During AMD's latest earnings call that covers the fourth quarter and full year of 2025, AMD chair and CEO Lisa Su gave a small update on Valve's Steam Machine.
To be honest, I expected RAM prices would push back the release date. But AMD would know more about than I would.
But they might be able to make a similarly powered device with older style ram, it would take a significant re-work though, one that would delay release.
So this basically confirms they didn’t go that route.
Using DDR4 would probably break support for suspend / resume functionality. I remember reading the speed from DDR5 was what allowed it to function so well.
I don’t think the RAM prices are going to go back down again any time soon. So there wouldn’t be any point in waiting.
But they might be able to make a similarly powered device with older style ram, it would take a significant re-work though, one that would delay release.
So this basically confirms they didn’t go that route.
Using DDR4 would probably break support for suspend / resume functionality. I remember reading the speed from DDR5 was what allowed it to function so well.
I can imagine RAM scavengers marauding the wastelands.