Summary
Since its launch in February 2022, Valve’s Steam Deck has proven itself as one of the besthandheld gaming PCs. One of its strong points is the ability to handle demanding AAA games, casual titles, and even emulate retro titles from platforms such as PlayStation 2 or Nintendo Wii. Unlike many handheld PCs, the Steam Deck is quite affordable, with players allowed to choose between different display and internal memory configurations.
However, a major concern with the Steam Deck is that it tends to overheat when running demanding titles such asBaldur’s Gate 3andHogwarts Legacy. Despite its portability, no one wants to hold a hot gaming device in their hands for too long. Besides, overheating has been known to cause issues for the Asus ROG Ally, another handheld capable of running games and serving as agaming PC. Although the built-in vents do their best to send the heat away from the device, the player’s gameplay experience would be a lot better if the gaming PC was cooler. Fortunately, the V1 Cooling Fan by BinBokPlay can reduce the Steam Deck’s temperature, making it a fantasticPC accessoryworth owning.
Reduces Worries of Overheating
If you own agaming laptopalongside the Steam Deck, then you must know that both devices are likely to overheat when running graphically intense titles. Unless you have a cooling fan, your portable PC risks suffering long-term damage. Although it has built-in heat vents designed to cool them, it doesn’t hurt to get a little extra protection, especially when you’re likely to play AAA games most of the time. The V1 Cooling Fan’s high-speed turbine begins working immediately and lowers the Steam Deck’s overheating by drawing away the hot air produced by the CPU. This generates a strong airflow that allows the portable gaming PC to function at full capacity.
Another thing worth mentioning is the fact that the cooling fan can help cut down the CPU’s high temperature by 8 to 15 degrees C within minutes. Some verified reviews on Amazon have also noted that the fan noise is pretty modest and doesn’t pose any disturbance. The reviews also highlighted the fact that the cooler isn’t too bulky, which is a good thing, seeing as the Steam Deck is quite heavy.
Ability to Customize Fan Speeds
Players can also choose their preferred fan speed when using the V1 cooling fan with their Steam Deck. There’s a built-in switch that you can use to adjust the fan speed, which can go all the way from 0 to 100%. This feature comes in handy for times when you’re on the move and have no access to a power outlet to juice up the cooler. In that instance, setting the fan speed to a low level makes sense, thereby extending its battery life and giving you more time to play without worrying about overheating. You can change the fan speed depending on the kind of game being played. Since an AAA game demands more CPU power due to its high graphics, it’s wise to increase the fan speed for the AAA title and reduce it when running a casual game likeStardew Valley.
Great Battery Life
The V1 cooling fan is expected to last up to 7 hours depending on the fan speed selected. This allows you to play your favorite games in handheld or docked mode at a modest temperature for a long while. It’s worth mentioning that the cooling fan’s required charging time is 4 hours, which is slightly longer than one would expect. But since its USB port supports 5 Watts, its slow charging speed is understandable. Since the Steam Deck has an estimated battery life of between 2 and 8 hours, depending on the kind of game you’re playing, the cooling fan’s 7-hour battery life is pretty good. It’s worth noting that a demanding game will require more processing power, which will cut down the handheld PC’s battery life by far. To maximize the Steam Deck’s battery life, thereby giving you more time to pair it with the cooling fan, it’s strongly recommended to use battery saver mode, activate airplane mode, and adjust the in-game settings.
Supports Tabletop Mode
Although the V1 cooling fan is not a traditional Steam Deck dock, it allows you to use it in that capacity, though there’s no way to hook it up to a gaming TV. It comes with a stable metal bracket that you can use to activate tabletop mode for the handheld PC. This mode is also available for the Nintendo Switch, another exciting handheld console that’s been compared with the Steam Deck. Although you’ll still be limited to the 1200×800 screen, you can let go of the built-in controls and play using an Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo, or even a third-partyPC gaming controller.
The Best Handheld Gaming PCs
Steam Deck
Valve’s long-awaited portable console is here, and it’s taking the handheld gaming market by storm. Valve partnered with AMD to create Steam Deck’s custom APU, optimized for handheld gaming. It is a Zen 2 + RDNA 2 powerhouse, delivering more than enough performance to run the latest AAA games in a very efficient power envelope.
Steam Deck OLED
The Steam Deck OLED is the perfect handheld gaming console for gamers who wish to take their games on the go. It brings the entire Steam library in a handheld form factor that is ergonomic, grippy, and easy to use. The OLED model is an upgrade to the standard LCD model of the Steam Deck, and it boasts a slightly larger display that is brighter, sharper and refreshes at 90 Hz.
Asus ROG Ally
The Asus ROG Ally is the ultimate handheld system for PC gamers. Relying on the new AMD Ryzen Z1 series of processors, the ROG Ally can handle any game thrown at it. The 7-inch 1080p Full HD display with FreeSync Premium on the system provides gamers with a crystal clear and smooth gaming experience. The advantage of the ROG Ally is that it can run most Windows-compatible games and is compatible with Xbox Game Pass titles. It also comes with 3 months of Game Pass Ultimate. The ROG Ally also features an ergonomic design that makes gaming for long periods enjoyable.
Lenovo Legion Go
Lenovo Legion GO takes a page out of the Nintendo Switch’s playbook with its ability to separate the left and right controllers from the 8.8" 2500x1600 screen. The PC gaming handheld boasts one of the most powerful specs seen in a handheld device, but that comes at the price of battery life. Ultimately, any Windows-based handheld has its advantages and risks. However, Lenovo has done well to give its device enough reasons to intrigue handheld-leaning gamers.
FAQ
Q: Does the Steam Deck get too hot?
Running demanding titles can cause the Steam Deck to draw more processing power, thereby resulting in overheating.
Q: Is it okay to play Steam Deck while charging?
Yes, you can play games on the Steam Deck while it’s plugged into a wall charger. There’s no need to worry about overcharging as it has mechanisms to avoid that.
Q: Is the Steam Deck worth it?
Although more recent handheld gaming PCs have shown up with considerably stronger hardware, the Steam deck remains a great choice for budget-conscious gamers.
