It is the inherent proper of each critical tech modder to tear aside their costly equipment, regardless of the implications. One modder has taken that mantra to coronary heart by taking their Steam Deck and including a customized water-cooling loop to it, hacking away the Deck’s again panel for entry, and securing the entire setup to a desk.
Is that this a wise strategy to maintain your Steam Deck cool? For many players, most likely not – it is already probably the greatest handheld choices on the market with sufficient cooling for many use instances. Whereas it will probably get a bit of scorching underneath load, we aren’t recommending that almost all players get out their instruments and begin placing collectively DIY mods like this one, though it is nonetheless a fairly cool idea to see work.
Shared in a submit on Reddit, person u/2GGBoy7 unveiled this uncommon DIY Steam Deck mod. Utilizing elements from an outdated PC construct, the gamer added a 240mm customized water loop to their Steam Deck, with a part of the Deck’s backplate altered to permit for the tubing. The loop makes use of a pump and radiator connected to a desk, eradicating the hand-held’s portability within the course of.
With the improved thermal potential unlocked by the water-cooling loop, the modder overclocked the Steam Deck utilizing a patching device to push the Steam Deck’s TDP from a inventory 15W to 27W. Sadly, solely a modest 100MHz increase to the CPU and GPU was ok to be used in the long term, together with a -10mV undervolting, leaving the system “steady, responsive, and funky” because of this.
The outcome? Whereas enjoying intensive video games like Helldivers 2, the Steam Deck’s APU hits 131°F (55°C) underneath load, whereas the Deck sits at 80°F (27°C) whereas idle. In accordance with the modder, the Steam Deck by no means goes above 140°F (60°C), even throughout lengthy and intensive gaming classes.
After all, that is an absurd, unpractical, and because the modder admits, “clearly overkill” mod that does not appear so as to add a lot to this explicit handheld’s efficiency, even when it does enhance its thermal potential. It is definitely a cool “what if?” challenge, however we can’t be recommending it as an choice to check out by yourself Steam Deck.
In case you’re out there for a wise improve, nonetheless, try our greatest Steam Deck equipment information, with choices from a brand new dock to additional storage on supply.
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