Do I Need a Heatsink for My M.2 SSD [2024 Full Guide]?

Do you require an NVMe heat sink, or do motherboards typically come equipped with them? All your questions will be answered in the following information:

PCI Express-based NVMe SSDs are now superseding the traditional 2.5-inch SSDs. The newer SSD form factor (8 x 2.2 cm) is more compact and connects directly to the motherboard through an M.2 slot. However, the question remains: Do you require a heat sink for the M.2 SSD? Read on to find out.

Do I Need a Heatsink for My M.2 SSD? When it comes to M.2 solid-state drives (SSDs), the question of whether or not you need a heatsink can be a bit confusing. M.2 SSDs, especially those using the NVMe protocol, can generate significant heat during heavy usage due to their high performance. Here's what you need to consider: 1. **Thermal throttling**: Most M.2 SSDs have built-in thermal protection mechanisms that slow down their performance when they reach a certain temperature to prevent damage. A heatsink can help dissipate heat more efficiently, preventing throttling and maintaining peak performance. 2. **System configuration**: If your M.2 SSD is installed in a desktop with good airflow, it might not require a heatsink as the case fans can provide sufficient cooling. However, in a laptop or a compact build with limited airflow, a heatsink can be beneficial. 3. **Drive type and capacity**: Higher-capacity drives tend to produce more heat due to the increased number of memory chips. Some newer, high-end models may already come with a heatsink attached. 4. **Usage patterns**: Frequent and intense read/write operations, such as gaming, video editing, or heavy data transfers, can cause increased heat generation. In these scenarios, a heatsink can be useful. 5. **Comfort and peace of mind**: Even if your M.2 SSD doesn't overheat, a heatsink can provide additional reassurance and potentially prolong the lifespan of the drive. In conclusion, while a heatsink is not always necessary, it can offer advantages, particularly in systems with limited airflow or for high-performance M.2 SSDs subjected to heavy workloads. It's always a good idea to check the specific requirements and recommended specifications for your SSD model.

Does an NVMe SSD need a heatsink? This question is also tied to "can SSD overheat?" The answer is undoubtedly yes. Some gamers often inquire, "Does the PS5 M.2 SSD need a heatsink?" The response remains the same: yes. An M.2 SSD requires a heatsink, especially when installed in a PS5 or other gaming console. A heatsink, also known as a radiator, is a passive heat exchanger that transfers heat produced by an electronic or mechanical device to a fluid medium, subsequently dissipating it away from the device, thus controlling the device's temperature. Similarly, an NVMe SSD or M.2 SSD also necessitates a heatsink.

Here are some links related to NVMe and M.2 SSDs; review them for assistance if needed:

M.2 drives are swift and do away with the necessity for cumbersome power and data cables. However, their high storage density can result in overheating SSDs, and few users are aware that NVMe SSDs can swiftly reach temperatures above 80°C (the typical SSD temperature range is 30°C to 65°C). The question is, how do you determine whether your M.2 SSD is running at an abnormal or normal temperature? There's a professional tool available to assist you.

How to Check If the SSD Has Unusual SSD Temperature

Checking the SSD SMART status and preventing overheating is crucial, as excessive heat can result in adverse effects, such as:

• Leading to a decline in overall device performance.
• Causing data loss, slow operation, and data corruption.
• Impacting the lifespan of the system.

Therefore, it's essential to check the SSD SMART status and M.2 SSD temperature. The tool Partition Master can efficiently help you monitor the SSD temperature and indicate any abnormal temperatures in striking red, alerting you to the need for an M.2 SSD heatsink.

This utility allows you to monitor the SSD temperature and SMART status for your SSD/HDD or external hard drives. Download it now to check the SSD temperature.

Step 1. Launch AOMEI Partition Assistant and click the blue arrow to activate the "Disk Health" feature under the "Discovery" section.

Click the blue arrow.

Step 2. Choose the target disk and click the "Refresh" button. You will then be able to view the health status of your disk.

The tool Partition Master has now assisted in checking the NVMe SSD temperature. As you can see, it also provides various other details related to SMART status. Download it to aid you further.

You can determine whether you need a heatsink based on the temperature readings provided by Partition Master. However, if your M.2 SSD requires a heatsink, how do you install it on your device? Keep reading to find out.

