Steam Machine rumours and everything we know

Valve, the team behind Steam and the much loved Steam Deck, has recently unveiled three new additions to its hardware lineup.

Alongside the Steam Controller and Steam Frame headset, Valve has introduced the Steam Machine, a PC optimised for gaming on the big screen.

While the Steam Machine hasn’t officially launched yet, we’ve rounded up everything you need to know about the upcoming gaming PC. Read on to see what you should expect from the Steam Machine.

Otherwise, make sure you visit our list of the best game consoles and best gaming laptops too. 

Last updated: 14th January 2026 to include new pricing leaks

Steam Machine at a glance

Set to launch “early 2026”

Available in two sizes: 512GB and 2TB

Leaks suggest the Steam Machine will start at around $950 for the smaller model while the 2TB size may be $1070

Six-inch cube-shaped PC

Customisable LED strip at its front

Powered by SteamOS

AMD desktop class CPU and GPU for 4K gaming at 60 fps

Steam Machine specs table

CPUSemi-custom AMD Zen 4 6C / 12TGPUSemi-Custom AMD RDNA3 28CUsRAM16GBStorage512GB or 2TBDimensions152 mm tall (148 mm without feet), 162.4 mm deep, 156 mm wideWeight2.6kgOperating SystemSteamOSDesktopKDE PlasmaBluetoothBluetooth 5.3 dedicated antenna

Steam Machine rumored release date & pricing

At the time of writing, Valve is yet to reveal when we will be able to get our hands on the Steam Machine, and has only teased that it’ll arrive “early 2026”. Considering we’re now firmly in “early 2026” territory, it’s fair to assume we should expect a launch soon.

There has been some controversy surrounding the launch, with some outlets suggesting the Steam Machine might be subject to delays due to price hikes and parts shortages. Not only that, but according to the Gaming Bible, as the cost of RAM is soaring and GPUs aren’t any cheaper, the Steam Machine is expected to be more expensive than previously hoped.

Steam Machine. Image Credit (Valve)

Which brings us conveniently to our next point. Valve hasn’t yet revealed how much the Steam Machine will cost. As the PC will be available as either a 512GB or 2TB model, the price will likely to depend on the version you opt for.

Although many internet sleuths have attempted to estimate how much the Steam Machine is likely to cost, the prices range wildly from $400 up to well over an eye-watering $1000. However, it’s recently been revealed that Czech retailer, Smarty, may have leaked the pricing of the Steam Machine. Although the listing doesn’t publicly show a price, if you inspect the site via the browser developer console then the hidden price is there.

Seriously, there’s no hiding anything from internet sleuths.

For the 512GB model the price is listed as 19,826 CZK which is roughly $950, while the larger 2TB model is listed for 22,305 CZK, which is around $1070.

The OP on Reddit disclaims that you should keep in mind that this pricing is from an external retailer, so the “final price directly from Steam could be lower”. 

Steam Hardware line-up. Image Credit (Valve)

Steam Machine design

Although Valve hasn’t confirmed neither the release date nor price of the Steam Machine, the company has certainly managed to build intrigue by revealing its design and specifications. 

At its surface, the Steam Machine looks like a neat, fuss-free console thanks to its roughly six-inch cube design. It doesn’t look dissimilar to the Fire TV Cube, and is designed to blend into your home entertainment or desk set-up.

Despite its compact size, the Steam Machine is impressively well equipped with plenty of ports. There’s a total of four USB-A ports available, plus a USB-C, HDMI, Ethernet and a DisplayPort. Not only that but regardless of whether you opt for the 512GB or larger 2TB version, you’ll benefit from expandable storage thanks to the microSD card slot too. 

There’s also a customisable LED strip at its front, which is fitted with 17 individually addressable LEDs. This, Valve explains, can be customised to suit your preferences, used as a visual indicator to determine a download’s progress, or turned off altogether. 

LED strip on Steam Machine. Image Credit (Valve)

At the rear is a nifty fan that promises to ensure the Steam Machine stays cool and runs quietly, even during the “most demanding games”. 

Steam Machine performance and software

Before we dive into the Steam Machine’s specs, it’s worth noting that they might look a bit different after launch. According to PC’s official listing, some of the specifications are “subject to change ahead of availability”. 

Otherwise, considering that it’s promised to be up to six times more powerful than the Steam Deck, these initial specs undoubtedly sound promising.

Steam Deck in hand. Image Credit (Trusted Reviews)

Although of course the Steam Machine is optimised for gaming, and promises up to 4K gaming at 60 fps, it still lends itself to be a pretty decent PC too – allowing you to install your own apps or even another operating system if you like. This is all thanks to its semi-custom AMD desktop class Zen 4 CPU and RDNA 3 GPU, alongside 16GB of RAM too. 

Unsurprisingly, the Steam Machine comes equipped with SteamOS. There’s much to love about SteamOS as it’s designed to offer a plug-and-play experience without a needlessly complicated set-up. Valve also states that it’s expanding the Verified program to include ratings for Steam Machine, which means you’ll be able to see how well a game will run on before committing. 

Finally, although it is hailed as being “made for Steam Controller”, as the Steam Machine comes with a built-in wireless adapter specifically for pairing with the Controller, you can also pair other PC and gaming accessories to the Machine too.

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