Valve Engineers Warn Steam Machine Memory Crisis Is 'Still Getting Worse'

By Sakib Khandokar, Lead Analyst Published Jul 18, 2026, 9:53 PM UTC 2 min read

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Valve Engineers Warn Steam Machine Memory Crisis Is 'Still Getting Worse'

Valve engineers Yazan Aldehayyat and Pierre-Loup Griffais have provided a grim outlook regarding the hardware market, warning that the ongoing global memory crisis is "still getting worse." The shortage, which has already driven up costs for the recently launched Steam Machine, shows no signs of easing in the immediate future.

Quick Facts

Steam Machine Pricing: The base 512GB model is priced at $1,049, while the 2TB version with a Steam Controller costs $1,428.
Supply Chain Lag: According to Aldehayyat, retail shelf availability currently lags behind bulk supply observations by three to six months.
Industry Forecast: Micron CEO Sanjay Mehrotra expects the RAM shortage to persist through 2027, with potential easing only beginning in 2028.

The Impact on Valve Hardware

Valve officially announced the Steam Machine in November 2025, but the company has struggled to meet demand due to restricted memory capacity. Griffais noted that Valve has been attempting to build as many units as possible, yet the extent of the sourcing issues has exceeded their initial expectations.

This supply strain is not unique to the new hardware. Valve has faced similar difficulties maintaining stock for the Steam Deck, which has also been impacted by AI-driven memory shortages. While the company has expressed a desire to make the Steam Machine more affordable, they have explicitly warned consumers that price reductions are not on the horizon.

Broader Industry Struggles

Valve is one of many companies navigating a turbulent period for tech manufacturing. Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney previously warned in late 2025 that high-end PC gamers should expect to contend with these elevated costs for several years. Furthermore, as Sony and Microsoft prepare for the next generation of consoles, Sony has indicated that it has yet to finalize launch timing or pricing, citing the ongoing memory crisis as a primary concern.

For those looking for relief, the current industry outlook remains cautious. With experts suggesting the shortage could impact the market through 2027, the high cost of entry for hardware like the Steam Machine appears to be a sustained reality for the foreseeable future.