Get extra out of your PC gaming handheld

Because it got here out in early 2022, the Steam Deck has been a little bit of a game-changer for PC players, liberating them as much as play on the go and wherever they like because of its portability.

It stays tremendous well-liked, too, so if you happen to simply bought your fingers on one, otherwise you need to use your Steam Deck greater than you already do, we have compiled some top-class suggestions and tips that can assist you get much more out of it.

Get your self a microSD card

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The SanDisk Extremely microSDXC is a superb choice to improve your Steam Deck’s storage simply.

The Steam Deck is accessible in varied totally different storage format sizes. You should buy 64GB, 256GB and 512GB.

Although it is theoretically attainable to replace the internal storage (and improve it) that is not going to be an possibility for a lot of.

We purchased a 256GB mannequin in an effort to get monetary savings however discovered that we managed to fill the console up with simply 4 video games. Naturally, this varies relying on what you are putting in however Forza Horizon 5, for instance, takes up properly over 100GB in cupboard space.

We might extremely advocate buying a microSD card (or a number of) to offer you entry to extra video games with ease. Video games will not load as quick that method vs NVMe SSDs however it’s nonetheless nice to have further area with out large further expense.

Stream video games to your Steam Deck

There’s one other option to counter the cupboard space difficulty on the Steam Deck and that is making use of Steam’s Remote Play functionality.

Primarily when you have a decent gaming PC with Steam on it and with video games put in on that machine too, you possibly can then stream the video games over your own home Wi-Fi from the PC to your Steam Deck.

This has two advantages, the primary being that you just needn’t set up the video games domestically in your Steam Deck but in addition you possibly can benefit from the additional processing energy in your gaming PC to get larger body charges or a smoother expertise.

It is simple to do (we’ve written a guide on it) however primarily you simply want each gadgets working and linked to the identical community, then click on to Stream on the related sport in your Steam Deck.

Regulate the display screen brightness

Though it is tempting to crank the brightness all the way in which up, we would really counsel turning it down.

One of many complaints individuals may have in regards to the Steam Deck is its battery life. With out some tweaks, it is simple to chew by way of the hand held’s battery in two or three hours.

Lowering the brightness is one step to creating your enjoyable last more. To do it, click on the three-dot button on the right-hand facet of the Steam Deck to open the choices menu and tweak the brightness slider there.

Tweak Steam Deck efficiency settings

Strive tweaking each the FPS and refresh charge underneath the efficiency settings to both clean out your expertise or enhance your battery life.

Click on the three-dot menu button and navigate right down to the battery part. Below there, you will discover the efficiency choices. From right here you possibly can tweak each the FPS and refresh charge.

You need to use these settings to both improve your expertise or to assist save battery life. In case you’re taking part in a much less intensive sport then you possibly can flip these settings up for a smoother display screen expertise, however you may also wish to attempt dropping them decrease so you possibly can play for longer.

Regulate your sport graphic settings

We’re actually stunned with how properly the Steam Deck performs even probably the most trendy video games. It handles video games rather well and is a pleasure to play on.

After all, being a small(ish) handheld, it’s restricted in display screen measurement. It encompasses a 7-inch 1280 x 800 touchscreen show for 720p gameplay. You are in all probability used to taking part in on a a lot bigger gaming monitor.

In case you attempt to play video games on extremely settings, you will seemingly discover that the Steam Deck does not carry out in addition to you need. Strive turning the graphics down a bit. We did not discover this was crucial a lot, however dropping to excessive settings could make a smoother expertise if you happen to want it.

The bonus right here is it nonetheless appears nice because it’s solely a small display screen anyway.

Alternatively, you should use the Distant Play streaming operate we talked about earlier to run at excessive graphics settings with out taxing the Steam Decks GPU.

Join different gadgets to your Steam Deck

Because of its Bluetooth capabilities, the Steam Deck has the power to work with quite a lot of gadgets together with mice, keyboards and headsets. So if you happen to want extra granular controls, then you possibly can join these gadgets fairly simply.

Click on the settings button, then scroll to show Bluetooth on. Then you possibly can simply pair your system and use that. This works with loads of peripherals too, so you possibly can open up different controls for the Steam Deck good and simply.

Test for Steam Deck updates

Valve is repeatedly crafting updates for the Steam Deck to enhance performance and person expertise.

A few of these have included some nice enhancements too. Certainly one of our complaints initially was the followers had been too loud, however Valve launched a patch which made it a lot quieter.

We might advocate regularly checking for updates. Do that by clicking the Steam button on the left facet, then navigating to updates. You may see an exclamation level on system settings when an replace is prepared.

Test sport compatibility on your Steam Deck

If you’ve bought your fingers on the Steam Deck it is simple sufficient to see which video games will work properly. Those in your library are already marked as “verified”, “playable”, “unsupported” or “unknown”.

