Valves Steam Machine Controversy Returns! Pricing Shock, Spec Wars & The HDMI 2.1 Drama Explained

Introduction

Valve has officially confirmed what many gamers feared the Steam Machine’s pricing is higher than expected, raising eyebrows across the gaming community and sending ripples through the console-PC hybrid market.

Alongside the pricing reveal came two more hot discussions

• How do the Steam Machine’s specs compare to the Xbox Series X and PS5?
• Why did Valve choose not to include HDMI 2.1 support despite it being the standard for high-refresh 4K gaming?

This article breaks down all three controversies in depth and explores how Valve’s decisions could affect the future of hybrid gaming hardware.

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1. The Pricing Problem Valve Confirms Fans’ Worst Fears

Gamers have long speculated that the new Steam Machine would enter premium territory and Valve has now confirmed those fears.

Why the Price Is Higher Than Expected

Valve cites a combination of

• Custom thermal hardware
• Compact PC components
• Rising GPU costs
• “Console-size, PC-power” market positioning

But the takeaway is simple
The Steam Machine costs significantly more than a PS5, Xbox Series X, and even many DIY gaming PCs.

Consumer Reaction

The community response has been tense

• “Too expensive for the performance.”
• “Feels like another Steam Deck success… but with a Steam Machine price fail.”
• “Valve didn’t learn from the first Steam Machine attempt.”

Still, Valve believes the device targets a different audience one seeking an ultra-small form-factor PC without the hassle of building.

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2. Steam Machine vs PS5 vs Xbox Series X: Spec Showdown

If the price is high, the specs need to impress. But do they?

CPU

• Steam Machine: Custom AMD APU
• PS5: 8-core Zen 2
• Xbox Series X: 8-core Zen 2 (higher clock)

Winner: Xbox (raw power).

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GPU

• Steam Machine: AMD RDNA 2–based custom chip
• PS5: Custom RDNA 2 GPU
• Xbox Series X: Full RDNA 2 GPU with higher compute units

Winner: Xbox strongest GPU.

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Storage

• Steam Machine uses modular NVMe SSDs
• PS5 uses proprietary SSD tech
• Xbox uses expansion cards

Winner: Steam Machine (flexibility).

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Form Factor

• Steam Machine is significantly smaller
• PS5 is massive
• Xbox is large and boxy

Winner: Steam Machine the most compact.

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Overall Verdict

If comparing pure performance:
Xbox Series X > PS5 > Steam Machine

But if comparing size and convenience:
Steam Machine wins by a mile.

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3. HDMI 2.1 Drama Why Valve Didn’t Include It

This was the decision that shocked hardware fans the most.

Gamers expected

• 4K 120fps
• VRR (Variable Refresh Rate)
• ALLM
• Future-proof display support

But Valve opted for HDMI 2.0b, limiting the Steam Machine to 4K 60fps.

Why Did Valve Skip HDMI 2.1?

Valve’s explanation

1. Most PC monitors still don’t use HDMI 2.1.
2. Gamers using high-end setups usually prefer DisplayPort.
3. Lowering HDMI standards kept the device smaller and cooler.
4. Adding HDMI 2.1 would raise the cost significantly.

While logical from an engineering view, it sparked backlash from console gamers expecting full next-gen TV support.

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ltas Opinion

At Altas Gaming, here’s our take

Valve is trying to build the “Steam Deck of living room PCs”, but this time without the ultra-aggressive pricing that made the Steam Deck a hit. The Steam Machine’s design and compact power are impressive, but skipping HDMI 2.1 means Valve underestimated how many gamers now play on big-screen TVs.

The device feels like it’s built for PC users, not console converts but the price is clearly competing with console expectations.

In our view

The Steam Machine is brilliant hardware stuck between two audiences.

• Too expensive for console players.
• Too feature-limited for high-end PC enthusiasts.
• But perfect for gamers wanting a beautiful, compact, plug-and-play PC.

Valve may need to adjust pricing or introduce multiple models if they want this machine to succeed where the first Steam Machine failed.

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FAQs

1. Does the Steam Machine support external GPUs (eGPU)?

No, Valve confirmed there is no Thunderbolt support, meaning eGPUs aren’t compatible.

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2. Can you dual-boot the Steam Machine with Windows without voiding warranty?

Surprisingly, yes Valve allows dual-boot setups and provides installation support files.

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3. Will Valve release a cheaper, digital-only Steam Machine model later?

While unconfirmed, internal leaks suggest Valve is “exploring additional SKUs,” which may include lower-cost options.

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4. Can the Steam Machine run games directly from an external SSD?

Yes Steam OS fully supports external NVMe and USB 3.2 drives with minimal performance drop.

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5. Will HDMI 2.1 support come via software update?

No HDMI 2.1 requires physical chipset changes, not software updates.

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