PCPer Podcast 872: Steam Machine Benchmark Leak, Zen 6 Desktop CPUs May Drop iGPU, Memory Lane, Etc.

Why It Matters

The shift toward AI‑centric silicon and soaring component prices will reshape PC building economics and influence where manufacturers allocate silicon resources.

Key Takeaways

• Steam Machine benchmarks leak, beating Steam Deck performance.
• Zen 6 rumored to drop integrated GPU for AI NPU.
• DDR5 and SSD prices surged dramatically since 2024.
• Nvidia may launch CPUs with integrated graphics by CES 2028.
• Podcast highlights market volatility in memory and storage components.

Summary

The PC Perspective podcast episode 872, recorded June 17 2026, dives into several breaking tech stories: a leaked benchmark for the upcoming Steam Machine, rumors surrounding AMD’s Zen 6 desktop architecture, historic price swings for DDR5 memory and SSDs, and Nvidia’s potential entry into CPU territory with integrated graphics.

The hosts share Geekbench results showing the Steam Machine scoring 2,334 single‑core and roughly 7,300 multi‑core, comfortably outpacing the Steam Deck’s 1,353/4,573. AMD’s Zen 6 is rumored to replace its iGPU with an AI‑focused NPU, freeing die space for up to 24 cores but eliminating on‑chip graphics. Meanwhile, price history screenshots reveal DDR5 kits that fell from $79 in 2023 to $500 in 2025, and 1 TB SSDs jumping from $60 to over $300, underscoring volatile component markets.

Notable moments include Jeremy noting the “significantly lower than Apple silicon” benchmark gap, and the team laughing over Nvidia’s possible CPU launch at CES 2028, which could feature a compact iGPU solution. The price‑history graphics—64 GB DDR5 at $189 in 2024 versus $500 now—serve as a stark reminder of how quickly market dynamics can shift.

These developments suggest a hardware landscape increasingly oriented toward AI acceleration, while pricing volatility pressures builders and enterprises to reassess budgeting strategies. The potential loss of integrated graphics on desktop CPUs could reshape entry‑level PC builds, and Nvidia’s CPU ambitions may intensify competition across the processor market.

Original Description

Recorded June 17, 2026.

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro

1:06 Patreon

5:12 Josh fails to deliver a food segment

6:31 Steam Machine benchmarked

8:06 Zen 6 desktop CPUs may lose iGPU, add NPU

11:16 Intel and NVIDIA collaborate on upcoming processor

12:51 A trip down memory (and storage) lane

18:37 AMD giveth, and AMD taketh away

22:19 Noctua NL-LC1 liquid cooler reviewed at TPU

26:08 Handheld with Arc G3 Extreme pricing

28:22 IQUNIX Ghost in the Shell hall effect keyboards

30:24 Commodore Callback

34:53 Logitech folding mouse

38:40 Another melting 12VHPWR connector story

42:02 (In)Security Corner

53:44 Gaming Quick Hits

1:05:52 Picks of the Week

1:16:45 Outro