Steam Machine specs: Valve's 2026 model and the original 2015 Steam Machines
Steam Machine specs depend on which Steam Machine you mean. Valve's own Steam Machine, sold since the end of June 2026, has a 6-core AMD Zen 4 CPU, an AMD RDNA 3 GPU with 28 compute units, 16 GB DDR5 plus 8 GB GDDR6, a 512 GB or 2 TB SSD, and measures 162.4 x 156 x 152 mm. The 2015 Steam Machines were third-party PCs from Alienware, Syber and others with Intel CPUs and Nvidia GPUs.
This page lists the full specifications of Valve's current Steam Machine, the original 2015 lineup that Valve announced with its partners, and the differences that matter if you are buying, collecting or comparing.
Valve Steam Machine specs (2026 model)
The Valve Steam Machine is a compact living-room PC that Valve designs and sells itself, running SteamOS. Valve announced it on November 12, 2025, and opened reservation sign-ups on June 22, 2026. These are the published specifications:
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| CPU | Semi-custom AMD Zen 4, 6 cores and 12 threads, up to 4.8 GHz, 30 W TDP |
| GPU | Semi-custom AMD RDNA 3, 28 compute units, 2.45 GHz max sustained clock, 110 W TDP |
| Memory | 16 GB DDR5 system RAM plus 8 GB GDDR6 video memory |
| Storage | 512 GB or 2 TB NVMe SSD, plus a microSD card slot |
| Power supply | Internal, 300 W |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth, integrated Steam Controller radio |
| Operating system | SteamOS |
Valve positions the machine at roughly six times the performance of the Steam Deck and targets 4K at 60 fps with AMD FSR upscaling. Both video outputs can drive a display at the same time, so a two-monitor desk setup works too.
Steam Machine dimensions, weight and ports
The Valve Steam Machine measures 162.4 x 156 x 152 mm (6.39 x 6.14 x 5.98 inches), close to a 6-inch cube, and weighs about 2.6 kg (5.7 lb). Without its feet it stands 148 mm tall. That is small enough for a TV stand or a shelf next to a console, but leave space around it, because the single large fan and heatsink need airflow.
The ports are split between the front and the back:
- Front: two USB-A ports
- Rear: DisplayPort 1.4 and HDMI 2.0
- Rear: one USB-C port (USB 3.2 Gen 2) and two USB-A ports
- Rear: Gigabit Ethernet
The HDMI port is HDMI 2.0, not HDMI 2.1, so check that your TV and the features you want work over HDMI 2.0, or use the DisplayPort output for a monitor. The front panel is magnetic and swappable, and a light bar shows states such as downloading or updating. For a closer look at the rear I/O and the announcement details, see our coverage of the Steam Machine reveal and its ports.
Steam Machine price and models
Valve sells the Steam Machine in two storage sizes, with or without a Steam Controller. US prices at launch:
| Model | Without controller | With Steam Controller |
|---|---|---|
| 512 GB | $1,049 | $1,128 |
| 2 TB | $1,349 | $1,428 |
The 2 TB versions ship with extra faceplates in red fabric and walnut. Valve sold the first units through a randomized reservation queue with separate lists for North America, the UK and EU, and Australia, while Komodo handles Japan, Taiwan and Hong Kong. Prices and stock change, so check the official Steam Machine store page before you buy.
The original 2015 Steam Machine specs
The 2015 Steam Machines were not one device: they were small gaming PCs built by hardware partners, preloaded with SteamOS and sold with a Steam Controller. Alienware and Syber listed the first models in June 2015, when this article was first published, and both shipped on November 10, 2015. These were the first configurations on Steam:
| Model (US price) | CPU and GPU | RAM and storage |
|---|---|---|
| Alienware ($449.99) | Intel Core i3-4130T dual-core, Nvidia GeForce GTX 2 GB GDDR5 | 4 GB DDR3, 500 GB HDD |
| Alienware ($549.99) | Intel Core i3-4130T dual-core, Nvidia GeForce GTX 2 GB GDDR5 | 8 GB DDR3, 1 TB HDD |
| Alienware ($649.99) | Intel Core i5-4590T quad-core, Nvidia GeForce GTX 2 GB GDDR5 | 8 GB DDR3, 1 TB HDD |
| Alienware ($749.99) | Intel Core i7-4765T quad-core, Nvidia GeForce GTX 2 GB GDDR5 | 8 GB DDR3, 1 TB HDD |
| Syber Steam Machine I ($499) | Intel Core i3-4160, Nvidia GTX 750 1 GB | 4 GB DDR3, 500 GB HDD |
| Syber Steam Machine P ($729) | Intel Core i5 (3.4 GHz), Nvidia GTX 960 2 GB | 8 GB DDR3, 1 TB HDD |
| Syber Steam Machine X ($1,419) | Intel Core i7 (4.0 GHz), Nvidia GTX 980 4 GB | 16 GB DDR3, 1 TB HDD |
Alienware did not name its graphics chip in the store listing. Reviews of retail units identified it as a GeForce GTX 860M-class GPU with 2 GB GDDR5, Wi-Fi ac and Bluetooth 4.0, and some retail entry units shipped with an Intel Core i3-4170T instead of the listed i3-4130T. More partners followed in November 2015, among them Asus, Zotac, Digital Storm, Maingear, Falcon Northwest and Origin, at prices from about $600 to several thousand dollars.
