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This is the weirdest looking humidifier I have ever seen.
Companion Cube 😍
The only thing the old Steam Machines were missing a decade ago was good Linux compatibility via Proton, but now we’ve got that! I have literally never been more excited for a new “console.” Goodbye, Steam Deck.
Goodbye, Steam Deck.
Nah, just stream from the Steam Machine to your Steam Deck.
I, for one, can’t wait for the limited edition companion cube edition to get released exactly 30 days after I have my steam machine delivered.
Thank you for your sacrifice. The same thing happens to me at my bus stop whenever I open my umbrella on a rainy day. The bus arrives as soon as I open it.
Goodbye to Steam Deck for this? Both, both is good.
I’m buying this not just for TV play, but hopefully also streaming to SD as a performance upgrade (without handing a ton of money annually to GeForce for laggy inputs), as someone who hasn’t had a desktop to do that in a long while. At that point, Steam Deck is a GabeCube accessory turning it into a Switch.
That sounds like the perfect setup! If the Steam Deck were smaller, that’s exactly what I’d do too.
After finally getting a pay raise and trying Switch 2, the size is pretty subjective. I appreciate SD’s bigger size giving not only a better controller grip, but also actually good speakers.
It’s totally a personal preference thing, but the Deck really deserves the love it’s gotten. The screen and speakers are amazing, which is rare for handhelds. I have high hopes for the AYN Thor as an eventual successor to my 3DS.
Ah, I should keep an eye on that. I love Steam Deck but the 3DS is the best console I’ve ever had, and was hoping some replacements would be available in 20 years when it breaks and used are hard to find.
The GabeCube looks awesome! The GabeGoggles probably aren’t riddled with spyware. The controller fucks so hard it could be an aphrodisiac. Massive win for valve today.
Valve just casually changing the entire PC gaming landscape on a Wednesday…
They used to do it with their games, now it’s with their hardware
This thing has pretty interesting hardware:
The chip almost looks like a cut down AMD Ryzen AI Max 385, but with fewer CPU cores and GPU CUs, but the GPU gets its own dedicated VRAM, rather than sharing it, like it does in something like a Framework Desktop.
It also seems like it gets a decent amount of power, so likely at higher clock speeds, performance should be pretty good for not that much money. If this is supposed to be a console then it can’t be much more than a PS5 at $550 or PS5 Pro at $750.
Dave2D mentioned that Valve said it isn’t aiming to directly compete with consoles, but rather sff PCs. So the price will likely be in the $700-900 range(?)
I can see this going for around $750 personally
Below this price it will literally “evaporate” in seconds after release.
It probably will anyway.
Index and Steam Deck both sold like crazy on release, Valve has already proven itself with their hardware.
Last time they’ve locked the sell on account base. Hopefully they’ll do the same this times too.
You’re not fitting a 6 core processor and a **60esque card in a ssf case for less than $1k I don’t think, so even $900 is competitive
I believe that Valve can afford to sell hardware at cost or even a little in the red. Getting people in the steam store ecosystem makes it back and then some in the long term.
They said they wanted to sell it at PC prices not console prices. Probably because this thing is literally a PC that can be used without ever downloading a single game. If it were too cheap companies could buy it as cheap office PCs.
Normally that only works if you have DRM that locks the games to your platform, so that people don’t get the hardware at a discount then use it to run someone else’s software.
But, in Valve’s case, it really has no competitors in the PC gaming space. That might not last forever, but it almost certainly will last as long as this PC / console is around.
Well, they already did that with the Deck, they earn very little from the hardware. Chances are they’ll do the same.
I think you can. The Ryzen 7600 and Rx 7600 are kinda cheap nowadays, even better if you use a 7500f.
You use a Chinese b650 ITX motherboard around 150 dollars and boom. You don’t need to buy expensive stuff to make a passable small PC.
Moore’s Law is Dead is estimating a $425 cost to produce, sale price between $450 to $600, depending on how hard they want to fuck Microsoft out of gaming.
