Fubarberry

AMD say the Steam Machine is "on track" for an early 2026 release

https://sopuli.xyz/post/40638292

AMD say the Steam Machine is "on track" for an early 2026 release - Sopuli

To be honest, I expected RAM prices would push back the release date. But AMD would know more about than I would.

Feb 4 at 12:07pmWeb
Show threadPonyOfWarFeb 4
Best case scenario is that they had already secured a RAM deal when the prices went mad, so they can now offer a good price. Even then, it might still be an issue for later batches though.
Show threadSunshineFeb 4
If they got the deal secured, you bet your table the ordering website is gonna get slammed.
Show threadarudesaladFeb 4
A week after it ships ebay will be full of “steam machine bring your own ram”
Show threadTelorandFeb 4

Is it upgradeable? I assumed it would be soldered in.

Maybe we’ll see, “Some soldering required,” instead 😂

Show threadarudesaladFeb 4
Considering how repairable the steam deck is, I wouldn’t be surprised if it is upgradable
Show threadosaerisxeroFeb 4
Given the proclivities of Valve and their hardware so far, i woud expect the gabecube to not have soldered ram.
Show threadSoapboxFeb 4
They explicitly said it has user upgradeable ram. The graphics card is soldered on though. Its basically gaming laptop hardware.
Show threadFishFaceFeb 4
Why would it be soldered? It’s not like it’s in a laptop with space constraints.
Show threadTelorandFeb 4
I dunno. There’s probably plenty of examples where companies soldered RAM instead of installing SODIMM slots, even when they had space. I agree that it makes sense, but sense isn’t always a factor when a company starts crunching the production cost numbers.
Show threadWildmimicFeb 4
Have you seen how it looks without the casing? this thing is filled to the brim, whatever space was left has been filled with cooling, it would be complicated to place a standard d6 in there - the whole system is built around the cooling that goes through the middle. but the ram isn’t soldered and i think it’s even placed so you can upgrade it without dismantling the whole thing.
Hands-On With Steam Machine: Valve's Beautiful PC/Console - Specs, Impressions And More

YouTube
Show threadgreybeardFeb 4
I wouldn’t be surprised if it was soldered on because it shares the RAM with the GPU. That’s pretty common these days, and GPUs want both high performance RAM and low latency. There are solutions to significantly lower the trace lengths between expandable RAM and the CPU/GPU, but the standard never took off.
Show threadTruscapeFeb 4
It is, using SODIMMs (Laptop form factor)
Show threadTelorandFeb 4
Cool, I tried to find the info, but obviously didn’t find that detail. It makes sense, all things considered
Show threadZettaFeb 4
I’m pretty sure they likely did what they did with the steam LCD, which was order an absolutely insane amount of units that they had stock for years. The semi-custom AMD chip they’re using likely needed a minimum order of millions of units.
Show threadBjörnFeb 4
I don’t think the RAM prices are going to go back down again any time soon. So there wouldn’t be any point in waiting.
Show threadmassive_bereavementFeb 4
I can imagine RAM scavengers marauding the wastelands.
Show threadNotMyOldRedditNameFeb 4
When they find my “old electronics” drawer, it’ll be a goldmine of ddr2/3 ram
Show threadTarquinn2049Feb 4
But they might be able to make a similarly powered device with older style ram, it would take a significant re-work though, one that would delay release.
Show threadP00ptartFeb 4
I hope it does well but at current I’m not buying anything new
Show threadDariusmiles2123Feb 4

As I already have a Playstation 5 for demanding games (and my kids playing Fortnite and Roblox sadly) and a Steam Deck for less demanding games, I really don’t know for sure if I’m gonna get a Steam Machine.

Its price and the way it integrates with my Steam Deck might be a deciding factor.

To be honest, I’m quite happy it isn’t out yet as it’s pushing my FOMO away.

