I attempted modding the Steam Deck & virtually misplaced my sanity

I modded my beloved Steam Deck, that includes all method of upgrades, together with a sharper display screen, RGB shell, and a a lot beefier SSD. However, I ought to have listened to Valve’s warnings.

The Steam Deck improve course of is pretty straightforward if you happen to follow the fundamentals. Upgrading your SSD, or slotting in a brand new microSD card. Modding the Steam Deck’s software program can also be comparatively straightforward, as long as you recognize the place to look.

So why did I feel a full shell, SSD, display screen, and stick alternative was crucial? Nicely, I scratched my poor Steam Deck’s display screen. My 256GB Steam Deck had a nasty puppy-sized scratch down it, because the now 16KG, 6-month angel collided with it at velocity.

So, regardless of my greatest efforts, right here’s a story of why it is best to hearken to Valve’s authentic recommendation and keep away from cracking open the Steam Deck.

Additionally, it’s a cautionary story of precisely why it is best to improve the Steam Deck or at the very least search out an honest service that does it for you, such because the choices that Megamodz gives.

Steam Deck modding is flourishing

Handheld PCs and single-board computer systems are undoubtedly my present favourite kind of tech. Have you ever seen how a lot horsepower these items are managing to get out in a format that lets us play on the bathroom?

Between the Steam Deck’s current 3.5 OS replace unlocking much more energy onboard and each ounce of competitors available on the market, there’s by no means been a greater time to be taken with these small handheld PCs. It’s nonetheless novel that we performed by way of the brand new Resident Evil 4 Remake on the Steam Deck.

Nonetheless, the system was from the very starting eyed up by modders and accent makers. At first, it was cute, having little add-ons to connect the Steam Deck to quite a lot of different devices. Loads of docks and ultimately, circumstances. I’m not simply speaking over-the-hardware skins, however full shell replacements, too.

Stripped screws

It’s right here that I started to hit points. The Steam Deck is infamous for having stripped screws. The tiny Philips head screws are tremendous straightforward to get out once they’re cooperating. As Valve didn’t intend for the system to be reopened by my filthy peasant fingers, it’s comprehensible that the very best bits of metallic weren’t used.

I bumped into 4 stripped screws in some components. One on the again, and three contained in the system. And not using a equipment on us, and time not likely on my facet, I soldiered on. Don’t do that. Search out a tiny flathead or get a stripped screw removing equipment. Should you run right into a stripped screw, don’t proceed to attempt to open the Steam Deck. Don’t strive eradicating issues from the internals both.

4 screws weren’t sufficient to interrupt the Steam Deck although. No, that is right down to fidgety wires and an unlucky mishap as I used to be dismantling it.

Trackpad hassle

Whereas the system works as supposed, working my approach from the again to the entrance brought on the trackpad connectors inside my Steam Deck to get broken. These are tremendous fiddly, and I found that even essentially the most microscopic injury will trigger them to malfunction.

When attempting to get them out, take away them with the white housing. It primarily flips upwards however requires an odd quantity of stress to get it eliminated. It’s additionally the one half that iFixit doesn’t promote.

No, I’m effective, truthfully. Goodbye trackpad. It was good figuring out you.

JSAUX RGB and clear case brings new life to the Steam Deck

You’ll additionally need to be utilizing a plectrum or different plastic instrument by way of all of this. Fortunately, JSAUX comes by way of for these initiatives.

Putting in the JSAUX entrance shell alternative is without doubt one of the most tough installations I’ve ever carried out. The included equipment comes with gloves, further screws and a full tray to place every element come inside. I’m now drowning in plectrums and mini screwdrivers.

In the meantime, the RGB again shell will also be tough to put in. Nonetheless, JSAUX gives prolonged video guides that will help you by way of the method. The RGB shell for the Steam Deck is neat.

As a substitute of leeching off the Steam Deck’s battery, it homes its personal USB-C port and a button to swap colours or flip it off.

