I can't decide which model to get

[Yazite]

I can't decide between the 64gb and 256gb. 512gb isn't worth it for me.

I'm most likely going to get another SSD card regardless of the model I do get. I've watched a few videos of unboxing and comparisons but they don't seem to the address following things for tech illiterate people like me:

- What is the difference between 64GB emmc and 256GB NVMe ssd?
- Do some models come with an additional ssd card?
- What does "faster storage" mean on the steam store page?
- Is there anything UK customers have to do differently to US customers? I assume the units ship from the US?
- Any suggestions on ssd cards? (UK websites only)
- If playing offline, how does achievement syncing work?

Thanks

[cSg|mc-Hotsauce]

Not much at all.

No.

Slightly faster.

No. Only N. American units are shipped from the US.

[Mahjik]

If you are only deciding between the 64 & 256 models, and you plan to replace the SSD anyway, then there is no reason to get the 256GB model.

[Mahjik]

Also, for a SSD recommendation:

https://sabrent.com/blogs/video-blog/installing-the-sabrent-rocket-2230-ssd-in-the-steam-deck

[bean]

1- emmc and nvme: emmc is a storage medium that you would see in flashdrives/sd cards/most phones and low end chromebook (or equivalent) where NVME is what you would see in computers and other higher end devices (a high-performance SSD basically). It is faster and more reliable but also more expensive than emmc.

As far as the steam deck is concerned, the emmc memory is going to work as well as the SD cards will when playing games. (surprisingly well imo) On the other hand, it will be far slower to boot and transfer files... and in heavier games you will see longer loading times etc.

If you are going to REPLACE the main drive (the emmc in the 64gb) then it will not matter how it performs but you will need someone to flash Steam OS on to the new drive.

If you are NOT going to replace the main drive, then you are going to have to be careful with the 64gb model since there is not a lot of room for system files and backups. The usual way around this is to not install any actual games to the main drive and only use the sd card slot, with the main drive reserved for Proton/System files etc. Very small games can be installed to it or you can have a '1 game at a time on the main drive' rule.

2- I think you meant SD card and no.. none of the steam decks do (through Steam)

3- see 1st point

4- no, they ship from somewhere else to you guys. NZ i believe but i may be wrong.

5- DON'T BUY CHEAP SD CARDS. No matter what.
You are better off buying name brand sd cards from your local pharmacy than buying them online. (unless ofc you know what you are doing/where you are getting it from)

[RoyalMetalKnights]

If you feel comfortable switching out the SSD, then get the 64GB. I upgraded a 64GB to 1TB. I'd rate it 'Medium' difficulty the first time around. Not overly complex, but you do need to be careful to follow instructions.

https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Steam+Deck+SSD+Replacement/148989?pk_campaign={PMax:US|Shopping|SSC|Parts|tROAS390}&pk_source=google&pk_medium=cpc&pk_kwd=&gclid=Cj0KCQiAjbagBhD3ARIsANRrqEsoBNZZ8_Ivsn8R-72qrset_v7_CbTeOgOMBhIOhf79QqGtcEDfFLUaAljiEALw_wcB

If you don't feel comfortable with changing the SSD, then get a 256GB along with either a 512GB or 1TB microSD card.

[Indianajonze]

256 all the way. Get a 1tb sd card and you won't worry about a thing. Eventually you can swap the 256 for 2tb when available and pricing is better but there's zero rush

[Jâbbérwôkkï]

Like one poster above said if you're planning to replace the ssd then it's a waste of money to get the 256 model. None of them come with a sd-card, that's something you'll have to buy yourself. The ssd is faster than the emcc drive but you won't notice since you're replacing it anyway.

[BerzerkSlayer]

If you plan to put in a 2TB SSD (and why wouldn't you nowadays, IMO), then go for the 64GB eMMC one. It's the same slot type as the M.2.

But honestly? Unless if you're actually out and about and away from your PC IRL, I personally would just use your actual PC. Personally, while I think the Steam Deck might be the best "console" ever made, trying to use it as a PC isn't what it's made for in more ways than one. There's a lot of reasons why I say that, but I'll just keep it simple for right now.

[Mega Ultra Chicken]

I would get the 64 GB model if you're comfortable with opening small electronics. I stripped some screws pretty badly when I opened my Steam Deck. Make sure you're using the correct screwdriver head. I'd recommend a phillips head, so a PH0 or PH1. You can see the size on the actual screwdriver head in the IFixIt kit. If some of your screws get stripped, you can buy replacement screws as well which I did.

[Brutalness]

Easy really 64gb and a 1/2tb nvme upgrade

[Yazite]

Thank you all for the replies. I'm a little embarrassed as I was supposed to say micro SD which I got confused with the SSD. As I mentioned, I am rather tech illiterate. I don't really want to open the deck up and want to buy a micro SD card for convinience.

I'm probably going to go with the 64GB model and buy a micro SD. Looking online the 1TB cards are more than double the price of the 512GB sd cards. Is it better to just buy 2 512 SD cards and just swap them out every now and then? Does anyone do that?

[Mega Ultra Chicken]

Yeah, you can get 512 GB SD cards and hot swap them. I got a 1 TB SD card but then decided later I wanted to open the Deck and upgrade to an NVME drive. If you're using multiple SD cards, you can actually put all your roms for emulators on one SD card and then put your PC games on the other one.

[golephish]

money isn't real. go for the 512 and get the dope screen. if you give a mouse a cookie ... what I mean is there is then going to be cases and docks. I would also go 512 if you plan on dual booting with windows. while you can switch out SD cards, having it dual on the internal is dope.

[d[-_-]b]

Originally posted by Yazite:

I can't decide between the 64gb and 256gb. 512gb isn't worth it for me.



- What is the difference between 64GB emmc and 256GB NVMe ssd?

different memory types 256 is faster

- Do some models come with an additional ssd card?

there is 1 slot for ssd and 1 slot for SD card

- What does "faster storage" mean on the steam store page?

its faster than the previous models storage

- Is there anything UK customers have to do differently to US customers? I assume the units ship from the US?

No And UK ships from netherlands

- Any suggestions on ssd cards? (UK websites only)

search forums and reddit, theres is loads of posts about different cards people have purchased

- If playing offline, how does achievement syncing work?

should do, there is no difference between this and a pc/laptop except its form factor

I'm most likely going to get another SSD card regardless of the model I do get. I've watched a few videos of unboxing and comparisons but they don't seem to the address following things for tech illiterate people like me:

if you are going to change the ssd anyway then your only choice is the screen get a 512 for the antiglare or 64 for the standard screen.

if you go for the 64gb model and get a sdcard instead of upgrading ssd. bear in mind that alot of games may fill up the 64gb storage quickly with caches and proton prefixes

[invision2212]

Do not buy A1 sd cards. They are slow when downloading and slow when installing games and updates.

Look for Sandisk extreme and Samsung Pro cards. They are basically the two best cards you can buy and they install games much faster than A1 cards.