Valve’s New Gaming Hardware: AMD Zen 4 CPU + Radeon RX 7600 #
Valve has a long history of experimenting with gaming hardware—from the failed Steam Machines to the widely successful Steam Deck. Now, a new project code-named Fremont has surfaced, hinting at Valve’s next big step in the console market.
Recent Geekbench leaks reveal some powerful specs, giving gamers a first glimpse at how this upcoming device may reshape the living room gaming experience.
Valve’s Hardware Journey: From Steam Machines to Steam Deck #
Back in 2015, Valve tried pushing PC gaming into the living room with Steam Machines, but the initiative struggled due to vague positioning, fragmented pricing, and weak software support.
Learning from that, Valve pivoted to the Steam Deck—a handheld PC powered by a custom AMD APU and running SteamOS. This focused approach won players over, building both a loyal community and a strong technical foundation for what would eventually become Fremont.
Fremont Specs: AMD Zen 4 CPU + Discrete Radeon GPU #
According to leaked benchmarks, Fremont features:
- CPU: AMD “Custom CPU 1772” Hawk Point 2
- Zen 4 architecture
- 6 cores / 12 threads
- Clock speeds from 3.2 to 4.8 GHz
This marks a major leap over the Steam Deck OLED’s Zen 2 chip with only 4 cores.
More importantly, Fremont ditches integrated graphics and packs a discrete GPU:
- GPU: Radeon RX 7600 (Navi 33)
- 32 RDNA 3 compute units
- 8GB GDDR6 VRAM
- Capable of smooth 1080p and even 1440p gaming
This makes Fremont far more powerful than the Steam Deck, positioning it closer to a living room console than just a handheld upgrade.
Benchmark Results: Fremont vs. Steam Deck #
On Geekbench, Fremont scores 2412 (single-core) and 7451 (multi-core)—nearly double the performance of the Steam Deck OLED.
That puts it in the same ballpark as a desktop Intel Core i3-13100F + RX 7600 setup. And since these results came from an engineering sample running Windows 11 Pro, actual performance under a future SteamOS-optimized build could be even higher.
Why Fremont Matters #
If Fremont launches, it could be Valve’s second attempt at building a console for the living room. While it may not match the raw power of the PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X, it offers unique advantages:
- Open ecosystem – SteamOS supports thousands of PC titles, not locked behind exclusives.
- Hardware flexibility – AMD architecture means easier upgrades and maintenance.
- Steam integration – Seamless access to one of the world’s largest PC gaming libraries.
Challenges Ahead #
Of course, challenges remain:
- Market fit – Can Fremont compete with established consoles on price and value?
- Thermals & power – Discrete GPUs generate heat—keeping performance stable in a compact form won’t be easy.
- Software optimization – SteamOS needs to be smooth and user-friendly to compete with Windows in PC gaming.
Final Thoughts #
Fremont looks like a hybrid console that blends the Steam Machine concept with the proven success of the Steam Deck. If Valve can balance pricing, thermals, and software optimization, this could become the company’s next major hit.
As details emerge, one thing is clear: Valve’s new AMD Zen 4 gaming hardware isn’t just another experiment—it could shake up the console market and give gamers a powerful new alternative.