# Valve’s New Console and Controller - STEAM Machine & STEAM Controller (2026) First Look

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3FkuZNSGkw
Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/g3FkuZNSGkw
Generated: 2025-11-13T14:31:47.734+00:00

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## Quick Overview

Valve has significantly advanced its Steam Machine concept with the 2026 Steam Controller and the new, smaller Steam Machine, which features an AMD 6-core Zen 4 APU, 16GB DDR5 RAM, and is designed to be highly customizable, though the final pricing remains a question mark.

**Key Points:**
- The 2026 Steam Controller features an improved design over the original, including next-generation TMR joysticks for superior accuracy and durability, and four rear programmable buttons.
- The new Steam Machine is significantly smaller than the original 2013 model and the Framework Desktop, utilizing a custom AMD APU (6-core Zen 4, RDNA3 8GB GDDR6) and 16GB DDR5 RAM.
- The Steam Machine cooling solution is integrated directly into the APU/motherboard assembly, featuring a large 120mm Delta fan that pulls air through the chassis, eliminating the need for a separate case fan.
- The controller includes a wireless dongle with 8ms end-to-end latency and supports up to four controllers simultaneously per dongle.
- The new controller features capacitive inputs on the thumbsticks and D-pad, and the rear paddles are remappable for enhanced control, offering a superior experience to the original Steam Controller.
- Valve confirmed that while the Steam Deck OS is the primary focus, they acknowledge the need for broader hardware support, including for Intel and Nvidia GPUs.
- The Steam Machine's design allows for easy user upgrades, specifically confirming support for an M.2 2230 form factor SSD.

![Screenshot at 00:08: The new Steam Machine is shown with a custom red faceplate featuring the Team Fortress 2 Heavy silhouette, contrasting sharply with the much larger original Steam Machine \(OG Steam Machine\) and the Framework Desktop in a size comparison.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/g3FkuZNSGkw/00-00-08.png)

**Context:** This video reviews Valve's rumored next-generation console hardware, specifically the 2026 Steam Machine and the successor to the original Steam Controller, comparing them to the original Steam Machine concept from 2013 and the Steam Deck. The presenter introduces the new, compact Steam Machine hardware and details the significant internal and external improvements made to the new Steam Controller, which aims to capture the spirit of its predecessor while addressing its shortcomings.

## Detailed Analysis

The video provides a first look at Valve's rumored 2026 Steam Machine console and the new Steam Controller. The new Steam Machine is substantially smaller than the original 2013 concept and the Framework Desktop, boasting an AMD 6-core Zen 4 CPU clocked up to 4.8GHz paired with a semi-custom RDNA3 8GB GDDR6 GPU, 16GB of DDR5 RAM, and an M.2 2230 slot for storage upgrades. Its cooling system is fully integrated into the APU/motherboard module, using a large 120mm Delta fan that eliminates the need for a separate case fan by pulling air directly through the entire assembly. Connectivity on the front includes two USB 3 Type-A ports (5Gbps) and a Micro SD slot, while the rear features two HDMI 2.0 ports, one DisplayPort 1.4, Ethernet, two USB 2 Type-A ports, and a USB Type-C 10Gbps port. The new Steam Controller is a significant iterative improvement over the original, featuring next-generation Tunneling Magnetoresistance (TMR) joysticks for enhanced accuracy and durability, surpassing Hall effect sticks, and four rear programmable buttons. It retains capacitive inputs on the thumbpads and D-pad, and Valve has tuned the gyroscope aiming for a superior experience. The controller uses a proprietary 2.4GHz wireless dongle with 8ms latency, supporting up to four controllers per dongle. Valve also confirmed that the SteamOS is supported on the new hardware and that they are working to expand third-party GPU support beyond AMD. The speaker strongly suggests the new controller is the most complete offering Valve has produced, improving significantly on the original Steam Controller.

### Steam Machine Hardware Specs

- AMD 6-core Zen 4 CPU @ 4.8GHz
- Semi-Custom AMD RDNA3 8GB GDDR6 GPU
- 16GB DDR5 RAM
- 512GB or 2TB storage options
- Micro SD slot

### Steam Machine I/O

- Front ports include 2x USB 3 Type-A @ 5Gbps and Micro SD slot
- Rear ports include 2x USB 2 Type-A, USB Type-C 10Gbps, Ethernet 1Gbps, HDMI 2.0, and DisplayPort 1.4

### Steam Machine Cooling Design

- Integrated cooling module with a large 120mm Delta fan pulls air through the entire assembly, eliminating the need for a separate chassis fan; heatpipes connect directly to the APU.

### Steam Controller Improvements

- Next-gen TMR joysticks boasting superior accuracy/durability over Hall effect
- Four rear programmable buttons
- Capacitive thumbpads and D-pad
- Gyroscopic aiming improvements
- Wireless dongle offers 8ms latency, supports up to 4 controllers.

### Comparison and Goals

- New Steam Machine is significantly smaller than OG Steam Machine and Framework Desktop; Valve aims for competitive pricing subsidized by game sales.

### SteamOS Support

- Valve confirmed expanded support for Intel and Nvidia GPUs in future SteamOS releases, indicating a move beyond exclusive AMD focus.

![Screenshot at 00:07: The initial comparison showing the small, black Steam Machine next to the much larger original Steam Machine \(left\) and the Framework Desktop \(center\).](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/g3FkuZNSGkw/00-00-07.png)
![Screenshot at 00:32: A close-up of the Steam Machine's front panel, showing the power button, two USB 3 Type-A ports, and a Micro SD slot, with the wood-paneled removable faceplate.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/g3FkuZNSGkw/00-00-32.png)
![Screenshot at 02:31: The Steam Machine's internal components revealed, highlighting the AMD 6-core Zen 4 APU, 16GB DDR5 RAM, and the integrated cooling solution.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/g3FkuZNSGkw/00-02-31.png)
![Screenshot at 03:33: Side-by-side size comparison of the new Steam Machine, the Framework Desktop \(center, modular\), and the OG Steam Machine \(tallest\).](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/g3FkuZNSGkw/00-03-33.png)
![Screenshot at 04:44: Detailed view of the back of the Steam Machine module, showing the integrated cooling fan and the array of I/O ports including HDMI 2.0, DP 1.4, Ethernet, and various USB ports.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/g3FkuZNSGkw/00-04-44.png)
![Screenshot at 05:44: Close-up on the new Steam Controller's front face, highlighting the two large trackpads and the symmetric joystick layout.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/g3FkuZNSGkw/00-05-44.png)
![Screenshot at 06:25: Close-up on the rear of the new Steam Controller, showing the four clearly labeled, tactile rear paddle buttons \(L4, L5, R4, R5\).](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/g3FkuZNSGkw/00-06-25.png)
![Screenshot at 08:12: A demonstration of the Steam Controller's removable battery pack and the proprietary wireless dongle attaching magnetically to the back.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/g3FkuZNSGkw/00-08-12.png)
![Screenshot at 11:47: Linus holding the exposed internal module of the Steam Machine, showing the large integrated cooling fan and heat pipes attached directly to the APU/motherboard assembly.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/g3FkuZNSGkw/00-11-47.png)