Best SSD for Steam Deck & Steam Deck OLED

Valve’s Steam Deck and Steam Deck OLED are powerful and portable gaming devices that has taken the gaming community by storm. One of the most impressive aspects of the Steam Deck is its PC-like architecture, which allows users to expand and upgrade its storage. However, replacing the SSD drive in the Steam Deck can be a bit tricky, as it requires a specific type of storage device like ASUS ROG Ally: the 2230 NVMe SSD. In this article, we will take a look at for the best SSD for the Steam Deck to help you upgrade and enhance your gaming experience.

1. Sabrent Rocket 2230 NVMe PCIe 4.0 M.2 Internal SSD – Check Price at Amazon/B&H Photo Video

The Sabrent Rocket 2230 NVMe PCIe 4.0 M.2 Internal SSD is a compact and powerful storage solution designed for devices with limited space, such as the Valve Steam Deck, Microsoft’s Surface series, certain ultrabooks, NUCs, HTPCs, and more. This tiny powerhouse comes in capacities of 215GB, 512GB, and 1TB, with the largest size, unfortunately, topping out at 1TB with no 2TB option available. Equipped with a PCIe 4.0 x4 interface, the Rocket 2230 boasts impressive performance in a small package. It delivers good all-around and sustained performance, proving to be quite efficient in various tests. One notable aspect of this SSD is that it’s Sabrent’s first PCIe Gen4 DRAMless SSD offering, making it a unique addition to their product lineup. However, there are some downsides to consider. The Rocket 2230’s M.2 2230 form factor comes at a higher price compared to M.2 2280 alternatives, making it a slightly expensive choice for those seeking high-performance storage. Additionally, to activate the full warranty, customers are required to register their product, which could be seen as a minor inconvenience. In conclusion, the Sabrent Rocket 2230 NVMe PCIe 4.0 M.2 Internal SSD is a reliable and efficient choice for devices with limited space requiring a high-performance storage solution. With its compact form factor, good overall performance, and support from a reputable name, it’s a worthy option for those in need of special devices. However, keep in mind the higher price tag and lack of a 2TB model when making your decision.

Features:

• Good Things Come in Small Packages: The Rocket 2230 fits just about anywhere. Need to upgrade your Steam Deck, Microsoft Surface, or other device where space is limited? We have you covered. Don’t risk buying a pulled OEM drive from a shady site – get a brand-new retail SSD designed to make your life easier. It also works on many longer slots so it will always be useful, plus it might be the right fit for your HTPC or smaller system.
• David Versus Goliath: Don’t let the small size fool you: the Rocket 2230 is one very fast drive. It offers Gen4 NVMe performance in a tiny form factor. Hit up to 5GBps and push up to 800K IOPS with slick responsiveness. It’s also backward compatible with Gen3 and Gen2 PCIe slots with reduced bandwidth, but retains excellent latency.
• Larger Than It Looks: Many 2230 drives are limited in capacity, which can make life more difficult, especially when trying to build a large game collection. Many devices come with limited internal storage space, forcing you to pay a premium or to rely on microSD cards. Now you can store everything you want on one drive as the Rocket 2230 comes in capacities of up to 1TB.
• Cutting-Edge Hardware: The Rocket 2230 features the new PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD controller with exceptional 3D TLC. Often you have to compromise with 2230 drives, settling for embedded controllers and/or QLC for capacity. Our new Gen4 controller offers gaming desktop class performance combined with efficient flash for the best experience. DRAM-less with HMB support, it also won’t overheat your device.

2. Addlink S91 2230 NVMe High Performance PCIe Gen4x4 3D NAND SSD – Check Price at Amazon US,UK,CA

The Addlink S91 2230 NVMe High Performance PCIe Gen4x4 3D NAND SSD is a remarkably compact M.2 NVMe drive, measuring just 30 mm in length. It comes in three storage capacities – 512 GB, 1 TB, and 2 TB – featuring a Phison E21 controller and 176-layer QLC NAND flash from Micron. While a DRAM cache chip is not included due to limited space, the drive efficiently utilizes the PCI-Express 4.0 interface to connect with the system. The S91 SSD showcases outstanding performance, particularly on the latest Intel and AMD platforms, with sequential read speeds of up to 5,000MB/s while still being compatible with PCIe Gen3 standards. Its small form factor makes it an ideal choice for upgrading devices such as the Steam Deck and ROG Ally game consoles. Despite its compact size, the drive’s endurance levels are respectable, offering 300 TBW, 250 TBW, and 450 TBW for the 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB models, respectively. Addlink provides a reassuring five-year warranty with the S91, ensuring reliability and customer satisfaction. In conclusion, the Addlink S91 SSD presents an excellent combination of compactness, high performance, and multiple storage options, making it an appealing choice for various applications and upgrade needs.

