Officially announced in November 2025, the Steam Machine is Valve’s way of mixing a console and a PC to create a mini-machine capable of supporting SteamOS and TV connections. Not only do gamers have access to the entire Steam Machine library, but they can even pay a little more for a controller that at one point was flying off the shelves. For fans of Steam or big-screen PC gaming, the machine certainly has its advantages. However, there are also several common issues that can ruin experiences.
In addition to a price that leaves many wanting more, some performance issues as well as a promised measurement changed at the last minute have left several people questioning their purchase, as have some problems with putting the device to sleep and waking up. While it can be repaired and components can be swapped, some are learning that this comes with its own set of challenges. There’s also a small issue regarding determining the right storage option for your game library. Fortunately, we have ideas for solutions where appropriate, although some may not appreciate that this means considering other hardware options.
It’s worth mentioning that some of these issues are beyond Valve’s control, and we’re not here to undermine the capabilities of the Steam Machine (even if there are cheaper, more powerful gaming systems). The Steam Machine can certainly be a solid system, it’s just that users need to understand what they’re investing in before losing their hard-earned money. If you’re on the fence about buying one, here’s what you need to know.
Determining storage size can be difficult
Laptop owners may already have experience with this, but one choice that users seem stuck on with the Steam Machine is choosing between the 512GB or 2TB NVMe SSD models. This may not seem like a big decision at first, but once you start taking into account the large file sizes of some AAA game titles, the storage size you choose may be a major issue in the future. Something like “Stardew Valley” only takes up 500MB of space, but something like “Baldur’s Gate 3” can take up over 150GB.
There are of course workarounds to storage issues. The Steam Machine supports microSD cards to expand your library, while many users also rely on external storage. However, running a large game through an SD card can cause loading or gaming issues, and external drives can increase loading times. Those used to juggling these issues may not care too much, but new Steam Machine users should definitely consider their storage options (among other things, they may need to know more).
Looking at what Reddit users have to say, some view storage limitations as a way to consolidate their libraries to only keep the games they play. Fortunately, Steam lets you redownload your games as needed, but some users may find this complicated (especially when going back to big AAA titles or if they have a slow internet connection). If you’re still shopping, think about your digital game collection before clicking Add to Cart.
There may be lag issues between sleeping and waking up
For hardware, having the option to put something to sleep can be a great alternative to turning it off completely. This can often help reduce energy costs and is a quicker way to get back to something without waiting for the system to completely reboot. Those who own a PC may also wonder if it’s better to put a machine to sleep rather than shutting it down. Naturally, the steam engine has its own sleep/wake functions, although users may notice its misfires.
Along with the device waking up moments after going to sleep, a user also reported that the device did not recognize their HDMI cable upon waking up, causing a complete loss of audio. This same user also reported that some games simply don’t load when they wake up. Even Steam has admitted that some users may experience CPU reductions once their device is put to sleep. Within the Steam community, users say that simply restarting the machine or shutting it down can help, but there are better solutions now.
Fortunately, Valve has released an update that fixes the immediate wake-up and CPU issues. Firmware update 108 even fixes some HDMI issues. If you need an update for your Steam machine, go to Settings > System > Hardware Updates to see if anything is available. Some users also report that their TV’s HDMI CEC functions do not work properly with the Steam Machine. CEC, or Consumer Electronics Control, is essentially what helps electronic devices communicate with each other, although you’ll need to consult your TV’s manual for more information.
Replacing components can be tricky
What’s interesting about the Steam Machine is that the developers behind it seem to have an interest in making sure that players can actually repair and upgrade their device. Valve has already shown users how to create their own Steam Machine, but it’s also working with repair gurus iFixit to provide repair guides. In fact, iFixit even plans to stock Steam Deck parts so consumers can work on them more easily. This can be great for repair enthusiasts, but some may still encounter obstacles.
If you’re looking to repair or replace something on a Steam Deck, iFixit can give you the guide to doing so, but some of the instructions are far from within the reach of a novice. For example, iFixit provides guides on the details of things like replacing the fan or even upgrading the motherboard, but some things like replacing system RAM can have up to 49 different steps. Keep in mind that this happens before a user even reassembles the machine.
Those with experience or a passion for DIY may find themselves salivating over a build, but those with less knowledge may find projects intimidating. The process may require steps such as heating glue with a hairdryer or heating pad to detach two antennas while carefully removing the system fan (which also poses challenges). If someone doesn’t know what they’re doing, the risk of breaking something can be high. Repair options are available, but some may find the road bumpy.
Performance can be disappointing
When the Steam Machine was initially announced, it was meant to be an affordable option for gamers. Or, at the very least, it certainly wasn’t supposed to cost what it did when it was released (more on that later). Valve ended up confirming our worst fears about pricing in February 2026, and to be honest, RAM shortages have caused problems for many businesses (and consumers). Either way, the machine was never really designed for performance, but it still leaves gamers pretty disappointed.
Looking at what users on Reddit have to say, many of them take issue with the fact that the device only comes with 8GB of GDDR6 VRAM, with many saying that 12GB would have been better for PC gaming performance. Since VRAM allows temporary data to be stored when configuring a game’s settings, this can be a problem, especially when trying to achieve the promised 4K at 60 FPS claimed by Valve (then changed to “up to 4K at 60 FPS”). For comparison, the Xbox Series X and PS5 Pro have 10GB and 16GB of GDDR6 VRAM, respectively.
In a review for PC World, writer Michael Crider notes that a game based on Unreal Engine 5 did not perform well in 4K, hitting numbers as low as 30 FPS. On Reddit, users are also noticing frame drops with some games, although many find the Steam Machine’s performance still rather impressive. Essentially, don’t be surprised if you lower your performance settings on the device or rely on scaling to achieve higher FPS numbers.
It’s expensive
The 512GB Steam Machine costs $1,049, while adding the Steam Controller brings it to $1,128. For the 2TB model, users will drop $1,349 or $1,428 with the controller. We’ve already explored how rising component costs haven’t helped alleviate the problem, but the fact remains that it’s not hard to find players who have issues with these numbers (and to be honest, even we feel that way sometimes).
This is a price that may cause others to look elsewhere, as there are many other options available. Checking suggestions on Reddit, at least one user notes that finding a used gaming laptop that connects to a TV may be a better value, although some also recommend simply building your own gaming rig and installing Steam OS on it. Of course, some also suggest that investing in one of Microsoft or Sony’s consoles could prove more profitable.
Given the current problem with components, acquiring something new is likely to cause some pain in your wallet, but there are options available. For another example, a Beelink SER5 MAX has a Ryzen 7 7735HS CPU (compared to the Steam Machine’s “semi-custom” 6-core AMD Zen 4 GPU), 24 GB of RAM, and a Radeon 680M GPU (compared to the Steam Machine’s AMD RDNA3 GPU) for often about half the cost of a 512 GB Steam Machine. BGR has not reviewed or tested this device, rather, it is an example of how its dollar can expand further elsewhere.
