Valve has a long-standing tradition of hardware experimentation. From the inception of the Steam Machine to the success of the Steam Deck, Valve's journey to bring PC gaming into the living room is ongoing. The recent unveiling of the Fremont project has reignited interest in the company's console ambitions. Test results from Geekbench have shed light on some of Fremont's specifications, offering a glimpse into its potential and positioning.

Valve has previously ventured into hardware, notably with the Steam Machine program in 2015, which attempted to establish a PC hosting ecosystem through a combination of the Linux + SteamOS platform and OEM hardware manufacturers. However, due to vague positioning, inconsistent pricing and configuration, and a lack of robust software support, the program ultimately did not succeed.

This setback led Valve to pursue a different strategy with the Steam Deck, which was designed in-house and paired with AMD's custom APUs, optimized for the SteamOS ecosystem, ultimately gaining market acceptance. The success of the Steam Deck not only demonstrated Valve's proficiency in hardware creation but also laid a technical and user foundation for Fremont.

Based on the available data, Fremont utilizes the Hawk Point 2 chip, codenamed "AMD Custom CPU 1772," featuring a Zen 4 architecture with 6 cores and 12 threads, and a frequency range of 3.2-4.8 GHz. Compared to the Steam Deck OLED's Van Gogh (Zen 2, 4 cores, 8 threads), Fremont is ahead in architecture, core count, and frequency.

Moreover, Fremont foregoes an integrated GPU in favor of a discrete graphics card, the Radeon RX 7600. This card is based on the Navi 33 architecture, equipped with 32 RDNA 3 CUs, 8GB of GDDR6 memory, delivering performance suitable for high-quality 1080p and 1440p gaming. In comparison to the Steam Deck's integrated graphics, this marks a significant advancement, positioning Fremont as more of a living room console rather than solely a handheld successor.

Referencing Geekbench, Fremont has achieved scores of 2412 in single-core and 7451 in multi-core, nearly double that of the Steam Deck OLED. This performance parallels a desktop Core i3-13100F paired with an RX 7600. Given this is an engineering unit operating on Windows 11 Pro, the eventual experience may surpass current benchmarks in a SteamOS-optimized environment.

Such performance indicates that Fremont is fully capable of handling AAA titles with higher hardware demands, exceeding the Steam Deck in image quality and fluidity. More critically, the discrete graphics configuration is tailored for sustained high-load scenarios, establishing a foundation for entry into the living room entertainment and gaming markets.

Should Fremont be released, it would mark Valve's second foray into "consoleization." While Fremont might possess less raw power compared to the Xbox Series S/X and PlayStation 5, its core strengths include:

• Open Ecosystem: SteamOS supports a broad range of PC games without relying on exclusive content.
• Hardware Flexibility: Utilizing AMD's standard architecture facilitates easier upgrades and maintenance akin to traditional PCs.
• Established User Base: With an extensive player base already on SteamOS, Fremont can seamlessly tap into this market.

However, challenges lie ahead. Firstly, the living room market audience for PC games is limited, and Fremont will need to compete with existing consoles on price. Secondly, addressing power consumption and heat dissipation in a compact design is a formidable engineering hurdle. Lastly, improving SteamOS’s compatibility and user-friendliness remains necessary to rival Windows' dominance in PC gaming.

Fremont is still in the engineering phase, with its final form and market positioning yet to be determined. However, it's clear it's shaping up to be a "hybrid console" that embodies the Steam Machine concept while leveraging the success of the Steam Deck. Should Valve balance cost, cooling, and software optimization successfully, Fremont could represent the company's next successful stride in the hardware arena post-Steam Deck.

As more details emerge, Fremont has the potential not only to broaden gamers' choices but also to introduce new dynamics to the console market. For the industry at large, this development is certainly one to watch.