I suspect the CPU is probably some Ryzen 7640u and the GPU is a 7600m equivalent.
This doesn’t seem to be an APU
I was going to build a gaming pc for the first time in years on Black Friday
This news put it on hold immediately. I’ll just get the Steam Machine instead, it’s exactly what I’ve wished for: a more powerful Steam Deck without a screen or controller built in.
AND it’ll run 4k games so I don’t need to downscale to my monitor.
I’m perfectly fine with it being FSR and only 60fps, as 99% of the stuff I play are single player games anyway.
With 8GB of VRAM, 4K gaming will suffer some.
4k FSR, so it’s not rendered at 4k, but upscaled on the GPU
Which I’m perfectly fine with
Then it’s not actually running games at 4K, now, is it?
Nope, and I’m perfectly fine with it. It’s still better than 1080p
Is it an APU, or is it a “desktop” CPU and GPU on one board? CPU specs are close to the 7600x but downlocked. And with dedicated vram I’d assume the GPU is it’s own separate thing.
GPU looks like it’s probably a tweaked RX 7400 based on the specs.
Is it an APU, or is it a “desktop” CPU and GPU on one board?
2 separate chips, both soldered to the board
This seems to blur the lines between desktop and mobile APU’s, but I would bet that’s it’s closer to a higher clocked mobile chip, than it is to desktop. The only reason I think this is the case is due to the similarity spec wise with the Max 385, and that it’s semi-custom.
If it was just a 7600x CPU + 7600 GPU I think they would have just said so. It could be separate CPU+GPU, but I think it might be possible that it is built more like a SOC, where the GPU is just given its own dedicated VRAM.
Looking at the hardware of say a PS5, it has 16 GB of GDRR6, the same as the Steam Machine’s VRAM.
If everything is soldered anyway, there is no reason to have separate chips for CPU+GPU, especially if that hardware already exists like the AMD Ryzen AI Max line.
According to Dave2D’s review, RAM is upgradeable, and GPU has dedicated VRAM.
Well I’m probably wrong then, framework said they couldn’t get good performance and maintain signal integrity with upgradable memory for the Ryzen Max cpus, so this is likely discrete Cpu and GPU. Probably all soldered in the same mainboard though.
Well I’m probably wrong then, framework said they couldn’t get good performance and maintain signal integrity with upgradable memory for the Ryzen Max cpus
On the other hand, Framework is run by far right sympathizers and are a few billion short of what Valve’s R&D might have access too.
If everything is soldered anyway, there is no reason to have separate chips for CPU+GPU, especially if that hardware already exists like the AMD Ryzen AI Max line.
Cost is a factor because just as with Steam Deck the two SKUs will only differ in storage space, not in performance. Using last gen RDNA3 is 100% a cost driven choice.
There was the story recently that AMD demanded a very high minimum order (10 million or so?) for semi-custom versions of the lasest Ryzen and RDNA iterations for some Xbox handheld which is unlikely that handheld would sell.
By going this route, Valve avoided this. Surely there is spare manufacturing capacity for RDNA3 by now.
To keep the package small, they might still have laptop type discreet GPU, just integrated on the same board.
I would have thought unified memory would pay off, otherwise you spend your time shuffling stuff between system memory and vram. Isn’t the deck unified memory?
What you lose shuffling between CPU and GPU you gain by not having your GPU and CPU sharing the same bandwidth.
Apple gets away with it by having an ungodly massive memory bus. I don’t think valve is getting a 512 bit memory bus on what’s probably a RX 7400/Ryzen 7600 tier CPU. Both of those combined would be like half that?
Apple gets away with it by having an ungodly massive memory bus.
It’s kind of impressive how effective Apple’s marketing team was towards developers when they started that push towards ARM PCs. A lot of people can remember that having shared memory benefits from not having to copy memory between the CPU and GPU, but barely any of them remember that the only reason it’s feasible is because Apple gave their devices insanely high memory bandwidth.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, look no further than the original Nintendo Switch. With an incredible 64-bit memory bus and 1600MHz memory clock speed, it was already being bottlenecked by its memory bandwidth 2 years into its lifespan. And that’s counting first/second-party titles like the Link’s Awakening remaster, not even shitty ports of games made for other consoles.
