The console wars rage on as Valve’s latest device, the Steam Machine, joins the competition. Microsoft launched the Xbox Series Xin 2020. The Steam Machine launched in June 2026 allowing users to play PC games on a TV and monitor instead of strictly on a PC. Both systems can play the latest AAA release, but only one is technically more powerful.
Valve’s console costs $1,049 for the base version, but it’s a mighty machine with a semi-custom 6-core / 12-thread AMD Zen 4 and an AMD RDNA 3 GPU sporting 28 CUs. That’s much newer hardware than the Xbox Series X’s custom AMD Zen 2 CPU and AMD RDNA 2 GPU with 52 CUs. As a result, the Steam Machine is more efficient with newer processing capabilities, including better support for AI through FSR upscaling. However, in terms of performance, the Xbox Series X boasts more than 12 TFLOPS, while the Steam Machine is estimated to reach nearly 9 TFLOPS. The Xbox also features 16GB of GDDR6 RAM, whereas Valve’s Steam machine uses 16GB of RAM and 8GB of GDDR6 VRAM for graphics.
What that all adds up to is a surprisingly even match, with specialized features making any difference. The Steam Machine, without a controller, is still nearly $300 more than the Xbox Series X’s $800 price-tag, controller included. If you want to play games without paying a high price, there are powerful gaming systems that cost much less than a Steam Machine.
Where the Steam Machine shines
The Steam Machine is built for those with a vast Steam library of games on their PC. Instead of being locked down to playing games on a custom-built gaming computer which may be in one room of your house, Steam Machine packs all of that into one little box. The console can be connected to any TV around the house and be used to play your entire catalogue of Steam games.
Xbox Series X and Steam Machine both produce 4K video at 1440p resolution. However, as the Steam Machine is still effectively a PC, you can add more RAM to boost performance, something you cannot do with an Xbox Series X. Reddit users say the Steam Machine gives you more freedom to install mods or enhancements to games as long as they run on Linux, too. You can also install other gaming platforms like Epic Games Store, GOG Galaxy, Battle.net, and more. But games such as Cyberpunk 2077 may still run better natively on Xbox.
One feature Steam Machines struggle with, however, is multiplayer gaming. Most online titles these days have kernel-level anti-cheat, designed specifically for Microsoft’s Windows software. Steam Machines run on Linux, though you can install Windows if you’d like. So, before buying a Steam Machine for online multiplayer games, make sure you know what you’re getting into.
Where the Xbox Series X shines
The Xbox Series X doesn’t just beat the Steam Machine’s price for the actual device, but also when buying some games. The Xbox Series X comes with a disc drive, unlike the Steam Machine. This means you can own, collect, and resell physical copies of your favorite games if the publisher and developer make them. The Steam Machine, by comparison, is digital only.
Microsoft is also constantly tinkering with the Xbox to improve its role as a gaming powerhouse. The company added new features available to the Xbox in September 2026, including advanced cloud streaming, customizable startup animations, and better voice clarity in chat.
Xbox also has Xbox Game Pass, a service that was once considered the best deal in gaming, though price hikes have soured some people’s opinions. The subscription service allows you to play some of the latest releases and more such as Microsoft’s Forza Horizon 6. The racing game runs on both systems, but may run more smoothly on Xbox as the Steam Machine relies on FSR upscaling and custom graphics settings to get close to 60 FPS.
