Valve’s long-rumoured set-top box, codenamed Fremont, has reappeared in public testing data — this time in Geekbench — and the leaked entry paints a picture of a TV-focused SteamOS device in active development that, for now, was tested running Windows 11 Pro rather than a finished SteamOS image. (techspot.com)
Valve’s “Fremont” codename first surfaced in kernel commits and driver traces late in 2024, when references to HDMI CEC and an AMD-based development board hinted that Valve was working on a living-room device rather than another handheld. Those early traces suggested Valve was testing full-size HDMI and TV-first behavior — the same signals that would make Fremont a proper “Steam Box” rather than a portable Steam Deck successor. (reddit.com)
Since that initial kernel evidence, the latest development is a Geekbench entry (appearing publicly in mid–August 2025) that lists a Valve Fremont device using an AMD ‘Hawk Point 2’ family processor, a six-core, 12-thread configuration, and a discrete Radeon RX 7600 GPU. That entry also shows the machine running Windows 11 Pro at the time of the test. The Geekbench numbers reported were roughly 2,412 single-core and 7,451 multi-core on Geekbench 6.x. (techspot.com, notebookcheck.net)
This is notable for two reasons: (1) Hawk Point-era silicon is modern (Zen 4 CPU cores + RDNA 3 GPU blocks), but not AMD’s bleeding-edge Strix/Zen 5 family, and (2) the Geekbench entry appears to be a semi‑custom implementation — observers report Valve may have disabled or removed the integrated GPU from the APU die (so the SoC acts as CPU-only) and paired it with a discrete RX 7600. That suggests a custom hardware packaging decision rather than simply using an off-the-shelf desktop CPU. (club386.com, techspot.com)
Key indicators to watch next:
Valve’s Fremont leak is a strong signal that Valve is actively developing next-generation hardware targeted at the TV/living-room experience — and that work is being done pragmatically, using proven AMD silicon and a pragmatic GPU tier. The next credible steps will be firmware commits, driver support announcements for SteamOS, and any FCC or partner filings that confirm retail intent and shipping specs. Until then, the Geekbench entry is a revealing snapshot of an engineering phase that looks increasingly real — but not final.
Source: PC Gamer Valve's rumoured 'Fremont' SteamOS console spotted on Geekbench... running Windows 11
Background
Valve’s “Fremont” codename first surfaced in kernel commits and driver traces late in 2024, when references to HDMI CEC and an AMD-based development board hinted that Valve was working on a living-room device rather than another handheld. Those early traces suggested Valve was testing full-size HDMI and TV-first behavior — the same signals that would make Fremont a proper “Steam Box” rather than a portable Steam Deck successor. (reddit.com)Since that initial kernel evidence, the latest development is a Geekbench entry (appearing publicly in mid–August 2025) that lists a Valve Fremont device using an AMD ‘Hawk Point 2’ family processor, a six-core, 12-thread configuration, and a discrete Radeon RX 7600 GPU. That entry also shows the machine running Windows 11 Pro at the time of the test. The Geekbench numbers reported were roughly 2,412 single-core and 7,451 multi-core on Geekbench 6.x. (techspot.com, notebookcheck.net)
What the Geekbench leak actually shows
The CPU: an AMD custom from the Hawk Point family
The CPU reported in the Geekbench JSON is identified as an “AMD Custom” part with the family/codename linked to Hawk Point 2 — a member of AMD’s Zen 4 + RDNA 3 family used across recent APUs and refreshes. The leak lists a 6-core / 12-thread CPU with clocks reported up to ~4.8 GHz and a lower bound around 3.2 GHz in that particular run. Independent hardware coverage confirms Hawk Point is part of AMD’s Zen 4 APU lineage and that Hawk Point variants exist for mobile and desktop APU markets. (techpowerup.com, wccftech.com)This is notable for two reasons: (1) Hawk Point-era silicon is modern (Zen 4 CPU cores + RDNA 3 GPU blocks), but not AMD’s bleeding-edge Strix/Zen 5 family, and (2) the Geekbench entry appears to be a semi‑custom implementation — observers report Valve may have disabled or removed the integrated GPU from the APU die (so the SoC acts as CPU-only) and paired it with a discrete RX 7600. That suggests a custom hardware packaging decision rather than simply using an off-the-shelf desktop CPU. (club386.com, techspot.com)
The GPU: Radeon RX 7600, midrange desktop silicon
Geekbench’s GPU metadata identifies the graphics subsystem as a “Radeon RX 7600 series” device. The RX 7600 is an RDNA 3 desktop card (Navi 33) with 32 compute units and 8 GB of GDDR6 in standard retail configurations — a true discrete GPU rather than an integrated iGPU. That choice positions Fremont closer to mainstream PC hardware than a low-power integrated design. Tech reviewers consistently profile the RX 7600 as a strong 1080p/1440p mainstream performer with a TDP around 165 W on desktop boards. (techpowerup.com)Memory and storage reported in the leak
