After a bit of a buzz stirred by rumors about a new Steam Console, it’s come to light, thanks to an official word from Valve’s Pierre-Loup Griffais via BlueSky, that these were indeed baseless. The whispers of Valve preparing a new console were put to rest when Griffais clarified what they’ve been up to with AMD’s RDNA 4 architecture work through Mesa Vulkan. Essentially, Valve’s been doing routine updates with emerging hardware, similar to their past practices with AMD’s Vega. So, while they are gearing up software for a forthcoming GPU architecture, this doesn’t translate to reviving the Steam Machine anytime soon.
For those hoping for a new Steam Console, this might feel like a bit of a letdown, at least for now. But let’s delve into what this means for Valve’s ventures into hardware and the speculation around a second-generation Steam Deck.
### Exploring Valve’s Hardware Agenda
The idea of Valve launching a new console was never truly grounded in something as simple as pre-release GPU developments like AMD’s RDNA 4. Typically, consoles, including the Steam Deck, incorporate custom hardware drawn from existing technologies. By the time a console hits the market, its GPU and CPU tend to be somewhat dated, reflecting the extensive R&D needed. For example, when the Steam Deck came out in 2022, it was built on AMD’s slightly older RDNA 2 architecture from 2020. So if Valve were planning a handheld device based on RDNA 4, it would require significantly more investment and time.
Currently, the leading integrated GPU solutions rely on AMD’s RDNA 3 and 3.5 architectures. Yet, improvements, especially for devices running on battery power, remain elusive. We’ve only recently seen Ryzen AI HX 300 Series CPUs with RDNA 3.5 iGPUs. Moreover, Valve’s confirmation of the Steam Deck 2 being “at least two or three years away” underscores their focus on waiting for more substantial hardware advancements. This likely means a considerable gap until RDNA 4 could realistically feature in their products.
There’s a lot of excitement around RDNA 4, but we lack insights into its real-world performance, power demands, and cost. It’ll likely be some time before such technology trickles down to portable devices like handheld PCs.
### Gazing into the Crystal Ball of Gaming Hardware
Switching gears to gaze into the future, a few exciting prospects buzz around. Towards the end of last year, there were authentic leaks of Valve tinkering with fresh designs, including a revamped Steam Controller and next-gen VR controllers. This development hints at the possibility of Valve relaunching efforts like the Steam Link or Steam Machine. Or perhaps it’s just about enhancing the Steam Deck’s docking experience for those who appreciate its sophisticated input features, like the touch-sensitive gyro.
Could a Steam Console still be on the cards? It’s not completely off the table. With the eventual broader release of Steam OS 3, we might see more manufacturers integrating it into various devices. Larger hardware could embrace real-time ray tracing capabilities more robustly. As it stands, the current Deck hardware only supports modest RT at 30 FPS, limited by its aging hardware and power constraints.
For true advancements in portable gaming, Valve would need more than just RDNA 4’s improvements in ray tracing. They require a GPU architecture capable of efficient performance at low power, like the 25W TDP of devices like the ROG Ally. Given that full RDNA 4 mobile GPUs are expected to run between 80-175W, AMD still has a way to go. Yet, a shift to smaller, more efficient nodes could pave the way for future innovations.
But is a new console necessary? With a Steam Deck coupled with a docking station, users already have a device more potent than a Nintendo Switch. As Nintendo shifts away from traditional consoles, Valve may see more potential in maintaining a hybrid handheld setup, sidestepping direct competition with other major platforms and PC gaming.
