Summary#
The Steam Machine's internal SSD is user-upgradeable — Valve confirms it — so the 512GB model isn't a dead end. It takes standard M.2 NVMe drives (compact 2230 or full-size 2280), and these are the best ones to buy. No PS5-style heatsink drive needed.
At a Glance#
Best 2230 (simplest swap) : View on Amazon
Best big capacity (2280) : View on Amazon
Best value (2280) : View on Amazon
Also great, proven Gen4 : View on Amazon
The Machine ships with a 2230 drive and also accepts a full-size 2280 via an included standoff, so either size works — stick to PCIe 4.0. This is a buying guide, not a teardown: we cover which drive to get, not how to fit it.
Why Upgrade At All#
If you bought the 512GB Steam Machine, you'll feel it fast — a couple of big games and it's full. Unlike a sealed console, the Steam Machine lets you replace the drive with a roomier one, and Valve built the slot to be user-accessible. It's a worthwhile, low-fuss upgrade that pays off every time you stop juggling installs.
The Best Drives to Buy#
WD_BLACK SN770M — best 2230 : View on Amazon is the compact drive handheld owners already trust: PCIe 4.0, fast, low-power, and a true like-for-like size for the stock drive.
Kingston Fury Renegade 4TB — most space : View on Amazon is the roomiest sensible pick. A 4TB Fury Renegade has already been shown running in the Steam Machine, and it's rated up to ~7,300 MB/s.
Samsung 990 Pro 2TB — best value : View on Amazon pairs top-tier speed with what's usually the smartest price per terabyte. Buy the version without a heatsink.
WD_BLACK SN850X 2TB — also great : View on Amazon is a proven Gen4 workhorse; get the bare, no-heatsink version. See our full WD_BLACK SN850X review.
How Much Do You Need?#
Coming from 512GB, a 1–2TB drive transforms the machine; go 4TB only if you keep a large library installed at all times. One honest note: NVMe prices are unusually high in 2026, so check the live price before you commit.
You Don't Need a PS5-Style Drive#
A common mix-up: the PS5 needs an M.2 drive with a tall heatsink. The Steam Machine does not. Buy a plain, bare PCIe 4.0 NVMe — a chunky PS5 heatsink isn't required and may not even fit. (If you also own a PS5, that one's different: see our PS5 SSD pick, where a heatsink is required.)
Pros & Cons#
Pros:
- Internal SSD is officially user-upgradeable (Valve confirms it)
- Takes standard, widely-available PCIe 4.0 NVMe drives
- Accepts both compact 2230 and full-size 2280 (standoff included)
- No proprietary or heatsink-equipped drive required
- Far more space than the 512GB base model
Cons:
- One internal slot — upgrading means replacing the stock drive, not adding a second
- 2026 NVMe prices are inflated; shop the live price
- If you'd rather never open it, the 2TB model is the pricier no-effort route
Final Verdict#
It's a worthwhile, low-fuss upgrade. Get the WD_BLACK SN770M (M.2 2230) (View on Amazon) for the simplest 2230 choice, or a full-size 2280 like the Samsung 990 Pro 2TB (View on Amazon) or the Kingston Fury Renegade 4TB (View on Amazon) for serious space. Whichever you pick, buy a bare PCIe 4.0 drive — no PS5 heatsink needed.
Planning the rest of your setup? See our best Steam Machine accessories roundup, or the best NVMe SSD for a gaming PC.