Why Does the Steam Machine Only Come with One DDR5 RAM Module?
The Steam Machine has many intriguing details on the hardware side, but one of the most talked-about issues is why the device comes with only one DDR5 RAM module. Valve had previously announced that the device would be released with 16 GB of DDR5 memory and 512 GB or 2 TB SSD options. However, the significant increase in RAM and SSD prices in recent months directly affected the price of the Steam Machine. Interestingly, according to Valve engineers, this crisis not only increased the price but also jeopardized almost the entire Steam Machine project.
Steam Machine’s Single RAM Choice Was Made Out of Necessity
Valve engineers Pierre-Loup Griffais and Yazan Aldehayyat explained the reason behind the Steam Machine’s memory choice quite clearly. The original plan was probably to use two 8 GB DDR5 SODIMM memory modules in the device. This would have allowed the system to benefit from dual-channel memory. However, Valve had great difficulty finding the necessary number of 8 GB DDR5 SODIMM modules. According to Aldehayyat, purchasing modules of this capacity in the desired quantity became almost impossible.
The reason is quite simple: the market has shifted towards higher-capacity memory modules. Since larger RAM modules are more profitable for manufacturers, production capacity has also shifted in that direction. This is why Valve was forced to use only a single 16GB DDR5-5600 SODIMM module. Therefore, the Steam Machine’s single RAM configuration is more a result of supply and cost pressures than a design philosophy.
Of course, using single-channel memory comes at a cost in terms of performance. Valve says that in most games, the two configurations yield similar results. Especially in games that push the GPU to its limits at 4K resolution, the difference between single-channel and dual-channel memory may not be very significant. However, the picture may change in games that heavily rely on the CPU or memory.
In CPU-intensive games like Baldur’s Gate 3, Dragon’s Dogma 2, Factorio, Cities: Skylines, and similar titles, dual-channel memory may provide a more noticeable advantage. Since the Steam Machine has a second RAM slot, theoretically, an upgrade seems possible. However, accessing the RAM won’t be as easy as replacing an SSD; it will require a significant disassembly process. However, it’s good news that Valve is working with iFixit on repair guides and spare parts support. In short, the Steam Machine’s single RAM option isn’t ideal, but it seems like a somewhat necessary solution in today’s hardware market.
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