Valve Dismisses RDNA4-Based Steam Console Rumors, Clarifies Routine Testing of Non-Device Hardware

Recently, a wave of speculation suggested that Valve might be working on a new Steam Console. However, these rumors were quickly dispelled thanks to a report from GamingOnLinux. Valve developer Pierre-Loup Griffais addressed the buzz directly on BlueSky, confirming that the anticipation was unfounded. Griffais explained that Valve’s ongoing work with AMD’s RDNA 4 architecture is nothing new; it’s a continuation of the approach they started with AMD’s Vega tech. While they are indeed tweaking their software for upcoming GPU architectures, this does not translate to a renewed Steam Machine project.

So, does this news squash any hope for a new Steam Console soon? For now, it certainly seems that way. But let’s delve deeper into Valve’s ventures in the “console” arena to explore what could be possible for both a potential Steam Machine reboot and the future Steam Deck 2.

### What we know about Valve’s hardware plans

The idea of a new Steam console was never really linked to the support for new GPU architecture like AMD’s RDNA 4. Consoles, including ones like the Steam Deck, usually come equipped with technology that’s a bit dated by release time—this is due to the extensive planning these platforms require.

When Valve launched the Steam Deck in 2022, it used AMD’s RDNA 2 architecture, which dates back to November 2020. This means there was about a year and a half between the debut of RDNA 2 and the Steam Deck’s release, and roughly two and a half years for the Zen 2 CPU architecture. With RDNA 4 destined for desktop use, integrating it into a handy handheld device would demand more time, effort, and money.

Currently, the top iGPU solutions feature AMD’s RDNA 3 and 3.5 architectures. However, significant performance improvements, especially when running on battery, are yet to make a strong showing. Enhancements are noticed when plugged in, but handheld devices face substantial constraints due to battery limitations. We’ve only recently seen Ryzen AI HX 300 Series APUs with RDNA 3.5 iGPUs hit the market.

Another telling sign of Valve’s priorities is their admission that the Steam Deck 2 is “at least two or three years away.” They’re waiting for major hardware advancements. Consoles typically have a longer gap between releases, so an RDNA 4 iGPU could eventually power the Steam Deck 2, but not in the immediate future. Launching three SteamOS hardware platforms within seven years would seem overly ambitious.

As promising as RDNA 4 sounds, there are still many unknowns about its power consumption, performance capabilities, and cost. It will take some time before we see it in a handheld format.

### Peering into the future with our crystal ball

Now, let’s venture into the realm of speculation, all while staying anchored in the realities of PC hardware and its influence on the console market.

Last year brought some intriguing leaks of Valve’s new designs for a revamped Steam Controller and next-gen VR controllers. The development of a new Steam Controller could suggest a resurgence of the Steam Link box or the Steam Machine initiative. However, it might just be about synchronizing the experience across Steam Deck handheld and docked play, especially valuable for users who leverage Steam Input’s extra features, like the touch-sensitive gyro.

Does this rule out the possibility of a Steam Console entirely? Maybe not. Once Steam OS 3 is more widely available, we might see other manufacturers adopt it for mini PCs, laptops, and handheld devices. A larger console form factor could allow for advanced features like real-time ray tracing. Currently, on the Deck’s hardware, ray tracing targets 30 FPS mainly in rasterized games, with full RT being too demanding due to old hardware and low power limits.

For a significant leap in handheld performance, Valve needs more than just enhanced RT in RDNA 4. They need a GPU architecture that achieves those RT results at 25W TDP for devices like the ROG Ally, or 15W TDP like the Steam Deck. Given that RDNA 4 mobile GPUs are estimated to run at around 80-175W TDP, AMD’s not quite there yet.

However, moving forward might be possible. RDNA 4 uses TSMC’s N4 process node, which is a couple of years old. The Steam Deck’s APU utilizes TSMC’s older N7 node, so a shift to N5 or N4 could aid performance. In a few years, N3 and N2 variants should become more accessible, creating opportunities for a compelling chip for future handhelds, as long as die size and costs remain manageable.

But is a new Steam Console necessary? Attaching a Steam Deck to a docking station already offers a more robust home console experience than a Nintendo Switch. With Nintendo seemingly stepping away from traditional home consoles, Valve might favor a hybrid approach, not directly competing with the big league consoles or mainstream gaming PCs.