Idea: Building a steam deck from scratch

[Lauren]

I was taking a shower and had the thought, what if you were to buy all the parts necessary from ifixit or Valve or wherever you can, would it be possible to build the steam deck yourself? I don't care if it costs more, is it currently possible?

[Khanjima]

This is just buying a steamdeck with more unnecessary work, I'm no genius but like actual computers the components that comprise the steam deck eventually add up to the price most would buy it at. You'd just be spending the same amount of money for every single part together only you're the one putting it together like an after school project

[gametaunt]

thats just buying the most expensive steam deck with extra steps.

and besides that, the main board unit isn't available yet on ifixit, neither are the trackpads.

[cSg|mc-Hotsauce]

There is a reason why companies can produce mass quantities for relatively cheap vs the consumer trying it to make just one.

[Boblin the Goblin]

Possible? Yes.

Incredibly dumb and expensive? Also yes.

[Lauren]

It's not really about cost so much as, is it possible?

[MJ711]

Aren't you busy crying about Windows on Steam Deck ?

[Khanjima]

Originally posted by Lauren:

It's not really about cost so much as, is it possible?

It is possible but not everything has been released for any tech wizz to grab their hands on, but as this entire forum as stated it'd be ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ stupid as hell because again, you're just paying the same price for a steam deck only to put it together yourself. It's like if i went to Mc Donalds and payed full price for a Big Mac but I had to go in the back and make it myself

[Mahjik]

Originally posted by Lauren:

It's not really about cost so much as, is it possible?

I doubt the major parts will ever be available on iFixit. Currently, you cannot get 'all' the pieces. If all of them ever become publicly available, the answer would be yes.

[Lauren]

Originally posted by Mahjik:

Originally posted by Lauren:

It's not really about cost so much as, is it possible?

I doubt the major parts will ever be available on iFixit. Currently, you cannot get 'all' the pieces. If all of them ever become publicly available, the answer would be yes.

The motherboard is $350, but you have to search for it, it's not on the list of parts.

[bean]

It is an interesting thought. I've seen most of the parts but had not seen mainboards listed. (though it sounds like you found some)

If steamdecks skyrocket in popularity it would be awesome to see after market parts and deck 'kits' (etc) coming to market so you could build some crazy modded out deck.

Sony guts bro, Sony guts...

[PopinFRESH]

You can't even figure out how to use SteamOS, or how to correctly install Windows on your existing Steam Deck. Building one from scratch would seem well beyond your depth.

Besides not all of the logic boards being available they don't sell the mid-frame so you aren't going to have the piece that everything attaches to.

[Mahjik]

Originally posted by Lauren:

Originally posted by Mahjik:

I doubt the major parts will ever be available on iFixit. Currently, you cannot get 'all' the pieces. If all of them ever become publicly available, the answer would be yes.

The motherboard is $350, but you have to search for it, it's not on the list of parts.

Sure, but that's not 'everything'. That may be one in the list of "many" pieces that are not part of iFixit. I'll be shocked if the APU is ever offered up as anything other than a full SD.

[PopinFRESH]

Originally posted by Mahjik:

Originally posted by Lauren:

The motherboard is $350, but you have to search for it, it's not on the list of parts.

Sure, but that's not 'everything'. That may be one in the list of "many" pieces that are not part of iFixit. I'll be shocked if the APU is ever offered up as anything other than a full SD.

Karen says the mainboard is $350 "but you have to search for it". Google does show it as $350 but when you actually click-through to iFixit it is listed as one of the parts that is "Not for sale"; as are the left and right daughter boards.

https://www.ifixit.com/Store/Miscellanous/Steam-Deck-Motherboard/IF260-020

[Rivmage]

If they keep the same form factor for the Deck 2, it would be nice if they release an upgrade kit for the users of the OG deck

[Lauren]

Originally posted by PopinFRESH:

Originally posted by Mahjik:

Sure, but that's not 'everything'. That may be one in the list of "many" pieces that are not part of iFixit. I'll be shocked if the APU is ever offered up as anything other than a full SD.

Karen says the mainboard is $350 "but you have to search for it". Google does show it as $350 but when you actually click-through to iFixit it is listed as one of the parts that is "Not for sale"; as are the left and right daughter boards.

https://www.ifixit.com/Store/Miscellanous/Steam-Deck-Motherboard/IF260-020

Ah I never tried. Thanks for clarifying.

Originally posted by Rivmage:

If they keep the same form factor for the Deck 2, it would be nice if they release an upgrade kit for the users of the OG deck

That would be awesome but unlikely. For various reasons. Screens being a main one. If the steam deck 2 has a 1080p OLED or microled display for example, the driver board would be different. I feel it'll a be different case as well to differentiate it.