New possibilities for SSD are taking shape for holders of Steam Deckbut it would not be without risk.
In Valve’s catalog, there are currently three Steam Decks. The first is only equipped with 64 GB of eMMC while the second has a 256 GB SSD and the third sees its capacity increase to 512 GB.
Swap the “2230” SSD for a “2242”
No matter the scenario, the Steam Deck always comes with an M.2 slot. In the first case, it is occupied by the eMMC while in the other two, we have an SSD in “2230” format.
This format is the shortest available for such components and if this nevertheless makes it possible to consider the integration of an SSD or the replacement of the existing model, this necessarily reduces the field of possibilities.
This is the whole point of mod offered by Belly Jelly on Twitter. The interested party does not specify which model of SSD he used, but he indicates that after ordering 2230 > 2242 adapters, he was able to modify his Steam Deck.
It is therefore possible for him to integrate SSDs in the “2242” format and, thus, to take advantage of more options to update the Steam Deck and consider greater capacities.
Watch out for consumption and heating
Belly Jelly points out that the only downside is that the modification slightly bent the heatsink, but everything closes perfectly. Valve, on the other hand, is much less enthusiastic.
Even before the release of the Steam Deck, Valve had taken care to mention the replacement of the SSD. He had explained that this could be done, but taking care with the consumption and the heating of the product.
On Twitter, Lawrence Yang, Steam Deck engineer, reacted by advising us not to practice such a modification and, above all, by avoiding removing any thermal pad as Belly Jelly was able to do.
Lawrence Yang adds: A 2242 SSD consumes more and gets hotter than what the Deck is designed for. The mod seems functional, but will significantly reduce the lifespan of your Deck “.
You have been warned!
On the same subject :
Steam Deck: AMD is reportedly finalizing the Zen 4 / RDNA 3 APU of the next model
Sources: Tom’s Hardware, TechPowerUp
Valve Steam Deck
Game consoles
release date: 2022
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