I guess the wise decision would be to buy every game on Playstation physical, sell them and buy them again on Steam Machine 2 instead of getting a Playstation 6. Espace especially because I’m only using the Playstation for racing games (too demanding for the Deck) or exclusives…

Show threadpinball_wizardFeb 4

As I already have a Playstation 5 for demanding games (and my kids playing Fortnite and Roblox sadly) and a Steam Deck for less demanding games, I really don’t know for sure if I’m gonna get a Steam Machine.

That makes sense. I sometimes forget that not everyone shares my deep burning despise for Sony…yet.

Anyway, it’ll be good to have a better option when the Playstation 6 does whatever bullshit Sony pulls out of their asses next.

Show threadDariusmiles2123Feb 4

What made you despise Sony? I’ve had a good experience over 5 Playstation generations so far. I would just hope they don’t end up having a monopoly over the console market (exc’uding Nintendo). That’s why I’m happy about the Steam Machine.

I guess the disappearance of a physical Bluray player is gonna make me jump to 100% Linux gaming soon anyway.

Show threaddjangoFeb 4
Not op, but I’d like to provide a “why i hate Sony story”: they installed a rootkit on my computer. en.wikipedia.org/…/Sony_BMG_copy_protection_rootk…
Sony BMG copy protection rootkit scandal - Wikipedia

Show threadgarretbleFeb 4
21 years is a pretty good stretch to hold onto that grudge. Good work.
Show threadpinball_wizardFeb 5

Hahaha! Thank you!

I agree, of course.

I thought time might cool it, but no. It’s still as enraging today to remember.

Show threadpinball_wizardFeb 5

Exactly the link I was going to search for!

Those fuckers at Sony made me wipe and rebuild my PC, for the “crime” of listening to one of their fucking CDs at my desk one time.

(Sony’s virus caused all kinds of bugs, and then people who didn’t wipe and rebuild immediately were getting infected by worse viruses within a few days, because Sony’s virus fucked up the PCs defenses so badly.)

I figured I would be less pissed this long later, but I’m not.

Fuck Sony. I’m mad just thinking about it long enough to post this confirmation.

That is what did it, for me. Fuck Sony.

Did I mention “fuck Sony”? Fuck Sony. Bunch of virus writing assholes.

Show threadFlames5123Feb 4
Owning a steam deck and a gaming PC, the deck integration is amazing. The cross saves just work and I’ve had no problem, even when I have a save conflict.
Show threadCethinFeb 4
One good thing if you purchase this and ditch the PS is you don’t have to pay for a membership, which is insane that console players still put up with that. A quick search (without actually checking if it’s correct) is that it’s $160 per year, on top of what you’re paying for your internet. The Steam Machine would pay for itself in just a few years, even with no other advantages.
Show threadDariusmiles2123Feb 5

I don’t have the Playstation plus anymore but I never payed above 70$ and got a lot of free games with it.

Still, it wasn’t worth it to me as I mostly play single player games except some racing sims…

Show threadCethinFeb 5
I have to be pedantic, but I always hate it when people say “free” for something they paid for. It’s included in the price, not free.
Show threadDariusmiles2123Feb 5
I guess you’re right and you could also say that I didn’t really own these games since I can’t play them anymore because I don’t have PSPlus anymore.
Show threadsudoMakeUserFeb 4
Exciting! We are in early 2026 already.
Show threadProve_your_argumentFeb 4
I figured the announcement for preorders would have been two or three weeks ago. We will see I suppose.
Show threadwarmFeb 4
Im guessing end of march
Show threadladFeb 4
I recently dreamed it’s going to be April 1st which was like tomorrow. I was a bit disappointed when I woke up and realised it was not even February yet 🤣
Show thread0opsFeb 4
Hey it’s been a long year
Show threadleftzeroFeb 4
Feels like it’s been 2026 for years already. Can’t bear the thought of there being even more of it.
Show threadProve_your_argumentFeb 4

Pricing or frig off lahey!

