Valve has not attempted such a hardware offensive since the release of the Steam Deck. This November 12, the studio behind the largest PC gaming platform announced a new generation of Steam Machine, accompanied by a redesigned controller. The promise: increased firepower, a compact design and a hybrid experience that blurs the lines between PC and console.
The return of the Steam Machine does not go unnoticed. More than ten years after the failed launch of the first version in 2015, Valve seems determined to take its revenge. With a six-core AMD Zen 4 processor and a custom RDNA3 GPU, the console displays a power announced “six times greater than that of the Steam Deck”. It has 16 GB of DDR5 memory, 8 GB of GDDR6 VRAM, and is available in two models of 512 GB and 2 TB.
Steam Machine: a configuration designed for 4K and fluidity
Valve is clearly focusing on performance with this new Steam Machine. The objective? Allow you to play in 4K at 60 frames/second with FSR technology and benefit from ray tracing without compromise. The connectivity is also up to par: HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.4, USB-C at 10 Gbps, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth, not forgetting an internal power supply.
The design remains sober, but functional. The machine can pair with other PC accessories, wake up to the controller and runs SteamOS for a user experience consistent with the Steam ecosystem. The interface, designed “gaming-first”, offers intelligent standby functions, cloud backup, and an LED bar customizable according to the state of the system.
A new Steam Controller to support the relaunch
The Steam controller also returns, completely revised. It now works with all Steam compatible devices: PC, smartphones, Steam Deck, and of course the Steam Machine. All via a proprietary wireless connection module or Bluetooth.
Among the technical new features: rechargeable battery offering more than 35 hours of autonomy, magnetic sticks, HD haptic feedback with four motors, pressure sensors, trackpads with tactile feedback and six axes of movement. Valve promises increased responsiveness and expanded compatibility with games in the Steam catalog.
Gabe Newell commented on the return: “We are delighted with the success of Steam Deck, and PC gamers have continued to ask for more ways to enjoy the many titles in their Steam library. Thanks to our work over several years on other hardware, and especially on SteamOS, Steam Controller, Steam Machine and Steam Frame have been able to meet this demand.”
A date and price still kept secret
For the moment, Valve remains silent on two elements that are nevertheless decisive: the release date and the price. The 512 GB and 2 TB models will be available in a pack with the controller, or alone, during 2026. But the firm is keeping its cards in hand.
This strategy is intriguing in a changing market, where Microsoft is also preparing a hybrid console very close to a PC. Valve’s bet: to seduce PC players looking for power in a living room format, without sacrificing the Steam ecosystem or performance.