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Steam Frame needs 27-45W of power to run, and it can run off an additional battery
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this post was submitted on 01 Jan 2026
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The image doesn't say it "needs" that much power, only that there is an optional mode, likely for high performance or so, but it will probably have heat issues then.
I think you're reading into it a little too hard. I don't suspect an optional mode based on what's written there. Those power specs come from the USB Power Delivery 2.0/3.x standards. There's 9 Volt USB PD that can supply 27 Watts at the 3 Amp ceiling, and the next step up is 15 Volt USB PD that can supply 45 Watts at 3 Amps. Since a 45 Watt charger is the one that's recommended, I don't expect heat issues there.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB_hardware#USB_Power_Delivery
I am referring to the headline of this post that claims that "Steam Frame needs 27-45W of power to run", which is not at all substantiated by the image shared.
You are right about the title, I can't believe I just read over that first part of that paragraph. Even my other post of the climbey dev talking about his devkit shows a much lower power draw.
If the "special mode" is what I think it is, it's just a battery saving method that's also used on the Steam Deck. With that, it requires being plugged in to turn on at all, otherwise it just remains in stasis. After it turns on, it operates normally.
The recommended adapter specs are most likely just for optimal charging, nothing to do with the stasis mode.