Valve Debunks RDNA4 Steam Console Rumors: Regularly Tests Hardware Not Intended for Its Products

Recently, GamingOnLinux reported a buzz about a new Steam Console being in the works, but it turns out this was more myth than reality. Confirming this, Valve developer Pierre-Loup Griffais took to BlueSky to clear the air. He explained that the ongoing Mesa Vulkan updates for AMD’s RDNA 4 architecture are part of Valve’s usual preparation routine—something they’ve done since AMD’s Vega days. They’re getting ready for a future GPU architecture, but that doesn’t necessarily signal a rebirth of the Steam Machine.

So, does this news dash hopes for a new Steam Console? For now, it’s safe to say yes, but it invites us to dig into Valve’s history with gaming hardware and ponder what might come next. Could a Steam Machine revival or even a Steam Deck 2 be on the horizon?

### Valve’s Hardware Roadmap: What We Know

A supposed imminent Steam console might have sparked interest, but enabling pre-release GPU tech like AMD’s RDNA 4 doesn’t mean much in terms of new console hardware. Consoles usually come equipped with specialized hardware derived from existing architectures. By the time they’re launched, their GPU and CPU components are often at least a generation older, given the extensive planning necessary for such projects.

When the Steam Deck dropped in 2022, it tapped into AMD’s RDNA 2 architecture, unveiled in late 2020. This means there was roughly an 18-month gap between the Deck’s release and that of its GPU tech, and about 30 months considering its Zen 2 CPU architecture. AMD’s upcoming RDNA 4 architecture is meant for desktops, and integrating it into an APU suitable for handheld devices would demand significant resources and time.

Currently, top iGPU models use AMD’s RDNA 3 and RDNA 3.5 architectures, but significant gains in battery-powered performance are hard to come by. Improved performance when plugged in is different, yet handhelds are bound by battery capacity. We’ve only recently seen the arrival of Ryzen AI HX 300 Series APUs featuring RDNA 3.5 iGPUs.

Another clue steering us away from a Steam Console frenzy is Valve’s own admission that a Steam Deck 2 isn’t expected for another two to three years. They’re holding off until more advanced hardware is available. Consoles usually aim for a larger tech leap between generations, so while an RDNA 4 iGPU might eventually power a Steam Deck 2, that day isn’t coming soon. Launching three varied SteamOS devices in under seven years seems overly ambitious for Valve.

RDNA 4 looks promising, but with questions around its power use, performance, and cost, it will be a while before it fits into a compact handheld PC format.

### Gazing Into What Lies Ahead

As we venture into the sea of possibilities, grounded in our understanding of PC hardware and its impact on the handheld console scene, let’s explore what’s in store.

Late last year, leaks unveiled new Valve designs for a fresh Steam Controller, borrowing heavily from the Deck’s structure, and next-gen VR controllers. This revival might indicate plans to bring back the Steam Link device or a renewed Steam Machine project. Alternatively, it could just aim to enrich the Steam Deck experience, both handheld and docked, appealing to users who value Steam Input’s capabilities, like touch-sensitive gyro controls.

So, is a Steam Console completely off the table? Probably not. With the broader rollout of Steam OS 3, we might see its adoption by mini PC, laptop, and handheld producers. With a larger device, Valve could realize features like real-time ray-tracing to a fuller extent. Current Deck hardware limits RT to 30 FPS in mostly raster-based games, and fully ray-traced titles remain out of reach due to its existing tech constraints.

For any significant leap in handheld prowess, Valve will need more than just RDNA 4’s RT advances. They’ll have to chase a GPU architecture that hits those RT targets at power levels feasible for handhelds. With RDNA 4 mobile GPUs expected to draw between 80-175W, it’s clear AMD still has some distance to cover.

But there are paths forward. RDNA 4 will utilize TSMC’s mature N4 process node, already established for over two years. Comparatively, the Steam Deck’s Van Gogh APU runs on what’s now the older N7 node. Transitioning to N5 or N4 would certainly offer performance improvements. If the smaller N3 and N2 nodes become widespread, they could potentially support future handheld chips efficiently—if the die size and cost remain manageable.

Here’s the kicker: is a dedicated Steam Console even needed? Anchoring a Steam Deck to a compatible dock already nets you a home console that outstrips the Nintendo Switch’s capabilities. Given Nintendo’s shift away from traditional consoles, Valve might find a hybrid approach—one that plays to its hardware strengths without directly competing with mainstream consoles or gaming PCs—more appealing.