Features:

• [Interface/Form Factor] PCIe Gen4x4. Backwards compatible with Gen3x4 Interface. 3D NANG SLC Cache support (HMB) host memory buffer/M.2 2230
• [Speed] Read/Write up to 5000/3200MB/s. Designed for Steam gamers, Loptop/Table user.
• [Compatibility] designed for M.2 2230 form Factor space, *including select models from Valve Steam Deck, Microsoft Surface, and popular Intel& AMD laptop/tablet Platform.
• [Features] Supports SLC Caching & (HMB) host memory buffer , SMART, TRIM, Thermal Throttling, SmartECC
• [Warranty] Backed by a 5-year limited warranty

2. XPC Technologies M.2 2230 NVMe PCIe SSD – Check Price at Amazon

The XPC Technologies M.2 2230 NVMe PCIe SSD is a high-performance solid-state drive designed to provide blazing fast data transfer speeds and significantly increase the storage capabilities of modern laptops and computing devices. With its 2TB of storage capacity, this SSD is an ideal upgrade for those looking to increase the performance and storage space of their device, such as the Steam Deck or Asus ROG Ally. As a Gen 4.0×4 single-sided drive, the XPC Technologies SSD boasts impressive read and write speeds, reaching up to 5100MB/s and 4800MB/s, respectively. These lightning-fast speeds make it an attractive choice for gamers, content creators, and professionals who require instantaneous access to large files and applications. Despite its many advantages, some users have reported compatibility issues with specific devices, such as the Surface Pro 7 Plus, leading to system crashes, random restarts, and the dreaded blue screen of death. As a result, potential buyers should exercise caution and ensure their devices are compatible before making a purchase. Overall, the XPC Technologies M.2 2230 NVMe PCIe SSD has been positively received by users, offering fast performance and ample storage space. However, it is crucial to verify device compatibility to avoid potential performance issues. In conclusion, the XPC Technologies SSD is a worthy investment for those seeking to optimize storage capacity and significantly improve data transfer speeds, enhancing the overall user experience.

Features:

• PCIe Gen 4, NVMe 1.4 (Compatible with all PCIe Gen 3 slots and systems)
• Sequential Read Performance up to 5100 MB/s
• Sequential Write Performance up to 4800 MB/s
• Compatible with any machines with a PCIe M.2 NVME slot. One of the few options for 2TB in 2230 form factor
• Suitable upgrade drive for Steam Deck, Surface Pro 7, Surface Laptop 3/4, Surface Go, Surface ProX, Asus Flow Z13
• NOT Compatible with Surface Pro 8 or 9. Some 7+ owners are also reporting compatibility issues at this time.

3. WD SN530 M.2 2230 PCIe Gen3 x4 NVMe SSD – Check Price at Amazon

The WD SN530 M.2 2230 PCIe Gen3 x4 NVMe SSD is an impressive offering from Western Digital, launched on January 7th, 2021. Designed to accommodate the M.2 2230 form factor, this SSD is available in capacities ranging from 256GB to 512GB. This mid-range NVMe drive utilizes Toshiba/WD 3D-NAND TLC with 96 Layers, offering a combination of performance, endurance, and reliability. One of the standout features of the WD SN530 SSD is its ability to operate under extended temperatures, which adds to its overall reliability. This can be particularly beneficial for users that require storage in more demanding environments and temperature-sensitive applications. Additionally, the drive features the PCIe Gen3 x4 interface, ensuring quick data transfer and fast responsiveness in everyday usage. Users have reported satisfactory experiences with the SN530, stating that it performs well in their systems, even when compared to somewhat superior models like the SN730. However, it’s important to consider that, as a mid-range NVMe SSD, the SN530 may not be the best candidate for high-end gaming or professional workstations requiring top-tier storage solutions. In summary, the WD SN530 M.2 2230 PCIe Gen3 x4 NVMe SSD is a reliable and efficient choice for those seeking a mid-range SSD offering great performance and endurance. Boasting a compact form factor, support for extended temperatures, and a dependable build, the SN530 is an excellent option for casual users and those working in more rigorous environments alike.

