The Steam Deck is an excellent cool gadget…even when it does run a little bit scorching. It performs a unprecedented variety of video games formally, can get a pleasant quantity of unsupported video games operating unofficially, it’s very repairable and moddable, and it may possibly even double as a transportable desktop PC.
Talking of mods, since Valve launched CAD information that doc the Steam Deck’s bodily dimensions, it’s simple to create substitute housings for it. That’s the place Jsaux, an organization whose identify may sound fairly acquainted to you should you’ve been maintaining on Steam Deck merchandise, is available in with a set of colourful, clear rear shells for Valve’s micro PC. I not too long ago performed round with just a few of Jsaux’s customized backplates, and whereas it’s a really cool useful resource for DIYers comfy with diving into the Deck’s costly innards, it’s not an excellent answer for individuals purely fascinated about altering up the colour of their Deck.
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However first, a be aware of warning: In the event you don’t take into account your self a DIYer who’s loads comfy with cracking open a tool that prices a whole bunch of {dollars} and feeling okay with some tough edges, maintain off a bit earlier than buying certainly one of these snazzy backplates.
Sure, they do actually look good, the vivid colours giving a pleasant contact to the Steam Deck whether or not or not you pair them with the matching entrance Jsaux faceplates (these are exterior the scope of this assessment, and a much more difficult set up). However the actuality is you possibly can compromise the structural integrity of your Deck whereas trying to put in certainly one of these, which signifies that it ain’t for the faint of coronary heart.
Nevertheless it certain is enjoyable.
Set up is usually easy
Putting in a Jsaux backplate wasn’t my first Steam Deck modding rodeo. The truth is, I used to be reasonably trying ahead to getting a substitute shell, as utilizing a considerably inappropriate opening instrument in my earlier Steam Deck disassembly challenge kinda scuffed up the system’s edges.
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And I can let you know, having now opened the Deck a second time, it was far, far simpler than that first cracking of the seal. That tells me that Valve’s warning that you could possibly compromise the Deck’s bodily stability by opening it wasn’t simply FUD. Utilizing Jsaux’s supplied pry instrument, the rear shell popped off manner, far more simply than earlier than. Inside moments I used to be in, a lot much less painfully than earlier than. I believe Jsaux’s instrument was higher, however I felt my Deck was simply extra loosey-goosey now, too.
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With the OG shell off, it was time to get to work changing it. However what coloration? Jsaux supplied me with a alternative of pink, blue, black, clear, purple, and inexperienced. It was a troublesome name, as all these backplates certain are fairly. All are clear and, upon first impressions, of seemingly stable construct high quality. After some deliberation and soliciting of opinions, I went with a traditional clear purple as a pleasant throwback to my long-lost Sport Boy Colour.
![A Steam Deck with a purple back plate sits next to screws and a tool.](https://i0.wp.com/i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,q_60,w_645/92b363bfc587a91e9d04d157a34440ef.jpg?ssl=1)
Every shell comes with a pleasant mini package of instruments and provides you’ll be hanging onto lengthy after your set up:
Varied substitute screwsA surprisingly respectable Jsaux-branded precision metallic screwdriver with a replaceable bit Two completely different types of substitute rear buttonsFinger condoms
And no, I’m not joking about that final level. Take a look at these items!
![A bag of rubber finger gloves lays on a black background.](https://i0.wp.com/i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,q_60,w_645/7b37f5b4a56f5cbde61ffb4a00646e81.jpg?ssl=1)
These (rubber?) issues are actually what my highschool well being instructor confirmed off as soon as when discussing…um…stuff. Okay, cease considering these ideas now and deal with nerd shit. However should you’re questioning if I used these items to put in the backplate? No. No I didn’t.
On my first set up of the purple Jsaux substitute backplate, I made certain to take away the plastic movie above the silicon thermal pad that transfers warmth from the Deck’s inner heatspreader to the aluminum plate on the rear of the substitute shell (extra on that fucking factor in a sec), snapped the brand new shell into place, and screwed it in. I made a decision to not go along with the substitute rear buttons but, utilizing solely those that come put in on the Jsaux shell and are primarily clones of a inventory rear shell’s.
First impressions with the purple Jsaux shell on have been…largely optimistic. To begin: It seems nice, and the texture of the plastic is superb. As a baby of the ‘90s I’ll by no means, ever, ever, ever get uninterested in clear plastics on electronics.
However then I began actually getting a way of the hand really feel (with out the condoms) and, , it ain’t an ideal match. Different Steam Deck hackers have felt equally: These third-party backplates don’t completely connect with the remainder of the shell, leaving noticeable seams. You’ll really feel some edges for certain. The match was, I’d estimate, 90 p.c okay with the clear purple.
To check the Jsaux product additional, I then put in the inexperienced shell, and the world round the proper set off felt a little bit worse, with it virtually bordering on irritating because it scratched in opposition to my finger. Whether or not this was a results of slight variations within the mould or a results of not snapping it into place completely proper (I refitted it 3 times to no avail), I’m not completely certain, however that first occasion of discomfort drives residence a key fact concerning the Jsaux Steam Deck backplate replacements: Third-party elements like these will doubtless diminish the premium really feel of a fresh-out-of-the-box Deck.
If I resolve to maintain utilizing the inexperienced shell sooner or later, I’d strive gently sanding the sting close to the proper set off to make it rather less palpable.
