Valve engineer warns against Steam Deck SSD mod

Officially, Steam Deck only supports M.2 2230 SSDs, but modders have found a way to use 2242 form factor SSDs inside the portable console. This increases the variety of SSDs you can mount on the console and the storage, as 2242 SSDs tend to come with more. However, modding the console to support such SSDs will shorten its lifespan, according to a Valve engineer.

Last week, a modder named Belly Jelly shared how Steam Deck owners can mount an M.2 2242 SSD on the console. The mod is simple: you'll have to move some cables and pads around to open up space for a 2242 drive, but there's a cost – overheating.

Hi, please don’t do this. The charger IC gets very hot and nearby thermal pads should not be moved. In addition, most 2242 m.2 drives draw more power and get hotter than what Deck is designed for. This mod may appear to work but will significantly shorten the life of your Deck. https://t.co/Kmup7Zov13

— Lawrence Yang (@lawrenceyang) June 25, 2022

According to Lawrence Yang, the Steam Deck designer, the thermal pads around the M.2 slot should not be moved as the charger IC will likely get hotter. Moreover, users must account for the additional power required by the 2242 SSDs, which will result in higher temperatures.

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KitGuru says: Do you have a Steam Deck? Are you planning on modding the console at all? 

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