Valve Dismisses RDNA4 Steam Console Rumors, Clarifies Hardware Testing Practices

Recently, GamingOnLinux dispelled rumors about a mysterious Steam Console by revealing that it was mere speculation. Valve developer Pierre-Loup Griffais stepped in on BlueSky to confirm this, explaining that testing of the Mesa Vulkan technology for AMD’s RDNA 4 architecture aligns with their consistent approach since AMD’s Vega days. While Valve is updating software in preparation for a new GPU architecture test, this doesn’t point to any immediate resurrection of the Steam Machine effort.

So, does this dash all hopes for a new Steam Console anytime soon? Unfortunately, the prospects appear slim for now. However, let’s dive deeper into Valve’s journey with gaming hardware and explore what might lie ahead for both the dormant Steam Machine concept and the eagerly awaited Steam Deck 2.

### Insights on Valve’s Hardware Blueprint

The supposed reveal of a Steam console was never about the mere enablement of cutting-edge pre-release GPU architectures like AMD’s RDNA 4. Consoles, including something like the Steam Deck, typically pair with custom hardware built on established technology. When they roll out, both CPU and GPU tech are often a generation behind, owing to the extensive pre-planning required.

When the Steam Deck hit shelves in 2022, it featured AMD’s RDNA 2 tech, which first appeared back in November 2020, illustrating a year and a half delay from its GPU architecture release and nearly two and a half years from its Zen 2 CPU counterpart. AMD’s forthcoming RDNA 4 architecture, primarily meant for desktops, demands even more investment and adaptation to be suitable for handheld devices.

We currently see top-tier integrated graphics using AMD’s RDNA 3 and RDNA 3.5 architectures, but significant strides in performance while running on battery power haven’t materialized yet. Sure, plugged-in performance is an entirely different beast, but handhelds juggle battery limitations. Ryzen AI HX 300 Series APUs with RDNA 3.5 graphics just began appearing in recent months.

Another clear indicator that a new Steam Console isn’t on Valve’s agenda is the confirmation that the Steam Deck 2 won’t see the light of day for another two to three years. The company is holding out for significant advancements in hardware tech. Considering consoles generally aim for substantial generational gaps, an RDNA 4 iGPU for a future Steam Deck 2 is plausible yet distant. Proposing three unique SteamOS-driven hardware platforms in under seven years seems a tad ambitious for Valve.

While RDNA 4 offers exciting prospects based on early info, there are too many unknowns, including its power demands, performance yields, and price. Any hope of integrating it into a handheld PC format will require time and careful consideration.

### Speculating on What’s Through the Horizon

Venturing into uncharted territory, let’s speculate, while staying anchored in practical knowledge about PC hardware’s sway over the handheld console arena.

Late last year, real leaks showed Valve experimenting with a fresh design for the Steam Controller, borrowing cues from the Deck, and next-gen VR controllers. This Steam Controller update could hint at Valve revisiting the Steam Link or Steam Machine concept. Alternatively, it might aim to enhance compatibility between Steam Deck’s handheld mode and docked play, appealing to users maximizing Steam Input’s unique features like touch-sensitive gyro.

Could a Steam Console emerge eventually? Not impossible. Steam OS 3’s wider release might lure manufacturers toward mini PCs, laptops, handhelds, and similar innovations. Moreover, a larger design footprint could simplify incorporating advanced features like real-time ray tracing. The current Deck hardware only enables ray-tracing at best for reaching 30 FPS in mostly rasterized titles. Full RT or path-traced games remain out of reach due to the aged hardware and stringent power limits.

To truly leap forward in handheld performance, valve desires more than RDNA 4’s refined ray-tracing prowess. They need a GPU architecture delivering impressive results at low power (e.g., 25W TDP like the ROG Ally or 15W TDP akin to Steam Deck). Given RDNA 4 mobile GPUs are predicted to operate between 80-175W TDP, AMD’s roadmap seems far from catering to such low power requirements yet.

Nevertheless, paths to that destination exist. RDNA 4 employs TSMC’s N4 process node, tried and tested over the past two years. The venerable N7 node cradled the original Steam Deck’s Van Gogh APU. Transitioning to N5 or N4 could yield perceptible gains. Looking forward, expect broader access to N3 and N2 iterations. Process node miniaturization focuses on efficiency, possibly unlocking an enticing chip for prospective handhelds — provided overall die size and cost stay reasonable.

But does the world even need a Steam Console? Simply dock a Steam Deck for a beefy home console setup, easily outperforming the Nintendo Switch. Observing Nintendo’s shift away from traditional home consoles, Valve may lean into hybrid-handheld synergies. Their bespoke hardware avoids direct clashes with mainstream consoles or gaming PCs.