The prototype entry lists 8 GB DDR5-5600 on the board, according to multiple reporting outlets that inspected the Geekbench JSON. If accurate, 8 GB DDR5 coupled with a discrete RX 7600 with its own 8 GB VRAM means Valve is likely using dedicated video memory for the GPU — but the system RAM would be modest by modern living-room PC standards. Multiple analysts flagged that an 8 GB system RAM configuration is plausibly for an early prototype rather than a final retail configuration. (notebookcheck.net, pcguide.com)Why Valve might pair a Hawk Point SoC with a discrete RX 7600
This configuration looks unusual at first: why remove an APU’s integrated GPU and bolt on a discrete GPU rather than pairing an RX 7600 with a desktop Ryzen 5 CPU? Several practical reasons could explain Valve’s choice:- Platform size and power envelope: Mobile-style APUs (Hawk Point / Phoenix derivatives) are packaged for compact, thermally constrained systems and may simplify board routing, power delivery, and thermal design for a small set-top box. A modified APU die without an iGPU might free die/IO lanes and simplify board layout. This is a plausible engineering trade-off when designing a bespoke Valve motherboard. (wccftech.com)
- Development continuity: Valve has deep experience tuning for AMD APUs (Steam Deck used a custom AMD APU). Using an APU family Valve already understands — even with the iGPU removed — could speed integration, testing, and firmware work while giving Valve a known silicon base. (club386.com)
- Prototype or debug board constraints: Leaked Geekbench entries often reflect early engineering samples or factory debug units where teams use available SOCs and add discrete GPU modules for performance tests. The configuration in the leak could be a convenient testbed rather than Valve’s final BOM. NotebookCheck and other outlets make exactly this point. (notebookcheck.net)
What this hardware choice means for real-world gaming and positioning
Performance expectations
An RX 7600-class GPU remains firmly in the midrange bracket for PC gaming. In practical terms:- Expect excellent 1080p performance at medium–high settings in modern AAA titles and reasonable 1440p capability with settings tuned for frame-rate.
- The GPU’s 8 GB VRAM and 32 CUs put it below the raw CU count of current-generation high-end consoles’ GPU silicon (PS5’s RDNA2 implementation maps differently, but compute-unit counts differ), so Fremont is unlikely to be pitched as a top-tier “console-beating” device. Instead, it looks like a living-room PC optimized for price-to-performance. (techpowerup.com, guru3d.com)
RAM and workflow limitations
If the retail device shipped with only 8 GB system RAM, novices should be cautious: modern PC gaming with background services (voice chat, streaming overlays, system UI) benefits from more than 8 GB system RAM. However, because the RX 7600 carries its own 8 GB of VRAM, games will not have to steal GPU memory from system RAM — the practical impact depends on Valve’s final memory configuration and SteamOS’s memory management. Early prototypes often use lower RAM counts; expect Valve to adjust retail specs upward if they aim for broad living-room use. (notebookcheck.net)Software: why was Fremont seen running Windows 11?
The Geekbench entry lists Windows 11 Pro as the OS used for the benchmark. That is not necessarily evidence that Fremont will ship with Windows in retail. Several conventional explanations exist:- Driver availability and benchmarking: During hardware bring-up, teams frequently run Windows for driver stability tests and access to mature benchmarking suites. Windows drivers and GPU tooling are often more mature during early firmware bring-up, especially for discrete GPUs. Geekbench itself runs on Windows and Linux — a quick Windows test is a common development step. (beta.geekbench.com, geekbench.com)
- Prototype convenience: Valve’s engineering partners (Quanta, contracted factories) may test boards under Windows builds for factory diagnostics and compliance verification before a final SteamOS image is ported and hardened.
- SteamOS development cycle: SteamOS ports and certification for novel hardware (especially unique motherboards, custom SoCs, or unusual HDMI/CEC setups) take time. Valve may bring up hardware in Windows first, then iterate on drivers and test on SteamOS later in the cycle. Historical kernel traces and commits referencing Fremont date to late 2024, indicating Valve has been working on SteamOS-level features (e.g., HDMI CEC) for months; running Windows in a benchmark is therefore not proof of a Windows retail device. (reddit.com)
Positioning: console challenger or living-room PC?
Analysis of the hardware choices suggests Valve’s Fremont would be aimed at the mainstream living-room market rather than high-end console competition:- The RX 7600 and a midrange Zen 4-based CPU point to mainstream, budget-conscious performance tuned for 1080p and some 1440p play.
