Valve Debunks RDNA4 Steam Console Rumors: Regularly Tests Unused Hardware Prototypes

Recently, a report from GamingOnLinux dispelled rumors about a new Steam Console, clarifying they weren’t true. Valve developer Pierre-Loup Griffais confirmed this on BlueSky, explaining that while Valve is working with the upcoming AMD RDNA 4 architecture, it’s simply part of a long-standing tradition of software updates dating back to AMD Vega. Although Valve is indeed testing future GPU software, this doesn’t mean a revival of the Steam Machine is underway.

So, does this mean dreams of a new Steam Console are officially dashed? For now, yes, but that doesn’t stop us from examining Valve’s history in the console market and the potential paths forward, whether that means a comeback of the Steam Machine or the eventual arrival of a Steam Deck 2.

### Valve’s Hardware Trajectory

The speculation about an impending Steam console was premature. New hardware like AMD’s RDNA 4 isn’t necessarily an indicator of an immediate console debut. Consoles, including ones from Valve, usually feature custom components based on established designs. There’s typically a lag between the emergence of cutting-edge GPU and CPU tech and its adoption in new consoles because of the planning required to create such platforms.

When the Steam Deck arrived in 2022, it utilized AMD’s RDNA 2 architecture that first made an appearance in November 2020. This reflects the typical gap between the release of a console and the tech it’s based on. RDNA 4 is AMD’s new desktop powerhouse, but transforming it into a feasible handheld APU will demand considerable time, effort, and investment.

Today’s leading integrated GPU solutions are built on AMD’s RDNA 3 and 3.5 architectures, but impressive performance gains, particularly when unplugged, have been elusive. While we do see better figures when devices are plugged in, the constraints posed by battery limitations remain significant. It’s only recently that Ryzen AI HX 300 Series APUs with RDNA 3.5 iGPUs have started to emerge.

And Valve making a new Steam Console isn’t high on the agenda, especially since a second-gen Steam Deck is projected to be years off. Valve’s waiting for more significant leaps in hardware capability. While an RDNA 4 iGPU might suit the Steam Deck 2, we won’t be seeing it any time soon. Introducing three different SteamOS hardware systems within a seven-year stretch seems quite improbable for Valve.

RDNA 4 appears promising, yet it brings along many unknowns, like power utilization, performance levels, and costs. It’ll be a while before it’s suitable for a handheld gaming PC.

### Gazing Forward

Now, let’s explore the speculative side, grounded in what we know about PC hardware and its influence on the handheld console market.

Late last year, leaks cropped up revealing Valve’s work on a redesigned Steam Controller and advanced VR controllers. The revised Steam Controller may hint at a renewed interest in the Steam Link or Steam Machine, but could just as easily be aimed at providing a cohesive experience between the Steam Deck handheld and a docked setup. Gamers fond of Steam Input might appreciate these enhancements, including touch-sensitive gyro support.

Does this entirely rule out a new Steam Console? Not necessarily. Once Steam OS 3 more broadly rolls out, we could see it powering mini PCs, laptops, and handhelds, enticing manufacturers to adopt it. A larger device could easily target additional features like real-time ray tracing. On the current Steam Deck, this is limited to mostly-rasterized games targeting 30 FPS, given the previous-gen hardware and strict power limits.

For genuine advancements in handheld consoles, Valve must seek more than just RDNA 4’s ray tracing improvements. The GPU will need to perform at low power thresholds commonly associated with handhelds, which AMD’s present architecture can’t yet meet.

Nevertheless, solutions exist. RDNA 4 employs TSMC’s N4 process, established for over two years. The Steam Deck’s Van Gogh APU originates from the older N7 node, so a shift to more recent nodes like N5 or N4 could yield benefits. And later, N3 and N2 may become viable options, though managing die size and cost is critical when considering a future handheld chip.

Do we even need a dedicated Steam Console? Pairing a Steam Deck with a docking station already offers a capable home console option. If Nintendo is moving away from conventional consoles, Valve may find more value in developing a hybrid-handheld model of custom hardware, sidestepping direct competition with mainstream consoles and high-end gaming PCs.