According to GamingOnLinux, rumors about a new Steam console in the works turned out to be baseless speculation, as confirmed by Valve developer Pierre-Loup Griffais via BlueSky. Griffais clarified that while Valve is refining software for AMD’s upcoming RDNA 4 GPU architecture, similar work has been undertaken since the days of AMD’s Vega architecture. This doesn’t mean that Valve is planning a revival of the Steam Machine project anytime soon.
So, if you were hoping for a new Steam Console, it’s time to put those dreams on hold, at least for now. But let’s take a moment to delve into Valve’s ventures in the console arena and consider what the future might hold, both for a renewed Steam Machine initiative and the anticipated Steam Deck 2.
### Valve’s Hardware Vision
The excitement around a potential Steam console wasn’t based on enabling the latest GPU architecture like AMD’s RDNA 4. Consoles, even ones like the Steam Deck, tend to use custom hardware derived from existing technologies. By the time these consoles hit the market, the underlying tech is usually a generation behind, due to the intensive planning required.
When the Steam Deck launched in 2022, it featured AMD’s RDNA 2 architecture, which had been around since November 2020. This meant a gap of over a year and a half post-launch. Adapting the RDNA 4 into a handheld APU is an even larger undertaking in terms of time, effort, and costs.
Right now, the best integrated GPU solutions use RDNA 3 and 3.5 architectures. These newer iterations haven’t made significant strides in battery-powered performance. Although plugged-in performance has increased, battery power continues to limit handheld devices. It’s only recently that the Ryzen AI HX 300 Series APUs with RDNA 3.5 iGPUs have made their appearance.
Another indicator that a new Steam Console isn’t on Valve’s current agenda is news that the Steam Deck 2 won’t be out for two to three years. Valve wants advances in hardware rather than just another incremental update, which makes launching several platforms within a short span seem unlikely.
While RDNA 4 appears intriguing on paper, there are still many unknowns, like power consumption, performance, and cost, which are crucial when considering it for a handheld device.
### Gazing into the Tech Future
Let’s entertain a bit of educated guesswork while staying grounded in known facts about PC hardware and its impact on consoles.
Leaks from late last year hinted at Valve’s new designs, including an updated Steam Controller with Deck-like features and next-gen VR controllers. This suggests a potential revival of the Steam Link or Steam Machine, though it might also aim solely to enhance compatibility with the Steam Deck’s various features.
Does this mean a Steam Console is entirely out of reach? Not necessarily. Once Steam OS 3 becomes widely available, it’s plausible more manufacturers could incorporate it into mini PCs, laptops, and handhelds. A larger device could facilitate advanced features like real-time ray-tracing, currently challenging on the Steam Deck due to power and hardware constraints.
For a significant performance boost in handhelds, Valve needs more than just RDNA 4’s improved ray-tracing abilities. A suitable GPU architecture is essential to deliver RT capabilities at manageable power limits specific to handhelds. Full-scale RDNA 4 mobile GPUs reportedly consume 80-175W TDP, so we’re not there yet.
Yet, advances are possible. The RDNA 4 is expected to use a manufacturing process that’s been around for a couple of years. Shifting to smaller nodes designed for efficiency could generate a more viable chip for future handhelds, provided costs and die size remain competitive.
Still, is a standalone Steam Console truly necessary? A Steam Deck docked to a compatible station rivals the Nintendo Switch in power despite being a hybrid device. If Nintendo is moving away from traditional home consoles, Valve likely sees greater value in a hybrid-handheld that doesn’t compete directly with mainstream consoles and gaming PCs.
