Valve eyes ARM architecture for future Steam Machines

gamingJul 1, 202626370

Reports say Valve is exploring Arm architecture as the backbone for next-generation Steam Machines. Coverage frames that possibility amid ongoing Steam Deck vs Steam Machine comparisons, with observers weighing performance, power efficiency, and platform differences. Community discussion has focused heavily on price pressure: one analysis of a Switch plus Steam Machine scenario assumes a Steam Machine price near 750, and several posts warn that RAM prices are projected to increase, which could raise hardware costs. Commenters also point to the prospect of a digital-only PlayStation 6 costing as much as 1500 before 2028 as a factor pushing some buyers toward a PC-like Steam Machine. There is no Valve announcement yet; the exploration of Arm chips underscores continuing questions about future Steam Machine specs, game compatibility, and whether Valve intends a distinct console alternative to current digital-focused consoles.

Liam @ GamingOnLinux

@gamingonlinux.com

Just know for everyone already getting their Steam Machine that I am NOT JEALOUS AT ALL

794h ago

☀️🌸idspispopd🥀🌙

@bhaalspawn.bsky.social

Thanks Sony, thanks Microsoft... now I'm waiting for Valve to do something new and evil, like declare that the Steam Machine relies on a cloud service built with harvested bunny rabbit souls.

564h ago

Pete2

Yep. No physical media? Just won't upgrade. Normally I buy a second hand console, some new, and many second hand games. Game backlog is decades long and I have PCs, I don't need the new offerings.

Peter Cook1

It's coming that we will be fully paying for everything and not owning anything!

Ryan Allan1

Now I have the Endgame song from Doom with the bunny in my head. Thanks. (Seriously, thanks! It's a fantastic song.)

phx-renegade.bsky.social1

The trouble with the price rises on consoles, PC's, anything that needs RAM is that people are less likely to upgrade leaving the second hand market in tatters too. £1,000 for a console? Nah, I'll stick with my PS4 thanks.

Evan Minto

@evanminto.com

78% of PS games are bought digitally and that number is going down, so I can see the logic in this. But for me it removes the justification for playing on a console. If I can't even own the games physically I might as well get a Steam Machine.

264h ago

Mornin Chai

@morninchai.bsky.social

i ordered that steam computer. its gonna be my bird migration stream machine, since i plan on traveling a lot<3 also I'll try out some dual pc setup using it too. for anyone whos like "chai you can build your own for cheaper!" im old, lazy, tired. just gimme the linux steamtendo gabecube 🦩⚰️

403h ago

NaeemTHM

@naeemthm.bsky.social

It was kinda funny watching people scream that the Steam Machine was overpriced. They have no idea how bad things are right now. RAM prices are projected to *increase* in the coming months, if a PlayStation 6 launches before 2028, it’s going to cost like $1500…and that’s with Sony subsidizing!

334h ago

LJ Katz11

I mean, no way it launches before 2028. The whole point of this is to introduce a PS6 that is all digital from day one.

Tumbleweed4

Steam Machine is overpriced looking at the current prices for both DIY and prebuilt, and its not like its prices will remain static if costs increase

SavvySpark1

Yeah it’s not the poor corporations fault 😭

Douglas Reyes-Ceron

@dreyesceron.bsky.social

I know people will say "PC gamers have been doing this" but those digital games are not tied to a piece of singular hardware that dictates everything you can do if Sony is doing this, I might as well get a Steam Machine or build my own PC (because that PS6 price will also be atrocious)

202h ago

Fletcher (12⚽️)2

All the games I really wanna play I can play on steam anyways. I just need to get a true laptop again

The Cleric1

I have owned every PS console until now. That streak WILL be broken.

Andrew1

Gave themselves 18 months bc the backlash will be significant

Rosie | AF Team Mystery

@supnovagy.bsky.social

Especially after the Steam Machine price got revealed, I thought it’ll be the opposite honestly

161h ago

John Linneman

@dark1x.bsky.social

No? Steam Machine is a computer and thus you have free access to any software (whether legal or otherwise). That's not the case with consoles.

154h ago

linuxnerd

@loonerlinuxnerd.bsky.social

The Steam Machine might have hit a roadblock, but small formfactor PCs in the TV stand are the future now. Even with Rampocalypse ongoing. www.newegg.com/p/pl?d=micro...

82h ago

fetchquesting5

And with emulation you can play all the PS3 games you want on the Steam Machine.

Yeet Kune Do

@yeetkunedo.bsky.social

Can’t wait to see the PS5’s chipset get good Arch Linux drivers written for it. Best Steam Machine I could have asked for. Congratulations, Sony. You eliminated the reason I continued to own a PlayStation console. Now, I have no need for you. And I doubt other people will once they follow my lead.

51h ago

SuiDaisy~ 🐕🌸

@suidaisy.bsky.social

A Steam Machine might not be such a bad choice after all :V Especially if the PS6 winds up costing around the same without the option of physical discs...

84h ago

god's favorite little faggot

@goldpuma.bsky.social

honestly consoles going digital only is killing what little enthusiasm I still had for them. I'd rather get a steam machine

84h ago

ozmthole θΔ❌👁️🪞

@ozmthole.bsky.social

A week ago when the Steam Machine price got announced I saw a lot of folks saying why you wouldn't just buy a PS5 since it was a better value. And then the last 48 hours happened. Lol, lmao even.

72h ago

Travis Smith

@travissmith.site

Nintendo has got me hooked with exclusive IPs that I want to continue enjoying, but the closest thing Sony has is timed exclusive Final Fantasy games. I'd sooner buy a Steam Machine than a digital-only PS6.

44h ago

TyrantⅡ

@tyrantii.bsky.social

Yeah they're too busy slopifying windows and pushing their own rentier crap on the PC side. The environment to launch the Steam Machine is unfortunate, but things like gaming on (open) Linux and GoG are needed now more than ever.

54h ago

3 sources

alextech.aiValve Eyes Arm Architecture for Future Steam Machines famiboards.comIs the Switch + Steam Machine combo the way forward?slashgear.comSteam Deck Vs Steam Machine: What Are The Pros And Cons Of Each Console? - SlashGear

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Valve eyes ARM architecture for future Steam Machines

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