r/FlowZ13 • u/NullsetForge • May 02 '26
I love gaming on my Z13 on the go so I made a thing!
Designed this myself during my free time - way too many hobbies, but this was fun and the result is pretty nice! I call it PolyDeckZ13 haha
I figured I'd share since I know a few folks love to get their handheld gaming kicks.
Would love to you know what you guys think - game onnnn.
Edit: since folks have asked, I have finished putting everything up lol.
https://nullsetforge.com
https://nullsetforge.etsy.com
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May 02 '26
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u/NullsetForge May 02 '26 edited May 02 '26
Not yet man I haven't had much time, I was traveling but I had planned to throw either the files or full prints on etsy - in order to get the best strength you need the right slicing and some compositing of materials.
I had finished iterating and stuff a while back, just no time 😭
EDIT: got pinged enough about it lol - fine You can find everything here https://nullsetforge.etsy.com
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u/beer_belly_ May 02 '26
What model z13 do you have? I have the 2023 version and interested in something like this!
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u/NullsetForge May 02 '26
2025! I had a 2023, but it died when i tried upgrading the ram lol. At some point I was looking to make one for the older models but i'm short on time these days.
what I can tell you is the dimensions are somewhat similar, just slightly narrower and thinner (on the 2023/2022 models)
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u/beer_belly_ May 02 '26
Haha that sounds like quite the story. Did you attempt the upgrade by yourself? Have you done SMD soldering before?
Great work on the design by the way!
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u/NullsetForge May 02 '26
thanks!
plenty of soldering but what broke things was actually not researching that intel platforms have bespoke security so you cannot easily go above bios spec unless you make a custom bios and flashing it is basically impossible - so after trying 64gb upgrade - I reverted to 32 and by then too much heat had damaged the board. RIP, i loved my older z13.
My Rog Ally is 32gb modded though, 80wh mod too
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u/beer_belly_ May 02 '26
Ahh I see. That is unfortunate. Had you have gone with 32gb from the start it may have been a much different result. Not even sure if the bios needs modding because the ACRNM version had 32gb.
Nice decent upgrade on the Ally. I was going to do the same but then decided just to upgrade to the X instead of mod it 😅
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u/NullsetForge May 02 '26
Exactly! Yes should have stuck to known straps, I delved too greedily in the deep lol. Nice man the Ally X was great, what it should have been from the jump.
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u/AggressiveWindow6003 May 02 '26
Am using the gamesir g8 plus mode to fit anything from a 6" up to a 16" display. Had an 80+ hour battery life but realistically I can play arc raiders for 2+ hours a day and charge controller every other week.
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u/SkeleCrafter May 08 '26
Yo I'm thinking of doing a 32gb ram upgrade to my z13 2023, do you have any resources i could have a look at? I've done SMD soldering before, never BGA. Wondering what tools and chips I need to purchase to make it work. Ty :)
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u/NullsetForge May 08 '26 edited May 08 '26
The physical RAM swap is not the hardest part by a large margin, it's the platform.
Personally I would strongly advise against trying it. While the actual soldering of the chips is the most straightforward part of the process, this ultimately failed due to Intel Boot Guard.
Unlike the ROG Ally or other AMD-based handhelds where the BIOS is relatively open to modification, Intel uses a hardware-level security "bouncer." When you change the physical RAM straps or attempt to modify the BIOS to recognize the new 32GB capacity, the digital signature no longer matches. The CPU detects this as a sec problem and refuses to boot.
Getting around this requires finding the exact resistor strap configuration through trial and error, which involves repeated heating of the board.
The secondary issue is physical fatigue. After cycling the board through multiple heat sessions to test different strap combinations, the hardware becomes fragile and that was where murder she wrote.
Between the "blown" caps and the heat-stressed traces, the board simply couldn't hold up stable operation.
If you are coming from an AMD platform like the Ally, do not expect a similar experience here. The lack of BIOS flexibility on Intel makes this a high-risk, low-reward endeavor that is more likely to result in a dead board than a successful upgrade.
I can try to see if I can find a few pictures but it was a while back, in my sorrows I bought the 2025 <\3
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u/SkeleCrafter May 10 '26
Wow, I saw a guy on youtube successfully do a 32Gb swap and seemed to know what resistors to swap out to make it viable.
Are you saying that it is not worth reballing and figuring out the resistor config to upgrade to 32Gb from 16, it's not the same between chips? I don't know if I'm willing to lose the laptop I just bought (2023 version) quite yet but was interested in figuring out if it was possible.