I’m wondering how much horsepower this stationary device have compared to a PS5 or Series X.
I’m not the best at gauging this but it seems it’s meant to be carried around and plugged into a 4K TV and operate okay at 60fps for most games that multiple people would play while in the same room. The specs seem to align with that. What would the GPU be comparable to? A 6700 (non XT)?
GamersNexus estimates a 7600.
Retro Game Corps was estimating $500-$600 and they are defintely out to lunch with that
Depends on tariffs.
You call pretty interesting hardware what looks like non-replaceable parts?
This is not only about gaming. If this low consume high performance sweety is actually affordable, 2026 could actually become the biggest year ever for Linux users. SteamOS is based on Arch Linux, and considering the power of the machine, editing should be more than doable. Now, i’m not too sure about the current compatibility/emulation of windows native software on linux, but with a substantial increase in desktop users, there could be some serious breakthrough, just like we already had with Proton for the games.
Litetally two days ago, I said that Proton is the most important project in the history of linux, in terms of getting linux to a mass adoption / user base.
Got mostly downvotes.
Then this happens.
Another thing I’vr been saying for a while:
Kernel Anti Cheat profileration in huge AAA games has the effect of stymying wider linux adoption.
It will be MSFT’s last trump card, now that they’re basically just a mega publisher, in terms of video games.
The relevant bit is not that SteamOS is based on Arch, but that it is running KDE Plasma desktop.
with a substantial increase in desktop users there could be some serious breakthrough like we already had with Proton
Most desktop users are not going to turn developers.
I don’t think that’s what they mean. They mean it’ll show these companies that there’s a market and money to be made by releasing Linux versions of their software.
Both really.
The bearded madman did it! He really nailed it!
I’m a bit concerned about the vram situation. 8Gb is not a lot nowadays, particularly if you start adding stuff like ai framegen and stuff which these types of machines tend to need further down the line.
An extra 8gb wouldn’t have killed the profit margins.
An extra 8gb wouldn’t have killed the profit margins.
I see you haven’t checked ram prices lately…
Bulk pricings has increased sure, but not to the extent consumer price did. Capitalism, ho!
Given that they’d have locked in the supply at least half a year ago, though, it would be funny (though unrealistic) to find out they contributed to the price hike 😂
Would it be safe to assume their processor/gpu magic that brought us the deck has advanced enough since then to compensate?
I’m no hardware guru, but wouldn’t it be possible to use a swap file or other methods to simulate extra ram if optimized and efficient enough?
As a deck owner, it’s not that powerful, you’re never going to drive it at full settings on most modern games, so the size of the vram does not matter all that much.
Also, the GPU already does the cache work itself if the vram is full anyway, and GDDR is much faster than regular DDR, which is why you see stuttering on 8gb GPUs when texture resolution is pushing the limits.
With the spot price if GDDR6 modules it’s frankly disappointing to only see 8gb.
Plus, add in the fact that FSR/DLSS models take up valuable vram size to work for framegen and stuff, it reduces even more the availability for actual data.
It seems to just be a 7600m laptop GPU which comes with 8Gb. I don’t think this is a custom chip like SONY uses but, just off the shelf stuff AMD sold for a discount.
Pretty exciting announcement! I was thinking about building a new rig and retiring my current machine with a 3080 to the TV. This might change that.
What I’m more curious about is how are the folks at Microsoft reacting to this news, since it sounds like the next Xbox was essentially going to be a PC. With Valve doing it first and the fact that the Steam store is so huge, I’m imagining this makes them a bit nervous.
Never buying Microsoft after the recall bullshit. Also not paying monthly subscription to enable Internet on my device
don’t wait for this, get or build a normal pc that you can change parts anytime you want, you will not regret it.
