Valve’s long-anticipated Steam Machine may not arrive as soon as expected. While Q1 2026 was the initial target, a new report suggests that rising DDR5 memory prices could force Valve to delay the release or rework the device’s specs to avoid a steep price tag.

Steam Machine may be more expensive than expected

According to insider Mike Straw, speaking on the Insider Gaming podcast, Valve is struggling to pin down a final MSRP for its upcoming compact PC. The reason? The same problem plaguing much of the tech industry: DDR5 RAM costs are spiking.

Valve originally suggested that the Steam Machine would be priced competitively with similar-spec gaming PCs, but that’s a moving target. With memory prices climbing fast driven in part by demand from AI data centers offering a console-style price could become unrealistic.

Two paths, neither ideal

Valve seems to be weighing a few options. One is to delay the Steam Machine release date entirely, holding out for memory prices to cool. But that could take years some analysts don’t expect DDR5 costs to stabilize until 2027 or later.

The other option is to scale back the system’s specs to keep it affordable. That could mean less RAM or switching to slower, cheaper modules moves that would likely hurt performance and turn off potential buyers.

Here’s a breakdown of the current possibilities:

• Delay the launch until DDR5 prices drop
• Ship with less or lower-end RAM to hit a better price
• Offer a barebones model, as suggested by leaker Moore’s Law Is Dead
• Release a higher-priced model, closer to PC pricing

Half-Life 3 caught in the crossfire

Straw also mentioned that the rumored return of Half-Life 3 which many believe will launch alongside the Steam Machine might be affected. Valve hasn’t confirmed the game, but industry chatter suggests it was being positioned as a showcase title for the new system.

If the hardware slips, the game might not be far behind. With Half-Life 2 now over 21 years old, fans are understandably tired of waiting.

Memory bottlenecks are throttling the future

Valve isn’t alone. DDR5 shortages have already impacted laptop builds, handheld consoles, and now possibly the Steam Machine. Even if Valve has stockpiled components, that won’t last forever. And without firm supply or flexible pricing, every strategy risks frustrating at least part of the audience.

So as Q1 2026 approaches, don’t be surprised if the Steam Machine release date quietly moves. For now, the wait for Valve’s next big leap and possibly Half-Life 3 continues.