All the details you missed about the Steam Machine

Valve has done it again and surprised everyone with a brand new line of hardware products that is even more exciting than the launch of the Steam Deck. A new controller, a new flagship standalone VR headset and of course a revamped one Steam engine who are looking to break into the PC and console gaming market.

Many people may know the device, the use cases, the modularity and a basic overview of what it offers, but there are a few details that may have been missed in the Steam Machine message. There are still a lot of questions regarding pricing and availability, but for now there is enough information for people to get excited about and possibly inform their decisions about whether to make the purchase.

Upgradability

Not quite a custom computer, but close enough

PCs have always had an edge over consoles in gaming in one specific area: upgradeability. It's significantly easier to swap in newer RAM or a better GPU in a PC than it is for a console, and the Steam Machine wants to sit somewhere in between the two.

People won't be able to pull apart the console and replace every single component like they can with a PC, but they can upgrade the storage with both a microSD card and by swapping a larger M.2 drive into the readily available slot. The RAM is also fairly easy to replace, but the rest of the components are integrated or soldered on, and until Valve releases some more details on warranties, it's safe to assume that for the average consumer, what they get out of the box is what they'll live with.

Start models

A few options to choose from

Something that may have flown under the radar for many during the announcement is the different launch options that will be available when the Steam Machine is released in 2026. The two options right now are between a 512GB SSD and a 2TB SSD, making the launch options feel similar to the different models available for the Steam Deck.

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These two different levels of storage will of course have their own fixed prices, but aside from the size, there don't seem to be any changes in speed or other components between the two versions of the system. It's nice to have the choice from the get-go, and while those storage levels aren't enough, there's of course room to add more storage down the line for those who need it.

Specifications

What's inside The Tiny Cube

The biggest question on everyone's mind regarding the Steam Machine, aside from its final price, is the device's specifications. A lot of the parts are either semi-custom or pretty vague, but there's still enough information available for people to understand what kind of system they'll be buying, with everything from CPU to I/O already laid out clearly by Valve.

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Some things will be of more interest to some than others, but it's still nice to know exactly what Valve is putting into its next big piece of hardware. However, it's worth noting that some specifications are subject to change depending on availability and other external factors that may or may not affect the current listing.

Full spec list:

Operating system

The choice is yours

Steam Machine OS is looking to take a similar path to Steam Deck, using Valve's in-house SteamOS 3 to deliver an optimized experience for gaming while still being able to run as a full-fledged desktop. In terms of compatibility, the device will come with the same proton layer that allows so many games to run as well as they do on the Steam Deck, but with more powerful hardware comes the potential for fewer hiccups, and therefore more games to play.

Despite being built with SteamOS in mind, the Steam Machine will work just fine if users decide to switch to Windows 11 or another operating system of their choice. However, this should only be done by experienced tinkerers and of course at your own risk. At the end of the day, Valve is selling a PC product, not explicitly a console, so it can serve a lot more purposes for consumers than just playing games.

The steam engine has an internal power supply

No Power Brick

When Valve revealed its range of new products, you may have noticed that the Steam Machine was on its own without a power stone. While this may have seemed like a creative choice for the presentation, Valve has confirmed that the Steam Machine uses an internal power supply, eliminating the need for an external brick. This is impressive considering the system's small size, and it shows the efficient design of the hardware. The Steam Machine may not be a portable system, but all indications are that it will be pretty easy to take on the go, at least by PC and home console standards.

The light bar on the Steam machine shows the download progress of a game

Always know when a game is ready to go

Customization is a big part of PC gaming, and the Steam Machine promises to highlight that aspect, despite being something a little closer to a home console. A great feature is that the RGB light bar can be customized to display different statuses, which you can choose.

While the full range of options isn't known yet, you'll be able to use the light bar to show the progress of your downloads, which is an absolutely fantastic concept that should honestly be added to all consoles going forward. Apparently the light field is made up of different zones, so you might be able to customize them individually as well.

Performance

Taking a big step forward

With all new hardware releases, arguably the biggest dealbreaker for consumers is how powerful the device is. For the Steam Machine, things look very impressive on the surface, with Valve promising a performance level six times higher than the Steam Deck, as well as a goal to run virtually every game on Steam at 4K 60fps.

Now, the second endeavor will come with the caveat of having to turn off some settings and enable upscaling for more graphically intensive titles, but from the first behind-the-scenes tests, it seems much closer to reality than fiction. What makes this level of performance so interesting is how Valve used hardware research to build a device that caters to the needs of a wide range of users, resulting in a well-rounded, but still entry-level device that will satisfy the majority of consumers.

The grip feel of the new Steam Controller

Gyro activation in the palm of your hand

With all the hype surrounding the Steam Machine and Steam Frame, it's easy to overlook the Steam Controller, which will surely be the best way to interact with Valve's upcoming gaming console. From two trackpads to four grip buttons and built-in rumble, the gamepad provides a wealth of options and the ability to customize a lot of them.

However, the controller's most novel feature is called Grip-Sense, which allows users to activate gyro functions through capacitive touch. Basically, two buttons on the back of the controller can be held to turn the gyro on, and you only need to release them to turn it off. If you are absolutely not interested in gyro controls, you can just remap these buttons.

Steam Controllers TMR thumbsticks

Magnetic thumbsticks that should hold and feel good during the process

The Steam Controller's thumbsticks are set to be very advanced, as they use tunnel magnetoresistance technology. Generally TMR thumbsticks are the best in the business these days, they are slightly more reliable and responsive than the Hall Effect alternatives. The technology is complex, but what it ultimately means is that these thumbsticks can read your smallest movements, making them especially good for precision-based games like first-person shooters. If you're not going to use a keyboard and mouse, TMR thumbsticks are the next best thing.

Peripheral support

Everything you could ever need

Being a PC/console-style device, it is crucial that the Steam Machine can support a wide range of peripherals to meet the needs of all types of consumers. For first-party devices like the new Steam Controller, the adapter is built right into the device, allowing for seamless connection and few dropouts, even when using multiple controllers at the same time.

But for those who prefer their own devices or want to use a mouse and keyboard, the Steam Machine will have the same functionality out of the box as any other PC. There are enough places for a mouse, keyboard, microphone, charger and anything else that needs a USB socket, giving users the freedom to use the device however they choose without needing any special adapters or updates to get things working properly.

Stamp

Valve

Operating system

SteamOS 3 (Ark-based)

Processor

Semi-custom AMD Zen 4 6C / 12T up to 4.8 GHz, 30W TDP

Resolution

Up to 4K @ 240Hz or 8K @ 60Hz

HDR support

Yes

WiFi

2×2 Wi-Fi 6E