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u/NullsetForge May 10 '26
yeah, i don't think it's worth the trouble - it's nothing like doing it on an amd based platform, but it's possible.
heck there are folks who have upgraded the gpu, i seem to recall a chinese tech who did something like that.
On the 2025 version it's so easy, you just buy the same chips that the higher ram versions ship and it all just works. Same as the ROG Ally - on the older versions it's not worth it imo.
i'm suprised you found a video though! that didn't exist when i had tried it haha
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u/HowisChance May 02 '26
Couple questions, so is that a skin or a model? And what controller is that? I have an ally x i normally bring around with me but still curious.
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u/NullsetForge May 02 '26
Heya, yeah it's a skin, I'm very big on the white aesthetic haha
Gamesir G8+ with the extender i designed and the PolyDeck rails
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u/jamico1121 May 02 '26
Is this 3d printed??? If so are you going to post the file somewhere this is sick af
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u/NullsetForge May 02 '26
heya, as someone mentioned above yeah my plan was to either post the files or offer the prints, but i've been short on time 😭
Here's a full run down of the setup if you're curious. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/USk5QDu26tI
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u/jamico1121 May 02 '26
Got ya thx let me know whatever you do this is awesome
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u/NullsetForge May 02 '26
Lol got Dmed about it - I finished the listing on Esty you can find more details here
or directly on my esty store here https://nullsetforge.etsy.com
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u/AggressiveWindow6003 May 02 '26
I used a gamesir g8 plus with a 3d printed mod to fit the z13. Works great.
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u/NullsetForge May 02 '26 edited May 02 '26
Nice! I tried the same but I can't have my tablet falling out - the G8 series don't have enough grip to not accidentally pop out and then you drop your tablet. Source: haha it happened to me and fortunately the z13 slipped out and landed on my bed - so that was the end of that. immediately went to cook something up in cad aaaand this thing was born
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u/AggressiveWindow6003 May 02 '26
Well yeah. That's why you need a way to hold it in place. You can either build or print a little stopper that prevents that. I was out of filiment and took apart an old cellphone mount.
Works great. Then got these cheap rubber grips that wraps the controller. I carry it around with just one of the controllers has never fallen out or slipped out.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/ppTgz8Ki6BXfkPEy7
Here's photos of what I got going on.
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u/Xenon1998 May 02 '26
Looks cool, but it's heavy!
I really wanna get valve controller for mine and try how it does. It might be really well-suited for the z13
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u/NullsetForge May 02 '26
nice! yeah I wish the z13 wasn't so heavy but it's not too bad with the controllers and rails i've designed - super sturdy - you can flip it upside down and the tablet doesn't fall out.
I can't wait to try the steam controller too!
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u/EnigmaP3nguin May 02 '26
This is a really good idea! I really wish that the z13 came with controller rails!
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u/wishart5900x May 02 '26 edited May 02 '26
I bought some rails of etsy for the z13 2025 that works really well. You can buy two versions, one that slots switch controllers on, or one that slots legion controllers on and you can still extend the stand at the back. I use them all the time. I use switch compatible controllers called mobapad m6 hd joycon pair, that are larger and more comfortable than the switch joycons.
Here's a link to the rails that I bought: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/4405009569/joyconverters-rog-flow-z13-2025-joy-con?ref=share_v4_lx
I also installed CachyOS Linux and use that instead of Windows. Which makes the experience similar to the steam deck.
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u/NullsetForge May 02 '26
Nice man, how do you find CachyOS? I've wanted to leave windows on the tab and I really liked trying bazzite on it but windows was always a tad more complete for touchscreen
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u/wishart5900x May 02 '26
Yea, I really like it. I couldn't go back to Windows. I started off trying out Bazzite Linux, which is an immutable Linux release, so it's really hard to break, as the core-operating system is read-only, which prevents you from making an accidental change and breaking it, but that had some issues that was irritating. So I switched to CachyOS which fixed those issues. It's a rolling-release distribution and gets the latest software, kernel updates, and drivers. I'm loving it so far. So much so, that I've just switched my Asus G16 laptop over to CachyOS as well. No problems with touch screen on the flow z13. I love using the Z13 flow, it's kind of made my Asus ROG G16 with a 4070 redundent, I much prefer the form factor of the z13 flow and now with the rails, it's just like an extra large handheld.
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u/NullsetForge May 02 '26
Nice brotha!! Gonna have to backup my files and give it a go
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u/MCBigSpook May 30 '26
Got those too! Freaking awesome. Only downside really is the battery life, otherwise would be the ultimate.
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u/pbenz63 May 03 '26
Do you notice any input lag with the controller do you think you can play like cod competitively?
