USB-C Docking Stations and Power Delivery (Will my dock work?)

[HexGramarye]

According to this video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_mogv5tCm8), docks need to have at least 60W power delivery.

I'd prefer to use the Dock I already have (https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-Thunderbolt-Compatible-Supports-Displays/dp/B073JDZGKK) in the meantime before the official dock becomes available. However, its power delivery is 85W, which is quite a bit higher. Will this cause damage to the system if I use it? I don't really know how this stuff works, but I want to be extra careful not to brick my system.

Do you anticipate any other problems arising from using this specific dock?

[DarkEmpire]

I do have one, 45W and just working nice!
And it's stil charging aswelll

[darrenphillips666]

Your power delivery is UPTO 85w, it'll be fine and just use as much as needed.
ETA Prime made a video testing powerbanks,
Steam Deck needs 15Volts and will use upto 3Amps (45w)

[Domnul Liviu]

Beware of aftermarket docks, you can destroy your console. Tell someone who suffered it! It was certified 100 watts and I used it with the power supply in the package!

[GwynBleidD (GbdLin)]

Unfortunately, it is more complicated than that...

Firstly the watts aren't important, voltage is. Dock demands 15V from the charger (either through the dock or not), which isn't typical. It also needs 45W at this voltage, which is equal to 3A.

On top of that, if you have any dock that is just a passthrough for the charger, it will reserve a bit of power for itself, by tricking the dock that charger sent lower wattage numbers when negotiating power needs. This is normal.

Unfortunately, a lot of high wattage (over 45W) will have the full power range only at 20V, while still sticking to 45W max on 15V. That means you can get a warning of slow charging when connected through such dock or dongle.

There are also some nasty dongles made for specific laptops that will fully negotiate on their own the voltage with charger, which typically will be 20V bc that's what laptops usually expect. This is bad for the deck and may damage it. Your dock shouldn't do that.

But that's for charging only. What about data? There are several types of docks, including thunderbolt. Steam Deck is not compatible with Thunderbolt, so it's up to the dock itself to be backwards compatible and able to communicate using normal USB protocol with DisplayPort or HDMI MHL for your displays. The dock itself may do one but not the other, for example all USB devices connected to the dock may work, but the display won't. Or the display will work but USB devices will not.

Overall, it is safe to connect your Steam Deck to this Startech dock, but some functions of the dock may not be available.

[Bagneule]

I have a similar dock as your, one from cable matters, their USB-C Docking Station (201053) everything seem to be working but the hdmi outputs, I can't get a video output out of the deck no matter what I do. I tried two different monitors, different cables, even a usb-c to hdmi cable, I can't get a video output.
I tried both SteamOS and Desktop mode.

[HexGramarye]

Originally posted by Frehgin:

I have a similar dock as your, one from cable matters, their USB-C Docking Station (201053) everything seem to be working but the hdmi outputs, I can't get a video output out of the deck no matter what I do. I tried two different monitors, different cables, even a usb-c to hdmi cable, I can't get a video output.
I tried both SteamOS and Desktop mode.

This was ultimately my experience too. So I'm mostly just waiting for the official dock to release and playing less detailed games for now.

[Germ]

Originally posted by GwynBleidD:

Unfortunately, it is more complicated than that...

Firstly the watts aren't important, voltage is. Dock demands 15V from the charger (either through the dock or not), which isn't typical. It also needs 45W at this voltage, which is equal to 3A.

On top of that, if you have any dock that is just a passthrough for the charger, it will reserve a bit of power for itself, by tricking the dock that charger sent lower wattage numbers when negotiating power needs. This is normal.

Unfortunately, a lot of high wattage (over 45W) will have the full power range only at 20V, while still sticking to 45W max on 15V. That means you can get a warning of slow charging when connected through such dock or dongle.

There are also some nasty dongles made for specific laptops that will fully negotiate on their own the voltage with charger, which typically will be 20V bc that's what laptops usually expect. This is bad for the deck and may damage it. Your dock shouldn't do that.

But that's for charging only. What about data? There are several types of docks, including thunderbolt. Steam Deck is not compatible with Thunderbolt, so it's up to the dock itself to be backwards compatible and able to communicate using normal USB protocol with DisplayPort or HDMI MHL for your displays. The dock itself may do one but not the other, for example all USB devices connected to the dock may work, but the display won't. Or the display will work but USB devices will not.

Overall, it is safe to connect your Steam Deck to this Startech dock, but some functions of the dock may not be available.

Hey this is late but I have a case that doesn't let the official dock's usb-c to properly plug in. I was wondering if I need a specific USB-C female to USB-C male adapter to get the full power throughput or if any generic USB-C adapter/extender would be fine. You sound knowledgeable so hopefully you can help me out!