Now, the shells themselves are ridiculously straightforward to suit – so long as you don’t injury the connecting shells. Should you’re solely changing the Steam Deck’s shell, then don’t use a metallic knife to run alongside the sides, this may doubtlessly warp the plastic.

Upgrading to the DeckHD display screen on Steam Deck

As soon as all of the elements are faraway from the within, I used to be prepared to suit the display screen. I went with the newly launched DeckHD panel. It upgrades the display screen to 1200p and is completely terrifying to suit.

As I had no use for the previous Steam Deck display screen, I didn’t thoughts it getting broken on the way in which out. It is best to deliver a hair dryer or warmth gun to the mod, because the glue fixed to the unique display screen is ludicrously sturdy.

The DeckHD and the JSAUX equipment each include alternative glue strips, so don’t fret about that.

Now, the DeckHD display screen is great. The Steam Deck copes fairly effectively with the 1200p display screen embedded in it. Nonetheless, I’ve observed that video games defaulting to the brand new native decision accessible can run a bit worse. September’s hottest title, Baldur’s Gate 3 wanted to be reset again to 800p to get it again to a playable state.

It seems beautiful & is simple to configure

It’s a vibrant and easy-to-update customized display screen that shocked us. DeckHD makes certain to warn you that when you flip it on for the primary time, the Steam Deck will look damaged. That is mounted with a fast BIOS replace and as soon as restarted, I do know what I would like out of a Steam Deck 2.

I’ve been loving taking part in the Steam Deck with the DeckHD. Should you’re courageous sufficient, it’s completely price doing. This isn’t a newbie’s alternative job although. Should you’ve by no means seen inside a PC or laptop computer earlier than, flip the opposite approach. Come again after tinkering with an easier machine, or crack open an previous laptop computer.

The troubles proceed

Holding the core of the Steam Deck, with its metallic tray for holding the display screen is petrifying. It’s bare and weak. I had a craving to place it right into a field and see if I may work out tips on how to make it right into a modern-day Steam Machine.

Placing the Steam Deck again collectively as soon as the DeckHD was fitted couldn’t have been simpler. JSAUX’s little tray let me rapidly work backward, and it’s at this level I had made a grave error.

I hadn’t organized any screws.

For this sort of challenge, don’t depend on Valve’s screws. Once more, they really feel like they is perhaps on the cheaper facet and I discovered shopping for a third-party screw equipment was a lot simpler.

SSD improve

I changed the SSD with a 2TB Sabrent 2230, and in a small little bit of embarrassment, needed to seek advice from my very own information for tips on how to reinstall SteamOS. This was the least painful half, however don’t put that silver sleeve on the unsuitable approach or lose it. With out it, the drive will start to warmth up and even fail. On a fast boot to verify the DeckHD was working, the previous drive got here up as dying in Linux, regardless of in any other case working effectively.

As soon as all the pieces was again in place, I discovered that the Steam Deck’s buttons had come unfastened. The small rubber pads had turn out to be folded a bit when squeezing all the pieces again in.

That is the place pains began to indicate up once more. I needed to dig by way of the again to get to the entrance another time, simply to reseat a few buttons on both sides. I additionally discovered that the menu button now had an odd click on, however at this level, I can reside with that.

Is it price it to mod the Steam Deck?

Would I like to recommend this course of? Until you’re snug with ribbon cables, tiny screws, and doubtlessly stripped screws, no, this isn’t for you. What can be for you is to put money into an organization that does it for you.

We not too long ago took a take a look at the modded Steam Deck provider Megamodz, who will pre-mod the system for you at an elevated, however honest charge.

The method has taught us lots, and it’s taught us that Valve might need been proper to not crack open the Steam Deck in any case. Years of my life have been shaved off seeing a stripped screw instantly on the motherboard.

At the very least my video games look incredible on the DeckHD. Severely. If the DeckHD is the one mod that you just need to set up, it’s effectively price it. Simply watch out with the tough reshelling course of.

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