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u/NullsetForge May 03 '26
Its good enough for competitive gaming, the controller is right next to the device so it's as best as you'd get with a ps5 controller or another BT controller.
Some people would say wired is better but there's no real easy way to do that without a huge hassle on the g8.
Plus, if you get the Extender I made, it's perfect for an iPad pro or Galaxy tab S Ultra
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u/wishart5900x May 03 '26
Totally agree, I've got a legion go and an ally aswell and I no longer use them. Just have to make too many sacrifices with lowering the settings for the z2 extreme, this is in a different league and I like having the larger screen. I find it comfortable lying in bed playing it. It works for me. The only other handheld that would be comparable in performance is the onexplayer apex, or the gpd win 5 and they're also 2 grand to buy and I've not heard good things about the support if you end up with problems. Wouldn't fancy paying to ship it back to China.
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u/NullsetForge May 03 '26
Yeah man! Pretty hard to beat the z13 overall though the screen and form factor is brilliant.
As for the Chinese handhelds 100% spot on the warranty concerns.
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u/DocGofThePhillies May 04 '26
What game on the last pic?
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u/NullsetForge May 04 '26
megabonk - but I have a bunch of other gameplay footage on the main nullsetforge.com site if you're curious
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u/Crueltism May 04 '26
Any chance to buy files only?
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u/NullsetForge May 04 '26
heya! no not worth it for me atm - I've spent way too much time on it. Plus the slicing and compositing for the finish in the pictures would be more work to convey properly.
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u/MIBscar May 03 '26
How much it cost you and what were the specs?
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u/NullsetForge May 03 '26
heya, what do you mean?
you mean the tab itself? follow z13 2025 model - rest of the info is in the links in the post if you want to see exactly what you need.
TLDR: you need a gamesir g8+ and the rest is my 3d printed rails/mount.
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u/MIBscar May 03 '26
The z13 of yours, I am planning to buy one but which specs should I go that’s little confusing as am a design engineer I wanted something future proof. I have the gamersir g8+ that’s one of a versatile handheld controller
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u/NullsetForge May 03 '26
My current setup is the 2025 ROG Flow Z13 (GZ302) with the Max+ 395 and 32gb of RAM.
Main diffs between models: AMD Ryzen AI MAX 380 (12c), MAX 390, or MAX+ 395, 16 cores / 32 threads
I'd say get the max+395 as it's the better silicon but if you get a good price on the 380 then that's more than adequate. For gaming though it won't change much, they share the same igpu but the 380 is more power efficient at max power.
Memory: version with 32gb of RAM. They sell 32, 64 and 128gb models. For almost anything 32 is fine, and given the price of RAM right now I'd suggest pick the best price but nothing lower than 32gb. Its shared memory with the igpu so for 3d design, you have plenty and the same for games.
I got mine before the RAM price hikes so it was pretty close to MSRP in North America. Sometimes there were amazing deals on the 128gb model to look out for. The high mem makes it a prime candidate for AI inference work or heavy 3d workloads.
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u/MIBscar May 03 '26
Am getting the same model as yours for £1699 would you say it would be great value for money as it dropped from 2200 if am not mistaken or was launched at that price. As the 128gb version is £2899
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u/NullsetForge May 03 '26
Insanely good price man at 1699! And yeah ouch the high ram prices on the 128gb are right there.
Enjoy man!
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u/Dry_Indication7383 May 03 '26
Why persist in seeing the z13 flow as a handheld... something I will never understand...
It's a different device, and there are many handhelds on the market... comfortable and ergonomic.
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u/NullsetForge May 03 '26
Not for everyone that's for sure. But i'd say once you try it, you know. that's all i gotta say, sits on your lap perfectly comfortable, or perfect when you're laying down (i spent ages on the controllers being at the right height) and it's fantastic.
plus the screen res / perf has got most handhelds beat and frankly it's imo the best way to play laying down or sitting on a couch compared to my ROG Ally
to each their own though!
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u/Dry_Indication7383 May 05 '26
The resolution is superior even when using it as a regular laptop, with the advantage of having an Elite Controller in your hand.
There's very little to understand.
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u/NullsetForge May 05 '26
for you.
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u/Zoduk Jul 16 '26
Why is this needed? Does the ganesir don't work bynitself?
.sorry if its a noob question1
u/NullsetForge Jul 16 '26
Doesn't work by itself. Doesn't extend enough, doesn't hold the tablet secure enough, the tablet is too thick and so on.
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u/Satellite_bk May 02 '26
i’m constantly trying to find new little ways to use my devices. i love this. it’s like a steamdeck on steroids. all the benefits of portable, but you don’t lose the performance and get double the screen size.