How to Install a Heat Sink on My M.2 SSD

How should you install an M.2 heatsink? The process can be somewhat intricate, so it's advisable to follow professional guidelines for the installation. In summary, adding a cooler to an M.2 SSD is generally beneficial, particularly with Gen 4 NVMe SSDs. Incidentally, if this guide assists you in installing the heatsink on your M.2 SSD, please don't hesitate to share it to aid more users.

Refer to the tutorial below:

Step 1. Remove the bottom/base of the heatsink and apply a thermal pad. Ensure to peel off the plastic film so it sticks properly.

Step 2. Place the SSD on top of the thermal pad, making sure to align the notch on the heat sink with the screw hole of the M.2 SSD. Afterwards, apply a second thermal pad on top of the SSD.

Step 3. Now, it's time to position the heatsink onto our SSD and securely fasten the provided screws. Lastly, gently snap the heatsink into place and ensure proper alignment.

Watch the video below (From NASCompares on YouTube) for more detailed information, especially if you're planning to install a heatsink on your PS5:

You might also be interested in the following topics related to "Heat and SSDs," so feel free to explore them for more information:

Conclusion

The majority of motherboards, and almost all 2nd Generation Ryzen motherboards, come equipped with at least an M.2 cooler to maintain a cool temperature for the primary M.2 drive. However, these heatsinks often lack sufficient metallic mass or surface area. Furthermore, motherboards that only provide a single one may necessitate positioning the NVMe SSD in inconvenient locations, such as an M.2 slot concealed beneath the GPU. This arrangement is less than ideal in terms of airflow. Therefore, we recommend installing an additional heat sink for your M.2 NVMe SSD and regularly monitoring the SSD's temperature to ensure its optimal health. You can begin by downloading the tool Partition Master.

Extended Reading: Is RAID 0 SSD Worth It for Gaming?

FAQs: Do I Need a Heatsink for My M.2 SSD?

Here's everything you need to know about M.2 heatsinks. I hope this article proves informative for you. Furthermore, below are some additional frequently asked questions; feel free to peruse them if you have similar concerns.

< strong > 1. Do motherboards come with M.2 SSD heatsinks? < /strong > Motherboards do not always come with built-in M.2 SSD heatsinks. However, many modern high-end and gaming motherboards do include them as a standard feature to help manage the heat generated by high-speed M.2 solid-state drives. It's essential to check the specific motherboard model's specifications to confirm if it includes an M.2 SSD heatsink or not. If it doesn't come with one, you can always purchase a separate heatsink for your M.2 SSD to ensure optimal performance and longevity.

An increasing number of motherboards are being equipped with their own M.2 coolers, providing an important benefit for PC builders. However, it's worth noting that many of these included heatsinks often lack sufficient metal and surface area, which might result in inadequate heat dissipation. Therefore, it's advisable to periodically monitor the temperature of your device to ensure optimal performance.

< strong > 2. What is the best M.2 SSD heatsink? < /strong > The best M.2 SSD heatsink can vary depending on factors such as compatibility, cooling efficiency, and design. Some popular options include the Arctic Cooling Accelero M.2, Noctua NH-M2M, and Cooltek M.2 Koolance. It's essential to ensure compatibility with your specific M.2 SSD and motherboard before making a choice. Always consider factors like thermal performance, ease of installation, and additional features before selecting the most suitable one for your needs.

A heatsink is an component on the motherboard that assists in dissipating heat generated by the SSD, enabling it to operate for longer periods and maintain consistent read and write performance compared to SSDs without a heatsink. Here are some affordable heatsink options:

• Micro Connectors M.2 SSD Heat Sink
• Sabrent M.2 2280 SSD Rocket Heat Sink
• Jonsbo M.2-2 ARGB M.2 SSD Cooler
• Jonsbo M.2-3 M.2 SSD COOLER
• Cryorig FROSTBIT M.2 Heat Sink

3. Does the Samsung SSD 980 require a heat sink?

The Samsung 980 Pro should function adequately without an additional heatsink, though it might perform better with one. Nonetheless, any SSD without a pre-installed heatsink can operate without one, provided it isn't subjected to excessive overheating, such as during gaming sessions. If you intend to use it for gaming, it is advisable to install a cooler to avoid potential issues like slow write speeds on the Samsung 980 Pro SSD or system crashes.