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Yesterday's morning came alongside a couple of interesting reveals, with one huge reveal being the "Super Mario Galaxy Movie" trailer, and another huge reveal that came as a surprise to many, was a brand new video announcement from Valve unveiling a handful of new hardware that they have planned for release in early 2026.

This new announcement came with 3 new hardware reveals by Valve, with the Steam Controller, the Steam Frame and the Steam Machine joining Valve's lineup in the hardware space.

To start off, the new Steam Controller is based on what the Steam Deck's controller scheme is, featuring the following:

• Usual 4 face buttons (A,B,Y,X)
• Two analog L2/R2 triggers alongside the digital L1/R1 triggers
• Two analog sticks with L3/R3 buttons with next generation magnetic thumbsticks and capacitive touch sensors
• 4 additional buttons similar to those from the Steam Deck, with two functioning as Start/Select, and the other two being the Steam button, and the 3-dot Quick Access button for opening the SteamOS menu.
• Four grip buttons, similar to the L4/R4/L5/R5 from the Steam Deck.
• Two trackpads below the sticks similar to those found on the Steam Deck.
• Motion controls
• High definition rumble
• Grip-enabled gyro
• Rechargeable lithium ion battery with up to 35 hours of playtime
• Each Steam Controller will include a "Pluck", which is a wireless magnetic charger for the controller.

Second, we have the new next generation VR headset by Valve, the Steam Frame, which features the following:

• Stream VR and non-VR games
• Wireless 6Ghz adapter for plug-and-play streaming of games into the headset
• Foveated streaming, which focuses details on parts where the eyes are focusing
• Camera-based tracking
• Special Steam Frame controllers, which can be split up and include almost every feature from the Steam Controller, like the magnetic thumbsticks, motion sensors, and works with the user's normal Steam library
• High-fidelity audio with dual stereo speakers
• 2160x2160 optic lenses, one-per eye
• Steam Frame is basically a PC, with it also running SteamOS, so users can play without a host PC
• Expandable storage with microSD.

Lastly, and without a doubt the most attractive part of the presentation, was the reveal of the brand new Steam Machine, which will serve as a main gaming PC running Steam OS with much higher specs than the Steam Deck, with Valve claiming it's about 6 times more powerful than the Steam Deck. The Steam Machine features the following specifications:

• Runs SteamOS 3 with KDE Plasma, games marked as verified for Steam Deck will be automatically verified for Steam Machine as well. However, the Steam Machine will include an exclusive verification system to let players know if a game is fully compatible with the Machine or not.
• Up to 4k 60 fps gaming with FSR.
• Customizable LED strip
• Small-form factor, with the whole hardware fitting into a 6inch cube, that some labeling it the "GabeCube", with 2.6kg in weight.
• Several peripherals:
  • 1 Gigabit ethernet port
  • DisplayPort 1.4 HDMI 2.0
  • Two USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 ports in the front
  • Two USB-A 2.0 High speed ports in the back
    
  • One USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port in the back
  • One high-speed microSD card slot.
• 2x2 Wi-Fi 6E, plus Bluetooth 5.3 with a dedicated antenna.
• Available in two storage options, 512GB and 2TB, both being NVMe SSDs.
• Steam Machine's power supply is built right into the console.
• Full hardware specifications are as follows:
  • CPU: Semi-custom AMD Zen 4 6C / 12T, up to 4.8 GHz, 30W TDP
  • GPU: Semi-Custom AMD RDNA3 28CUs, 2.45GHz max sustained clock, 110W TDP
    
  • 16GB DDR5 RAM + 8GB GDDR6 VRAM

Without a doubt the most interesting part is Valve's entry into a main gaming console, or PC as some would like to see it, and most importantly, the operating system featured in the device will also be SteamOS, the same as the Steam Deck, giving users complete freedom over the device to install programs, emulators, or even bring their own PC/ROM/ISO library and play at their hearts content.

What new hardware from Valve are you most interested in? Let us know in the comments below!

Source

 

[LightyKD]

I want to see a low end version of this. Simply the Steam Deck hardware crammed in a box and sold around 200.

 

[Exnor]

I want to see a low end version of this. Simply the Steam Deck hardware crammed in a box and sold around 200.

I doubt that it will ever happen. Would be nice to have something like that, but some NUC alike mini PC's already have the hardware at that price point.
Sadly no SteamOS natively .

