After months of leaks, delays, and RAM shortage drama, Valve confirmed Steam Machine pricing on June 22, 2026. It is not cheap.
The Steam Machine starts at $1,049 for the 512GB model without a Steam Controller, rising to $1,349 for 2TB storage, and $1,428 for the 2TB bundle with the new Steam Controller included. It launches June 30, 2026. Pre-order sign-ups opened June 22 through June 25 at 10 a.m. PT, with Valve randomly selecting eligible buyers from those who registered.
This is significantly more expensive than PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X. But what you are getting is a different type of device entirely — a compact living-room PC with six times the performance of the Steam Deck, running SteamOS, with access to your full Steam library of thousands of games. Here is everything confirmed about the Steam Machine as of its launch week.
Steam Machine 2026: Official Pricing
| Model | Price | Includes |
| 512GB — no controller | $1,049 | Steam Machine only |
| 2TB — no controller | $1,349 | Steam Machine only |
| 2TB — with Steam Controller | $1,428 | Steam Machine + Steam Controller ($99 value) |
Why so expensive? Valve confirmed it is not subsidizing the hardware. Sony and Microsoft sell consoles at or near cost and recoup through software royalties and subscriptions. Valve’s Pierre-Loup Griffais told interviewers the pricing reflects honest market cost: ‘No, it’s more in line with what you might expect from the current PC market.’ The global RAM and storage shortage — called ‘RAMageddon’ in hardware circles, where DDR5 prices quadrupled between Valve’s November 2025 announcement and launch — pushed costs significantly higher than originally planned.
How to Buy: Pre-Order and Reservation Process
Valve is not doing a standard pre-order. Instead:
- Sign-ups for purchase eligibility opened June 22 and close June 25 at 10 a.m. PT
- Valve will randomly select buyers from the sign-up pool — similar to lottery-style launches used for limited hardware
- You must have made a Steam purchase before April 27, 2026 to be eligible
- One per customer — strict limit to reduce scalping
- Initial stock: approximately 20,000 units
- Launch date: June 30, 2026
Steam Machine 2026: Full Specs
| Component | Spec |
| CPU | AMD Custom CPU 1772 — 6-core, 12-thread Zen 4, up to 4.8 GHz boost, 16MB L3 cache |
| GPU | Semi-custom AMD RDNA 3 — 28 compute units (Navi 33 architecture), 2.45 GHz max sustained clock, RX 7600-class performance |
| VRAM | 8GB GDDR6 |
| RAM | 16GB DDR5 |
| Storage | 512GB or 2TB — both expandable via microSD |
| OS | SteamOS 3 (Neptune Linux kernel branch) |
| GPU TDP | 110W |
| Size | ~156 x 152 x 162mm cube chassis |
| Wireless | 6GHz band receiver for Steam Controller — up to 4 controllers simultaneously |
| Vulkan | Certified Vulkan 1.4 (confirmed May 23, 2026) |
Geekbench 6 leaked scores (codename ‘Fremont’, SteamOS, June 15, 2026): 2,334 single-core / 7,316 multi-core. For context, the PS5’s 8-core Zen 2 CPU typically scores 1,200-1,700 single-core — the Steam Machine’s custom Zen 4 chip is meaningfully faster per core. Valve confirmed the Steam Machine is more than 6x the performance of the Steam Deck.
Steam Machine vs PS5 vs Xbox Series X: How They Compare
| Steam Machine | PlayStation 5 | Xbox Series X | |
| Price | $1,049-$1,428 | ~$499 | ~$499 |
| CPU | Zen 4, 6-core, 4.8GHz | Zen 2, 8-core, 3.5GHz | Zen 2, 8-core, 3.8GHz |
| GPU | RDNA 3, 28 CU (~RX 7600) | RDNA 2, 36 CU (~RX 6700) | RDNA 2, 52 CU (~RX 6800 XT) |
| VRAM | 8GB GDDR6 | 16GB GDDR6 (shared) | 10GB GDDR6 (shared) |
| RAM | 16GB DDR5 | 16GB unified | 16GB unified |
| Storage | 512GB or 2TB SSD | 825GB SSD | 1TB SSD |
| OS | SteamOS / Linux | PlayStation OS | Xbox OS |
| Game library | Steam — 50,000+ games | PlayStation exclusives + multiplatform | Xbox Game Pass + multiplatform |
| Subscription required? | No — Steam is free | PS Plus for online | Game Pass Core for online |
The honest comparison: the Steam Machine’s GPU is roughly between a PS5 and Xbox Series X in raw GPU performance, but its CPU is substantially faster than either console. The main value argument is the Steam library — 50,000+ games with no mandatory subscription, frequent sales, and no platform royalties. The main counterargument is price: $1,049 minimum versus $499 for either competing console.
What Games Can You Play on the Steam Machine?
The Steam Machine runs SteamOS 3, which uses Proton — Valve’s compatibility layer that allows Windows games to run on Linux. As of June 2026, Proton supports the vast majority of Steam’s 50,000+ game catalog, and the Steam Deck Verified program indicates which titles run well.
Games That Will NOT Run on Steam Machine
Several major multiplayer titles remain incompatible due to kernel-level anti-cheat systems that do not support Linux:
- Valorant (Riot Vanguard anti-cheat)
- Call of Duty titles (RICOCHET anti-cheat)
- Battlefield 6 (EA Javelin anti-cheat)
- All EA Sports titles (FIFA/EA FC, Madden, NHL)
- GTA V Online (Rockstar anti-cheat)
- League of Legends (Riot Vanguard)
Valve has stated it hopes the Steam Machine’s larger install base will encourage publishers to add Linux anti-cheat support. No publisher commitments have been confirmed as of launch.
