The Steam Machine and the HDMI drama – why 4K/120 fps isn’t happening

[Redaktion]

The new Steam Machine is sparking debate because it officially supports only the older HDMI 2.0b standard, even though the hardware itself can handle HDMI 2.1. The limitation stems from licensing rules imposed by the HDMI Forum, which do not align with the open nature of Valve's SteamOS. Valve is investigating possible technical workarounds, but it remains unclear whether 4K at 120 fps can be achieved reliably.

https://www.notebookcheck.net/The-Steam-Machine-and-the-HDMI-drama-why-4K-120-fps-isn-t-happening.1179807.0.html

[indyp]

Slower and worse performance than a PS5Pro
More expensive
More clunky/worse compatibility in games
No streaming apps.

Better mods than a PS5Pro
Larger Game Library/can carry over from Steam Library
More  apps/add-ons/tweaking/Browsers/Desktop replacement
Can use KB/Mouse for all games and a controller for most. (Arguably better multiplayer/competitiveness)

The expensive 2026 memory market makes me think this thing is mostly dead on arrival.  It has to be better than consoles and most desktops to make it worthwhile for a mass market to adopt.

[Who's right?]

Still confused on pricing.

You've got the Phawx tweeting around ~$500 (+/- $100).

MLID is quoting similar, provided valve reserved large volumes / inventory of memory well in advance before all this sheet happened.

Linus has said $700 (+/- $60).

And then 128kb saying $1000+.

Phawx has a good track record of predicting upcoming future performance of handhelds but this is more economics side and unsure if they can really price hit such a price point considering they're not subsidizing.

I hope 128kb is wrong, it makes no sense. It would sell almost nothing and do nothing for valve. Considering you could get minipc's with dgpus during black Friday for $529, I think it's very unlikely to cost this much.

I think Linus's estimate is the most reasonable considering everything that has happened recently. Really hope it's closer to lower end though, maybe like $600 without the controller. At that point it would kind of be cheaper than ps5 pro.

Hope valve can let us know soon cuz I'm dieing here in anticipation.