I have a buddy who wants to play Nioh 3 but has problems spending money. This could be his solution but… not if it’s like $1200+

Show threadCethinFeb 4

Despite what everyone says, it’s probably not going to be cheaper than building your own system, especially since building your own you can skip stuff you don’t need and prioritize parts you really want. This just has whatever it has. You don’t get to pick and choose. At best, it’s going to be about the same price as if you purchased the hardware yourself.

It will be less effort though, so there’s that.

I think price estimates are somewhere sub $600. That’s all just speculation though.

Show threadBuffalobuffaloFeb 5
If its even close to build it yourself the opportunity cost of doimg it yourself should be considered. Turn key operation is good.
Show threadCethinFeb 5
Yeah, it’s something everyone has to consider. That can’t really be compared though. It’s different for everyone. I think there’s also an opportunity cost to buying pre-built to. You won’t have as good of an understanding of your hardware.
Show threadotacon239Feb 4
I just want the controller with trackpads and back buttons.
Show threadDoucheBagMcSwagFeb 4
Yes this. 100%
Show threadTelorandFeb 4

I have the first generation, and once I learned how to properly use it and set up the pads and gyro, it quickly became one of my favorite controllers of all time.

I hope this next one will be even better.

Show threadFubarberryFeb 4

I’m pretty sure they’re going to wait to release the controller alongside the Steam Machine.

Unfortunately that would mean that if RAM/etc prices cause a Machine delay, we’ll probably see the controller get delayed as well.

Show threadInvalidName2Feb 4

Same for me! I’m waiting on the new controller.

If I were wealthy, I’d be all about the Frame and Machine as well, but at a minimum, I’d love to have the controllers assuming they live up to my expectations, which as this point are basically, does it work and does the battery last more than a year or two?

Show threadotacon239Feb 4
Looks like they’re using standard rechargeable AAs, so very replaceable.
Show threadInvalidName2Feb 4
Oh, I hadn’t even noticed that. That’s one thing I like about the XBox controller I have, takes standard batteries. The playstation controllers, though, those have built-in batteries with about a 2 year lifespan as best I can tell, which SUCKS. Thanks for pointing that out!
Show threadozymandias117Feb 5

I think otacon239 is remembering the controllers for the Steam Frame, which have an AA each

The Steam Controller was listed as an ~8Wh Li-ion

Show threadInvalidName2Feb 6
That’s what I was thinking (i.e. rechargeable battery not AA), but I wasn’t 100% sure. Either way, I’m in the market for a new controller and Steam seems to be working on a great option that ticks all the right boxes for me as long as the price is reasonable enough. It kind of has an Xbox form factor but the more symmetrical d-pad / analog stick placement of a PS controller, so best of both worlds in my opinion.
Show threadResonosityFeb 5
Same bro!!
Show threadphxFeb 6
I really want the Frame. The Index is one tech and cords suck. Oculus actually did a lot of things right but I just can’t justify throwing my money at Meta…
Show threadyumyumsmuncherFeb 4
Yes but when! 
Show threadDaveFeb 5
Early 2026! Which since we are already halfway through the first quarter of the year, that means it’s only like 4 years away in Valve Time.
Making sure you're not a bot!

Show threadeletesFeb 4
Depending on when they inked their contracts, they may have locked in favorable RAM prices last year
Show threadOdemptionFeb 4
This is what I’ve been theorizing and hoping would be the case, and I feel like valve deserves a W like that coming in hot when gamers need it most.
Show threadNotMyOldRedditNameFeb 4
I can’t imagine they would launch something without having at least a couple years locked in.
Show threaddoublahFeb 5
Problem is there’s been reports about memory providers cancelling contracts, as the premium AI companies will pay is far higher than breaking the current contracts.
Show threadNotMyOldRedditNameFeb 5
Ugh, that is bonkers.
Show threadNico198XFeb 4
i NEED that new controller.