Valve delays Steam Machine amid RAM squeeze

• Valve has delayed the launch of the Steam Machine, Steam Frame, and Steam Controller.
• The company says a global memory and storage crunch forces it to revisit pricing and timing.
• Consumers should expect later availability and potential price adjustments as component costs rise.
• Valve plans to reassess hardware pricing rather than ship devices at unsustainable margins.

Valve delays launches and blames memory, storage crunch

Valve has announced it will delay the launch of its Steam Machine line — including the Steam Frame and the Steam Controller — citing a broader memory and storage shortage. The company said it needs to revisit pricing before committing to a ship date.

The decision signals that component supply pressures, particularly for DRAM and flash storage, are affecting not just PC makers but also gaming hardware projects that sit between consoles and PCs.

Why Valve is revisiting pricing

According to Valve, rising costs for memory and storage components have changed the economics of the Steam Machine family. Instead of releasing hardware at a price that could result in thin margins or higher costs to consumers, Valve says it will reassess pricing to reflect current component market conditions.

That means Valve may either increase retail prices, change configurations to use different components, or delay further while hoping supply conditions improve. Valve’s move is consistent with other hardware vendors who have paused launches or changed specs in response to parts shortages.

What this means for buyers and the market

Consumers who were waiting for Valve’s console-style Steam Machines should expect longer lead times and some uncertainty around final pricing. Pre-orders and timelines that were previously hinted at should be treated as tentative until Valve provides an updated schedule.

For the wider PC and gaming market, this adds another instance of supply-driven price pressure. If memory and storage remain tight, manufacturers may pass some of those costs to customers or reduce included capacity to hit target price points.

Next steps and tips for interested buyers

Valve has not published a new launch date; the next update will likely include revised pricing and any configuration changes. Buyers who need a new gaming system now may want to consider existing gaming PCs, consoles, or configurable PC options rather than waiting.

Keep an eye on Valve’s official channels for an updated announcement. Market watchers will also be watching DRAM and NAND supply trends, which will determine whether Valve can return to its original plans or must permanently adjust specs and pricing.