Valve is launching a new, 16-centimeter Steam Machine that, thanks to its integrated power supply and six times the power of a Steam Deck, can be used as a stationary gaming cube right in the living room. An official unboxing video shows us the high-end hardware inside and out.
The new hardware bundle Valve delivers it in the full package It works directly with the reactivated Steam Controller and focuses on a quick plug-and-play setup using a single HDMI cable. Shipping of the high-end version with two terabytes of storage has already begun.
Package contents and the return of the Steam Controller
The box for the 2TB version bundles the console with the Steam Controller, two alternative front panels, an HDMI cable, and the regional power cable. A bulky external power supply is unnecessary, as Valve has fully integrated the power supply into the chassis.
Upon unboxing, the cube shape with an edge length of 16 centimeters immediately catches the eye, exactly matching the footprint of a tissue box. The included interchangeable front panels – one made of solid walnut, the other of red fabric – attach magnetically to the front. Valve also announces the immediate release of the CAD files. Modders can print their own front panels.
Connection layout and thermal restrictions
The front of the case features two USB-A ports, a microSD card slot for storage expansion, and an LED strip to indicate download progress. On the back, Valve has included DisplayPort, HDMI, Gigabit Ethernet, one USB-C port, and two additional USB-A ports. Operation requires placement on a hard, unobstructed surface. The primary fan draws in fresh air from the bottom of the device and exhausts heat from the rear. Carpets will obstruct airflow, potentially leading to overheating.
Once powered on via the power button, the setup eliminates the need for external USB dongles for peripherals. An integrated wireless adapter connects up to four Steam Controllers directly to the motherboard, while the included USB puck remains on the desk solely for charging. Alternative input devices such as mice, keyboards, or third-party gamepads can be paired via USB-C or Bluetooth. After the obligatory initial update, the system boots directly into the familiar SteamOS interface, which is identical to that of the Steam Deck. This saves time on familiarization.
Power factor in hardware comparison
Valve states that the raw performance of the integrated APU setup is six times that of the Steam Deck. This performance leap fundamentally changes the game verification process, as computing power no longer needs to be throttled in favor of battery life.
Titles deemed unplayable on handheld consoles due to hardware limitations run natively at home resolutions on the Steam Machine. This allows the handheld ecosystem to transition to the big screen without software emulation.
Valve's new Steam Machine is the logical next step in the evolution of the successful Steam Deck for home use. Its straightforward, out-of-the-box design impresses with its integrated power supply and the elimination of dongle clutter for controller pairing. For those seeking the flexibility of Linux and SteamOS, but wanting to bypass the performance limitations of handheld gaming when using it on a TV, this is a well-designed mini-PC without the burden of Windows.
I saw on eta prime that he upgraded the Cube with two 32GB RAM modules (so a maximum of 64GB). If Steam could manage to make the system RAM available to the GPU via software updates, I think the cheapest version would be much more interesting. I wouldn't need the 2TB storage version; I have enough SSDs lying around. No, it would still be too expensive for the performance. I'd be interested to know how Microsoft would handle something like this, whether they would also offer a way to upgrade the RAM, and of course, Sony as well. It would be interesting if Sony limited the PS6's GPU to 24GB of VRAM and the system RAM was 12GB, but expandable.