Thanks for all the detail. My daily driver is currently a windows machine, but I have looked into swapping to a Linux system.
I will keep this in mind and will very likely just get a new SSD. I have noticed some longer load times.
Due to budgeting, I will like just reinstall and use the SteamOS recovery key. Only downside is setting up EmuDeck, Lutris, and Decky again.
20 bucks is cheaper enough that I might do it. Setting back up all my emulation and tweaks again seems less fun than the first time.