includes a few clever upgrades.
It features two thumbsticks, a D-pad, standard buttons, and Valve’s signature touchpads — now tilted inward for comfort.
Inside, it uses TMR magnetic thumbsticks for better precision and durability. That means smoother control and no stick drift. Add HD haptics, motion sensors, and GripSense, which detects how you hold the controller and adjusts accordingly.
Battery life lasts over 35 hours. You can connect via Bluetooth, USB, or the Steam Controller Puck, which supports up to four controllers at once. Latency stays low — around 8ms.
Valve designed the controller so players can enjoy any Steam game, whether built for gamepad or keyboard. That’s a big promise, but it could make the Steam Machine feel like a true hybrid system.
Steam Frame: Valve’s next step into VR
Alongside the console and controller, Valve also revealed the Steam Frame, a sleek new VR headset.
The headset can run both PC VR titles and standard desktop games, thanks to Foveated Streaming and SteamOS on ARM.
Foveated Streaming focuses rendering power on what you’re looking at, saving bandwidth and improving clarity. It runs on a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip with 16GB LPDDR5X RAM, making it capable of both local and remote play.
The Steam Frame has 2160×2160 LCDs per eye, up to 144Hz refresh rate, and weighs just 435 grams with the headstrap and battery. It supports Wi-Fi 7 and uses six cameras for tracking — four on the outside and two for eye tracking.
Non-VR games labeled “Frame Verified” will run directly on the headset. Valve says Hades 2 already works at 1440p and 90Hz, which is impressive.
The Steam Frame controllers bring over features from the Steam Controller — magnetic sticks, HD haptics, and 6-DOF tracking — all with a 40-hour battery life.
Valve’s ecosystem is finally connecting
Between the Steam Deck, Steam Machine, and Steam Frame, Valve is building something bigger than just hardware. It’s shaping a connected gaming ecosystem that bridges handheld, console, and VR play — all tied to your existing Steam library.
If everything works smoothly, the Steam Machine could become the missing piece that makes Steam more than a storefront. It’s a true platform, one where your games follow you anywhere — from your desk, to your couch, to virtual reality.
Early 2026 can’t come soon enough.
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