Valve Steam Deck FAQs Shed More Light on the Hot New Portable Console

[btarunr]

Valve today put out frequently asked questions (FAQs) that shed light on many aspects of Steam Deck, the elusive new portable game console. Steam Deck is one of the first mass-market handheld consoles based on the PC architecture (if you don't count the various smartphones based on Intel Atom chips), or x86-based tablets. It turns out that Valve engaged in some segmentation between the storage-based variants. All three capacity variants feature optically-bonded glass IPS LCD touchscreens with 10-point multi-touch, but the 512 GB variant has an additional anti-glare treatment.

Steam Deck combines Linux-based custom operating system, along with the Steam UI and DRM platform, although it is possible to play non-Steam games through the Proton translation layer software. You can add games to your library just like on Steam on desktop. The Steam software itself has a custom UI optimized for the console, which replaces the Big Picture mode of conventional Steam desktop. Just like on regular Steam, the Steam Deck console lets you launch and play a game without an Internet connection, unless the game requires it.



MicroSD is the key removable storage media for this console, and Steam Deck formats cards in the ext4 file-system, along with casefolding. It can read off cards with exFAT. The console supports boot from microSD. Also supported is dual-boot, just like on PC. End-users will also have access to the UEFI setup program of the console.

You can use a Steam Deck like a game controller for your PC, via Remote Play. The console's controlls feature two LRA haptic motors, one under each of the trackpad. The console does not support external GPUs. You can use PC VR headsets with Steam Deck, but Valve says that the console isn't optimized for VR experiences. The company also revealed that performance is consistent between on-battery and plugged-in power modes, and that plugging in won't improve performance in any way. The charging cable is 1.5 m (4'9") long.

If you've already reserved your Steam Deck, you cannot change its variant. You'll have to cancel and reserve again (which will push you at the back of the queue).

View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[Space Lynx]

It would be nice to know if when fully charged, will the Steam deck bypass the battery and just run off the cord (for those who want to preserve battery longevity)... I know some phones do this now... its interesting, not sure if it really matters or not, but for an expensive item like this it would be nice to know.

 

[Vayra86]

So does anyone have the actual specs beyond the marketing bullshit? 'Capable of running AAA games like a laptop' isn't exactly... reassuring. It looks decent though.

 

[INDALsKUNG]

I think this is a beginning for a new way to play pc portable , so fun , so creative by Steam

 

[ne6togadno]

So does anyone have the actual specs beyond the marketing bullshit? 'Capable of running AAA games like a laptop' isn't exactly... reassuring. It looks decent though.

Processor
AMD APU
CPU: Zen 2 4c/8t, 2.4-3.5GHz (up to 448 GFlops FP32)
GPU: 8 RDNA 2 CUs, 1.0-1.6GHz (up to 1.6 TFlops FP32)
APU power: 4-15W

RAM
16 GB LPDDR5 on-board RAM (5500 MT/s quad 32-bit channels)
Storage
64 GB eMMC (PCIe Gen 2 x1)
256 GB NVMe SSD (PCIe Gen 3 x4)
512 GB high-speed NVMe SSD (PCIe Gen 3 x4)

All models use socketed 2230 m.2 modules (not intended for end-user replacement)
All models include high-speed microSD card slot

Steam Deck :: Tech Specs

Available now.

www.steamdeck.com

 

[Liquid Cool]

I don't know about you...but to me...this little Steam Deck is setting itself up as a dream toy for the tinkerer's out there. When you toss in the up and coming base...you have a makeshift dual booting desktop pc, emulation device for retro gaming, and handheld console all in one.

I've already said it once, but I believe it bears repeating. This is the only device in the last 10 years that I can remember actually being excited about.

I've never pre-ordered ANYTHING in my life and I literally threw my $5 at Steam to get in line for one.....

I ordered the porridge that wasn't too hot and wasn't too cold...but j-u-s-t right(256GB model) - for my budget.



,

Liquid Cool

 

[Muaadib]

Is the NVME drive user upgradable? Do all versions come with an NVME slot?

 

[Valantar]

It turns out that Valve engaged in some segmentation between the storage-based variants. All three capacity variants feature optically-bonded glass IPS LCD touchscreens with 10-point multi-touch, but the 512 GB variant has an additional anti-glare treatment.

@btarunr This has been clearly marked on both the SKU comparison as well as the detailed spec list since these were first published.

Otherwise it's nice to see this shaping up as expected - BIOS access, dual (triple?) boot options, etc. At least now we have firm confirmation that the people claiming this was "locked down like a console", full of proprietary solutions, etc., were wrong.

 

[Patr!ck]

Well, not a very interesting product to me to be honest. I already have a Tiger Lake-U based GPD Win 3 handheld gaming PC, which has been upgraded with a 2TB Samsung 980 PRO SSD. It has Wi-Fi 6E and external GPU support through Thunderbolt 4.

