Following the debut of the Steam Deck OLED in late 2023, the $399 Steam Deck now comes with 256 GB of inner storage. That’s much more than the 64 GB it used to come back with at this worth level, nevertheless it nonetheless might not be sufficient storage in your gaming wants. Don’t stress, as upgrading the Deck’s storage is each straightforward and comparatively reasonably priced.
Just like the Nintendo Change, each Steam Deck helps microSD playing cards for storage growth, and people playing cards are available a variety of capacities — lots of that are usually discounted. A microSD card is one of some must-have Steam Deck equipment that we advocate for most individuals.
Whether or not you need a modest improve to 256 GB, an even bigger 512 GB card, or the last word 1 TB increase, now we have some suggestions that’ll allow you to get to downloading extra video games from the Steam retailer. These choices meet the Steam Deck’s pace necessities (extra on that under). When you insert your new microSD card, you’ll simply have to undergo a fast formatting course of so you’ll be able to retailer video games on it.
Is pace vital?
Whereas some pricier microSD playing cards promote quicker switch speeds than others, which ought to equate to quicker sport set up occasions, the overall consensus is that almost all fashions ship the same expertise on the Steam Deck. In comparison with working video games off the $399.99 mannequin’s SSD inner storage, utilizing a microSD card might end in barely slower loading speeds, however equivalent efficiency.
The console’s microSD card slot helps UHS-1 class playing cards, a spec that tops out at a 104 MB/s switch charge. That’s fairly a bit slower than the marketed switch pace that lots of at the moment’s run-of-the-mill microSD playing cards boast. So, our suggestion is to concentrate on getting as a lot storage as you’ll be able to afford as an alternative of worrying about pace.
Replace (Jun. 10): Checked retailer hyperlinks for accuracy
