After a report from GamingOnLinux debunked the recent whispers about a new Steam Console in the works, Valve developer Pierre-Loup Griffais took to BlueSky to set the record straight. Griffais clarified that the work being done on AMD’s RDNA 4 architecture for Mesa Vulkan is consistent with what Valve has been doing since the Vega architecture. There’s definitely work going on for future GPU tech, but it’s got nothing to do with bringing back the Steam Machine.
So what happened to the buzz about a new Steam Console? It’s pretty much dashed for now, although it’s worth considering Valve’s previous ventures into the console space. Let’s dive a bit deeper into what could happen with Steam Machines and what lies ahead for the potential Steam Deck 2.
### Valve’s Current Hardware Journey
The latest Steam console gossip lacked a solid basis—there was never going to be a new console just because of support for AMD’s RDNA 4. Consoles, including the likes of the Steam Deck, are crafted with custom hardware that utilizes existing architectures. By the time they’re released, the tech inside them tends to lag a generation behind the latest and greatest. This gap is due to the extensive planning these platforms require.
When the Steam Deck hit the scene in 2022, it didn’t pack the newest punch. It was based on AMD’s RDNA 2 architecture, which had debuted way back in November 2020. That meant there was about a year and a half between the architecture’s launch and the Steam Deck’s release, not to mention its CPU’s Zen 2 tech, which was even older. For RDNA 4, taking that leap into a handy APU for a handheld would demand even more resources.
Right now, the best integrated graphics solutions sport RDNA 3 and 3.5 architectures, but their performance improvements, especially when running on battery power, haven’t blown anyone away. Sure, you might boost output when plugged in, but handheld devices face significant limitations due to battery life. Recently, we’ve only begun to see Ryzen AI HX 300 Series APUs with RDNA 3.5 integrated graphics.
The fact that Valve isn’t prioritizing a Steam Console is further confirmed by reports that the Steam Deck 2 is at least two or three years away. Valve is biding its time, waiting for substantial leaps in hardware capabilities. Normally, consoles space out their next versions by a good generation gap, so envisioning an RDNA 4-powered Steam Deck 2 isn’t entirely out of the question—it’s just not coming soon. Rolling out three distinct SteamOS hardware platforms in under seven years seems too ambitious.
While RDNA 4 piques interest based on current knowledge, significant unknowns linger—specifications like power consumption, real performance, and pricing remain secrets. We’ll need patience before these fit nicely into a handheld PC package.
### Gazing into the Future of Gaming
Now, let’s venture into the land of speculation, drawing from our grasp of PC hardware and its effect on the (handheld) console market.
Late last year, substantial leaks showcased fresh Valve designs, including a revamped Steam Controller echoing Deck’s aesthetics, alongside next-gen VR controllers. This signifies a potential return to something like the Steam Link or Steam Machine line, though, it might simply aim to enhance compatibility between the Steam Deck’s handheld and docked modes. Fans enjoy exploiting Steam Input’s advanced features—like its intuitive touch-sensitive gyro.
Could a Steam Console still emerge? Never say never. With the eventual widespread release of Steam OS 3, we might see it embraced by mini PC, laptops, and handheld makers. A larger format could facilitate advanced features like real-time ray-tracing. Currently, on Deck hardware, achieving 30 FPS with rasterization in games with real-time ray-tracing isn’t feasible. Older hardware and strict power caps are the culprits.
For Valve to push handheld performance forward, it demands more than just enhanced RT capabilities from the RDNA 4. It needs a GPU structure that performs well at a reasonable TDP—25W or 15W for rivals like ROG Ally, Legion Go, MSI Claw, and, of course, the Steam Deck. Currently, RDNA 4 GPUs are estimated at a beefy 80-175W TDP, trailing far behind what’s needed.
Still, innovation is possible. RDNA 4 uses TSMC’s N4 process, available for over two years now. The Steam Deck’s Van Gogh APU is already on the dated N7 node. A shift to nodes like N5 or N4 could make a meaningful difference. In a couple of years, N3 and N2 should be more accessible. The smaller, optimized nodes promise efficiency, perfect for a future handheld chip—assuming die sizes and costs remain manageable.
But is a dedicated Steam Console even necessary? Combine a Steam Deck with a compatible dock, and it becomes a competitive home console, more powerful than a Nintendo Switch. As Nintendo edges away from traditional home consoles, Valve will likely see greater value in a handheld-hybrid model. This approach doesn’t squarely challenge mainstream consoles and gaming PCs but offers a unique alternative.