2015 Steam Machines vs Valve's Steam Machine
The key difference is that Valve now builds the Steam Machine itself with one fixed hardware spec, while the 2015 machines were partner PCs with dozens of configurations. That changes what a "Steam Machine spec" means for game compatibility and support.
| Attribute | 2015 Steam Machines | Valve Steam Machine (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Maker | Alienware, Syber, Zotac and other partners | Valve |
| Hardware | Intel CPUs, mostly Nvidia GPUs, HDDs | AMD Zen 4 and RDNA 3, NVMe SSD |
| Entry price (US) | $449.99 | $1,049 |
| Game library | Linux-native Steam games only | Steam games via SteamOS and Proton compatibility |
In 2015, SteamOS ran only games that had a Linux version, which left out much of the Steam catalogue and every game from other stores such as GOG or Origin. Today's SteamOS uses the Proton compatibility layer from the Steam Deck to run many Windows games, so the library problem that held the first Steam Machines back is much smaller. The 2015 machines did not sell in large numbers, and the original program ended around 2018.
Are 2015 Steam Machines still worth buying?
A 2015 Steam Machine is a collector's item or a budget Linux or Windows PC today, not a good way to play current games. The dual-core i3 models with 4 GB of RAM and a hard drive fall well below the minimum requirements of most recent releases, and none of them match even the Steam Deck in efficiency.
If you find one second hand, check these points before paying:
- Confirm the exact CPU, GPU and RAM, since configurations varied widely between models and partners.
- Plan to replace the hard drive with an SSD; this is the cheapest upgrade with the biggest effect.
- Expect to install a current Linux distribution or Windows, because the original SteamOS 2 release is outdated.
- Check whether the Steam Controller is included and working, as it was part of the original package.
For playing new games on a TV, the Valve Steam Machine, a Steam Deck in its dock or a console are the practical choices. Once you are set up, adjust who can see your library and activity in the Steam privacy settings.
FAQ
Can the Valve Steam Machine run Windows games?
Many Windows games run on it through Proton, the compatibility layer that SteamOS also uses on the Steam Deck. Games with anti-cheat systems that block Linux may not work, so check a game's compatibility rating on Steam first.
Can you upgrade the Valve Steam Machine?
Storage is the easiest upgrade: there is a microSD slot, and the board has room for a full-size M.2 2280 SSD. The RAM sits in SO-DIMM slots but is harder to reach because of the heatsink.
Was the Alienware Steam Machine the same as the Alienware Alpha?
They used the same compact chassis and similar hardware. The Alpha shipped with Windows, while the Steam Machine version shipped with SteamOS and a Steam Controller.
Related: Steam Deck downloads with the display off, stop Steam from updating games automatically, fix the "could not connect to Steam network" error
Some questions as I read this:
* Any word on 3D gaming support? If you’re spending $1,500, you probably want 3D as well.
* I’m wondering why they’d go with the Intel processors. I would think the AMD APU system would be a lot better for low and mid-range gaming systems. Maybe better Linux support?
* There’s a little bit of a chicken-and-egg thing here: big developers won’t make Linux-platform games without a popular Linux platform but you need the games to drive the platform. That’s why big companies use beloved games like Halo, Uncharted, and Mario to drive adoption of their new console. Why didn’t Valve release Half Life 3 for these?
* Any side-by-side analysis? I’d like to see some side-by-side comparisons to XBox One and PS4, especially on some of the latest and greatest games. I think that’s going to be compelling for console gamers who might think themselves as wedded to one platform. If the latest game in your favorite series costs less and looks better on a SteamMachine, that’s hard to ignore.
I always build my own systems, so I don’t really care about Steam machines.
It’s easy enough to build a computer with an i3, 4GB RAM, a 500GB drive, and a 750Ti for $500, but it’s not easy at all to do so in the Alpha’s form factor.
Being a little smaller than a PS4 is hardly a killer feature, unless the target market are people working on submarines. If people are planning on plugging these into their monster living room TV, they are not likely to be worried about a few inches of space in the entertainment center.
I prefer to spend my hard earned money on something else than an eye candy computer – all I care about is computing performance, not looks. But I am aware that other people have other needs.
Because it’s sitting in your entertainment center, not a desktop PC. The alpha form factor is a huge part of what makes it sexy. It’s much smaller than even the PS4.
True. However, why would I want the Alpha form factor ? :)
Overpriced linux boxes, IMO. For $1400, you could build a beastly windows 7/8/10 PC with a nice monitor, and probably an SSD as well.
All the alienware steam boxes use the 860M GPU, which is essentially a 750Ti. It will play most modern games at 1080p at medium quality at ~30fps. Roughly equivalent to a modern console, but much less visual fidelity and lower framerates than a gaming GPU you’d be likely to buy separately.
That’s why I haven’t purchased one. For me, a minimum spec would be a GTX960 (note, not a GTX960M), which can play most 1080p games at high quality at well over 30fps.
The machines look fine but I’m still not sure exactly who they are aimed at. Hardcore gamers are almost always going to want their own rigs that they work out themselves, and more casual gamers aren’t likely to pay a premium for hardware they can do less with.
Ha, what a joke.
Valve should release a Steam Link app for Roku and Amazon Fire TV. Problem solved.
Regarding the Alienware machines, what exactly is a “nVidia GeForce GTX GPU w/2GB GDDR5”? It doesn’t say anything about the most important bit about the GPU.
If they’re hiding that info, that’s a big red flag.
Yea, these machines are aiming at gamers, and they think gamers are stupid to ignore that part? lol
Yeah that is a big problem. No information was provided unfortunately.