If I were 20 years older, I’d be happy to spec out a mini-ITX build. But with a 3 year old running my life, my time is limited and if the price of this is right, it might make more sense for where my current life is at.
I’ve got 3 under 10 and it’s brutal trying to find time for hobbies. I paid someone to repaste my GPU and that felt weird as hell
I completely understand where you’re coming from, no shame in that game!
if you have time to play videogames on one of these you also have the time to build your own pc. You don’t have to anyway, you can pay someone to build it for you, the price would be about the same.
I’m excited to see what it can do at idle power draw along with the price. This can end up being a really good miniPC if it’s priced as competitively as the Deck was when that launched
Love to see it! Been very excited about the rumors of the steam machine! Probably won’t get one for a while cuz money, but I’ll probably pick up a steam controller!
Let’s goooooo I just need to sell one kidney and I can complete the set
It’s expensive, but not that expensive.
I meant that I am that poor
Relatable
The kidney?
How much is it?
Around 700, if we follow previous trends and account for inflation.
The Steam Machine will not be $700 I’m certain. I’m betting around the $300-400 mark. I think most are assuming around $400 based on the fairly weak hardware (8GB of VRAM i+is of particular note), but they make money from sales on the market. I wouldn’t be surprised if they sell it as a loss, because anyone they move off of console to PC is an even larger profit in the long term than any profit they could make from hardware sales.
Consoles used to be sold at a loss when they were competing more on hardware rather than peer pressure and brand loyalty. Now they’re sold at a profit and they require a subscription to use the internet you’re already paying for, and they get a cut of sales. Valve would be stupid not to try to undercut them.
The 2015 steam machine was sold for 400-600, so I was basing it off that
It also failed. I don’t really think they’re going to be using it as a guideline to follow.
I’m still surprised that there’s no USB c on the front. I’ve felt this way for 3 hours now since I first saw the picture.
And only HDMI 2.0, not 2.1. At least it has DisplayPort.
@dangrousperson @WhatGodIsMadeOf The hardware is apparently capable of HDMI 2.1, but the HDMI Forum doesn’t allow open source to have HDMI 2.1 drivers.
If you hook this up to a monitor you can use DisplayPort with the full features. I wish TVs had DisplayPort.
Agreed, I wonder if this has to do with pricing? I imagine they can save on PCI lanes this way, and can keep the cost of components down.
There’s an LED strip, y’all!
Cool, I hope they keep that idea. 😀
Anyways it all depends on price/performance is good.
Previous attempts at 3rd party Steam Machines were not good in that regard.Have you heard of the Steam Deck? Things aren’t the same as they were ten years ago.
What a moronic question to ask on a Steam Deck sub?
Of course I have, and Steam deck was priced very aggressively, but info on who makes this Steam Machine and how it will be priced is 100% absent here.
There was a pretty massive attempt at launching steam machines years before Steam Deck, and that it didn’t go well.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_Machine_(computer)
Following a two-year testing period, Steam Machines and its related hardware were released on November 10, 2015. By 2018, many Steam Machine models were no longer offered on the Steam store.
How does that raise the question whether I’m aware of Steam Deck???
Have you heard of irony? Especially considering the sub this is in, I thought it would be obvious.
I don’t understand the purpose of that, or how that would be irony.
Looks just like a dumb comment to me.If that’s how you want to see it, that’s fine.
The LED strip? It’s on the units that have already been tested and demo’d. What looks really interesting is the (presumably optional) front panel display that shows machine vitals. I’ve only seen that mentioned on some articles and videos.
I saw that area and secretly hoped for an optical drive slot, not that it would ever happen.
This will no doubt be good for linux pc gaming. On the steamdeck Valve contributed greatly to the opensource proton project.
Linux PC gaming is already here. The only games that don’t work with Proton are if the developers specifically disable support for Linux (via intrusive anti cheat).
I sort of gave up on upgrading my under TV Steam machine so this actually looks like a nice way back in.
Prreciousssss…
We wants it!
