Valve announces steam machine pricing and preorder lottery

At a glance:

• Steam Machine starts at $1,049 for the 512 GB model without a controller
• Preorder wait‑list closes June 25 2024; selected buyers can purchase on June 29
• Specs include an AMD Zen 4 CPU, 16 GB DDR5, and a custom RDNA 3 GPU

What is the steam machine?

Valve’s new Steam Machine is a compact, living‑room‑sized gaming PC built into a roughly 6‑inch cube. The device is intended to sit beside a TV and deliver a console‑like experience while retaining the flexibility of a full PC. Users can run SteamOS 3 out of the box, switch to a Windows install if they prefer, or even connect a keyboard and mouse to use it as a regular desktop.

The design echoes Valve’s earlier Steam Machine initiative from the mid‑2010s, but this version leans on the lessons learned from the Steam Deck and the Proton compatibility layer. By standardising on a single hardware spec, Valve hopes developers will optimise games for the platform, reducing the fragmentation that plagued the original Steam Machines.

Pricing and preorder process

Valve published a detailed pricing table on its listing page on Monday. The base configuration – a 512 GB NVMe SSD and no Steam Controller – is priced at $1,049. Adding the controller raises the cost to $1,128. For users who need more storage, the 2 TB model is $1,349 without a controller and $1,428 with one.

To secure a unit, customers must join a wait‑list by selecting their desired model before 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET on Thursday, June 25, 2024. After the deadline the list is randomized, and selected shoppers receive a unique purchase window on Monday, June 29. They have 72 hours to complete the transaction; if they miss it, the reservation passes to the next person in line. Those not chosen are placed on a secondary list and will be invited when Valve restocks, mirroring the rollout strategy used for the Steam Deck.

Technical specifications

Valve released the final hardware specs alongside the pricing announcement. The key components are:

• CPU: AMD Zen 4, 6 cores / 12 threads, up to 4.8 GHz, 30 W TDP
• Memory: 16 GB DDR5 system RAM + 8 GB GDDR6 VRAM
• Graphics: Semi‑custom AMD RDNA 3 GPU, 28 compute units, 2.45 GHz boost, 110 W TDP
• Storage: 512 GB NVMe SSD (base) or optional 1 TB NVMe SSD; microSD slot for expansion
• Ports: USB‑A 3.2 Gen 1 (x2), USB‑A 2.0 (x2), USB‑C 3.2 Gen 2, DisplayPort 1.4 (up to 8K @ 60 Hz), HDMI 2.0 (up to 4K @ 120 Hz), Gigabit Ethernet
• Wireless: 2×2 Wi‑Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
• OS: SteamOS 3 (Linux‑based) with optional Windows install
• Dimensions & weight: 6 in tall (5.8 in without feet), 6.4 in deep, 6.1 in wide; 5.7 lb (2.6 kg)

These specs position the Steam Machine between current‑gen consoles and high‑end gaming PCs, offering enough horsepower for most modern titles while keeping power consumption modest.

Unique features and upgradability

Beyond raw performance, Valve has added several consumer‑focused touches. The console sports removable faceplates, allowing owners to personalise the exterior much like the Xbox 360’s interchangeable shells. An experimental e‑ink front panel was demonstrated internally, though it will not be sold.

The unit is also designed for upgrades. Users can swap the internal SSD or add a microSD card for extra storage. While RAM upgrades are possible, they require more steps than a simple drive swap. Because the hardware runs a full PC OS, it can be connected to a monitor, keyboard, and mouse to function as a traditional desktop, and owners may install Windows to broaden game compatibility, albeit with a less seamless experience than SteamOS.

Launch timeline and availability

The first wave of Steam Machines becomes purchasable on June 29, 2024, but only for those who were randomly selected from the wait‑list. Valve has not disclosed how many units will be available in this initial batch, nor the expected cadence of subsequent restocks. Customers who miss the first window will be placed on a secondary queue and notified when more inventory arrives.

Valve’s lottery‑style rollout is intended to curb scalping. By limiting the number of units each buyer can reserve and randomising the selection, the company hopes to keep prices stable on the secondary market. The approach mirrors the launch of the Steam Deck, where a similar system was used to manage demand amid component shortages.

Background and previous steam machines

The original Steam Machine concept debuted in 2013 alongside SteamOS, inviting hardware partners such as Alienware and Dell to build Linux‑based consoles. Those early attempts struggled because many games lacked native Linux support, leading to poor adoption. In 2018 Valve introduced Proton, a compatibility layer that now runs over 20,000 Windows games on Linux, dramatically improving the ecosystem.

Valve also launched Steam Link in 2015, a streaming dongle that let users cast PC games to a TV. The new Steam Machine can be seen as the culmination of those experiments: a dedicated hardware platform that leverages Valve’s software stack, Proton compatibility, and a compact form factor aimed at the living‑room market.