Features:

1. Interface: PCIe Gen3 x4 NVMe v1.4, ensuring fast data transfer speeds.
2. Form factors: M.2 2230, providing compatibility with compact devices.
3. 3D NAND flash: SLC 96-layer, offering improved performance and reliability compared to older NAND technology.
4. Storage capacity: Up to 1TB, allowing users to store large amounts of data.

4. INLAND TN446 M.2 2230 PCIe Gen 4.0 NVMe Internal SSD – Check Price at Amazon

The Inland TN446 M.2 2230 PCIe Gen 4.0 NVMe Internal SSD is a high-performance storage solution that is gaining traction among gaming enthusiasts and ultrabook users alike. With a 1TB capacity, this SSD offers ample storage space at a competitive price of $139.99. Its M.2 2230 form factor allows for seamless integration into ultrabook laptops or game consoles, such as the Steam Deck, which it is compatible with. Featuring a Phison E19T controller, the Inland TN446 is built with a PCIe 4.0 x4 interface, delivering ultra-fast data transfer speeds. Using 3D TLC NAND technology, this internal SSD offers enhanced efficiency and durability, making it ideal for gaming, content creation, and high-demand applications. points of the Inland TN446 is its compatibility with the Steam Deck, a popular portable gaming device. The dedicated Steam Deck users can hugely benefit from the fast and reliable performance of this SSD, which significantly improves the gaming experience by reducing load times and providing smooth, lag-free gameplay. Moreover, the Inland TN446 SSD is designed to ensure data reliability while maintaining optimal performance. Its fast read and write speeds, coupled with impressive durability, make it a top choice for those looking to upgrade their ultrabook’s storage capabilities or expand their game console storage capacity. In conclusion, the Inland TN446 M.2 2230 PCIe Gen 4.0 NVMe Internal SSD is an excellent choice for users seeking a reliable, high-performance storage solution for their ultrabook or gaming console. Its 1TB capacity, compatibility with Steam Deck, and lightning-fast data transfer speeds make it well worth the investment.

Features:

• TINY POWERHOUSE: 22x30mm small form factor with sequential read/write speeds up to 4,700/3,700 MB/s and 800,000/900,000 IOPS, bringing quicker system startup and improved performance to client applications.
• EXCEPTIONAL ENDURANCE: 600 TBW (Terabytes Written) and 1,500,000 hours MTBF thanks to the 112-layer TLC NAND.
• STORAGE EXPANSION: this retail SSD up to 1TB is your ideal alternative or memory expansion to the OEM SSDs. Brick-and-mortar availability and 6-Year Limited Warranty for peace of mind.
• LOW POWER CONSUMPTION: DRAM-less Single-sided SSD supports APST / ASPM / L1.2, produce less heat with lower power draw.
• COMPATIBILITY: Inland TN446 2230 SSD is specialized designed to fit small devices such as Steam Deck, certain ultrabooks, NUCs, HTPCs etc.

Conclusion:

Upgrading the SSD in your Steam Deck can significantly enhance performance and expand storage capacity. The Sabrent Rocket, Addlink S91, XPC Technologies, WD SN530, and Inland TN446 M.2 2230 NVMe PCIe SSDs highlighted in this article offer compelling options. With read/write speeds up to 5100/4800 MB/s, capacities up to 2TB, and advanced 3D NAND technology, these compact SSDs provide the speed and space demanded by modern gaming. However, it’s crucial to verify compatibility to avoid issues, like with the XPC SSD. For a reliable balance of performance and value, the WD SN530 and Inland TN446 are sound choices. With impressive specs, reputable brands, and competitive pricing, investing in one of these SSDs can optimize your Steam Deck. Just be mindful of potential compatibility concerns. By upgrading to an NVMe PCIe SSD that harnesses the full potential of thePCIe 4.0 bus, Steam Deck users can enjoy a vastly improved gaming experience.