The brand new aluminum plate kinda sucks
Essentially the most irritating component of Jsaux’s rear shells, nonetheless, is available in their aluminum plate and the thermal pad which sits between that plate and the Steam Deck’s internals. These ought to, in concept—and some analysis has proven it to truly make a small, perhaps significant distinction— assist the Deck keep a bit cooler.
In the event you’ve performed the Steam Deck, this factor likes to get scorching, and fast. The Jsaux rear plate alters two components of the Deck that aren’t best. One is the odor. I observed the Steam Deck’s signature perfume modified after putting in the brand new plastic backplate. Second, and extra importantly, the Jsaux’s aluminum plate, which sits proper above the place the Deck’s OEM heatspreader, could cause actual issues.
![The inside of a Steam Deck replacement shell shows a thermal pad.](https://i0.wp.com/i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,q_60,w_645/c5fae577a8708e2f5d219cada140eaf3.jpg?ssl=1)
Particularly, the Jsaux backplate will get painfully scorching in an space that the unique rear shell merely by no means does it doesn’t matter what sport you’re making an attempt to play. It stunned me at first. The aluminum plate is completely uncovered, simply touched by your fingers. Whereas it received’t essentially offer you first-degree burns, touching the rear aluminum plate whereas the Deck’s been operating a sport (even for a brief period of time) will slowly develop painful.
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Whereas ache could be a good time (with or with out the finger condoms) this dramatically modified how I held the Steam Deck. Not may I relaxation it on my lap whereas sporting shorts (and even pants, to be trustworthy). And if I ever determined to carry the Deck with simply my proper hand, extending my fingers towards the middle of the gadget’s rear shell to offer only a contact extra help, it was a matter of a time earlier than I entered ache metropolis. The ache was most notable throughout transit, once I’d usually maintain the Deck with one hand whereas getting up from the practice seat.
Whereas this by no means occurred to me, it will not shock me if somebody’s response to this surprising warmth may end in them dropping the Deck—and that’s much more problematic when you think about that putting in this factor does make the Deck extra weak to fall harm (an additional d6, no less than).
Fortunately, you possibly can mod the mod, so to talk, by eradicating the Jsaux thermal pad to forestall warmth switch from the Deck’s processor to the uncovered piece of metallic on the Jsaux backplate. The Deck’s rear nonetheless feels a little bit hotter if you do that, nevertheless it’s now not painful to the contact. Subsequently, I like to recommend you take away the Jsaux backplate’s silicon thermal pad earlier than set up. (In the event you have been to take away the aluminum plate completely, you’d simply have a giant gap within the rear shell, which could be very unideal.) Doing this appears secure sufficient; I didn’t observe any overheating or higher-than-OEM temps after eradicating the thermal pad.
![The inside of a replacement Steam Deck part shows a thermal pad removed.](https://i0.wp.com/i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,q_60,w_645/54bcceeae060ed44d65591f5a0a5fbbd.jpg?ssl=1)
The pad peels proper off largely in a single piece, although you’ll want a little bit of alcohol to wipe away the remaining residue.
Jsaux’s coloured backplates are most best for knowledgeable modders
I’ll speak concerning the substitute buttons in a second (tl;dr, they’re truly a neat addition), however after we add up the quirks thus far—compromised structural integrity, a non-perfect match, and the new aluminum plate demanding removing of the thermal pad—I believe it’s clear that the Jsaux substitute shells are actually most fitted for people who find themselves completely satisfied to crack open and tinker with gadgets, even at the price of getting an imperfect expertise.
Don’t get me fallacious: The colours are sick. I sincerely hope Valve, if it’s listening, will take into account doing future Deck runs in clear colours, as a result of I really like the best way this factor seems on my Deck, even when it’s solely on the again. The truth is, I like its look a lot that I’m preserving it put in for now. And people substitute rear buttons are fairly neat.
The substitute rear buttons are a stable win, although
I used to be skeptical of those substitute buttons at first. The Jsaux substitute shell comes with two completely different button variants that make the rear buttons jut out from the floor of the Deck greater than the OEM controls.
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And that works rather well. I went with the thickest variant and fired up Halo (are you stunned?) and instantly I felt extra inspired to make use of the rear buttons than I had beforehand. They’re simple to put in and it doesn’t intervene an excessive amount of with the OEM Steam Deck case.
![A replacement Steam Deck shell shows thicker buttons.](https://i0.wp.com/i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,q_60,w_645/038ef71d0a36cf5398af5c65cddd9b01.jpg?ssl=1)
I do have one delicate fear. With the brand new buttons put in and the Steam Deck zipped up in its carrying case, if I squeeze the highest and backside of the case, I can hear the rear buttons click on. It’s laborious to say whether or not this can be a level of concern, and I really feel like I wouldn’t need to stick a button-modded Deck in a packed bag the place there’s going to be some strain on the gadget. The brand new rear buttons are largely suitable with the Deck’s unique case, however I’d want a extra spacious storage case for a long-term answer.
Nice for modders, not a lot for civilians
In the event you’re simply trying to boost your Deck’s visible model, I might advocate one thing like a vinyl pores and skin or stylized, close-fitting case over truly cracking your machine open and utilizing the Jsaux rear substitute shells.
The colours could also be candy as hell, and people substitute buttons are actually neat, nevertheless it’s merely not price risking the wellbeing of a superbly wholesome unmodded Steam Deck, or coping with that foolish aluminum plate that makes the system’s again half a probably painful scorching spot.
That stated, should you’re like me and are okay with some DIY repairs, or even perhaps have some wilder ambitions for NSFW Steam Deck mods, the Jsaux substitute shells could be price trying out. They certain look good, and their buttons are fairly good, too.