We have discovered that the listing of playable video games shortly expands, so it is price checking your library to see if new ones seem.

The shop on the Steam Deck additionally factors you to suitable video games, so that you may be positive a sport will work before you purchase.

There are other ways to check beforehand too. One factor we are going to say although is that simply because a sport is marked as “unsupported” does not essentially imply it will not work. We have seen some video games that solely required some controller tweaks in an effort to operate. So if you happen to already personal a sport and need to play do not let that label put you off attempting.

Valve

Add a pin to your Steam Deck

If you don’t need relations or pals stepping into your Steam Deck and messing together with your library then there’s excellent news as you possibly can add a pin. This setting may be added to require a customized pin on wake, boot or login so your Steam Deck is protected.

To show the PIN settings on open the menu and head over to settings then discover the safety settings. Flip it on and set a pin you will not neglect and safe your Steam Deck.

Remap your controls

When in a sport press the Steam button and push proper twice to remap controls and add further actions to the rear paddles. This provides you with extra management simply.

Some video games is likely to be marked as “unsupported” however may be performed with some tweaks.

Launch a sport, then click on the Steam button on the left facet. If you’ve executed that, push the thumb stick twice to the precise to entry the controller settings. You may see a map of the present controls there, however you even have the choice so as to add extra by clicking controller settings.

You’ll be able to then re-map varied totally different settings, however the different bonus right here is the again paddles are not often used for something. There are 4 paddles marked L4, L5, R4 and R5. You’ll be able to assign these to in-game controls and use them to play extra comfortably.

Steam Deck shortcuts

There are a number of totally different shortcuts on the Steam Deck you could entry with a few button presses.

That features Steam and B to power shut, but in addition loads of others. To see an inventory all you need to do is press the Steam button and A.

Probably the greatest of those shortcuts is Steam and R1 which takes a screenshot however there are many others.

A number of the most helpful shortcuts embody the next:

• Steam button + X = present keyboard
• Steam button + Left Joystick up = flip brightness up
• Steam button + Left Joystick down = flip brightness doiwn
• Steam button + D-Pad Proper = enter key
• Steam button + D-Pad down = tab
• Steam button + D-Pad left = Escape
• Steam button + L2 = Proper mouse click on
• Steam button + R2 = Left mouse click on
• Steam button + L1 = activate Magnifier

Drive stop your issues

On the uncommon event that you’ve an issue, it is good to know the shortcuts to unravel points.

In case you’ve discovered that your Steam Deck has frozen whilst you’re taking part in, then you possibly can power stop with simply a few button presses. Urgent the Steam button and B button collectively will power shut any sport that is inflicting an issue.

Optimise your sport settings

As PC players we’re used to with the ability to merely launch our video games and bathe within the glory of visible delights.

The Steam Deck’s capabilities are a bit totally different from a fully-fledged gaming PC although, so some tweaking could also be crucial.

There are a number of sources obtainable with the most effective sport settings to maximise efficiency and enhance battery life. These are tried and examined settings for every sport that is likely to be price a glance if you’d like a greater gaming expertise with out the effort of attempting to suss it out by your self.

ShareDeck and Steam Deck HQ are two choices of websites with user-submitted settings which may enable you to with optimised settings on your video games.

Pocket-lint

Set up Epic Video games in your Steam Deck

In case you’ve exhausted your catalogue of Steam Video games or simply need to play extra, don’t be concerned as it is also attainable to put in Epic Video games in your Steam Deck. This might sound a bit like blasphemy however if you happen to do not thoughts some tinkering you are able to do it.

There are some apparent advantages to this as properly, since Epic is repeatedly freely giving video games from its retailer. The method for putting in Epic Video games in your Steam deck is a bit long-winded however we have written a guide to help you out.

Improve your Steam Deck’s inner storage

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This PCIe gen 4 x4 NVMe drive is the right measurement on your Steam Deck and a worthy option to improve it too.

One different factor you are able to do to enhance your Steam Deck is to improve the interior storage. The Steam Deck makes use of a compact NVMe SSD which is comparatively simple to improve although it does take quite a few steps and a couple of hours to do. You want the precise instruments to get it open (not only a screwdriver) and loads of persistence, however if you happen to use a bigger M.2 2230 NVMe drive you may get sooner loading instances than you’ll with a MicroSD card.

We did it with Corsair’s MP600 Mini and took our storage from 256GB to 1TB with relative ease. The draw back is you have to reinstall Steam OS and you may lose all of your video games however in any other case, it is price a go.

Dbrand

Customise your Steam Deck

The Steam Deck is a reasonably understated little bit of equipment and it is also not more likely to stand out from the group when you have a pair in the home.

In case you simply need yours to look a bit totally different then you possibly can flip to Dbrand for some nifty skins to personalise your system. The corporate made an amusing Nintendo Change-themed skin called Switchdeck however there are a bunch of different kinds obtainable too.