Although Valve announced in November that the Steam Machine would arrive in the first quarter of 2026, it is increasingly certain that that deadline will not be met. The reason is not of a technical nature, but of an economic nature, because the prices of DDR5 memory have gotten out of control and are seriously disrupting the company’s plans.
According to the information presented by Mike Straw from Insider Gaming, Valve is currently reviewing the entire hardware strategy precisely because of the constant increase in memory prices. In his podcast, Straw states that the main problem is the uncontrolled increase in the price of components, primarily DDR5 memory, whose price has reached a level that significantly affects the final calculation.
Hard choice: postponement or compromise in specifications
According to these statements, Valve is in an unenviable position. On the one hand, the company has previously hinted that the Steam Machine will be priced comparable to gaming PCs of similar performance. On the other hand, further cost growth may lead to the final price becoming unacceptable for the typical console buyer, who expects a more affordable and simpler entry into the ecosystem.
Analysts estimate that the state of the memory market could stabilize only in 2027 or even 2028. That leaves Valve with a tough choice. One option is to delay the Steam Machine launch until prices normalize. Another possibility is to change the hardware specifications, such as installing a smaller amount of memory or using cheaper RAM, but such a move would inevitably lead to lower performance.
An additional problem is that the possible delay of the console could entail the postponement of the release of the game Half-Life 3, which according to expectations was planned as one of the key titles at the launch of the Steam Machine. If the hardware doesn’t appear in time, it’s very possible that the long-awaited title will be delayed along with it.
For now, Valve has not given an official confirmation about the change of plans, but more and more information from the industry indicates that players will have to arm themselves with patience, because the combination of shortage and high prices of memory seriously complicates the release of the Steam Machine concept to the market, reports Mydrivers.