Valve’s upcoming Steam Machine continues to generate curiosity, especially around its price. While fans hope for a budget-friendly entry into powerful PC-style gaming, Valve has clarified what buyers should expect. The company now indicates that the Steam Machine price will sit close to the cost of a comparable gaming PC rather than follow the common console strategy of heavy subsidies.
During an interview on the Friends Per Second podcast, Valve’s Pierre-Loup Griffais explained the company’s focus. He emphasized that the Steam Machine will not launch with an artificially lowered price. Instead, it will reflect real hardware value. According to him, if someone builds a PC with similar performance, they will likely reach a similar price range.
Griffais stressed that Valve still intends to offer strong value. He noted that the device will include features that are difficult or costly to replicate when building a gaming PC from scratch. Because of that, the company wants the machine to feel like a good deal even without subsidies.
Valve’s evolving approach to Steam Machine price
Although the company has shared its general thinking, Griffais avoided naming a specific number. He said the hardware team is still adjusting components and evaluating market conditions. As a result, several internal factors continue to shift, making exact pricing difficult to predict.
Even so, the guidance was clear: buyers should not expect an aggressively discounted launch. Many console makers sell hardware at a loss to build momentum in the early months. Valve does not plan to follow that model. Instead, the Steam Machine price will fall “in line with the current PC market,” meaning real-world component costs will shape the final number.
Why Valve avoids subsidies
Valve’s decision ties directly to its long-term philosophy. Traditionally, the company focuses on open ecosystems that resemble PC culture rather than closed console strategies. Because of this, selling hardware at a loss would not align with its broader direction.
Moreover, the company wants the Steam Machine to succeed on merit—through performance, software compatibility and unique features—not through loss-leading tactics. Griffais highlighted that some features found in the Steam Machine will be difficult for users to reproduce at home, even if they assemble their own PCs.
Steam Machine Pro may come later
Although pricing remains uncertain, Griffais also revealed something new. Valve is considering a more powerful version called the Steam Machine Pro. However, the team is currently centered on the mid-range model. According to him, this tier offers the best balance between affordability and performance.
He added that entering the market at a reasonable performance level helps Valve maintain accessibility. It also allows the company to refine its hardware approach before attempting a more advanced version.
How market timing may affect the Steam Machine price
Component prices fluctuate constantly. As Griffais pointed out, graphics cards, processors and memory frequently swing in cost. Therefore, Valve needs more time to finalize the exact configuration. Because of these changes, even internal teams cannot yet estimate the precise Steam Machine price.
Still, by signaling a clear pricing philosophy early, Valve prepares buyers for a realistic expectation: strong performance at a fair cost, but no deep discounts.
Conclusion
The Steam Machine price will sit close to the cost of an equivalent gaming PC, according to Valve. Although it won’t be subsidized, the company aims to deliver meaningful value through performance and unique hardware features. While the final number remains unknown, Valve’s transparency offers a clearer picture of what gamers can expect as the new Steam Machine moves closer to launch.
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