Previously traded under the name “SteamPal” and the code name “Neptune”, Valve launched the PC handheld Steam Deck based on a custom APU with Zen 2 and RDNA 2 as well presented to the free system kernel Linux. The entire Steam library should be playable on mobile devices in 720p for a price starting at 419 euros.
Zen 2, RDNA 2 and SteamOS 3.0
Without prior notice, Valve presented a portable game console with a 7-inch LCD (1,280 × 800 pixels, 216 dpi) in the format of the Nintendo Switch this evening, which is based on a custom APU from AMD and a completely redesigned version of the in-house Linux operating system SteamOS based. Valve promises the availability of its entire collection of games on the handheld.
The Steam Deck can be ordered from tomorrow, and it will be delivered from December.
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Steam Deck – Touchscreen (Image: Valve)
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Steam Deck – Coop 
Steam Deck – Trackpad 
On the new SteamOS 3.0, in addition to the Wine-based open source compatibility layer Proton, the modern free desktop environment KDE Plasma 5 is used, which was specially tailored to the Steam Deck. The same applies to the Steam client, which is said to have been optimized for mobile operation. Valve gives users all the freedom they need and speaks of a mobile PC that users can use according to their own needs.
There are no locks, so theoretically the entire system is formatted and can be provided with its own operating system. Then the OS optimizations by Valve will potentially be lost.
In addition, Valve has already announced during a Q&A that SteamOS 3.0 will be freely available like its predecessors. A DIY Steam PC based on Linux would not stand in the way and other providers could then offer their complete systems with SteamOS 3.0.
At eye level with the PlayStation 4
The Steam Deck is powered by a custom APU developed jointly by AMD and Valve especially for the 7-inch handheld with four cores and eight threads that clock at up to 3.5 GHz and run on a total of 8 Compute Units (CU) from Type RDNA 2 can access up to 1.65 GHz. The technical data are detailed as follows.
- CPU: Zen 2 with 4C/8T, 2.4 – 3.5 GHz (up to 448 GFLOPS FP32)
- GPU: RDNA 2 with 8 CUs, 1.0 – 1.6 GHz (up to 1.6 TFLOPS FP32)
- 16 GB LPDDR5 RAM with 5,500 MT/s
- 64 GB eMMC (PCIe Gen 2 x1)
- 256 GB NVMe SSD (PCIe Gen 3 x4 )
- 512 GB NVMe SSD (PCIe Gen 3 x4)
- microSD card slot
- 7-inch LCD in 16:10 format with 1,280 × 800 pixels
- Touch input
- 400 cd/m²
- 60 Hz
The custom chip of the Valve Steam Deck could be based on a not yet presented 9W APU of the Van Gogh type, which is to combine Zen 2 with RDNA 2 for the first time and use it with LPDDR5-5500.
Vega, GCN
7 nm Rembrand-H (Zen 3+)
Navi, RDNA 2
6 nm 15W Cezanne-U (Zen 3)
Vega, GCN
7 nm Rembrand-U (Zen 3+)
Navi, RDNA 2
6 nm 15W Lucienne-U (Zen 2)
Vega, GCN
7 nm Barcelo-U (Zen 3)
Vega, GCN
7 nm 9W Van Gogh (Zen 2)
Navi, RDNA 2
7 nm Dragon Crest (Zen 2)
Navi, RDNA 2
7 nm 4, 5W Pollock (Zen)
Vega, GCN
14 nm * not officially confirmed
Operation and connectors
Valve has summarized the full specifications on the official product page and goes into detail there again on the hardware and software of the portable game console.
The following graphics show the key assignment and the available connections. Valve relies on a symmetrical structure consisting of a control pad, analog stick and trackpad on the left and analog stick, ABYX buttons and trackpad on the right. At the top there are two triggers on the left and right, additional buttons are on the back. Apart from that, the 16:10 screen also accepts touch commands.
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Button assignment (Image: Valve)
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Key allocation 
Dock Steam Deck can be viewed in action in a first hands-on by IGN. According to the report, practically all games shown can be played in 720p quality with medium to high details, including demanding titles such as Control and Death Stranding.
40 Wh battery for “several hours” of play time
Valve equips the Steam Deck with an integrated 40 Wh battery that is designed for several hours of playtime. In less demanding use, such as streaming games, smaller 2D games or in the browser, the battery should last up to approx. 7 to 8 hours. For particularly demanding titles, however, the playing time is reduced to just 2 hours, as a data sheet reveals below.
Carrying Case
Exclusive Steam Community Profile Bundle Fastest Storage
High Quality Anti-Glare & amp; Etched Glass
Exclusive Carrying Bag
Exclusive Steam Community Profile Bundle
Virtual Keyboard with Exclusive Design Reservations are possible from July 16 at 7:00 p.m. CEST
The price of the Steam Deck is at least 419 euros. 549 euros and 679 euros are due for more memory, a better display glass and more features. The Steam Deck can be reserved directly via the Steam Store from July 16 from 7 p.m. CEST, the handheld is to be delivered from December this year.