After a recent piece from GamingOnLinux debunked the buzz about a possible new Steam Console in the testing phase, Valve developer Pierre-Loup Griffais set the record straight on BlueSky. He explained that ongoing pre-release Mesa Vulkan work for AMD’s RDNA 4 architecture aligns with Valve’s historical approach since AMD’s Vega days. While Valve is indeed experimenting with software updates for upcoming GPU architectures, this doesn’t equate to a relaunch of the Steam Machine endeavor.
For those dreaming of a fresh Steam Console, it’s time to hit the brakes—at least for now. But let’s not brush past Valve’s exploration in the console arena too quickly. There are intriguing prospects to discuss, both regarding a potential revival of the Steam Machine and the next iteration of the Steam Deck.
What We Know About Valve’s Hardware Plans
The speculation of a new Steam console didn’t spring from support for unreleased GPU architecture like AMD’s RDNA 4. Consoles generally debut with tailor-made hardware derived from existing designs. By the time they hit the market, tech like GPU and CPU is often a generation behind the cutting edge, owing to the extensive forward planning necessary to launch such platforms.
The Steam Deck, unveiled in 2022, utilizes AMD’s RDNA 2 architecture, originally released in November 2020. That puts roughly a year and a half between the Deck’s release and its GPU’s initial launch, with the gap widening to 2.5 years concerning the Zen 2 CPU architecture. Although AMD’s RDNA 4 is on the horizon for desktops, adapting it for handheld use would require significant time, energy, and resources.
At present, top integrated GPU solutions revolve around AMD’s RDNA 3 and RDNA 3.5 architectures. Actual performance improvements, especially on battery life, remain elusive. While plugged-in performance can shine, handheld devices are often limited by their battery life. We have only recently seen the debut of Ryzen AI HX 300 Series APUs featuring RDNA 3.5 iGPUs.
Another indicator that a Steam Console isn’t on Valve’s immediate agenda is the confirmation that the Steam Deck 2 is "at least two or three years away." Valve appears to be holding out for more substantial hardware advancements before launching a sequel. Though an RDNA 4 iGPU might eventually power the Steam Deck 2, it’s unlikely to emerge anytime soon. Three different SteamOS hardware platforms in under seven years would be a tall order for Valve to manage.
While RDNA 4 seems promising based on preliminary information, there’s still a lot left to uncover—everything from power usage to performance metrics and cost implications. It will be some time before this architecture finds a home in handheld PCs.
Peering Into the Future with Our Crystal Ball
Now, let’s venture into the realm of conjecture while staying grounded in what we know about PC hardware and its effects on the (handheld) console landscape.
Late last year, leaks hinted at new Valve designs for a revamped Steam Controller with a Steam Deck-inspired layout and next-gen VR controllers. If Valve is reimagining the Steam Controller, it could signal a return to something like the Steam Link set-top box or Steam Machine. Yet, it might also simply aim to synchronize the experience between Steam Deck handheld and Docked modes, especially for those users who maximize the extra features of Steam Input, such as touch-sensitive gyro controls.
Does this mean a Steam Console is entirely off the table? Not necessarily. Once Steam OS 3 becomes more widely available, it might encourage more manufacturers to adopt it for mini PCs, laptops, handhelds, and similar devices. Additionally, a larger form factor could facilitate features like real-time ray tracing, which currently pushes the limitations of existing Deck hardware to the edge. On current hardware, achieving 30 FPS in partially rasterized games with full RT is challenging due to outdated hardware and strict power constraints.
For a true leap in handheld capability, more than just RDNA 4’s enhanced RT capabilities are necessary. The key is a GPU architecture that can offer those RT results at around a 25W TDP (like ROG Ally, Legion Go, MSI Claw) or 15W TDP (Steam Deck). With full discrete RDNA 4 mobile GPUs running at around 80-175W TDP, it’s apparent that AMD isn’t quite there yet.
But there are pathways if pursued. RDNA 4 leverages TSMC’s N4 process node, which has been familiar territory for over two years. The Steam Deck’s Van Gogh APU was crafted on TSMC’s older N7 node. Moving to N5 or N4 could provide notable benefits. Looking ahead, N3 and N2 variants should become more accessible, offering smaller nodes tuned for efficiency—possibly ideal for crafting a compelling handheld chip, provided costs and die sizes remain manageable.
But do we even need a dedicated Steam Console? When you dock a Steam Deck, it already outperforms a Nintendo Switch as a home console. With Nintendo stepping back from traditional home consoles, perhaps Valve also sees greater value in a hybrid-handheld approach. Such custom hardware might avoid head-on competition with mainstream consoles and gaming PCs, offering something uniquely appealing.
