Valve Dismisses RDNA4 Steam Console Rumors — Regularly Tests Hardware Unused in Devices

After a recent buzz stirred by GamingOnLinux regarding rumors of a Steam Console in development, Valve developer Pierre-Loup Griffais took to BlueSky to set the record straight. In his statement, Griffais confirmed that while Valve is indeed working with pre-release Mesa Vulkan for AMD’s RDNA 4 architecture, it doesn’t signal a rebirth of the Steam Machine. Instead, it’s just a continuation of the usual software updating in line with AMD’s evolving hardware, similar to what Valve has previously done with older architectures like Vega.

So, is that the end of hopes for a new Steam Console? For now, yes. However, it’s worth delving into Valve’s past ventures into console-like systems to explore the potential of both a resurrected Steam Machine initiative and the anticipated Steam Deck 2.

### Valve’s Hardware Roadmap

The speculation about a new Steam console might have hinged on the development of AMD’s RDNA 4, but the reality is that consoles rarely debut with the latest GPU technology. Typically, by the time a console hits the market, the hardware is on the older side, given the immense planning required to launch such a platform. Take the Steam Deck, for instance. When it launched in 2022, it utilized AMD’s RDNA 2 from 2020, indicating nearly a year and a half lag behind its GPU’s initial release. Further, the Steam Deck used Zen 2 CPU architecture from mid-2019, marking a considerable gap.

Especially in the handheld category, integrating something as fresh as RDNA 4 into a practical system would demand significant resources. Current top integrated graphics solutions rely on AMD’s RDNA 3 and 3.5, with performance improvements under battery constraints still a work in progress. Even though AMD is rolling out new Ryzen AI HX 300 Series APUs with RDNA 3.5, these only emerged recently.

Adding to this, a Steam Deck successor isn’t expected for another two or three years. Valve is biding its time for substantial advancements in hardware capabilities before committing to a new release. While it’s conceivable that RDNA 4 might feature in a future Steam Deck 2, such a development is a while away. Launching multiple platforms within a short timeframe would be out-of-character for Valve.

Despite RDNA 4’s promising future, there’s much we remain in the dark about — from its energy consumption to outright performance and price, it’s too early to consider it viable for a handheld device.

### Gazing into the Future

Now, let’s speculate a bit while staying grounded in the hardware facts we know and their implications on handheld devices. Late last year, some intriguing leaks surfaced, introducing concepts for a new Steam Controller inspired by the Deck coupled with upgraded VR interfaces. These developments might lead Valve to revisit concepts like the Steam Link or Steam Machines. However, they might also just enhance compatibility between Steam Deck and its docked mode, offering more sophisticated control options like those Steam Input delivers.

Does a Steam Console feel like a distant dream? Maybe not entirely. With the evolution of Steam OS 3, we might see broader adoption across mini PCs, laptops, and other portable devices. A larger device could better leverage features like real-time ray-tracing, which remains a challenge for the existing Deck due to its age and power limitations. In heavily rasterized games, targeting 30 FPS with ray-tracing is plausible, but full-on ray-traced environments move beyond current capabilities.

For a significant increase in handheld performance, RDNA 4’s improved ray tracing needs to marry with a GPU architecture capable of impressive performance at lower power levels, like 25W or 15W TDP. Full RDNA 4 GPUs running at higher TDPs (80-175W) suggest AMD isn’t ready yet. Nonetheless, RDNA 4’s use of TSMC’s efficient N4 process node offers some hope. The Steam Deck’s current Van Gogh APU relies on the older N7 node, so a shift to newer technology might lead to a more compelling handheld chip, assuming costs and sizes remain manageable.

But the big question remains: Is a standalone Steam Console necessary? Pairing a Steam Deck with a docking station already outperforms a Switch as a home console. Its hybrid design allows Valve to carve a unique niche, steering clear of direct competition with traditional consoles and gaming PCs. As Nintendo pivots away from home consoles, Valve might find greater value in a hybrid approach to its custom hardware.

For now, the prospect of a new Steam Console might be on hold, but the conversation around Valve’s hardware strategy remains rich with potential.