Monday, July 19th 2021

Steam Deck Features M.2 2230 NVMe SSD Slot

by
Uskompuf
 Discuss (16 Comments)
The upcoming Steam Deck device has recently been confirmed to feature a M.2 NVMe 2230 slot on all three models. This confirmation comes after Valve CEO Gabe Newell confirmed in various emails the presence of the slot and this information has since been updated on the Steam Deck website. The official device specifications now list all models as featuring socketed 2230 M.2 modules with a notice that they are not intended for end-user replacement. The base Steam Deck model features just 64 GB of eMMC flash so the availability of this upgrade option will be appealing to many users. The M.2 2230 form-factor is the smallest currently available measuring just 22 mm x 30 mm which does come with the disadvantage of less available products and higher prices compared to full size M.2 drives.
Source: Steam Deck

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16 Comments on Steam Deck Features M.2 2230 NVMe SSD Slot

#1
TheOne
There currently seem to be a few 128GB available for about $20 on Amazon through third parties, and there is even a 512GB Toshiba on Newegg for $140 through third parties, I wonder how long until scalpers start trying to buy them up.
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#2
Unregistered
Sweet, the 64gb model it is, with a extra M2 in the slot :D
#3
ZoneDymo
time to buy them all and set up a mining farm!
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#4
dj-electric
I did not wait whatsoever and ordered a 512GB 2230 drive. Worst case, could always flip it (for buying cost).
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#5
Ruru
S.T.A.R.S.
I can imagine that this makes manufacturers to make more drives in this size (and with larger capacities).
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#6
Spartoz
Not a lot of choices, but here are some:
Toshiba BG4 KBG40ZNS 256Gb for around 35$
WD SN530 (same SSD as the one in the XboxSeries) 256Gb for around 30$
Samsung PM991 250 Go for around 35$
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#7
kayjay010101
Jill ValentineI can imagine that this makes manufacturers to make more drives in this size (and with larger capacities).
The lack of demand wasn't actually what's been hampering the evolution in the 2230 form factor, it's actually the lack of space on the SSD itself; Kioxia is already using very dense memory modules on their 1TB SSD and cramming more memory modules isn't physically possible, so they'd have to get denser memory modules, which is either way too expensive or doesn't exist yet
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#8
persondb
TheOneThere currently seem to be a few 128GB available for about $20 on Amazon through third parties, and there is even a 512GB Toshiba on Newegg for $140 through third parties, I wonder how long until scalpers start trying to buy them up.
I would hope that Steam Deck release is too far away for that to be possible, as even if scalpers buy them out now, by December there should be plenty of more modules.
kayjay010101The lack of demand wasn't actually what's been hampering the evolution in the 2230 form factor, it's actually the lack of space on the SSD itself; Kioxia is already using very dense memory modules on their 1TB SSD and cramming more memory modules isn't physically possible, so they'd have to get denser memory modules, which is either way too expensive or doesn't exist yet
Well, I would certainly hope that as they string more layers, this situation improves.
Though I am curious on why they decided to use the 2230 form factor, all other PC handhelds managed to do it with the normal 2280 form factors.
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#9
Logoffon
Is this some T1 thing going on here, like you have to bring the unit to service to reprogram the special chip with new SSD?
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#10
Maxx
SSD Guru
kayjay010101The lack of demand wasn't actually what's been hampering the evolution in the 2230 form factor, it's actually the lack of space on the SSD itself; Kioxia is already using very dense memory modules on their 1TB SSD and cramming more memory modules isn't physically possible, so they'd have to get denser memory modules, which is either way too expensive or doesn't exist yet
Right, 512Gb (64GiB) dies at 16DP/HDP (16/hex die package) is currently the maximum which gets you to 1TiB of flash. This is true of the BG4 and the SN530, which use Kioxia's 96L/BiCS4 TLC. It's possible to use 1Tb/1.33Tb dies with QLC (Intel/Kioxia) and there is 1Tb TLC technically available but we won't see it more commonly until later this year with the 176L flash generation (e.g. BiCS6). You could have a double-sided drive but that rarely is appropriate for 2230/embedded. Denser flash dies of course would need a bigger footprint or more layers, and you get signaling errors as dies per package increase even with redrivers and/or PoP; however, it is technically possible to get to 64DP, but then you have to worry about package height.
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#11
P4-630
ZoneDymotime to buy them all and set up a mining farm!
For in-game currency FIFA 2021 then...
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#12
Nordic
LogoffonIs this some T1 thing going on here, like you have to bring the unit to service to reprogram the special chip with new SSD?
It is possible but I doubt it.
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#13
my_name_is_earl
Bruah... it run linux. It's a emulator heaven. Preorder one.
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#14
Darksaber
Senior Editor & Case Reviewer
Nice. Will wait until next year and pick up a base model used for cheap. :D
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#15
InVasMani
This would also make for a killer little handheld DAW between all the features packed into it and with the USB-C port and dock a real monster. I mean on the controls side you've got 2 x/y trackpads, 2 analog sticks, 1 d-pad, and 14 assignable buttons and of course a touch screen. Steam should bundled Squarewave Maker with it.
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#16
xBruce88x
Already reserved the 512gb model, eMMC just seems like a less than ideal idea. hopefully the screen will be worth it, etched anti glare and all. Curious what the steam community bundle is supposed to be exactly
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