Should you remove blue plastic tape on top of m2 heatsink pads which are not used?

Andy Armstrong · 13 Apr 2023 at 11:50

Hi,

I am building a new PC and the Asus ROG Z790-E comes with some wonderful heatsinks across the motherboard. Some of the M2 heatsinks are screwed down, and if you unscrew them, as expected there is a heatsink pad with a blue protective film on it.

Clearly when installing an M2 drive into that particular bay - removing the plastic tape is important. The question is, under the other 3 heatsinks for M2 drives on the motherboard, they also have plastic tape on top of their heatsink pads too....should that be removed, even when no drive is installed in that slot?

Will this make any difference at all? What did you do?

SpellowHouse · 13 Apr 2023 at 11:51

No.

Sorry, quickly changed that from yes..... next time I will fully read the question before I answer, I promise!!

They are of course necessary for used bays. Believe me, they don't work well if you leave the film in place! I know, I accidentally did that once and might has well have taped a house brick to it. But, unused, no, best to leave the film in place.

phil-k · 13 Apr 2023 at 11:51

I never removed mine on the unused bays and have not had any problems

Glanza · 13 Apr 2023 at 11:59

Don't need to remove them if the bay isn't in use.

Andy Armstrong · 13 Apr 2023 at 12:01

Thank you so much for such prompt responses, confirmations, consistent answers and corrections

Really appreciate it - leaving unused M2 heatsink blue tape cover's in place

clone · 1 May 2023 at 11:11

I only take the tape off the ones I use.

Semple · 1 May 2023 at 11:17

Curious what made you think otherwise.

No reason you can't remove them with no M2 drive underneath, just that a) the sticky pads will attract dust, and b) if you ever add an additional drive in the future you'll have to go down the route of sourcing new pads.