Can You Play Fortnite on Steam Machine?
Yes — Fortnite is free-to-play and Epic Games supports Linux through its own launcher. Fortnite can be installed and played on the Steam Machine via the Epic Games Launcher running through Proton or via Heroic Games Launcher. It is not natively in the Steam store but runs on SteamOS with proper setup.
Steam Machine Design: What It Looks Like
The Steam Machine uses a compact cube chassis measuring approximately 156 x 152 x 162mm — smaller than most gaming PCs and comparable in footprint to a large external hard drive. Design features:
- Magnetic front panel that pops off for cleaning or customization
- Valve plans to release CAD files so users can 3D-print custom front panels
- Light bar indicating download progress and system status
- Built-in 6GHz wireless receiver for the Steam Controller
- Connects to Steam Frame VR headset for wireless VR streaming from the Machine
Steam Controller 2: What Is Included
The $99 Steam Controller launched May 4, 2026 — a month before the Steam Machine. The 2TB bundle includes it at $1,428 total. Key features:
- TMR (tunnelling magnetoresistance) magnetic thumbsticks — designed to eliminate stick drift permanently
- Dual trackpads with HD haptics
- Gyro controls with GripSense activation
- 6GHz wireless receiver built into the Steam Machine — supports up to 4 controllers simultaneously
- Works with PC, Mac, and Steam Deck in addition to the Steam Machine
Steam Frame VR: The Companion Headset
Announced alongside the Steam Machine in November 2025, the Steam Frame is a standalone VR headset designed to stream wirelessly from the Steam Machine. Details remain limited — Valve describes it as targeting advanced VR and PC streaming use cases. Pricing and specific release date have not been announced.
Already own a Steam Deck and wondering how it compares? See our guide to which Steam Deck to buy — LCD vs OLED comparison for a full breakdown of the handheld lineup.
Why Did the Steam Machine Get Delayed?
Valve announced the Steam Machine on November 12, 2025 and originally planned to ship in early 2026. Two things caused the delay:
1. RAMageddon: a global shortage of DDR5 RAM and NAND flash storage driven by AI companies buying unprecedented quantities of memory. DDR5 prices quadrupled between November 2025 and spring 2026, forcing Valve to reassess pricing. The February 2026 FAQ directly named ‘memory and storage shortages’ as the cause.
2. Pricing debate: Insider Gaming reported Valve was internally debating whether to absorb short-term losses on hardware — similar to the Steam Deck approach where Gabe Newell described pricing as ‘painful but critical.’ Ultimately Valve chose not to subsidize, resulting in the $1,049+ price points.
GameSpot’s official Steam Machine pricing announcement from June 22, 2026 at gamespot.com/articles/steam-machine-price-and-release-date-officially-confirmed-by-valve has the confirmed prices and pre-order details direct from Valve.
Bottom Line
| Confirmed price | $1,049 (512GB), $1,349 (2TB), $1,428 (2TB + controller) |
| Launch date | June 30, 2026 |
| Pre-orders | Random selection from sign-ups — must register by June 25, 10 a.m. PT |
| CPU | Zen 4, 6-core, 4.8GHz — faster per-core than PS5 |
| GPU | RDNA 3, ~RX 7600 class — between PS5 and Xbox Series X |
| Games incompatible | Valorant, CoD, Battlefield 6, EA Sports, GTA Online — Linux anti-cheat issues |
| Fortnite? | Yes — runs via Epic Games Launcher through Proton |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Steam Machine cost?
Valve confirmed Steam Machine pricing on June 22, 2026: $1,049 for the 512GB model without a controller, $1,349 for the 2TB model without a controller, and $1,428 for the 2TB model bundled with the new Steam Controller. The Steam Machine launches June 30, 2026.
When does the Steam Machine come out?
The Steam Machine launches June 30, 2026. Pre-order sign-ups were open June 22-25, with Valve randomly selecting eligible buyers. Initial stock is limited to approximately 20,000 units with a one-per-customer limit. You must have made a Steam purchase before April 27, 2026 to be eligible.
How does the Steam Machine compare to PS5?
The Steam Machine’s Zen 4 CPU is faster per-core than the PS5’s Zen 2 CPU. The Steam Machine’s GPU (RDNA 3, 28 CU) is roughly comparable to or slightly below the PS5’s GPU in raw compute, but uses faster GDDR6 VRAM. The Steam Machine costs at least twice as much as a PS5 but runs 50,000+ Steam games without a mandatory subscription service.
Can you play Call of Duty on the Steam Machine?
No — not as of the June 30, 2026 launch. Call of Duty uses RICOCHET kernel-level anti-cheat which is incompatible with Linux. Valorant, Battlefield 6, all EA Sports titles, and GTA V Online also cannot be played on the Steam Machine for the same reason. Valve hopes publishers will add Linux anti-cheat support for the Steam Machine’s larger audience.
What is SteamOS?
SteamOS is Valve’s Linux-based operating system, originally built for the Steam Deck. It uses Proton — a compatibility layer that allows Windows games to run on Linux. SteamOS 3 (codenamed Neptune) runs on the Steam Machine and provides the console-like interface, auto-updates, and seamless Steam library integration. The vast majority of Steam’s 50,000+ game catalog runs on SteamOS through Proton.
