Steam Deck OLED v LCD Teardown - What's Changed?

[@intretechsos]

We’ve discovered an error in our fan orientation explanation in the video, and we want to address it to ensure accuracy for you, the viewers. While we were right that the fan orientation has changed, there is a technical error in how it was described... Being a blower style, the fan does still intake air from inside the system. However, instead of pulling air across the shielding can, it now mainly draws air from the front of the deck where the LCD screen is located. Therefore, while the airflow has shifted, the direction of airflow remains the same, with both systems exhausting from the top of the device. This adjustment allows more air to flow through the finstack, which has also increased in thickness. Consequently, the cooling efficiency of the APU has been enhanced at the cost of reducing airflow across the motherboard. The removal of the thermal pads is potentially the result of several other design choices. The shield can has been redesigned and sinks less heat into itself. Additionally, the motherboard architecture changes most likely helped. The four large memory chips were replaced by two much smaller ones, and some power delivery components have been relocated from the motherboard’s center to the edges, facilitating easier heat dissipation from these components. We appreciate the viewers who brought this discrepancy to our attention. We are committed to delivering accurate information and will continue striving to provide you with the best content possible. Thank you for your understanding, and we look forward to seeing you in our next video!

[@Victor-bv3lo]

He is wrong about the Air in take

[@intretechsos]

Check our pinned comment, thanks for pointing this out.

[@boltmb3067]

More than that😂😂

[@vijayraguvaran2338]

This, among other videos, is exactly the reason I watch this channel. I appreciate the level of depth you go into and your attention to detail. This sort of content really matters in the PC enthusiast space and is why I continue to support the channel . Thank you Ashley. It makes a difference

[@intretechsos]

We really appreciate the support Vijay! We will keep working hard to get out good value content and improve as we go.

[@MahaPrathusha]

That side-by-side table layout between the two versions is absolutely stellar. It makes the large number of differences easier to see one area at a time. Great comparison. I've never seen a gaming hardware channel cover PCB layouts and routing, datasheets, decoupling capacitors and junction temperature before. This is now my favorite channel. As an electrical engineer specializing in PCB design, it's super interesting to see these teardowns. Thank you for providing such educational content

[@intretechsos]

Thank you for your kind comment. We are happy to hear you are enjoying the channel. Since you work in a related field, you might want to join our Discord. We are just kicking it off and looking to make it a hub for discussion on these topics. Check the description! :)

[@MahaPrathusha]

Discord link expired..

[@intretechsos]

@@MahaPrathusha Thanks maha, Updated now: discord.gg/2dxmTmsvTu

[@wesauis]

I'm pretty shure that the intake/exaust have not changed...

[@yamaha34461]

yeah i believe the hot air comes out the same spot.....

[@TV-jf7nl]

@@intretechsosnot quite right. My LCD model exhausts hot air out of where you say the intake is.

[@RogueRen]

I can easily feel warm air coming out of the top of my LCD model? They may have flipped the fan but the may have also made it spin the opposite direction

[@TV-jf7nl]

@@RogueRen that’s probably what has happened here

[@intretechsos]

Thanks for pointing this out. Check the pinned comment where we have rectified this and added some more information for you guys.

[@anyafoger-lh1bp]

Out Of the topic for me.. There are several reasons why the Steam Deck OLED might be considered better than the ROG Ally: 1. Screen Quality: The Steam Deck features a high-resolution OLED screen, providing richer colors, higher contrast, and sharper visuals. This can offer a more immersive visual experience while gaming. 2. Performance: The Steam Deck is equipped with a powerful AMD Zen 2 processor and AMD RDNA 2 GPU, offering better performance than the ROG Ally. This could mean smoother and uninterrupted gameplay. 3. Steam Integration: The Steam Deck is specifically designed to integrate with the Steam gaming platform, making it easier to access game libraries, friends, and various other features available on Steam. This allows users to have access to thousands of games available on Steam. 4. Portability: The Steam Deck is designed for maximum portability with its 7-inch touchscreen. This allows players to take the console wherever they go and enjoy their favorite games on a handheld device. Although the ROG Ally may have advantages in some aspects, such as removable controllers and support for various gaming platforms, the Steam Deck OLED excels in terms of screen quality, performance, Steam integration, and portability.

[@intretechsos]

Thank you for your well thought out comment. Both systems have different things to offer, but these are definitely good reasons to go for the Steam Deck.. For me, especially the integration with Steam.

[@bliglum]

6:00 What? No.. The LCD model doesn't intake air from the top, and exhaust at the back.. Both models exhaust from the top. Flipping a blower style fan does not change it's flow direction. That's an axial blade style fan thing.. LCD model is just pulling more air from the display side, while the OLED model is pulling more air from the backside. Both from inside, blowing out the top.. Good teardown otherwise though!

[@intretechsos]

Thank you for pointing this out. We want to provide accurate information so we have rectified this in our pinned comment. We appreciate the support!

