Steam-Deck-Guide

Hardware

👥 Hardware Modding Communities / Resources

• Steam Deck Discord - #hardware-mods channel
• r/SteamDeckModded Subreddit
• r/SteamDeck Subreddit
• Stanto’s Website (Active Community Member On Steam Deck Discord)

⚠️ DISCLAIMER - READ FIRST BEFORE MODIFYING ANYTHING

• Modifying your device will / may void your warranty!!!
• You can see your Steam Deck’s original parts here (You need to sign in, then select the matching serial number from the backplate/settings)
• 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

Prototypes

Pre Mass Production

LCD Version

• Easily differentiable older / newer revision by looking at shielding above the motherboard

Image	Description
	Older model (beginning of EV3) and an early model (EV2, some early dev kits)
	Newer revision with black shielding and other changes (What NKkrisz Owns, Click For Extra Details)

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

More Information About Both Can Be Found Here

Detail	LCD	OLED
Specifications	LCD	OLED
Revisions And Differences	LCD	OLED
Analysis Of Screen PWM Flicker & Visual Fatigue	LCD	OLED
Comparison Video Between LCD And OLED Deck Components
Comparison Video Between LCD And OLED Deck Input Lag

🧰 Recommended Tools For Repairing / Modding

✨ Cosmetic Upgrades

Full Shell Or Backplate Swap

• Transform LCD Deck Frontplate to fit a OLED Steam Deck
• ExtremeRate
• Jsaux

Inputs

• ExtremeRate Colored & Transparent Buttons
• Deck Buttons - Resin, Metal etc… Buttons
• Etsy stores’ resin or other buttons
• Joystick Cap Painting

3D Printable

• Custom Action Buttons And D-Pad
• Triggers

Skins / Stickers

🪛 Hardware Upgrades

• Cooling (Backplates, Fans, Thermal Pastes / Pads)

• Inputs (Joysticks, Buttons, Trackpads, etc…)

• Screen Replacements, Upgrades, Protectors

• Wireless Connectivity (Wifi And Bluetooth)

• Storage (SSDs And MicroSD Cards)

• Tracking Device (eg. AirTag)

• Memory / RAM

• External GPU

• Dual Battery

• Dual Screen

• Rumble

🕹️ Accessories

🎮 Fully Transformed Steam Deck Examples

• RAM, Wifi, Shell, Joystick And Screen Upgrade
  • Possible OLED Screen Swap For LCD Decks In The Future?
• Tablet / Switch Mod
• Bondi Blue iMac G3
• Giant 4K Screen
• Half Life Edition
• Portal Edition
• Fully Red
• GabeCube
• Steam Brick - Steam Deck To MiniPC Conversion For AR Glasses
• Steam Deck Console Concept

🧑‍🔧 Troubleshooting, Repair Guides, Parts And Measurements

• Steam Support - Basic Use & Troubleshooting Guide
• iFixit - Steam Deck LCD Repair Guides
• Steam Deck LCD Parts And Measurements
  • 64GB LCD Black Shielded Revision Part Pictures
• iFixit - Steam Deck OLED Repair Guides
• Steam Deck OLED Parts And Measurements
• Fixes For Other Issues
• Repair Wiki

🛠️ Replacement Parts

iFixit (Official Valve partner)

• iFixit Regions:
  • iFixit US
  • iFixit CA
  • iFixit AUS
  • iFixit GB
  • iFixit EU
  • iFixit FR
  • iFixit DE
• Do note that not everything is available in the iFixit stores, like:
  • Trackpads
  • Mother / Daughterboards
  • Ribbon Cables
  • Inner Screws (Backplate ones are available)
  • Original / Stock Carrying Cases
• If you can’t order from or the part you’re looking for is out of stock on iFixit try these places:
  • Steam Support (They can do repairs and sometimes send carrying cases and chargers)
  • Local technicians
  • AliExpress
  • Ebay

👀 Interesting Stuff And Other Tips

• Bluetooth wake is being implemented for LCD models (previously only available to OLED models)!
• If your Steam Deck has been left on the charger for long periods of time, it may report less than 100% charge - this is done to optimize battery health
• Steam Deck joystick caps fit on the Steam Controller and can be used as a replacement
• Quanta Computer is the manufacturer of Steam Decks (See 3rd picture, top-left print on box, Valve is also mentioned on their wiki)
• Steam Decks’ brown cardboard shipping boxes have Valve references on them
• In Japan the boxes that Steam Decks come in are different and have proper retail packaging and design
• How The Giant Steam Deck Was Made For The Tokyo Game Show (2022)
• Steam Deck RGB Mod - Part 1 - I2C Investigation - CalcProgrammer1
• Steam Deck Chip Deep-Dive (Van Gogh/Aerith) - High Yield
• Steam Deck Buttons And Joystick Mod For The Steam Controller - Tutorial

❗ Miscellaneous Or Not Tested

• OLED battery swap into LCD Deck? (Currently doesn’t work, most likely a firmware modification is needed)
• Bigger battery (50/53Wh) upgrade for LCD Deck from AliExpress / TaoBao?
• Type A (MEDA) vs Type B (MHDA) LCD joysticks comparison (difference in capacitive touch and microcontroller?)