M2 Heatsink question.

slipd · 24 Jul 2020 at 09:54

Basically are they needed as a rule of thumb?

I have two new builds, 1x x570 Tomahawk (supplied heatsink) and 1x A320, both will be getting NVMe drives this week...

Thanks.

MrRockliffe · 24 Jul 2020 at 10:06

slipd said:
Basically are they needed as a rule of thumb?

I have two new builds, 1x x570 Tomahawk (supplied heatsink) and 1x A320, both will be getting NVMe drives this week...

Thanks.

What’s the use case for them? Are you thinking about getting aftermarket ones or the ones that come with the MB?

The one on my Strix doesn’t seem to do much - even with airflow my WD SSD hits 50c. My MP600 on the rear side of the MB hits 43 with no airflow but using the heat sink that came with it.

If you’re battering it loads, I’d go with a heat sink, otherwise it’s probably fine :-)

But might be worth doing just for aesthetic reasons.

andy_mk3 · 24 Jul 2020 at 10:08

They're fine without. They can most definitely get warm but they cope ok in laptops etc.

slipd · 24 Jul 2020 at 10:14

MrRockliffe said:
What’s the use case for them? Are you thinking about getting aftermarket ones or the ones that come with the MB?

The one on my Strix doesn’t seem to do much - even with airflow my WD SSD hits 50c. My MP600 on the rear side of the MB hits 43 with no airflow but using the heat sink that came with it.

If you’re battering it loads, I’d go with a heat sink, otherwise it’s probably fine But might be worth doing just for aesthetic reasons.

Thanks! I think I might use something aftermarket for the x570, got a 'performance' drive for the that. The A320 just has a Kingston en route.

I'll see what the initial temps are like and probably take it from there.

MrRockliffe · 24 Jul 2020 at 13:42

slipd said:
Thanks! I think I might use something aftermarket for the x570, got a 'performance' drive for the that. The A320 just has a Kingston en route.

I'll see what the initial temps are like and probably take it from there.

That’s a great shout - I’m not too sure what acceptable temps are so maybe have a look. Would love an update as to what the Goldilocks range is for an SSD

pugheaven · 24 Jul 2020 at 16:09

MrRockliffe said:
That’s a great shout - I’m not too sure what acceptable temps are so maybe have a look. Would love an update as to what the Goldilocks range is for an SSD

Most will start throttling performance around the 70c to 75C region, I think my Sabrents throttle at 75C but the warmest it's got after 15 minutes of thrashing 60GB files around was 56C without any heatsinks so... personally i'd not bother unless you know they're in a very hot spot in your case... and don't forget it's only passive cooling... if you can get solid air flow from the case over them they'll be fine.

Toothy1911 · 28 Jul 2020 at 10:12

I've always used them on mine. For the small cost, I'd rather not have the drive throttling.

bremen1874 · 28 Jul 2020 at 10:17

Did they ever throttle?

Toothy1911 · 28 Jul 2020 at 11:07

They reached their thermal throttling temperature when I tested a large file transfer. I didn't see the rates drop. The temps were enough to prompt me to get a heatsink.

scubes · 4 Aug 2020 at 12:50

I’m in this boat to I’ve 6 ssd 4 ssd and 2 nvme drives highest temp I’ve seen is the Samsung nvme hits 50 idle dumps heat into the case 1 sits above my 2080ti and 2 is under Neath the 2080ti toasty sand which this is why I would like to get heatsinks for them.

Bubo · 4 Aug 2020 at 13:54

I got an EK heatsink to go on my Sabrent nvme, and was an absolute SOD to get the clips on the sink. Had to apply an inordinate amount of force whilst trying to hold the ssd and the top and bottom halves of the sink, I did think the ssd would snap at one point. So, it looks pretty and goes with my other EK water cooling stuff, but maybe avoid the EK sink or any which look like they have the same fitting type.

darael · 4 Aug 2020 at 15:24

My Jonsbo M.2 heatsink keeps my Samsung 970 EVO Plus happy at around 38c.