Modder Achieves the Unthinkable: Upgrades Steam Deck OLED to 32GB RAM

In a breakthrough that’s electrifying the handheld gaming community, a hardware modder has successfully upgraded the Steam Deck OLED’s RAM from 16GB to a staggering 32GB—pushing Valve’s portable powerhouse far beyond its factory limits. The audacious project, documented in a viral video tutorial, demonstrates not just technical prowess but also opens doors to unprecedented performance for emulation, AAA gaming, and creative workloads.

The Mod That Defied Expectations

Valve’s Steam Deck OLED ships with 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM soldered to its motherboard—a design choice meant to deter tampering. But for modder "TecH_Magus," that was merely a challenge. Using specialized micro-soldering tools, they replaced the stock RAM chips with two 16GB modules (model K3LKBKB0BM-MGCP), originally designed for laptops. The process, which required surgical precision under a microscope, took over six hours and involved:

Removing the original chips with hot-air rework stations.
Applying fresh solder balls (reballing) to the new RAM modules.
Flashing a custom UEFI firmware to bypass BIOS restrictions.

The result? A Steam Deck OLED booting seamlessly into SteamOS with 32GB of recognized RAM, showcased running Cyberpunk 2077 while streaming gameplay and hosting a Discord server simultaneously—tasks that would cripple the unmodified device.

Why 32GB Matters

While critics argue 16GB suffices for most games, this mod unlocks transformative potential:

Heavy Emulation: Switch/PS3 emulators like Yuzu or RPCS3 thrive with extra memory.
Multitasking: Seamlessly alt-tab between games, browsers, and creative apps.
Future-Proofing: Demanding titles like Star Citizen or Cities: Skylines II benefit immensely.
Content Creation: Video editing and 3D rendering on-the-go become viable.

Proceed With Extreme Caution

This isn’t for the faint-hearted. TecH_Magus warns:

"One misaligned solder joint can brick your Deck. You’re dealing with 153-ball BGA chips and firmware hurdles. Without advanced repair skills, don’t attempt this."

Risks include voided warranties, potential heat management issues, and unstable overclocks. Even seasoned modders face a success rate below 50% on first tries.

Where to Learn More (Or Buy the Mod)

For the brave souls inspired to try:

🔧 Full Mod Tutorial Video (Step-by-step guide)
🎮 Performance Demo (Testing Elden Ring at 32GB)
💻 Pre-Modded Decks & Repairs (From TecH_Magus’ team)
⚙️ RAM Modules on Amazon (Affiliate link to exact chips)

The Verdict

While Valve remains unlikely to release an official 32GB model soon, this mod proves the Steam Deck’s hidden potential. As TecH_Magus quips: "Gamers wanted a handheld revolution. We’re delivering it one solder joint at a time."

Would you risk your Deck for double the RAM? Let us know in the comments!

Disclaimer: Hardware modification may void warranties and damage devices. Attempt at your own risk.