This Steam Deck mod upgrades the RAM to 32GB, if you dare

A modder has successfully demonstrated a workable method for upgrading the Steam Deck OLED to 32GB of RAM. With some of the latest handheld gaming PCs now shipping with 32GB, this timely upgrade offers one way to improve the longevity of the popular Valve handheld, as long as you've got the guts to rip it apart and solder the new RAM modules into place.

The Steam Deck continues to be our favorite portable gaming device in our best handheld buying guide, but it only offers 16GB of RAM, unlike some of its newer competitors. The OLED model is no different, offering a better screen but with similar specs to the original, meaning 16GB is your limit without a mod like such as this one. It isn't going to be for the faint of heart, however, and we wouldn't recommend it for most gamers unless you're handy with a soldering iron.

SlickBuys Mods and Repairs, a modding workshop based in California, demonstrated the upgrade in a recent video on YouTube. The video showcases the difficulty in tearing apart the Steam Deck OLED and removing the original RAM modules before soldering the new modules in place.

Sourcing the modules proved to be difficult, while the Deck's own firmware requires an update to allow it to recognize 32GB of RAM. The firmware also requires a block to prevent it from updating and overwriting the change to make it usable in the long term.

According to SlickBuys Mods and Repair, the modules cost $110, but hiring the company to do the job for you will cost you more. That could make this job slightly uneconomical to perform, although upgrading your existing Steam Deck could be more affordable than buying a newer rival if you only want the extra memory.

For example, the AOKZOE A1X does have a 32GB model available, but that handheld costs $1,339, as our AOKZOE A1X review explains. There's also the Asus ROG Ally X, which includes 24GB of RAM for a more affordable $799, which we've tested in our Asus ROG Ally X review.

It's interesting to see a service such as this exist, though, and I'm sure a Steam Deck enthusiast or two will be interested. It'll be cheaper to do it yourself, and this video does show you how to go about doing so, but with added risk. This isn't going to be a mod we recommend, and we'll be hoping that a future Steam Deck with 32GB RAM launches in the near future instead.

You can check out our Steam Deck OLED review next to see us put this powerful handheld through its paces. Meanwhile, our best gaming laptop guide also has some larger, but still portable options for gaming on the go that won't require you to warm up your soldering iron.

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