Valve’s “Steam Machine” gaming PC will be in trouble if this RAM pricing crisis worsens — should we expect gamers to foot another unwanted bill from AI-obsessed megacorps?

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It seems a small number of people are potentially spoiling things for everyone else, and this time it’s affecting PC gamers. A growing trend of companies using powerful, advanced AI is casting a shadow on what could be a promising development. Valve, the company behind the popular Steam gaming platform, is once again trying its hand at creating gaming hardware, but this latest venture seems particularly risky.

The issue has moved from cryptocurrency enthusiasts buying up all the graphics cards to AI fans now causing RAM prices to skyrocket, making it difficult for PC hobbyists to build affordable custom gaming computers. Although graphics card prices are finally starting to decrease, memory prices are reaching alarmingly high levels.

Rising DRAM prices are making some Steam Machine fans worried about how much it will actually cost. If the pre-built gaming PC ends up being pricier than other options, it might not be the budget-friendly, easy-to-use system Valve promised, no matter what you plan to do with it. The big question is: how will these RAM costs impact Valve’s pricing?

Valve hasn’t announced pricing for the Steam Machine yet. Based on initial estimates, we expect it to cost between $650 and $750, and I think it might be closer to $650 if it doesn’t include the new Steam Controller. Valve likely won’t be offering any discounts, but they’re aiming for a price that’s competitive with PCs sold before recent increases in RAM costs – basically, a good value for the money.

[The Steam Machine price is] more in line with what you might expect from the current PC market.

Pierre-Loup Griffais, Valve Software Engineer

The important thing to remember is what happened *before* the current situation. Discussions about how much the Steam Machine would cost might be irrelevant now that RAM prices have gone way up, but there are potential solutions. Valve, for example, is collaborating with AMD on a new processor, similar to the one used in the popular Steam Deck. If they’ve already started making a lot of these processors, it could cover sales for some time.

The familiar, long, slim RAM sticks aren’t the same as the built-in memory found inside processors like the one AMD made for Valve, but both types are facing potential shortages. For instance, Micron, a major RAM maker, has already stopped selling RAM under its Crucial brand.

Micron is focused on strengthening its business for the future and delivering benefits to its key customers and investors.

Micron Technology, Inc.

Micron is prioritizing its biggest customers and those in rapidly expanding areas like artificial intelligence, which means some long-term customers are being dropped. This shift, similar to Microsoft’s $80 billion investment in data centers, highlights how enterprise AI is impacting supply chains. AI data centers need a massive amount of RAM, and that demand is now taking precedence over sales to everyday consumers.

Will the RAM crisis affect the Steam Machine?

Valve has a couple of potential paths forward. If they have a supply of processors with built-in memory, like they did with the Steam Deck, they could keep prices stable for some time. However, it’s also possible they waited too long, and now they might face increasing costs.

this isn’t even slightly true btw. https://t.co/LRo65ziK03October 6, 2025

It’s possible Valve delayed shipping to see how people reacted first. However, I doubt the rumor that AMD forces very large minimum orders. This idea started circulating after Microsoft decided to work with ASUS on the Xbox Ally X instead of making its own handheld device.

Ultimately, Valve will likely have to absorb these expenses if the problems with RAM prices don’t improve and the current excitement around AI continues. To clarify, while I don’t expect professional AI applications to decline, the popularity of AI tools like ChatGPT and Google’s AI Overviews with everyday users might not last.

I doubt Valve would sell a basic Steam Machine that requires customers to supply their own parts, like a separate hard drive. That would defeat the idea behind the project, which is to create a simple, ready-to-use gaming PC that doesn’t need much setup.

It’s looking increasingly difficult to achieve our goal of a $650 Steam Machine without the controller, largely due to the current high cost and shortage of RAM.

Valve is a private company, meaning they can take risks as they see fit. However, if Steam Machines cost more than $750, it might discourage both new and seasoned gamers – and I’d love to see more people get into PC gaming. Are you thinking of buying a Steam Machine, or do you prefer building your own computer? Share your thoughts in the comments!

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2025-12-14 17:10