And next year I will simply buy the Alder Lake-U version of it (on Windows 11), which maxes out at 2 big cores + 8 little cores with a 96EU Xe-LP iGPU and LPDDR5 support, while retaining the PCIe 4.0, Wi-Fi 6/E and Thunderbolt 4 compatibility.

Xe-LP and Xe-HPG chips will share the same drivers stack according to Intel which is a good news for every Intel based handheld devices when it comes to drivers support.

 

[Shihab]

Steam Deck is one of the first mass-market handheld consoles based on the PC architecture (if you don't count the various smartphones based on Intel Atom chips), or x86-based tablets.

Parenthesis closed too early?

 

[Chomiq]

For me that updated Proton translation layer for DirectX->Vulkan is what's the most interesting aspect of SteamDeck.

 

[TheoneandonlyMrK]

Well, not a very interesting product to me to be honest. I already have a Tiger Lake-U based GPD Win 3 handheld gaming PC, which has been upgraded with a 2TB Samsung 980 PRO SSD. It has Wi-Fi 6E and external GPU support through Thunderbolt 4.

And next year I will simply buy the Alder Lake-U version of it (on Windows 11), which maxes out at 2 big cores + 8 little cores with a 96EU Xe-LP iGPU and LPDDR5 support, while retaining the PCIe 4.0, Wi-Fi 6/E and Thunderbolt 4 compatibility.

Xe-LP and Xe-HPG chips will share the same drivers stack according to Intel which is a good news for every Intel based handheld devices when it comes to drivers support.

Well of course, you only have two hands and one head after all.
Your happy with twice the price, I'm not, this is my type then eh.
And I don't much care if you're present setup or next ISN'T a valve steam deck ,why would anyone in this thread.

 

[Verpal]

(if you don't count the various smartphones based on Intel Atom chips)

Looking at my Zenfone 2....

Don't worry, not replacing you anytime soon, you are such a cute little bugger that runs my basic windows/linux on the go need.




(rip my time waste on trying to make it run macos)

 

[LabRat 891]

"does not support external GPUs"
With mSD booting, that lil x4 pcie 3.0 m.2 slot is calling to fulfill this clear, and flagrant challenge.

 

[Makaveli]

Well of course, you only have two hands and one head after all.
Your happy with twice the price, I'm not, this is my type then eh.
And I don't much care if you're present setup or next ISN'T a valve steam deck ,why would anyone in this thread.

This if your not interested in it why even post.

Seems it was about owning a GPD Win 3 handheld gaming PC then anything related to the Steam deck.

 

[XiGMAKiD]

I've done my homework tinkering with Arch Linux on VM now I'm keeping my eyes on the progress of Valve and AMD on Steam Deck

 

[ShurikN]

This if your not interested in it why even post.

Seems it was about owning a GPD Win 3 handheld gaming PC then anything related to the Steam deck.

Actually the guy is a huge Intel fanboy (you can't imagine the amount of shilling I've read from him on videocardz) so his post was more about finding ways to plug Intel into the convo about a piece of hardware that's Amd based.

 

[R0H1T]

I know some phones do this now

Such as?

 

[Space Lynx]

Such as?

I don't remember the exact model numbers, but I do remember reading about it being a thing now.

 

[Tarkhein]

Is the NVME drive user upgradable? Do all versions come with an NVME slot?

Yes and Yes, HOWEVER there are two caveats. The NVME slot is 2230 (where the typical NVME drive is 2280), and is not designed to be user upgradeable (ie it is not easy to get to and you can damage it unless you are careful with the disassembly).

 

[Muaadib]

Yes and Yes, HOWEVER there are two caveats. The NVME slot is 2230 (where the typical NVME drive is 2280), and is not designed to be user upgradeable (ie it is not easy to get to and you can damage it unless you are careful with the disassembly).

Thanks, depending on the availability and performance this might make the cheapest model much more tempting.

 

[Valantar]

Yep, something like a Kioxia BG4 or the 2230 version of the WD SN530 should fit nicely into the m.2 slot.

 

[Astro Moon]

I don't know about you...but to me...this little Steam Deck is setting itself up as a dream toy for the tinkerer's out there. When you toss in the up and coming base...you have a makeshift dual booting desktop pc, emulation device for retro gaming, and handheld console all in one.

I've already said it once, but I believe it bears repeating. This is the only device in the last 10 years that I can remember actually being excited about.

I've never pre-ordered ANYTHING in my life and I literally threw my $5 at Steam to get in line for one.....

I ordered the porridge that wasn't too hot and wasn't too cold...but j-u-s-t right(256GB model) - for my budget.

View attachment 217937

,

Liquid Cool

This is all the same reasons I pre-ordered my Steam Deck

never pre-ordered anything
Linux OS..? just take my money, lol
this thing is a PC 1st, portable console 2nd
can't wait to have fun with this thing
so many possibilities...

 

[my_name_is_earl]

My pre-order is pushed back to Q2 2022... WTF Valve?

 

[Valantar]

My pre-order is pushed back to Q2 2022... WTF Valve?

What was the original estimate? And which SKU?