Depends.

-If it’s for ROMs only, then id use a MicroSD card as it’s cheaper and meets the needs

-If it’s for games within the past 8 years, I’d go for the SSD upgrade.

One thing I’d note, if it’s the SSD upgrade, I’d save and splurge for the 2TB NVME instead.

SSD would be ideal for AAA games. SD for less demanding games/ roms

both

Micro sd is the best. You can also use external ssd-s now.

I bought a Micro SD card and it works perfectly.
I installed heavier game’s like Mortal Kombat and it works great.

I mostly try to store indie games on it, but replacing my SSD is a waste of my time for nothing.

Totally your call but I agree that 512GB + 1TB microsd is great.

I upgraded my old Steam deck to 2TB internal, but 512GB would have just meant I couldn’t install literally everything I might play this year.

Microsd is slower, but you can just put the games where this won’t matter on it.

Very few games (currently) need to be put on your ssd. No need to upgrade it for now. Use the microsd card for your games/saves, use internal ssd for shader cache/compdat. If you do play a game that needs to be on internal, you can just move it back to the microsd when you’re done with it.

This is one of those “if you have to ask, it isn’t for you” type things. If you’re confused, go for the SD card, the difference is negligible.

Both

Teamgroup 2tb 2230 swift $153 on amazon Have 512 lcd SD Ordered 1tb oled le

Personal preference really. But it comes down to your willingness and confidence to open the deck. I personally bought the 512gb deck originally to specifically avoid needing to do this in the first place. I have a 512gb sd card with my 512 gb deck and that’s been plenty for games I want installed as well as an emulation library of games I’m likely to want to play. It’s been good so far.

A big contributing factor to this plan for me was the fact that the original deck uses plastic screw stems and self tapping screws for assembly. And not brass inserts and machine screws. The new OLED Deck now uses insets and machine screws, so I am more likely to go out and get a nice 2TB drive for that when it arrives.

The more limited space does make me think a little more about what I want to play though.

Only upgrade the SSD if it’s substantial. I went to 2TB from the 64GB stock. That’s because I used a 512GB card and eventually my SSD got full with shader cache stuff. I don’t see you having that issue with the 512GB SSD. I’d just stick to the SD cards for now - I’ve honestly never had any issues playing games off them.

Sd card works perfect and since I saw a ton of posts from people having issues with/after installing an SSD…

It really doesn’t matter as much as you’d think. Outside of battle.net I could get everything working ob the sd card

I did a micro SD for now, figuring if I run out of room then it’s time to upgrade the SSD eventually and prices will drop over time