Valve has in the end, granted it’s been under a yr since announcing the Steam Machine, revealed pricing for its PC console. The sticker shock is robust with the bottom model going for $1,049, which has a 512 GB SSD for storage and doesn’t include a controller, or the $1,428 flagship 2 TB model that does include a controller. Folks shouldn’t be too shocked, really, given the continued insanity with NAND/DRAM pricing because of AI’s insatiable appetite and manufacturers’ thirst for profits in feeding it. Most pundits agreed months ago that it could be nice if the bottom model launched within the $600-$800 range, however it didn’t take long to see that might be a near impossibility unless it miraculously secured its memory and storage components for pennies on the dollar. Nevertheless, it had already been speculated that Valve likely hadn’t moved fast enough in procuring those precious components before rampocalypse, and as such, here we’re with all models going for over $1K.
Valve has implemented its limited drop program registration process for pre-orders in an effort to curb scalping, but seriously, if these prices are usually not scary enough, then anyone considering paying more should think concerning the old saying that there’s a sucker born every minute. The pre-order queue opened yesterday and ends on June 25, and can randomly pick participants to send emails to. Those that register will receive an email on June 29 and must respond inside 72 hours, and Valve has said that any registrations that seem like AI-generated will likely be voided. Those that don’t join within the reservation process will still give you the chance to pre-order once the window has closed, but will likely be added to the pre-existing queue.
“Registrations generated by artificial intelligence, script, macro, automated, or other signifies that may, in Valve’s discretion, impair or subvert the registration process will likely be void.”
– Valve
So what do you get for $1K-$1500?
- CPU: Semi-custom AMD Zen 4 6C / 12T
- GPU: Semi-custom AMD RDNA3 28CUs
- 16GB DDR5 + 8GB GDDR6 VRAM
- 512GB ($1,049) – 2TB ($1,428) NVMe SSD, microSD card slot
- 2×2 Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, Gigabit Ethernet
- Integrated Steam Controller wireless adapter
- Small form factor, ~6-inch cube
- SteamOS 3
- 1x Display Port 1.4 / 1x HDMI 2.0
- 1x USB-C
- 4x USB-A
- “4K gaming at 60 FPS with FSR, because of a discrete semi-custom AMD desktop class CPU and GPU.”
- “Steam Machine keeps cool and runs whisper-quiet, even while running essentially the most demanding games.”
The 512 GB model with a controller goes as much as $1,128, and the $2 TB model with out a controller is $1,349. One last detail is that Valve doesn’t consider the Steam Machine to be a console but relatively an extension of PC gaming.
“The normal console model is to sell hardware at a loss and make up the revenue with subscription services or by selling games which might be locked-in to the hardware. We expect this will make sense for a single business within the short term but that open ecosystems are higher for patrons over the long run.”
– Valve