The bottom 64GB model of the Steam Deck is likely to be low cost, however recreation load occasions are longer and it could possibly’t match fashionable video games. Though working video games off a microSD card is feasible, the tiny flash storage units are considerably slower than SSDs whereas costing almost as a lot.
It’s smarter to buy the bottom Steam Deck variant and improve the sluggish eMMC storage with a sooner SSD. The repair-friendly nature of the Steam Deck makes this fairly handy too. Learn on to learn how to put in an SSD in your Steam Deck.
Which SSD Ought to I Purchase?
The 2230 M.2 slot on the Steam Deck mainboard helps the PCIe Gen3 x4 NVMe interface, however newer Steam Deck variants now ship with Gen3 x2 NVMe SSDs. The downgraded drives are able to utilizing solely half of the accessible PCIe lanes, however this however has no sensible bearing on efficiency and cargo occasions.
In different phrases, you should buy any name-brand PCIe Gen3 NVMe SSD so long as it conforms to the 2230 type issue. Conventional desktop NVMe SSDs are within the longer 2280 type issue, and subsequently aren’t appropriate with the Steam Deck. See our purchaser’s information to one of the best SSDs for Steam Deck.
Other than the model new 2230 M.2 NVMe SSD, you solely want two Phillips screwdrivers within the #0 and #1 tip sizes. Safely opening the chassis additionally requires a plastic pry software. Nonetheless, an outdated bank card may even serve the identical objective. Having a couple of of these at hand makes the job simpler. Magnetic trays to carry screws aren’t obligatory, however they’re good to have round.
Step 1: Allow Battery Storage Mode
Exposing the mainboard throughout SSD alternative considerably will increase the chance of shorting out the battery. This can be a potential hearth hazard, which may be mitigated by discharging the lithium-polymer battery till it’s at 25 % capability or decrease. Valve additionally recommends placing the Steam Deck in battery storage mode. This prevents unintended button presses from inadvertently booting up the machine throughout restore.
Coming into the mode requires the Steam Deck to be powered down. Change it again on by concurrently holding down the quantity up (+) and energy buttons for 2 seconds (till you hear a beep) and letting them go on the identical time. This can take you to the BIOS. The battery storage mode may be enabled from the Energy menu throughout the Setup Utility denoted by the gear icon.
Your Steam Deck is now prepared for disassembly. Don’t overlook to empty the microSD slot. Failure to take action is more likely to completely harm the microSD card throughout disassembly.
Step 2: Take away Screws From the Again Cowl
Lay the Steam Deck display-side down on the highest half of the inventory carrying case. The case’s molded cavity secures the machine snugly and prevents harm to the thumbsticks in the course of the process.
Use a Phillips #0 screwdriver to unscrew 4 machine screws (circled in inexperienced) close to the center of the chassis. You’ll want a bigger Phillips #1 screwdriver to take away one other set of 4 self-tapping screws highlighted in purple.
The longer self-tapping screws have coarse threads in comparison with the shorter machine screws. You should definitely substitute these screws of their unique location, as a result of forcing a fastener right into a mismatched screw boss will destroy it.
Step 3: Gently Pry the Again Cowl Aside
The again cowl is freed from fasteners, however it’s nonetheless secured by plastic retention tabs. A plastic pry software reminiscent of a spudger or guitar decide is obligatory for non-destructive elimination. Keep away from utilizing a flat-head screwdriver or some other metallic pry software, as a result of doing so will break the retention tabs and harm the chassis.
Separating the back and front sections of the chassis entails prying them aside on the seam. The opening proper subsequent to the L1 or R1 bumpers is one of the best place to start. Insert your pry software into the hole and gently carry the lip of the again cowl to launch it from the male retention tabs protruding of the entrance cowl.
As soon as the primary retention tab is launched, sliding the pry software additional alongside the seam ought to trigger the remaining ones to come out with relative ease. Having a couple of spare guitar picks to wedge into the opened seam prevents it from snapping shut as you progress the pry software additional alongside the chassis seam.
Whenever you attain the bumper on the other aspect, repeat the method on the highest fringe of the chassis.
Step 4: Take away the Again Cowl
The again cowl ought to come off the chassis with none resistance. If it doesn’t separate simply, you’ll have missed a couple of retention tabs. Sliding the pry software alongside the seams ought to pop it free.
Step 5: Take away the Mainboard Defend
The Steam Deck we’re taking aside right here is the 2023 revision sporting a black mainboard defend. It’s secured with fewer screws than the unique silver defend, and it doesn’t require the elimination of adhesive foil both.
Use the Phillips #0 screwdriver to unscrew the 2 machine screws marked in purple. It’s secure to take away the defend. Rigorously carry it off the mainboard, whereas making certain that it doesn’t make contact with the uncovered elements.
Step 6: Disconnect the Battery Cable
The absence of the mainboard defend exposes a number of naked leads and PCB elements that also have present flowing via them through the battery. Dropping a screw onto any of those energized elements, or in any other case shorting them with the screwdriver, might trigger electrical harm to your Steam Deck.
This may be prevented by disconnecting the battery. Valve has offered a helpful black pull tab to make this activity simpler. Pull the cable to the right-hand aspect (away from the mainboard) to disconnect the battery. If the pull tab doesn’t work, you should utilize your fingernail to pry the black connector out of the metallic feminine housing on the mainboard.
Step 7: Take away the Previous Drive
The M.2 storage machine slot is situated on the backside of the mainboard to the left of the battery connector. Use a Phillips #0 screwdriver to unscrew the lone machine screw holding the present SSD or eMMC storage.
The spring-loaded M.2 slot will trigger the 2230 daughterboard to pop up at an angle mechanically. Watch out, as a result of this may increasingly ship the extremely conductive screw flying onto the uncovered part leads on the mainboard.
Take away the present storage machine from the M.2 slot. Now can also be an excellent time to retrieve the ESD defend. That’s the silver foil wrapped across the inventory storage drive. It ought to slide off simply. Hold it secure as a result of we’ll want it later.
Step 8: Set up the SSD Improve
Putting in the brand new SSD is the precise reverse of the elimination course of. Insert the alternative SSD at an angle into the M.2 slot on the mainboard.
Slide the ESD defend onto the alternative SSD to make sure optimum electromagnetic interference-free operation.
Push the SSD down and safe it with the machine screw.
Step 9: Reassembly Is the Reverse of Disassembly
Observe the steps in reverse to reassemble your Steam Deck. Simply make sure you fastidiously align the again cowl onto the chassis and gently press it onto the highest half alongside the seams to snap the retention tabs into place.
Your machine isn’t able to booting into SteamOS. Fortuitously, our information on re-imaging the Steam Deck makes it simple to get it up and working.
Take pleasure in Bigger AAA Video games and Sooner Load Instances
That’s it! You might have efficiently upgraded the Steam Deck storage. A bigger and faster SSD mustn’t solely load video games sooner, however fashionable AAA titles reminiscent of Returnal additionally carry out higher owing to the faster switch of streaming textures and property between the storage and RAM.
