How do I keep my Steam Deck cool?

To keep your Steam Deck cool, you can invest in a Steam Deck cooling fan that attaches to your console, use the built-in vents at the back of the console, or try other methods such as placing it in a well-ventilated area or using a cooling pad. Additionally, you can monitor the temperature of your Steam Deck and take regular breaks to prevent overheating, which can lead to performance issues and potentially damage the device.

Introduction to Steam Deck Cooling

The Steam Deck is a powerful handheld console that generates a significant amount of heat during intense gaming sessions, and managing this heat is crucial to ensure optimal performance and prolong the lifespan of the device.

Understanding Steam Deck Temperature

The Steam Deck performs at its best in ambient temperatures between 0° and 35° C (32 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit), and if the temperature gets higher than this, the Steam Deck may start to throttle performance to protect itself.

FAQs About Steam Deck Cooling

FAQs

1. Is it normal for Steam Decks to be hot? Yes, the Steam Deck generates a substantial amount of heat during intense gaming sessions, which is normal for powerful devices.
2. Do you need a cooler for Steam Deck? No, you don’t need a cooler for the Steam Deck, but having one can help keep the device cooler and improve performance.
3. What is a safe temperature for Steam Deck? A safe temperature for the Steam Deck is between 0° and 35° C (32 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit).
4. How long will my Steam Deck last? The Steam Deck can last anywhere from 2 to 8 hours on a single charge, depending on your settings or the games you’re playing.
5. Can I leave my Steam Deck in the cold? Yes, you can leave your Steam Deck in the cold, but the safe storage temperature range is between -20° – +60° C (-4° – +140° F).
6. What are the cons of a Steam Deck? The cons of the Steam Deck include short battery life, no 1TB storage option, and Steam game support is sort of trial and error.
7. Is 80c safe on Steam Deck? Yes, 80c is a safe temperature for the Steam Deck, as modern CPUs and GPUs are designed to be perfectly safe in this range.
8. Is there a fan in the Steam Deck? Yes, there are two different fans that come with the Steam Deck, one noisy and one quiet.
9. How do you cool a hot deck? You can cool a hot deck by using a garden hose to sprinkle the deck with cold water, which will absorb some of the heat and carry it away.
10. Is 90c OK for Steam Deck? No, 90c is not a safe temperature for the Steam Deck, as the device’s internal AMD APU chip will throttle performance to protect itself if the temperature increases to 100 degrees C (212 F).
11. Why does my deck get so hot? Your deck may get hot due to dark colors that absorb heat, or other environmental factors.
12. How do I make steam hotter? You can make steam hotter by increasing the pressure, which increases the temperature of the phase change and the amount of energy the water/steam can carry.
13. Can steam get too hot? Yes, steam can get too hot, with temperatures reaching over 120°C in a pressure cooker and up to 600°C or more under high pressure.
14. Is 88 too hot for GPU? No, 88 is not too hot for a GPU, as high-intensive GPUs and CPUs are meant to heat up to these temperatures while playing games.
15. Is Steam Deck scratch proof? The Steam Deck is not completely scratch-proof, but it is durable and can withstand some scratches without losing functionality.

Conclusion

Keeping your Steam Deck cool is essential to ensure optimal performance and prolong the lifespan of the device. By following the tips and guidelines outlined in this article, you can help prevent overheating and keep your Steam Deck running smoothly.