This summary of the video was created by an AI. It might contain some inaccuracies.
00:00:00 – 00:14:41
The video documents a tech creator's experiment in connecting a high-end GPU to a Steam Deck through its m.2 port, a project inspired by similar modifications to a PlayStation 5. They detail the use of an m.2 to PCI Express adapter due to the Steam Deck's lack of Thunderbolt support and slower USB-C speeds. The process includes connecting the GPU, dealing with power supply issues, and configuring BIOS settings. Challenges arise, particularly with Nvidia GPUs not being recognized, while AMD GPUs show better compatibility due to the system's AMD SoC. Performance tests with various games show bottlenecks due to the Steam Deck's CPU and PCI Express limitations, though playable frame rates are achieved at certain settings. The experiment underscores the Steam Deck's potential as a versatile gaming and PC hybrid, while hinting at future explorations to optimize performance further.
00:00:00
In this part of the video, the creator explains how they successfully attached a GPU to a Steam Deck using the device’s m.2 port. They describe how this idea stemmed from their previous experiments with adding SSDs and GPUs to a PlayStation 5 via the m.2 port. The creator mentions that although their Steam Deck was delayed, they purchased it from eBay and rushed to complete the video after seeing Linus Tech Tips announce a similar project. They detail the simple process of using an m.2 to PCI Express adapter to connect the GPU since external GPU enclosures wouldn’t work due to the lack of Thunderbolt support and slower USB-C speeds on the Steam Deck. The segment also includes a plug for the video sponsor and a contest involving tech domains. The creator then moves on to the technical details of the setup, including using an external power supply for the GPU, uninstalling the existing m.2 drive, setting up Windows on a Micro SD card, and planning to test SteamOS later.
00:03:00
In this segment of the video, the narrator is working on connecting an RTX 3080 Ti GPU to a Steam Deck. They point out that the setup isn’t 100% practical, as it requires frequently removing the back panel of the Steam Deck. The process includes connecting the GPU, providing power to the PCI Express riser and GPU, and then hooking up the display port to a monitor.
Upon turning on the power supply and booting the Steam Deck into the BIOS, the narrator is surprised to see the 3080 Ti functioning, as previous attempts had failed. They don’t have a keyboard or USB dock at this point, so they pause to get a USB hub for further testing. Returning with the USB hub, they attempt to boot into Windows but encounter issues, such as the system not recognizing the Nvidia GPU correctly.
They suspect potential issues with the BIOS settings. Despite several troubleshooting attempts, including rebooting and reinstalling drivers, the GPU still doesn’t function as intended with the Steam Deck. Towards the end of this segment, the narrator contemplates checking the BIOS further to resolve the connection issues.
00:06:00
In this segment of the video, the presenter navigates through the BIOS boot options and discusses the configuration needed for switching between different GPUs. They switch to an AMD RX 580 GPU, which boots into Windows without any issues, noting that AMD GPUs natively work due to the AMD system on a chip (SoC). Conversely, attempts with various Nvidia GPUs, including an RTX 3050 and a 1060, fail as they are not detected, suggesting possible BIOS restrictions. The presenter then tries a higher-end AMD 6600 XT, which is partially detected but reveals connection issues, indicating the complexity of ensuring proper setup.
00:09:00
In this part of the video, the host attempts to install and boot a 6600 XT GPU into a system using a Ryzen APU. Initially, the setup faces issues with booting into Windows, leading to troubleshooting steps including reverting to an older GPU and reinstalling Windows. Once resolved, the 6600 XT operates, but it’s noted the Steam Deck’s PCI Express 3.0 at four lanes heavily bottlenecks the GPU, making higher-tier GPUs like the 6900 XT impractical. Testing the setup with games like Elden Ring reveals performance limitations due to the CPU bottleneck, with the GPU underutilized. The segment concludes with the host considering further gaming tests.
00:12:00
In this segment, the video showcases the performance of a Steam Deck when connected to an external GPU, specifically a 6600 XT. The user tests various resolutions and settings, including 1440p and 1080p at medium, high, and with ray tracing, observing that the GPU is functioning well but noting some CPU and PCI Express bottlenecks. The Steam Deck manages to achieve playable frame rates, with some settings yielding better results than others. Despite some hiccups and lag at higher settings, the demonstration concludes that the GPU integration is successful, confirming that the Steam Deck can indeed function as a versatile gaming console and PC hybrid. The presenter mentions further questions and potential experiments, such as running an m.2 SSD alongside the GPU and optimizing for Nvidia GPUs, indicating a desire to explore these aspects in future projects.