[@Notorious_Sam]

the detailed breakdown of both devices was great! Being a tech nerd myself I throughly enjoyed this video! Keep it up!

[@intretechsos]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@phoenixatlas3097]

Incredible detailed breakdown of the steam decks!!! And I'm actually suprised steam added so many updates to the OLED Deck even though they claimed they didn't want to make another steam deck after the first one

[@intretechsos]

Really great to see from Valve

[@fantasyskeep]

you heat the screen up before prying. That test was dumb af.

[@user-eo1nk9qs7i]

I love the idea that valve will do iterative updates like the OLED every year or two instead of waiting 5 to 7 years for a new console with big changes.

[@intretechsos]

Big agree!

[@pmb424]

Especially with the value that they give trade-ins, it makes it much easier to make the decision to buy knowing that upgrading in the future won't cost the same as a whole new unit.

[@nathanfeyereisen1716]

Well i wasn't too hyped at first by the steam deck but the more i look on some content of it and more i found the idea amazing. As i am looking for some benchmark, test and all kind of content to made up my choice, i discover through this video that they made an upgrade to the steam deck, witch is absolutely amazing! exactly like said in the video, this is not just a small review this is a great review of the first idea. As i am a fan of knowing about performance and every little detail abouit my hardware, this side-by-side comparaison was really cool and detailed. Thanks for this great teardown comparaison video.

[@transmission7444]

The basic and important part for me of watching the video was to know whether there is a difference between the screen sockets or not... Because I am thinking of replacing the lcd screen with a led screen, but when you got to the screen part, I finished the video.... Anyway, is it possible to replace Screens?

[@DarkPhoenix1515]

Thank you for the deep dive into the decks! I started by emulating games on my phone, with a telescopic GameSir controller. The experience was so great I have decided to get a steam deck. Then I loved the deck so much(both emulating old consoles, switch, ps3 and indies/AAA), I have ordered the OLED asap when released. My favorite use-case is taking it out to other friends for party games like super mario party. The original deck was sold to fund most of the OLED. If I would happen onto another deck, I'd be giving it to my best friend who is away for work a lot and would make its life so much better. Unfortunately, he can't afford one right now.

[@intretechsos]

One of the best things about the deck is the breadth of games you can get on there!

[@Rikukeyblade101]

my man, they didn't change the airflow direction, the lcd deck also uses the back vent as intake and the top as exhaust, they flipped the fan horizontally not upside down, the motor still goes the same direction.

[@intretechsos]

Thank you for pointing this out, we have rectified this in the pinned comment

[@AndrewKachaniwsky]

Would have been nice to see the middle revision in the comparison as well. The LCD Refresh version from early 2023 is a clear midpoint in the transition Valve was making towards the OLED internal design.

[@alexbrock8087]

It's amazing to see a company make silent improvements without using the opportunity to shamelessly market all of the changes. With the switch to OLED, I wonder the risks of burn in from repetitive sessions and static parts of the ui. Any thoughts if this could be an issue? Truely seems like a great product and a desirable improvement over the previous version

[@intretechsos]

Breath of fresh air really, undersell and overdeliver.. As for the risk of burn in due to OLED, it's not something we've tested or noticed. However, burn in occurs when leaving an OLED screen on a static image for extended periods of time. As long as you don't make a habit of leaving your steam deck on unattended and with the auto darken disabled, then it shouldn't be a problem.

[@TheSometimeAfter]

My Oled sticks are sticky. Making clicking noises whenever I move them around. Very annoying

[@Haxxxal]

Curious - are the D-Pad, facebuttons and membranes interchangeable between the two devices?

[@yamaha34461]

Neat take and teardown on the deck. These things have changed gaming forever IMO. I remember growing up and thinking the gameboy was the end all be all for mobile gaming. I wish I grew up in this era with all this amazing technology. I'm excited to see what the future holds- I think we as a society being so busy all the time can really appreciate the portability of these handheld computers we can play on the go.

[@intretechsos]

Tech will always continue to get better and better, it's amazing how quickly things move!

[@yamaha34461]

@@intretechsos Thats a fact, I'm glad I'm getting to experience the new devices as they're being made available! The steam deck is easily one of the best devices that has been made available!

[@agustinperalta1872]

Really good video, very informative. As a Mac user I think the Steam Deck would be a perfect companion to play the games that are not supported in MacOS. I would love to see this product success!

[@intretechsos]

I hadn't thought about this. You're right it's great for those using a Mac as their main device.

[@michaeldouglas8563]

Can I change the battery on my steam deck LCD and put the OLED battery in the LCD which and more amps will it work?

[@intretechsos]

Steam Deck OLED Review - kzbin.info/www/bejne/qKS9qpSsZapratE

[@starmurp]

3:10 x.25 internals

[@The_SUN1234]

Air in take reversed... what??? No its not lol.