Valve Steam Deck 2 May Get Zen 6 and RDNA 5 Graphics

AMD Gainesboro Leak Points Toward Zen 6 and RDNA 5 Hardware for Valve’s Next Steam Deck Generation.

Steam Deck 2 has been under discussion at Valve as the company considers how and when to launch its next handheld. Rather than offering a small hardware upgrade, Valve has indicated that the next Steam Deck needs to deliver a generational performance increase while staying within a similar 15W power envelope.

A new AMD custom APU leak may now hint at what could power the next-generation handheld. Valve has been kind of hush-hush about Steam Deck 2 for a while. The company recently commented on it after the release of the Steam Frame, saying Steam Deck 2 is still in the works as Valve weighs how and when to launch it.

Valve Is Waiting for a Generational Steam Deck Upgrade

Valve has said it doesn't want to release a hardware upgrade with only a 10%-20% performance increase. The company wants it to be truly next-generation on that same 15W power envelope. It wants the Steam Deck 2 to be battery efficient, have decent battery life, and deliver a generational leap in performance.

We may finally have an idea of what could make that possible because AMD is reportedly working on a custom APU called Gainesboro. It has been linked to Steam Deck 2 because of its semi-custom design and its connection to the original Steam Deck APU, codenamed Aerith. The Gainesboro leak appears to show AMD testing a new custom chip.

The original Steam Deck chip was codenamed Aerith. Because both names refer to the same Final Fantasy 7 character, Aerith Gainsborough, this chip is likely being built specifically for the Steam Deck 2. The team behind this specific chip was also working on a PlayStation APU for a potential PlayStation 6 portable before this.

That makes the connection interesting and provides another detail surrounding the possible Steam Deck 2 hardware. The leaked specifications point toward a Zen 6 CPU and RDNA 5 graphics, with 12 to 24 compute units. It could use TSMC's 3nm process, which would provide a smaller, more efficient manufacturing process. The leak also mentions 48 Zen 6C cores and a possible release in 2027 or 2028.

Steam Deck 2 Could Bring a Large Performance Increase

The goal for Steam Deck 2 is a proper generational upgrade, not a machine that is only 20% to 50% faster while using the same amount of power. Other companies have taken that approach with their handheld gaming PCs, but Valve has been clear that it wants a different level of improvement.

The expected graphical power could be similar to upgrading from the PS4 straight to the PS5. Next-generation AMD technology could deliver that increase while also improving battery efficiency. If the chip is built using a 3nm manufacturing process, more transistors can be compressed into a smaller area. The benefits include better power efficiency, less heat, and potentially better battery life.

Because Gainesboro is only showing up now in background driver tests, the chip is still a long way out. The expected launch window for Steam Deck 2 could be as early as 2027, 2028, or 2029. The Steam Deck has been available for four years, and some of its hardware is starting to show its age. SteamOS, however, keeps improving.

Steam Deck continues to receive software updates that refine the experience.

A major part of the Steam Deck is that it is a full Linux PC. You can switch to desktop mode and use it as a productivity tool, design graphics, or potentially do some video editing. It is a full computer in your hands that also has a console UI mode and supports Windows games through Proton. Steam Deck has become a handheld that combines PC functionality with a console-style interface.

Steam Deck's value proposition has also been an important part of its appeal. When the original model launched, the 64GB version started at $399, and many users upgraded the SSD themselves. Current prices for the same hardware range from $700 to $900, with some reaching close to $1,000. That makes the original $399 launch price stand out.

The RAM market could also affect Steam Deck 2 pricing. If the new handheld arrives in 2028, lower RAM and component prices could help keep the system within a reasonable range. Beyond the performance increase, several hardware changes could make sense for Steam Deck 2. Hall effect sticks would be one option, along with a more premium-feeling design.