James Ratcliff joined Game Rant in 2022 as Gaming News Writer. In 2023, James was offered the chance to become an occasional writer for various games and then a lead writer in 2025. He is a third generation Texan who has been writing professionally for over a decade covering a variety of topics for his readers.
The Steam engine won't be as accessible as customers originally hoped, as a Valve software engineer has confirmed that the upcoming system won't have subsidized pricing. Valve has confirmed rumors that the Steam Machine will be priced closer to a PC than a game console, meaning its overall price is at the mercy of RAM and graphics card prices.
Originally announced on November 12th, the upcoming Steam Machine is Valve's latest attempt to create a system that caters to console gamers. Although Valve has not confirmed any pricing or release dates, the Steam Machine is expected to launch sometime in 2026. The Steam Machine is powered by an AMD hexa-core processor that can reach speeds of up to 4.8GHz and will have a degree of customization that users can take advantage of, such as the ability to install additional operating systems. The Steam Machine will have 512GB and 2TB models for users to choose from, and support for up to 8K resolution via DisplayPort.
Steam users are eligible for a free co-op action game until November 24th
Steam users can add the popular first-person co-op game with a “Very Positive” review average to their game libraries for free, but not for long.
Valve confirms that the Steam Engine will not be sold at a loss
While past rumors about the Steam Machine have painted a bleak picture of its pricing, a Valve software engineer has confirmed that the upcoming system may carry a steep price tag. In an interview with SkillUp on YouTube, Valve software engineer Pierre-Loup Griffais said that the Steam Machine will not be sold at a subsidized price and that it would compete with PCs that offer similar specs. Griffais said the Steam Machine's goal is “to be a good business at that level of performance” once it reaches consumers. Since the Steam Machine uses 16GB of DDR5 memory along with 8GB of video memory from AMD's GPU, the price of the Steam Machine will likely be at the mercy of RAM and GPU prices.
At the time of writing, desktop RAM prices have increased by at least 200% by the fall, as supply normally reserved for consumers has been allocated to AI-powered servers being built by companies like OpenAI and Google. This led to DDR5 memory kits selling for $90 in August 2025 climbing to more than $250 three months later. The skyrocketing price of RAM can also have an effect on current-generation consoles, as rumors have begun to spread on social media that Microsoft is considering further price increases for Xbox consoles.
With the Steam Machine said to be more powerful than 70% of Steam users' systems, its success will depend on the price customers are willing to pay. However, time will tell when Valve will share more details about the Steam Machine.
- Mark
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Valve
- Operating system
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SteamOS 3 (based on the architecture)
- Processor
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Semi-custom AMD Zen 4 6C / 12T up to 4.8 GHz, 30W TDP
- Resolution
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Up to 4K @ 240 Hz or 8K @ 60 Hz
- HDR support
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Yes
- Memory
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16GB DDR5 + 8GB GDDR6 VRAM
Your Steam library in multiple places.
With more than six times the performance of Steam Deck, Steam Machine has the power to play your entire Steam library, including your favorite AAA titles. Just sign in with your Steam account and your entire library is there.
The core features that define the Steam Machine
SteamOS –
An OS optimized for gaming with quick pause/resume and cloud saves. And that's just the beginning.
Small form factor – Put it under the TV. Put it on the table. Hide it under the banana. These are powerful computer games packed into a roughly 6-inch (~160 mm) cube.
Cold and silent – Steam Machine cools and runs quietly, even when running the most demanding games.
I/O for days – Ready for all the peripherals and monitors you can throw at it*: 1 Gigabit Ethernet. DisplayPort 1.4. HDMI 2.0. One USB-C and four USB-A ports.
*But don't actually throw things at it.
CPU and GPU – 4K gaming at 60 FPS with FSR thanks to a discrete processor and AMD desktop-grade GPU.
Storage – Available in two storage sizes: 512 GB and 2 TB. Both come with microSD expandable storage.
Connectivity – 2×2 Wi-Fi 6E, plus Bluetooth 5.3 with dedicated antenna. The Steam Controller wireless adapter is built right into the Steam Machine for direct pairing.
strength – No giant brick! The Steam Machine's power supply is built right in.
