Gamers all around the world are undoubtedly buzzing over the upcoming release of the Steam Deck. The first-ever handheld gaming device by Valve, this portable console boasts impressive specs, intuitive controls and the ability to play virtually any PC game from the comfort of your own hands. With three different models available, however, it can be challenging to choose the best-suited one for you. In this article, we’ll break down each model’s unique features, so you can decide which Steam Deck is the right one for you.

Model Specifications

Before we dive into the differences between each model, let’s take a quick glance at the core specifications of each:

– Steam Deck 64GB: $399

o 7-inch touchscreen at 1280 x 800 resolution

o AMD Ryzen™ Quad-Core Zen 2 CPU

o AMD Radeon™ RDNA 2 GPU with 4 CUs

o 16 GB LPDDR5 RAM

o 64 GB eMMC internal storage

o MicroSD card slot for expansion

– Steam Deck 256GB: $529

o 7-inch touchscreen at 1280 x 800 resolution

o AMD Ryzen™ Quad-Core Zen 2 CPU

o AMD Radeon™ RDNA 2 GPU with 8 CUs

o 16 GB LPDDR5 RAM

o 256 GB NVMe SSD internal storage

o MicroSD card slot for expansion

– Steam Deck 512GB: $649

o 7-inch touchscreen at 1280 x 800 resolution

o AMD Ryzen™ Quad-Core Zen 2 CPU

o AMD Radeon™ RDNA 2 GPU with 8 CUs

o 16 GB LPDDR5 RAM

o 512 GB NVMe SSD internal storage

o MicroSD card slot for expansion

So, what makes the 256GB and 512GB models more expensive than the 64GB model?

Storage Differences

One of the most significant differences between each model is the amount and type of internal storage they come with. The 64GB model comes with an eMMC internal storage, which is slower, less expensive, and has a shorter lifespan than the SSD storage included in the higher-tier models.

For gamers who wish to store multiple games on their Steam Deck or install beefy titles, such as the latest AAA games, the 256GB and 512GB models might be more appealing, as they can support a larger amount of storage with greater speed benefits.

Speed Differences

When it comes to gaming, both faster storage and a more robust GPU can provide a better experience. The Steam Deck 64GB model features an RDNA 2 GPU with four compute units (CUs), while the 256GB and 512GB models have eight CUs. Consequently, the former model may have trouble running high-end games or high-intensity games consistently.

However, gamers that don’t mind working with lower storage or primarily playing less intensive games might prefer the 64 GB model. After all, most games on the Steam platform are relatively small in size, and players may not need much storage to make do.

So, Which Should You Buy?

It’s clear that each Steam Deck model has its pros and cons, and you have to weigh your needs carefully before making your pick. If you’re on a tight budget, the 64GB model ticks all the right boxes – it packs stellar features while being the most reasonably priced. If you don’t mind spending a bit more for faster storage and better graphic capabilities, the 256GB or 512GB models might be more up your alley.