Valve Announces New Hardware for 2026, Including a New Steam Machine and the Steam Frame VR Headset

[Peter_Brosdahl]

Valve is once again expanding its hardware ecosystem with new products expected to arrive in 2026, including the return of the Steam Machine.

See full article...

 

[Grimlakin]

I saw the ltt video on the new vr headset. Seems pretty compelling if the price point is right!!

 

[Denpepe]

Why oh why only a 6 core CPU?

 

[Stoly]

Why oh why only a 6 core CPU?

why oh why do you need more for gaming?

Take a look at the 7500X3d benches yup it gets owned big time on high end apps but its pretty good for gaming.

I would be more concerned about the RDNA3 graphics.

 

[Marees]

Why oh why only a 6 core CPU?

That is the cheapest that AMD could give them

12 threads should be enough but major issue with this apu could be that these 6 cores are spread across 2 different CCXs resulting in some latency (unlike Intel's Lunar Lake that would have been ideal for this use case)

But anyways the biggest bottleneck is GPU

4k 60 fps in 2026 on an 8gb navi 33 using FSR4 is not upto snuff

1. Navi 33 has some cutbacks compared to navi 32 or 31, which might impact FSR 4 performance
2. Even if FSR 4 works perfectly, it would still be upscaling from 1080p to 4K. & we know that 1080p max/ultra native exceeds 8gb for all PS5 games & nanite like open world settings. We would need 'optimized' settings to handle 8gb vram here. Hope Valve can work their magic

 

[Stoly]

I wonder if it will be exclusive to Valve or will they open the platform to other OEMs like the first iteration.

 

[Marees]

I wonder if it will be exclusive to Valve or will they open the platform to other OEMs like the first iteration.

Definitely it is coming for other OEMs also

Be ready for the Steam Machine pro (maybe on the strix halo NUCs ??)

 

[Skillz]

I saw the ltt video on the new vr headset. Seems pretty compelling if the price point is right!!

I seen the same video. I take things Linus says with a grain of salt, but the video on the Frame did look extremely promising. I might be a day one (or attempted day one) buy on that.

Main reason I haven't bought one of the VR headsets so far is down to two things.
One, I'm not selling myself to Meta.
Two, I don't really have room to setup all the external sensors the good headsets need for tracking.

This headset should solve the problems.
No Meta BS
No external sensors

I know other headsets don't require external sensors, but they suck.

I just really want to be able to play driving/racing sims and flight sims with a VR headset at my desk.

 

[Peter_Brosdahl]

I recommend clicking on the RockPaperShotgun link in the article, they've got a nice pic of what this thing looks like on the inside.

 

[Peter_Brosdahl]

Some more on this.

Valve's Steam Machine Supports Swappable Faceplates, Like E-Ink Prototype

Valve officially unveiled its long-rumored Steam Machine on Wednesday, a compact, cube-shaped system that combines small-form-factor PC design with a living-room console/HTPC experience. The exterior features a simple black shell with a slim LED accent, offering a blank canvas for customization...

www.techpowerup.com

 

[Peter_Brosdahl]

 

[Stoly]

That is the cheapest that AMD could give them

12 threads should be enough but major issue with this apu could be that these 6 cores are spread across 2 different CCXs resulting in some latency (unlike Intel's Lunar Lake that would have been ideal for this use case)

But anyways the biggest bottleneck is GPU

4k 60 fps in 2026 on an 8gb navi 33 using FSR4 is not upto snuff

1. Navi 33 has some cutbacks compared to navi 32 or 31, which might impact FSR 4 performance
2. Even if FSR 4 works perfectly, it would still be upscaling from 1080p to 4K. & we know that 1080p max/ultra native exceeds 8gb for all PS5 games & nanite like open world settings. We would need 'optimized' settings to handle 8gb vram here. Hope Valve can work their magic

AFAIK FS4 is limited to the Navi4 series and up.

 

[Marees]

AFAIK FS4 is limited to the Navi4 series and up.

True. But I expect RDNA 3 to get it by H1 next year.

 

[magoo]

Correct, unfortunately the SteamCube will "only" have RDNA3.
That aside, having your entire PC steam library available in the living room is very excellent. Plus, if you like controllers, this new one is very nice.
I hate controllers. Never liked consoles. SteamCube reminds me of a giant SteamDeck.
The most amazing thing Valve is releasing is that "Frame" . Its a very upgraded Index, but the stand-alone features are excellent. No tether. The cost is going to be the kicker.....I see it at $999.....or more. But you do get new controllers....LoL.

 

[Stoly]

Definitely it is coming for other OEMs also

Be ready for the Steam Machine pro (maybe on the strix halo NUCs ??)

I'm not so sure, Valve can take the luxury of pricing the Steam Machine at very narrow margins even maybe at a loss as they can make up with game sales. Not so with OEMs.

 

[Stoly]

True. But I expect RDNA 3 to get it by H1 next year.

Well technically you can do FSR4 with RDNA 3 but it takes a performance hit. You don't want that.

 

[Denpepe]

I'm not so sure, Valve can take the luxury of pricing the Steam Machine at very narrow margins even maybe at a loss as they can make up with game sales. Not so with OEMs.

I£ seen Linus' video about the steam machine and while they did not want to say anything on price yet, when he hinted at a low price he got some looks letting him know he was way off.

My bet is in the 1000$/€ ballpark

 

[Peter_Brosdahl]

If true then I expect it DOA. The only chance this thing has is to be priced in the $600-800 range or less. I'll be shocked if it launches at $1k and is a hit.

 

[Stoly]

While I'm curious about how it will turn out, I have a feeling it will be too little too late.

From the released specs it may go head to head with a Series X or PS5, but probably won't stand a chance against the PS5Pro, much less the PS6 or next gen Xbox.

Price wise, it better be in the same ballpark as current consoles, otherwise it will be DOA.

Worst part is, that memory prices are going to the roof right now, so hopes for a cheap SteamMachine are low.

 

[Peter_Brosdahl]

Worst part is, that memory prices are going to the roof right now, so hopes for a cheap SteamMachine are low.

Maybe, just maybe, they've at least managed to produce enough inventory using RAM purchased at the lower prices to allow a lower priced launch. If so, it'll be a guarantee to see a price hike once said inventory is exhausted.