Post automatically merged: Nov 15, 2025

A functional one would be nice

C'mon 8GiB of VRAM for 1080p (lets get real, its going to be a 1080p machine) are more than enough. This is a entry level PC they are aiming at, not a mid range machine.

 

[chrisrlink]

the steam machine specs looks great i just hope the ram isn't soldered in like the SD some games are creeping up the greater than 16gb ram usage mark

 

[SuffahBish]

the steam machine specs looks great i just hope the ram isn't soldered in like the SD some games are creeping up the greater than 16gb ram usage mark

The RAM is so-dimm laptop sticks. But the system memory and video memory are their own separate pools. It's not shared like on the Deck.

 

[Xzi]

I want to see a low end version of this. Simply the Steam Deck hardware crammed in a box and sold around 200.

You can always use Steam Deck exclusively docked.

I doubt that it will ever happen. Would be nice to have something like that, but some NUC alike mini PC's already have the hardware at that price point.
Sadly no SteamOS natively .

Would work fine for the most part flashing SteamOS to AMD-based ones. Intel probably not so much.

C'mon 8GiB of VRAM for 1080p (lets get real, its going to be a 1080p machine) are more than enough.

My GPU has 10GB and rarely utilizes more than 8GB in 1440p, even at higher settings. Anything above that would require compromises, but only for newer AAA games.

 

[Exnor]

You can always use Steam Deck exclusively docked.


Would work fine for the most part flashing SteamOS to AMD-based ones. Intel probably not so much.

I know that i can use a Deck on a dock, but a machine without the screen and battery would probably be more affordable no?

SteamOS does not like Intel CPUs ? And i was planing on testing it on a 2020 intel NUC i have :/

 

[SuffahBish]

I know that i can use a Deck on a dock, but a machine without the screen and battery would probably be more affordable no?

SteamOS does not like Intel CPUs ? And i was planing on testing it on a 2020 intel NUC i have :/

Nah, SteamOS works fine with Intel CPUs and GPUs. Only Nvidia is problematic. But I would recommend installing CachyOS or Bazzite instead on a generic PC not built specifically for SteamOS.

 

[eternal]

Im definitely going to buy at least 2 of the new steam controllers.
I remember Steam decided all of a sudden randomly to stop selling/supporting the old steam controllers and they went crazy on prices when a person couldnt find them officially.

But also because being able to play some games that dont officially support controller would be nice. And the mini mousepads there

 

[LightyKD]

You can always use Steam Deck exclusively docked.


Would work fine for the most part flashing SteamOS to AMD-based ones. Intel probably not so much.


My GPU has 10GB and rarely utilizes more than 8GB in 1440p, even at higher settings. Anything above that would require compromises, but only for newer AAA games.

I do but I'm all about making gaming affordable and I would love to see a very low, entry level Steam Box for the "less affluent".

 

[Xzi]

I do but I'm all about making gaming affordable and I would love to see a very low, entry level Steam Box for the "less affluent".

I thought they'd be a bit cheaper by now, but I am seeing LCD Steam Decks on eBay which went for $250 to $300. For what it's capable of, you can't get better value than that.

 

[LightyKD]

I thought they'd be a bit cheaper by now, but I am seeing LCD Steam Decks on eBay which went for $250 to $300. For what it's capable of, you can't get better value than that.

Now imagine that hardware without a screen, mic and controller parts. You could shave a decent amount in price. You'd have to add a bit back to include a hub and maybe some extensions within a new shell but you could still get ahead with price.

 

[Xzi]

Now imagine that hardware without a screen, mic and controller parts. You could shave a decent amount in price. You'd have to add a bit back to include a hub and maybe some extensions within a new shell but you could still get ahead with price.

Valve probably doesn't feel like they need to fill every niche, especially since those cheaper AIOs already exist and there's nothing stopping anyone from installing Steam on them. Besides, any new product is gonna cost more than a used Steam Deck currently does, up until a certain manufacturing threshold is met.

Deck gives a baseline lower-end spec for developers to target, now they're giving them a baseline mid-level spec to target too. Much as people want to rag on 16GB of RAM and 8GB of VRAM, this Steam Machine is better than what 70% of Steam users currently own. So the intent seems to be raising the standard/average for hardware capability across the board, rather than targeting the already very crowded budget-tier device market.

