SSD M.2 Heatsink - Does it need it?

BlueDusty · 29 Nov 2020 at 07:31

Hi,

Just wondering if a M.2 SSD actually needs heatsink or does it purely depend on how hard you are going to work the system etc.
I heard the heatsink mentioned on another post but have not considered one for.my daughter's PC build.
Is it just a case of, as I am doing a new build, for £10 get it done, or is their pros and cons about them.

As they say every day is a school day,.so thanks for helping me learn more!

pp111 · 29 Nov 2020 at 10:30

There is a little chip on the board that handles all the data. When that thing gets really hot then it throttles itself and data transfers slow down. This doesn't happen all the time, but to be on the safe side many people get heatsinks - the cost of the heatsink is really low so why not? But if it's a super economy build then I wouldn't bother.

andy_mk3 · 29 Nov 2020 at 10:42

It doesn't need it like a CPU does. It'll function just fine without it. It will however help if you happened to be hammering the drive a fair bit and it'll help remove some heat from it to prevent thermal throttling.

BlueDusty · 29 Nov 2020 at 15:46

Ok, sounds like.a no brainer then for the cost of the heataink unit. I will get on OC later and make sure I order one.

Any recommendations on the best one to go for or they all very similar?

Thanks again for the help