A new Steam Deck mod that can now be downloaded online expands the device’s refresh rate options to support refresh rates options up to 120hz for the new OLED model.
The Steam Deck Refresh Rate Expander, which can be downloaded from here, expands refresh rate options up to 70hz for the regular LCD model and up to 120hz for the BOE and SDC OLED models. Unfortunately, the mod hasn’t been tested on models mounting a Samsung panel.
While the new Steam Deck seems to work fine, there are some issues. According to reports, there are gamma and brightness issues at above 110hz. Battery life also doesn’t seem to be impacted much by increasing the screen’s refresh rate, making it an excellent option for streaming games, indies, and older games that can achieve high framerates with the device’s specs.
The Steam Deck OLED is the second hardware revision for Valve’s successful console. It comes with an HDR OLED display featuring striking contrast, brilliant clarity and a larger picture, increased battery life, updated thermals, Wifi 6E support, better touchscreen responsiveness, updated memory and more. Additional information on the device can be found on its official website. More on the Steam Deck in general can also be found in our review of the original model.
Across the board, Steam Deck hits all the marks for a product line in its infancy that only has the potential to grow upwards. As Proton support grows and more titles become Verified over time, I honestly believe that the Steam Deck has the potential of carving out the portable PC market in a way that its predecessors have attempted. This is Valve’s chance to break through to the mainstream audience and establish a brand new hardware line for the company, and it’s made a lasting first impression on me. As the compatibility catalog grows in size, I won’t have any reservations about throwing a Steam Deck in my carry-on luggage instead of a Nintendo Switch. I’ll just have to remember to pack a spare battery or two for those longer flights.
