YouTuber Eta Prime has successfully transformed a broken 512GB Steam Deck into a functional mini-PC, showcasing an innovative approach to repurposing gaming hardware.

The Steam Deck used in this project had a cracked LCD screen, and some internal components were salvaged from the previous owner.

The conversion process involved adding an M.2 drive and an extra heatsink, with all components mounted on a sheet of Plexiglas for support.

To enhance cooling, an aluminum heatsink was incorporated into the setup, ensuring optimal performance during gaming.

The entire system was powered using a 65W charger that featured HDMI and USB ports, allowing for a streamlined connection with a single cable.

The modified Steam Deck was connected to a USB-C power hub, which provided docking capabilities with multiple USB inputs and HDMI output.

A BIOS update was necessary for the setup, but this was efficiently resolved using the SteamDeck-BIOS-Manager tool from GitHub.

Once powered on, the Steam Deck's interface appeared on the monitor, indicating a successful setup in its native Docked mode, which allows for easy operation as a mini-PC.

Performance tests revealed that the makeshift PC achieved notable frame rates, reaching 40fps in Cyberpunk 2077 and 70fps in Forza Horizon 5 at 900p resolution.

In addition to those games, Hades II performed exceptionally well at High settings and 1080p, maintaining a stable 120 FPS, while Spider-Man Remastered averaged approximately 75 FPS at 900p with Medium settings.

The successful performance of this mini-PC setup suggests a potential revival of Steam Machines in the future, highlighting the versatility of the Steam Deck.