The Steam Machine is already one of Valve’s most expensive gaming devices. However, it may not stay at its current price for long.
According to a Valve engineer, the ongoing DRAM shortage is continuing to drive up component costs. This raises the possibility that the handheld could become even more expensive in the months ahead.
Speaking to Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier, Valve engineer Yazan Aldehayyat said the company expected some supply chain challenges around memory, storage and chips. However, he said the current DRAM crisis has turned out to be far more severe than anticipated.
While he stopped short of confirming another price increase, Aldehayyat suggested that the worst may not be over. He explained that retail prices typically lag three to six months behind wholesale component costs. This means the most recent increases in DRAM pricing have yet to be reflected on store shelves.
That could have implications for the Steam Machine, which already starts at £879 / $1,049 for the version with 512GB of storage and no controller. Buyers looking for the 2TB model with a bundled gamepad currently have to pay £1,208 / $1,428.
The comments also suggest Valve is continuing to monitor the supply situation closely rather than ruling out future pricing changes. Aldehayyat noted that it’s still unclear whether memory prices will eventually stabilise or continue climbing. As a result, it is difficult to predict where hardware costs will settle over the longer term.
The Steam Machine has already weathered one major price adjustment. According to the report, Valve had originally intended to launch the device at a lower price. However, rising component costs forced the company to increase pricing ahead of release. The increase was compared to previous price changes affecting the Steam Deck.
Despite its premium positioning, demand doesn’t appear to have slowed. The Steam Machine is reportedly sold out, suggesting buyers have continued to snap up the hardware even at its current asking price.
For now, Valve hasn’t announced any official pricing changes, and Aldehayyat’s comments don’t confirm that one is imminent. However, if memory costs continue to rise and supply pressures persist, today’s retail prices may not be the final word on what the Steam Machine will ultimately cost.
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