Valve Debunks Rumors of RDNA4-Based Steam Console — Regularly Tests Hardware Not Intended for Its Devices

After a report from GamingOnLinux debunked the buzz about a rumored Steam Console in the works, Valve developer Pierre-Loup Griffais stepped forward on BlueSky to set the record straight. Griffais explained that the pre-release Mesa Vulkan work relating to AMD’s RDNA 4 architecture aligns perfectly with Valve’s continuous efforts dating back to AMD’s Vega days. Valve is indeed fine-tuning software for a future GPU configuration, though this shouldn’t be mistaken for a sudden resurrection of the Steam Machine concept.

So, does this mean we’ve hit a dead end for a new Steam Console anytime soon? For now, it seems so. However, let’s take a moment to critically evaluate Valve’s ventures into the console space and explore the potential of both a renewed Steam Machine initiative and the next generation Steam Deck 2.

### What We Know About Valve’s Hardware Plans

The idea that an upcoming Steam console could be deduced from testing on pre-release GPU architectures like AMD’s RDNA 4 was never plausible. Generally, consoles, including handhelds like the Steam Deck, are built on customized hardware from existing architectures. By the time a console hits the shelves, its tech is typically a generation behind the freshest innovations. Crafting these platforms demands meticulous pre-planning.

When Valve introduced the Steam Deck in 2022, it utilized AMD’s RDNA 2 architecture, initially unveiled in November 2020. This placed a gap of about 18 months between the launch of the Steam Deck and the debut of its GPU architecture, with an even longer gap for its Zen 2 CPU architecture. While RDNA 4 promises advancements for desktops, introducing it into a handheld APU involves more complexities, resources, and time.

Current industry-leading integrated graphics solutions, using AMD’s RDNA 3 and 3.5 architectures, haven’t shown significant gains in performance, especially when powered by a battery. While plugged in, performance improvements are noticeable, but handheld devices are deeply restricted by battery life. It’s only recently that we’ve seen Ryzen AI HX 300 Series APUs featuring RDNA 3.5 integrated graphics hit the market.

Another clear indicator that a Steam Console isn’t Valve’s immediate focus is the timeline for Steam Deck 2, which is “at least a couple of years away.” Valve is holding out for substantial hardware improvements. Console generations typically aim for a larger gap between iterations, so an RDNA 4 iGPU could be on the cards for a future Steam Deck 2 — but we shouldn’t expect it soon. Launching three distinct hardware platforms running SteamOS in just under seven years seems overly ambitious for Valve.

While RDNA 4 looks promising on paper, many unknowns remain. Questions about its power consumption, performance capabilities, and cost need answers before we can see it in something like a handheld PC.

### Peering Into the Future with Our Crystal Ball

Now, let’s dive into speculation while keeping our feet grounded in the realities of PC hardware and its impact on the handheld console ecosystem.

Late last year, legitimate leaks surfaced, showcasing new Valve designs, including a redesigned Steam Controller mimicking Steam Deck’s design elements and next-gen virtual reality controllers. Revamping the Steam Controller might hint at a revival of the Steam Link box or Steam Machine program. Yet, this innovation might also cater to users seeking seamless integration between handheld and docked gaming, especially those utilizing Steam Input’s advanced features like touch-sensitive gyro controls.

Does this imply a Steam Console is out of reach? Perhaps not. At the very least, once Steam OS 3 becomes more widely available, we may see it adopted by more mini PCs, laptops, and handhelds. A larger form factor could allow Valve to integrate features like real-time ray-tracing more effectively. The current Steam Deck hardware is limited to targeting 30 FPS in mostly-rasterized games, with full RT or path-traced games off the table due to both aging hardware and power constraints.

For a significant leap in handheld performance, Valve must exceed RDNA 4’s improved ray-tracing capabilities. It requires a GPU architecture that can achieve those results within a low thermal envelope, whether it’s 25W for devices like the ROG Ally or 15W for the Steam Deck. Given that full discrete RDNA 4 mobile GPUs are expected to operate within the 80-175W range, AMD isn’t there yet.

However, there’s room to maneuver if desired. RDNA 4 is based on TSMC’s N4 process, familiar for over two years. The Steam Deck’s current Van Gogh APU uses TSMC’s older N7 node. Transitioning to N5 or N4 could offer noticeable benefits. Looking ahead, nodes like N3 and N2 should become accessible, with a focus on efficiency, ideal for crafting future compelling handheld chips, assuming the die size and costs remain manageable.

But is a Steam Console essential? Hooking up a Steam Deck to a compatible dock essentially creates a formidable home console, rivaling the Nintendo Switch. As Nintendo transitions away from traditional home consoles, Valve might equally find greater merit in hybrid handheld strategies, avoiding direct competition with mainstream consoles and PCs.