- Valve’s historical pricing strategy for the Steam Deck aimed for accessibility, giving the company freedom to target an “as‑well‑as” living-room device rather than a high-margin flagship console. A Fremont device could be priced to undercut custom gaming PCs while offering a fully Valve-integrated TV experience. (techpowerup.com, notebookcheck.net)
Risks, unknowns, and what to watch for
Valve’s Fremont leak contains a blend of verifiable data and reasonable inferences; but several unknowns and risks remain:- Prototype vs retail: Geekbench entries frequently reflect engineering samples. Retail specifications (RAM, cooling, GPU SKUs, and final OS) often change between engineering runs and launch. Treat early benchmarks as indicative rather than definitive. (pcguide.com)
- Thermals and noise: A discrete RX 7600 in a compact set-top chassis implies non-trivial thermal design. Valve’s success will depend on cooling that balances performance, noise, and size. Small enclosures plus a 165 W-class GPU demand careful engineering. This is a non-trivial constraint for a living-room box where noise is more noticeable. (techpowerup.com)
- Price sensitivity: Market viability hinges on price. A Fremont device with RX 7600-level performance needs a competitive retail price to displace or supplement casual living-room players who may instead choose Xbox, PlayStation, or existing cheap mini-PCs. Valve has historically pursued affordability, but final cost will determine market fit. (notebookcheck.net)
- Software compatibility (anti-cheat, EA library, console-style ease-of-use): SteamOS has made huge strides, but anti-cheat and some third-party services remain sticking points for full Windows parity. Valve will need to secure broad compatibility for major online games to avoid the same friction that hampered early Steam Machines efforts. SteamOS ecosystem growth is real, but not universal.
- Supply chain and timing: AMD and discrete GPU supply cycles, plus Valve’s manufacturing cadence (Quanta and other partners), will influence launch timing. Leaks and Geekbench results suggest active development in 2025, but a retail launch could still be months away — or delayed until Valve completes SteamOS integration and testing. (club386.com)
How credible are the claims? Cross-checking the big technical points
- Geekbench sighting and Windows 11 test: multiple outlets reported the same Geekbench JSON entry and confirmed the Windows 11 tag in the result metadata. This is corroborated across independent reporting. (techspot.com, notebookcheck.net)
- Hawk Point 2 / Zen 4 lineage: Hawk Point is an AMD Zen 4 + RDNA 3 family used in Ryzen 8000G/APU lines; independent AMD/industry coverage documents Hawk Point variants and characteristics. This supports the leak’s CPU-family identification. (techpowerup.com, wccftech.com)
- RX 7600 identification and specs: RX 7600 is a well-documented AMD midrange discrete GPU with 32 CUs and 8GB GDDR6 in retail variants; mainstream GPU databases and AMD’s product pages align on these numbers. That means the GPU indicated in the leak maps to a credible, known desktop GPU class. (techpowerup.com, amd.com)
- Scores and performance baseline: the Geekbench scores reported are consistent across outlets that inspected the uploaded results; they are plausible for a 6-core Zen 4 chip at the clocks shown. However, synthetic benchmark numbers are useful for comparison but do not translate directly into gaming frame-rate expectations. Use them as a development snapshot, not gaming-proof. (notebookcheck.net, techspot.com)
Bottom line: what this leak means for gamers and the market
Valve’s Fremont — as seen in the Geekbench entry — signals active development of a TV-focused, Steam-integrated set-top console prototype that’s being tested in real-world software environments. The reported combination of a Hawk Point 2-based custom SoC and a discrete Radeon RX 7600 places Fremont in the mainstream living-room PC bracket: good for 1080p/1440p play, focused on value rather than top-end performance. The fact the device was benchmarked under Windows 11 Pro should be read as an engineering snapshot, not a final retail decision; Valve’s long-term intent (SteamOS-first versus Windows retail options) is still unconfirmed. (techspot.com, techpowerup.com)Key indicators to watch next:
- New kernel or driver commits from Valve referencing Fremont features (HDMI CEC, remote pairing).
- Further Geekbench or other benchmark sightings showing SteamOS or updated hardware configs.
- Official Valve announcements, FCC filings, and partner listings that reveal retail specs and pricing.
Quick technical summary (verified where possible)
- CPU: AMD-custom Hawk Point 2 family, 6 cores / 12 threads, boost ≈ 4.8 GHz (as reported in the Geekbench entry). (wccftech.com, techspot.com)
- GPU: Radeon RX 7600 series (Navi 33, ~32 CUs, 8 GB GDDR6 typical retail configuration). (techpowerup.com)
- System RAM (prototype): 8 GB DDR5-5600 reported in the leaked entry; likely prototype-level, not final retail confirmation. (notebookcheck.net)
- OS in the leak: Windows 11 Pro (development/benchmark context). (techspot.com)
Valve’s Fremont leak is a strong signal that Valve is actively developing next-generation hardware targeted at the TV/living-room experience — and that work is being done pragmatically, using proven AMD silicon and a pragmatic GPU tier. The next credible steps will be firmware commits, driver support announcements for SteamOS, and any FCC or partner filings that confirm retail intent and shipping specs. Until then, the Geekbench entry is a revealing snapshot of an engineering phase that looks increasingly real — but not final.
Source: PC Gamer Valve's rumoured 'Fremont' SteamOS console spotted on Geekbench... running Windows 11