Recently, a bit of buzz in the gaming world turned out to be a non-event. There were whispers about a new Steam Console being in the works, but GamingOnLinux quickly debunked those rumors. Valve’s own Pierre-Loup Griffais took to BlueSky to set the record straight. According to him, Valve is definitely working on software updates for AMD’s upcoming RDNA 4 architecture. However, this doesn’t hint at a comeback for the Steam Machine. It’s more of a continuation of their long-term practice since the days of AMD’s Vega.
So, no new Steam Console on the horizon just yet! But let’s not lose hope. Instead, let’s explore Valve’s history with consoles and ponder the possibilities for both a potential Steam Machine revival and the next iteration of the Steam Deck.
### Valve’s Hardware Trajectory
A supposed upcoming console like the Steam Deck isn’t necessarily born from cutting-edge tech like the pre-release RDNA 4 GPUs. Consoles usually harness custom hardware that’s a tad behind the latest generation. This lag allows for the extensive planning consoles require before hitting the shelves.
The Steam Deck rolled out in 2022, but its inner workings like the RDNA 2 graphics were already a year and a half old, even older for its Zen 2 CPU. Utilizing the latest RDNA 4 tech in a new device would demand significant resources, making it a formidable challenge for a compact, handheld format.
Current integrated graphics mainly utilize RDNA 3 and RDNA 3.5, yet they haven’t shown dramatic leaps in performance, especially in battery mode – a crucial factor for handhelds. The appearance of Ryzen AI HX 300 Series chips with RDNA 3.5 GPUs has only been a recent development.
An obvious indicator that a new Steam Console isn’t on Valve’s immediate agenda is the fact that the Steam Deck 2 is slated for release in about 2-3 years, as Valve is holding out for better hardware advancements. Console generations typically see a much longer gap, and while an RDNA 4 iGPU could eventually make its way into the Steam Deck 2, it’s not happening in the near future. Three separate SteamOS hardware platforms in under seven years would indeed be an ambitious move for Valve.
While RDNA 4 seems promising on paper, important details such as its power consumption, performance, and cost remain in the dark. It’ll take time for it to become viable for handhelds.
### Gazing Ahead
Let’s venture into some speculation, while maintaining a grounding in what’s known about PC hardware and its influence on the console market, particularly handhelds.
There were some credible leaks revealing new Valve designs, including a fresh Steam Controller that mirrors Deck’s design, and new VR controllers. This may suggest a return to the Steam Link or Steam Machine concept. However, it could just be an effort to align the Steam Deck’s handheld and docking capabilities, catering particularly to users who exploit Steam Input’s enhanced features.
Could a Steam Console still be a reality? Perhaps not entirely off the table. With Steam OS 3’s broader release, other manufacturers might jump on board for mini PCs, laptops, and handhelds. Larger devices might also allow for features like real-time ray-tracing, something only partially possible on current Deck hardware due to its age and power limits.
For significant progress in handheld gaming, Valve needs more than improved ray-tracing via RDNA 4. They’d require GPU architecture that can maintain performance at energy-efficient TDP levels. Currently, RDNA 4 mobile GPUs are expected to have far higher power needs than handhelds can handle.
There’s a pathway forward. RDNA 4 uses TSMC’s N4 process, known for some time now. The Steam Deck is based on the older N7 node. Moving to N5 or N4 could be beneficial, but with newer nodes like N3 and N2 becoming available, optimizing for efficiency could create appealing options for future handheld chips, if they manage the trade-off between die size and cost effectively.
Is another Steam Console necessary? Factoring in a Steam Deck with a docking station already beats the Nintendo Switch as a home console. Nintendo has veered away from traditional consoles, likely seeing hybrid-handhelds like Valve does as more valuable in providing unique, less directly competitive hardware options in the gaming landscape.
By tackling these innovations, Valve can continue to navigate the competitive market intelligently, balancing between cutting-edge technology and practical, consumer-friendly solutions.
