Steam Deck Upgrade Guide: RAM, SSD Storage and CPU Options

Updated Oct. 9, 2026 · Written from this device's verified specifications

This guide covers what you can and can't upgrade on a Steam Deck (LCD and OLED). The short answer: the 16 GB of RAM is soldered and can't be expanded, and the easy way to add storage is the microSD slot. The internal M.2 2230 SSD is socketed, but Valve says it isn't intended for end-user replacement.

At a glance

  • RAM: 16 GB LPDDR5, soldered. 5500 MT/s on LCD, 6400 MT/s on OLED. It can't be upgraded.
  • Easiest storage upgrade: the microSD slot (UHS-I). Cards are reformatted as ext4, which erases their contents.
  • Internal SSD: one socketed M.2 2230 NVMe module. Valve says it's not intended for end-user replacement.
  • Valve publishes no maximum internal SSD size. The largest factory option is 1 TB (OLED).
  • No CPU upgrade path is documented, so plan on the processor you buy.
M.2 2230 slotSSD M.2 2230 (NVMe)
microSD slotFlash card microSD (SD (UHS))
M.2 2230 slotSSD M.2 2230 (NVMe)microSD slotFlash card microSD (SD (UHS))
Schematic of the upgradeable slots (not to scale). Check the owner's manual for their exact positions.

Lifecycle and support

No longer sold new. The manufacturer hasn't published an end-of-support date.

202220232024202520262027Today11 · Release · Feb. 25, 202222 · End of sale · December 2024
Filled dots: dates published by the manufacturer. Hollow dots: estimates from third-party sources.
MilestoneDate
Release
First available to buy.		 Feb. 25, 2022 Estimate LCD model first available in North America and Europe (Asia and Australia came later)
Source ↗
End of sale
No longer sold new by the manufacturer (Dell calls this 'End of Life', Lenovo 'Withdrawn').		 December 2024 Estimate LCD 64 GB and 512 GB discontinued at the OLED launch, sold at reduced prices until stock ran out in early December 2024
Source ↗

Dates not listed haven't been published by the manufacturer or a reliable third party.

Storage: microSD and the M.2 2230 SSD

The simplest upgrade is the microSD slot, which every model has. It is UHS-I only (SD, SDXC and SDHC), so it's slower than the internal NVMe drive. The Deck formats cards as ext4, which erases anything already on the card. Valve recommends this route for adding storage, and games on a card appear in your library right away. Valve publishes no maximum card capacity.

Inside, there's one socketed M.2 2230 NVMe module. It is PCIe Gen 3 x4, though some 256 GB and 512 GB LCD units shipped with a Gen 3 x2 drive. Valve says it saw no gaming-performance impact from that. Valve states the SSD is not intended for end-user replacement, but it can be swapped for repair. Valve doesn't publish a maximum capacity. The largest factory option is 1 TB on the OLED.

The 64 GB LCD model uses eMMC. Valve says all models use socketed 2230 modules, but other sources suggest the 64 GB unit may have no populated M.2 socket. That's unresolved, so check a teardown before assuming you can add an SSD to one. Our research also doesn't cover how a swap affects your warranty.

Buying tips

  • Buy an M.2 2230 NVMe drive only. Longer M.2 sizes won't fit this slot.
  • For a microSD card, pick a card that supports UHS-I and expect it to be slower than the internal drive.
  • Back up anything on a microSD card first, because the Deck erases it when it formats the card.
  • If you want more internal storage without opening the case, choose a larger-capacity model rather than counting on a swap.
  • Some models are discontinued, so check current stock before you buy.

Cheapest compatible right now

See all compatible parts and prices →

How to upgrade

Before you start

  • Confirm which model you have: LCD or OLED. Check whether it's the 64 GB eMMC version, where the M.2 socket may be empty.
  • Back up your games, saves and settings. A new SSD or a reformatted microSD card starts out empty.
  • Remember Valve says the SSD isn't intended for end-user replacement, and we can't say how opening the Deck affects your warranty.
  • Look up a repair guide for your exact model first. Valve's FAQ says parts and guides are available through iFixit.
  • You need a drive that is M.2 2230 and NVMe. Nothing else fits.
  • RAM can't be changed, and no CPU upgrade is documented, so there's nothing to buy for those.

Steps

  1. Back up your data
    Copy anything you want to keep to cloud storage, a microSD card or another device. Replacing the internal SSD wipes the old drive's contents from the Deck.
  2. Power off and unplug
    Shut the Deck down completely instead of using sleep, and disconnect the charger and any accessories.
  3. Ground yourself
    Work on a clean, non-carpeted surface and touch bare metal before handling the new drive. Hold the SSD by its edges.
  4. Open the case
    Follow the repair guide or manual for your exact model. The OLED uses Torx rear-case screws that thread into metal. Follow the guide for any extra precautions, such as around the battery.
  5. Swap the SSD
    Remove the existing M.2 2230 module and fit the new one in the same socket, following the guide's instructions for securing it. For a microSD upgrade, skip this step and just insert the card.
  6. Close the case
    Refit the rear case and screws. Don't force anything that doesn't line up.
  7. Check that the Deck sees the drive
    Power on and check that the Deck recognizes the new storage. If it doesn't, power off and reseat the module. For a microSD card, let the Deck format it, which erases the card.

Good to know

  • Valve doesn't publish a maximum internal SSD capacity or a maximum microSD capacity.
  • Valve says the SSD is not intended for end-user replacement, and we can't say how a swap affects your warranty.
  • It's unconfirmed whether the 64 GB eMMC LCD model has a populated M.2 socket.
  • Some 256 GB and 512 GB LCD units shipped with a Gen 3 x2 SSD, while others have Gen 3 x4, so the original drive may differ between units.
  • Several models have been discontinued or sold out at times, so check current stock before you buy.

Frequently asked questions

How much RAM can the Steam Deck take?

It can't take more. The Steam Deck has 16 GB of LPDDR5 RAM soldered to the board, with no DIMM or SO-DIMM slot, so it can't be upgraded.

Is the Steam Deck RAM faster on the OLED?

Yes. The LCD model runs at 5500 MT/s and the OLED at 6400 MT/s. Wikipedia labels the OLED memory LPDDR5X, but Valve's own pages say only LPDDR5, so treat the LPDDR5X label with caution.

Can I upgrade the Steam Deck SSD?

Physically, yes. The internal drive is a socketed M.2 2230 NVMe module. But Valve says it's not intended for end-user replacement, though it can be swapped for repair. Valve also says nothing about a maximum capacity. The largest factory option is 1 TB.

What is the easiest way to add storage to a Steam Deck?

Use the microSD slot. It's the method Valve recommends. It is UHS-I only, so slower than the internal NVMe drive, and the Deck formats the card as ext4, erasing existing data.

Can I upgrade the Steam Deck CPU?

We found no documented way to do it, and no mention of a replaceable processor. Plan on the CPU the Deck ships with.

Can I add an SSD to the 64 GB Steam Deck?

That's unclear. Valve says all models use socketed 2230 modules, but other sources suggest the 64 GB eMMC model may have no populated M.2 socket. Check a teardown of that model before buying a drive.

Official documents and references

This guide was written with AI assistance from the compatibility data PartsPrices verified against the manufacturer's documents. Always check your exact model and the owner's manual before buying or opening your computer.