Exploring the Mystery of Steam Deck Noise: Sharing the Fun, Not the Noise
Steam Deck, a handheld game console developed by Valve, has won the hearts of players for its portability and powerful performance. However, it also has a headache - high decibel noise. To solve this problem, players share solutions with each other and dig up some amazing discoveries.
First, let's review the origin of this problem. The noise issue with the Steam Deck is mostly due to its fans. Different players have reported different noise issues, some have devices that emit a screeching sound, while others have devices that are relatively quiet [48†source][49†source][50†source][51 †source]. This begs the question, why are there such different noise levels from the same equipment? Is this a quality control issue, or was it damaged during shipping?
One possible explanation is that Valve uses two different fans - Delta and Huaying [10†source]. According to feedback from players, the Delta fans seem to be of lower quality and make more noise [10†source] [14†source]. This may be due to the shape of the fan blades or the design of the housing holes [53†source]. However, this is not everyone's experience. Some players report that their devices do not have noise issues, which may be because their devices use Huaying fans [49†source] [50†source].
So, how do we solve this problem? One solution is to replace the fan. iFixit, a well-known electronics repair company, began offering replacement fans [11†source]. The replacement kit they provided included a screwdriver, a pair of tweezers, and some blue picks for opening the clips on the Steam Deck's plastic case. It is said that a replacement fan [7†source][12†source] can be installed in about 15 minutes and $30. Although the device after replacing the fan still has some noise, it is much quieter than the original, and it is easier to ignore【8†source】【9†source】.
However, replacing the fan is not the perfect solution. First, it requires some technical knowledge, and while iFixit provides detailed instructions, not everyone is able or willing to do-it-yourself fan replacement [12†source]. Second, replacing the fan may void the warranty of the device. So if you're considering replacing the fan, it's best to check with Valve first to see if this will affect your warranty.
In the end, although players have found some solutions to the noise problem, it doesn't change the fact that Valve Corporation is responsible for the problem. Although they have made some adjustments in software to reduce fan noise [8†source], the noise problem is clearly also a hardware problem [10†source]. I hope Valve can find a better solution as soon as possible to provide a consistent and enjoyable gaming experience for all players.
First, let's review the origin of this problem. The noise issue with the Steam Deck is mostly due to its fans. Different players have reported different noise issues, some have devices that emit a screeching sound, while others have devices that are relatively quiet [48†source][49†source][50†source][51 †source]. This begs the question, why are there such different noise levels from the same equipment? Is this a quality control issue, or was it damaged during shipping?
One possible explanation is that Valve uses two different fans - Delta and Huaying [10†source]. According to feedback from players, the Delta fans seem to be of lower quality and make more noise [10†source] [14†source]. This may be due to the shape of the fan blades or the design of the housing holes [53†source]. However, this is not everyone's experience. Some players report that their devices do not have noise issues, which may be because their devices use Huaying fans [49†source] [50†source].
So, how do we solve this problem? One solution is to replace the fan. iFixit, a well-known electronics repair company, began offering replacement fans [11†source]. The replacement kit they provided included a screwdriver, a pair of tweezers, and some blue picks for opening the clips on the Steam Deck's plastic case. It is said that a replacement fan [7†source][12†source] can be installed in about 15 minutes and $30. Although the device after replacing the fan still has some noise, it is much quieter than the original, and it is easier to ignore【8†source】【9†source】.
However, replacing the fan is not the perfect solution. First, it requires some technical knowledge, and while iFixit provides detailed instructions, not everyone is able or willing to do-it-yourself fan replacement [12†source]. Second, replacing the fan may void the warranty of the device. So if you're considering replacing the fan, it's best to check with Valve first to see if this will affect your warranty.
In the end, although players have found some solutions to the noise problem, it doesn't change the fact that Valve Corporation is responsible for the problem. Although they have made some adjustments in software to reduce fan noise [8†source], the noise problem is clearly also a hardware problem [10†source]. I hope Valve can find a better solution as soon as possible to provide a consistent and enjoyable gaming experience for all players.
