Steam Machine Price leak suggests Valve’s new console is more expensive than you think

Since the Steam Deck came out, many gamers now like SteamOS more than Windows for playing PC games. SteamOS is based on Linux, and more people are using it for gaming than ever before. Many gamers are unhappy with Windows because it has performance issues. To meet this demand, Valve is working on a new console called the Steam Machine. But a new price leak shows that the Steam Machine could be very expensive.

A Reddit user found a Steam Machine product listing on a retailer’s website and checked its backend code. The listing was found on Smarty.cz, a Czech electronics and gaming retailer. The console is shown in two versions: 512GB and 2TB storage models. The backend code shows a starting price of 19,826 Czech Koruna before taxes.

Steam Machine leaked price

That price converts to about $949 for the 512GB model at current exchange rates, as stated by SlashGear. The 2TB version appears to cost around $1,070 based on the same data. This pricing may not be final because backend prices are sometimes placeholders. The final retail price could be higher or lower when Valve officially launches the console.


The Steam Machine could be cheaper in the U.S. because U.S.-based companies pay lower import taxes. For example, the Steam Deck OLED costs $549 in the U.S., but it sells for around $690 in the Czech market. This is about 22% more expensive outside the U.S. because of taxes and duties. If the same price difference is used, the Steam Machine could cost around $750 in the U.S. after adjustment. All these numbers are still guesses because the product has not launched yet.

Valve entry level PC plan

Valve has not officially announced the Steam Machine’s price so far. A Valve executive told The Verge, "We intend for it to be positioned closer to the entry level of the PC space, but to be very competitive with a PC you could build yourself from parts", as cited by The Verge.

Valve has not clearly said what it means by an “entry-level” PC in terms of performance. Today, building a PC that can run big AAA games at 1080p often costs close to $1,000, according to SlashGear. Current consoles like the PlayStation 5 Pro and Xbox Series X cost around $650 to $750.

Final price may go up

PC parts have also become more expensive recently because there is a RAM shortage caused by AI data centers. Memory prices have gone up very fast, and many brands are warning buyers that prices may increase. Valve may also raise its prices unless it already bought a lot of memory earlier or decides to earn less profit.

In 2021, Valve boss Gabe Newell said picking the Steam Deck price of $399 was “painful.” Valve executives have now confirmed that the Steam Machine will not be sold at a loss. This means Valve will not help lower the price like it did with the Steam Deck.

Because of recent leaks and rising costs, the Steam Machine could launch in the U.S. for about $800 to $850, according to a report by SlashGear. The price could still rise further due to increasing component costs. A Valve engineer said the Steam Machine would be "more powerful than 70% of gaming PCs that Valve registers." For now, gamers will have to wait for Valve’s official announcement to know the real price.

FAQs

Q1. How much could the Steam Machine cost?

The Steam Machine may cost around $800 to $850 in the U.S., based on leaked prices and reports.

Q2. Why is the Steam Machine expected to be expensive?

It may be costly because PC parts like RAM are getting more expensive and Valve will not sell it at a loss.