Sabrent’s upcoming M.2 2230 SSD is perfect for Steam Deck
The best Steam Deck SSD upgrade finally has a release date.
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What you need to know
Recent rumblings of a Steam Deck-compatible storage drive receive an official confirmation with an official listing onSabrent’s websiteand third-party retailers for theRocket 2230 NVMe 4.0 1TBsolid-state drive. Previously known as NGFF (next-generation form factor) SSDs, the M.2 2230 finds its name from the 22 x 30mm size, an exact match for the internal drive found in Valve’sSteam Deckconsole.
Valve had previously asked usersnot to modify the Steam Deck SSDin fear of incompatible replacements affecting thermals and airflow management around the carefully selected layout of components. Some owners successfully installedslightly larger M.2 2242drives, even re-applying the included thermal pad. Still, modifying the internal space was enough to alarm UX developer Lawrence Yang who followed up with caution against the early DIY upgrades.
This latest offering from Sabrent will appeal to anySteam Deckowners willing to tinker with their console and expand the storage beyond their chosen model. Replacing an M.2 SSD is about as simple as hardware modifications get, though you’ll need todisconnect the console’s batteryto gain access to its single screw fixing. The Rocket 2230 drive matches the necessary dimensions, as detailed in its official specifications.
Amazon US lists the Rocket 2230 NVMe 4.0 1TB variant for$150, cheaper than the $170 MSRP set on Sabrent’s official website, with an expectedJanuary 20, 2023, release date. Customers can pre-order the SSD with the earliest deliveries fulfilled between January 24 to 27, 3023.
Upgrade your Steam Deck, Microsoft Surface, or other compatible device with an SSD designed to make your life easier. Works with many longer M.2 slots and offers Gen4 NVMe performance in a tiny form factor.
Windows Central take — The first viable storage upgrade
Valve’s handheld console impresses me with each update released regularly by developers to improve stability with modern games and offer more versatility to its portable PC. One of the only drawbacks to Steam Deck is itshigh asking price, especially for the high-end 512GB model. I’m not arguing the concept of value since I play mine every day, using it to catch up on an embarrassing backlog.
Expecting gamers to settle for a 64GB entry-level Steam Deck, on the other hand, is laughable. Games such asRed Dead Redemptionexceed 100GB, cutting them out entirely, and updates to the Proton compatibility layer will eat up storage space alongside other necessary firmware. Rather than relying on microSD external storage, theSabrent Rocket 2230 SSDlooks to be the first viable DIY upgrade for the Steam Deck that doesn’t jeopardize its internals.
How challenging the process is, remains to be seen from a personal perspective. I have spoken with other owners who carried out the upgrade alongsidefan replacements, and it doesn’t seem all that difficult. I’m reaching out to Sabrent to see if we can work out asample unitfor Windows Central, tearing apart our very own Steam Deck for a storage-enhancing operation.
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Ben is a Senior Editor at Windows Central, covering everything related to technology hardware and software. He regularly goes hands-on with the latest Windows laptops, components inside custom gaming desktops, and any accessory compatible with PC and Xbox. His lifelong obsession with dismantling gadgets to see how they work led him to pursue a career in tech-centric journalism after a decade of experience in electronics retail and tech support.
