Why You Shouldn't Buy the Base Model of Valve's Steam Deck

Valve's new Steam Deck handheld gaming rig comes in three versions. But should you buy the base version?

Valve's Steam Deck is such a tempting handheld for its asking price. Starting at just $399, the hardware gives the Nintendo Switch a run for its money. But there's more about this $399 base price you need to know.

Valve had to resort to cost-cutting measures to achieve this really aggressive pricing. Although the Steam Deck packs near-identical hardware across the board, there's one particular area where the base model falls short, and this might be a deal-breaker for many.

Here, we'll tell you why you should avoid the base model of the Steam Deck if you can.

Why Avoid the Steam Deck Base Model?

As mentioned, the low tier Steam Deck doesn't quite live up to expectations. Here's why you should avoid it and try the middle or upper tier models instead.

1. 64GB of Storage on the Base Steam Deck Isn't Good Enough

Let's start with the obvious. This may surprise a few since the new Nintendo Switch (OLED model) packs the same 64 GB of storage. Well, the Steam Deck isn't your average gaming console, and no developers have created games specifically for this device. In fact, it's a handheld PC that runs PC titles available on Steam.

PC games are getting bigger and bigger each year. For example, look at Red Dead Redemption 2, which weighs in at 150 GB. Or, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, which takes up over 200 GB on your storage drive.

Sure, if you play light casual games, you won't run into these issues, but if you're someone who plans to play AAA titles, the base model's 64 GB storage is simply not enough. While you have expandable storage via microSD, keep in mind that external storage will be much slower than your internal drive, which means increased loading times.

Related: The Fastest and Best microSD Cards

2. The Base Steam Deck Uses eMMC Storage Instead of NVMe SSD

Unless you go through the specifications, you possibly wouldn't know that the base model doesn't have an SSD. Instead, it uses eMMC storage similar to the one in the Nintendo Switch. This is the cost-cutting measure we were talking about. Now, here's why it may matter to you...

The transfer speeds for eMMC storage max out at 400MB/s at its present standard, which is just a fraction of what an average NVMe drive can deliver. These speeds wouldn't matter in casual games, but it may limit you with loading times, especially if you play demanding PC titles.

The mid and high-end models with NVMe SSDs can deliver transfer speeds upwards of 2000MB/s which should be plenty for any game you throw at it for years to come. You cannot buy the 64GB model and swap it with an aftermarket NVMe drive down the line since none of the internal hardware is user-upgradable.

Related: Best NVMe SSDs for Faster Performance

It's worth pointing out that there's a difference in storage speeds between the 256GB and 512GB variants too, according to Valve. The highest-end model comes with an anti-glare etched glass too. So, you definitely get something extra the more you pay, and it isn't just for the base model.

The Base Steam Deck Isn't Ideal for Most Gamers

If you're strictly looking to play casual games on your new powerful handheld, then feel free to buy the 64GB model and save a chunk of money. But for everyone else, you'd ideally want to get at least the 256GB variant and add a microSD card later on for more storage. Not only can you install more games on it, but you'll also benefit from the faster speeds.

Yes, this would mean you'll spend nearly twice as much as the Nintendo Switch, but this is the price you pay to carry around your PC games wherever you go. For $529, you're still getting an extremely versatile handheld that can replace both your gaming console and your PC.

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