 

[lightwo]

Thread 'Steam Hardware Announced (Frame, Controller, Machine)'

Nov 12, 2025

Steam Controller (2)

• Steam Deck control scheme
• Magnetic thumbsticks (TMR)
• Grip-enabled gyro "Grip Sense"

Steam Frame

• Inside-out tracking (not an Index upgrade )
• Wireless
• 2160 x 2160 LCD panels per eye, 72-144Hz

Steam Machine (2) (GabeCube)

• 6-inch (~160mm) cube
• Semi-custom AMD Zen 4 6C / 12T
  • up to 4.8 GHz, 30W TDP
• Semi-Custom AMD RDNA3 28CUs
  • 2.45GHz max sustained clock, 110W TDP
• "Entry level PC" price, whatever that means

What do you think? I'll definitely be picking up the Steam...

• lightwo
• Replies: 48
• Forum: Computer Technology and Gaming

• 
• 
• 

But yeah, just to re-iterate my thoughts, I love all of these. I only have a problem with the Frame that it isn't hybrid, so any existing lighthouse setups would become useless.

I love Steam Controller (2) because it's like Steam Deck, but lighter, and for the living room (or whichever room you play in). Enough said, really. I had the original Steam Controller and it really didn't click with me; it really wasn't useful outside of playing heavily mouse-based games, since it lacked proper controller inputs.

The GabeCube is SO TINY and SO BEAUTIFUL (but not purple ) and it would actually be an upgrade over my existing build. Given its monolithic nature, I trust that its specs will stay relevant far longer*, so I bet that by the time I'd need to upgrade it, I'd need a complete upgrade anyway.

So tiny and so portable! Unfortunately I greatly rely on hard disks (and of course, the Machine uses flash memory entirely), but either I would settle for a cheap NAS, or I would have a stack of disks lying around. It probably wouldn't be a big issue.


* The only pain point I found was the low amount of VRAM given it's advertised as "a 4K machine", and since I still prefer 1080p on high framerates, it wouldn't trouble me. However, high res VR starves VRAM a lot easier, so don't forget to minimise VRAM usage in games that heavily use VRAM! Boneworks is a lagfest on 8 GB of VRAM on very high resolutions, for example, but it's enough to lower texture resolution to have good performance.

 

[mizorechan]

In today's economy, not really. Same price as PS5/XSX, and Microsoft just released a $1000+ portable system.

Only in the usa $600 is not "that much" for a gaming console. Nintendo had to lower the price of S2 in japan to avoid a potential flop and Sony is doing the same as well. In today's economy, especially with some people and some countries struggling after covid19 pandemic, it's expensive. No wonder alternatives like gaming stick and handhelds like the ones made by anbernic are getting popular around the world.

And even in the usa, not everyone have that money to throw away in a single piece of hardware, or at least, having to save for some time to get one. It's not a matter of "just get a better job". It's the worldwide economy making the things worse for almost everyone.

 

[Lotoonlink]

Finally, I've been waiting forever for the Steam Controller 2! So excited!

 

[Xzi]

Only in the usa $600 is not "that much" for a gaming console.

Exactly, I was making an apples-to-apples comparison with other current gen consoles specifically being sold in the US. It's still a lot of money in isolation, but it falls in line with the industry standard here, which means it'll fall in line with whatever price PS5/XSX are being sold for in other countries too. Comparable PC hardware currently costs more no matter where you're located, so Steam Machine will still provide better value for those who can afford it.

No wonder alternatives like gaming stick and handhelds like the ones made by anbernic are getting popular around the world.

I love my Retroid Pocket Classic, but it's nowhere near as capable as Steam Deck, let alone a good alternative to a mid-range gaming PC. As you say, the budget device market is already well and truly saturated with products, so there's no need for Valve to try squeeze their way in to it. Especially since Steam/x86 emulators can already be installed on a lot of them.

 

[retrospect]

What does the cube measure? Is it GameCube-sized?

 

[Veho]

What does the cube measure? Is it GameCube-sized?

It's slightly bigger, It's 16cm to a side, the GameCube is 16x16x11cm.
...meaning the Game"Cube" is not a cube at all Nintendo has been lying to us all this time

 

[Xzi]

What does the cube measure? Is it GameCube-sized?

Someone on the Steam subreddit 3D printed one for comparison, mostly it's a little taller:

 

[BlackZero500]

So, my opinion:
The Controller Looks like an ergonomical nightmare just like the first Steam Controller and i hate touchpads on controllers

The Headset sounds actually quite good but the Price will tell if its viable

The Steam Machine might be a great compromise between consoles and PC Gaming for People that want PC Gaming but can only afford Console Prices.

For the pictures above: Is the Gamecube even complete without a Super Gameboy? It will still not be 16cm high but it comes closer.