Valve’s Steam Machine has been delayed, and the RAM crisis will impact pricing
Summary
Valve's highly anticipated Steam Machine, Steam Frame, and Steam Controller launch has been delayed to early 2026 due to ongoing memory and storage shortages. The company plans to update pricing and launch details soon, according to a recent announcement.
Key Insights
What is the Steam Machine?
The Steam Machine is Valve's upcoming PC/console hybrid device, designed to offer the ease of use of consoles like the PS5 or Xbox Series X alongside PC-level customization and freedom. It is a small-form-factor gaming PC powered by AMD hardware, originally announced for a Q1 or early 2026 launch.
Why might the Steam Machine launch be delayed and how does the RAM crisis affect pricing?
The potential delay stems from a global shortage and skyrocketing prices of DDR5 RAM and storage, driven by demand from AI data centers, with DRAM prices rising 178% to 258% from mid-September to mid-December 2025. Valve is hesitating to finalize pricing, as the device is expected to cost as much as a comparable gaming PC, potentially more than consoles like the PS5, leading to considerations of delays, spec changes, or barebones configurations.