This summary of the video was created by an AI. It might contain some inaccuracies.
00:00:00 – 00:20:42
The video primarily focuses on various hardware modifications to enhance both the performance and appearance of the Steam Deck, a modular gaming handheld designed by Valve. Key modifications include upgrading the SSD from 256GB to 1TB using an M.2 NVMe 2230 drive and replacing the thumbsticks with hall sensing thumbsticks by Gulikit. The presenter discusses the challenges of these upgrades, such as data transfer issues, calibration difficulties, and ensuring compatibility with different Steam Deck models.
Additionally, the video covers shell replacement using eXtremeRate’s transparent designs, emphasizing the complexity and time-consuming nature of the task. The disassembly process involved multiple tools and careful handling of adhesive components, with notable difficulties in screen removal and reassembly.
Further modifications include changing the touch pads and buttons, with detailed insights into calibration and the utility of custom parts, like those from Colored Controllers. Although the new touch pads faced aesthetic issues, the final look was satisfying despite some pragmatic trade-offs with the adhesive used.
Concluding the video, the presenter reflects critically on the modding experience, specifically the brittleness of internal components and some persistent assembly issues, such as the screen being slightly raised and the micro SD card not ejecting properly. They rate the modding experience poorly overall and recommend only easy upgrades like the SSD mod, while advising against more complex mods like the shell or thumbstick replacements unless absolutely necessary.
00:00:00
In this segment of the video, the presenter discusses various modifications that can be made to the Steam Deck to enhance its performance and appearance. Valve designed the Steam Deck to be modular and user-repairable, teaming up with iFixit to demonstrate its fixability. The presenter mentions a simple yet essential mod – swapping the SSD to increase storage capacity from 256GB to 1TB, and highlights new hall sensing thumb sticks by Gulikit, which are easy to replace. Additionally, the video introduces eXtremeRate’s new transparent shell designs for the Steam Deck, although the presenter finds the shell replacement process time-consuming and challenging. Despite the effort required, the modifications lead to a visually and functionally enhanced Steam Deck. The segment ends with a mention of the sponsor, Factor, and highlights their quick and healthy meal options.
00:03:00
In this part of the video, the creator talks about the importance of quick meals and promotes Factor75, offering a discount code for viewers. The video then transitions to a technical segment where the creator discusses upgrading the SSD in a Steam Deck. They explain the necessity of an M.2 NVMe 2230 drive and detail their experience obtaining one from Microcenter. The creator highlights the ease of performing the SSD swap, especially if you don’t need to retain existing data. They recommend following Valve’s recovery guide or using Clonezilla to back up the current SSD. This segment provides practical advice and personal recommendations for viewers looking to upgrade their Steam Deck’s storage.
00:06:00
In this part of the video, the speaker discusses upgrading the storage drive on a Steam Deck. They highlight the necessity of having an additional drive for data storage, a keyboard, and a dock or dongle for connecting everything, including a power cable to prevent power loss during the process. Initially, the transfer process using an ISO image failed at 75%, leading the speaker to use Clonezilla’s feature for direct drive cloning, which requires an enclosure to connect the new drive via USBC. They used an ASUS enclosure and successfully completed a transfer within an hour. The upgrade significantly increased the Steam Deck’s storage capacity. Additionally, they touch on upgrading the Gulikit thumb sticks, which involves removing the back case and thumb stick modules, but note the complication of identifying the correct Steam Deck model to set a switch on the new sticks. Despite initial difficulty with the feel of the new sticks, the upgrade was ultimately successful.
00:09:00
In this part of the video, the speaker discusses issues related to calibrating the right stick on a Steam Deck after performing an upgrade, noting that while checking calibration in the settings is possible, adjustments must be made via a console command on the Linux desktop. The speaker finds this method effective, though intimidating. They emphasize that the mod is only necessary if you have existing issues with your thumb sticks. Subsequently, the speaker describes the challenging process of a case modification, which requires disassembling the entire Steam Deck. Valve has facilitated this by making it less adhesive and providing pull-tabs for ribbon cables, though it’s still a time-consuming task. The tools from eXtremeRate were deemed less helpful, though their tutorial is useful.
00:12:00
In this part of the video, the creator discusses the challenges faced during the modification of a Steam Deck. Despite initially thinking that taking everything off in one piece would be simple, it proved to be problematic. They emphasize the importance of using a plastic prying tool, or spudger, provided by EXtremeRate, though they found a Lego piece remover more effective. The disassembly required multiple screw bit sizes, which could be misleading, and the screen removal was particularly difficult due to adhesive. They advise using a hairdryer to loosen the adhesive but caution about potential screen damage. After reassembling, they noticed adhesive issues causing the screen to sit slightly higher, and they incorrectly connected the ribbon cable, necessitating further disassembly. Ultimately, the creator questions if the effort was worth it.
00:15:00
In this segment of the video, the speaker discusses their frustration with the Steam Deck’s touch pads and decides to replace them with clear black ones for consistency, even though the new adhesive provided is opaque black and defeats the purpose of having transparent touch pads. They also share their positive experience with custom buttons from Colored Controllers, detailing minor issues like a tight select button that was fixed with a file. Ultimately, the speaker expresses satisfaction with the final look, feel, and functionality of their modified Steam Deck, despite the challenges and the use of a cheaper, clear plastic shell.
00:18:00
In this part of the video, the speaker discusses the challenges faced while performing various modifications on a Steam Deck. They mention the brittleness of the internal pegs, one of which bent easily, and another was missing entirely. Despite these issues, the finished product looks and feels fine, although there are concerns about the screen being slightly raised and the micro SD card no longer springing out. The speaker rates the mod zero out of 10 and advises against it unless one has multiple Steam Decks. They recommend only doing the SSD and potentially button mods, but not the thumbstick or shell swap unless necessary. Additionally, they describe a 3D printed case modification for holding the charger and SD cards. The speaker ends by inviting viewers to share their thoughts, encouraging them to try the easy SSD mod, subscribe, and share the video.