Steam Deck Hardware Guide
Information and guides about Steam Deck hardware and modifications - Steam Deck Software Guide (W.I.P)
This project isn’t associated with Valve and modifying your device will / may void your warranty.
This repository is for educational purposes and may contain mistakes, you’re responsible for your own device.
None of the links are affiliated in any way or are included because of external payment.
If you see a mistake or you’re the owner of some content mentioned in this repository and want it removed please contact me (NKkrisz)
💵 How To Support Me (NKkrisz) And This Repository
- Consider donating by clicking the button below:
- By doing so, I might be able to:
- Get a second used / faulty LCD Deck
- Upgrade to an OLED Deck which would enable further research
- Buy more expensive hardware for testing, modifying or documenting Steam Deck stuff
- Contribute with new content or fix mistakes!
👥 Hardware Modding Communities / Resources
⚠️ DISCLAIMER - READ FIRST BEFORE MODIFYING ANYTHING
- Modifying your device will / may void your warranty!!!
- You can see your Deck’s original parts here (Select matching serial number from the backplate):
- https://store.steampowered.com/account/hardwareused
- VALVE RECOMMENDS PUTTING THE DEVICE INTO BATTERY STORAGE MODE FOR REPAIRS!!!
- How to turn on battery storage mode
- MAKE SURE THE BATTERY IS BELOW 80% BEFORE PUTTING IT INTO BATTERY STORAGE MODE, THE LOWER THE BETTER (though full discharge isn’t recommended)
- TAKE OUT THE SD CARD BEFORE OPENING THE STEAM DECK OR IT WILL BREAK!!!
- DISCONNECT THE BATTERY AFTER TAKING OFF THE SHIELDING!!!
⚙️ Different Steam Deck Releases, Revisions And Differences
LCD Version
- Easily differentiable older / newer revision by looking at shielding above the motherboard
OLED Version
| Image |
Description |
 |
Stock OLED (2024. November purchase) - Some smaller changes are being introduced (eg. SK Hynix RAM?) |
 |
Transparent Black Limited Edition (only some accents and shell different) |
 |
White Limited Edition - Some smaller changes are being introduced |
✨ Cosmetic Upgrades
Full Shell Or Backplate Swap
Skins / Stickers
🪛 Hardware Upgrades
🕹️ Accessories
Docks
- Valve’s Steam Deck Dock
- Any brand should work but it’s recommended to at least have USB-C PD (Power Delivery) so the Deck remains charged
Cases
Chargers
- Official / Stock:
- Power Output: 45W
- Length: 1.5m (LCD) or 2.5m (OLED) (Both are compatible with any Steam Decks)
- USB-C PD3.0
- Non-removable cable
- Replacements can be had from iFixit or Steam Support in case it got lost / damaged
- Recommendations / guidelines:
- 45W+ Output (If less the Deck might discharge during gaming)
- Needs USB PD (Power Delivery)
- Removable cable (To carry around any length needed)
- Extra Strain Relief Solutions:
- Additional information about battery and charging
Other
🧑🔧 Troubleshooting, Repair Guides, Parts And Measurements
🛠️ Replacement Parts
Do note that not everything is available in the iFixit stores (different regions), this includes:
- Trackpads
- Mother / Daughterboards
- Ribbon Cables
- Inner Screws (Backplate ones are available)
- Original / Stock Carrying Cases
👀 Interesting Stuff
📜 TODO (Bold items are in progress)
- Update old / add new info into Markdown files:
- Carrying Cases
- Other things…
- Get pictures of all LCD & OLED components (all sides)
- Get more video footage of certain mods (eg. clicky buttons, dual-stage triggers)
- Add images of packaging (worldwide and Japanese versions)
- Remove background of Steam Deck revision pictures manually
- Separate EV2 and early production LCD Steam Decks in comparison table
- Add info about more cooling mods (better fan, better heatsink, liquid cooling)
- Add info about stiffer / stronger trigger mod (different / combination of springs)
- DIY Hall-effect / TMR joysticks research and testing
- OLED battery swap into LCD Deck? (Currently doesn’t work)
- Type A (MEDA) vs Type B (MHDA) LCD joysticks comparison (difference in capacitive touch and microcontroller?)
- Compile useful commands and tips for hardware modding
- Get more info about panel types (BOE, Samsung etc…)
- Get a list of all stock SSDs used in Steam Decks
- Redo file structure (better management for images)
- Optimize images to be smaller in file size for faster loading
