# Leaked AMD chip hints Valve is building Steam Deck 2

> An engineering sample called Gainsborough suggests Valve is testing hardware for its next handheld, though timing and performance remain unclear.
- Title: Leaked AMD chip hints Valve is building Steam Deck 2
- Summary: An engineering sample called Gainsborough suggests Valve is testing hardware for its next handheld, though timing and performance remain unclear. A leaked…
- Keywords: steam deck, valve, amd, gainsborough apu, handheld gaming, hardware leak, technology, Leaked, chip, hints, building, Steam
- Source: TechRadar — https://techradar.com/gaming/steam-deck/is-valve-now-working-on-the-steam-deck-2-rumors-suggest-leaked-amd-chip-could-be-the-engine-of-the-next-gen-handheld
- Published: 2026-10-20T13:24:49+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: steam deck, valve, amd, gainsborough apu, handheld gaming, hardware leak, technology
## AMD chip leaked in benchmark
TechPowerUp spotted an AMD Gainsborough APU in OpenBenchmarking data. The engineering sample has six cores, twelve threads, and a base clock of two point four gigahertz.
## Codename links chip to Steam Deck 2
Valve previously used Final Fantasy VII character names for Steam Deck chips: Aerith and Sephiroth. Gainsborough is Aerith's surname, suggesting this APU could power the next handheld.
## Testing with 24GB of memory
The Gainsborough chip was paired with twenty four gigabytes of system memory during testing. This does not necessarily indicate a memory upgrade for Steam Deck 2, given the ongoing RAM crisis.
## Benchmark results show modest gains
The Gainsborough APU scored three thousand five hundred eight points in Furmark at one thousand twenty four by seven hundred sixty eight resolution.
## Early drivers explain modest performance
These benchmarks use drivers still in early development. The Gainsborough APU should perform significantly faster once the chip is finished and drivers are properly optimized.
## Timing raises questions about launch
The Gainsborough CPU is expected to debut late in twenty twenty seven or in twenty twenty eight. This timing feels early for Steam Deck 2 given the RAM crisis and its impact on retail pricing.
## Valve engineer stays guarded on plans
Pierre-Loup Griffais, a Valve engineer, was very guarded when recently discussing a potential Steam Deck 2 launch timeframe. The hardware sounded very much up in the air still.
## Valve likely exploring options for sequel
Secrecy about hardware is normal for Valve. This leak suggests the company is beyond tinkering with ideas and is actively testing potential hardware for a Steam Deck 2 launch towards the end of the decade.
## Key takeaway

A leaked AMD chip codenamed Gainsborough hints Valve may be developing Steam Deck 2 hardware, but questions remain about performance and launch timing.