Hey everyone! I'm putting together a new PC build and I've already picked up a 4TB 990 EVO Plus as my gaming drive—I snagged it on sale for $200, which was a great deal! Now I'm looking for a boot drive and was considering the 2TB 990 EVO Plus, but I noticed it doesn't come with a heatsink. Is that going to be an issue? I also found the WD Black 2TB, which is a bit pricier, but it does have a heatsink. Does it really make a difference?
7 Answers
I had the WD Black 2TB with a heatsink for my PS5, but I had to take it off to get it to fit the slot on my motherboard. It’s a solid drive, but just make sure it fits!
You can find aftermarket heatsinks for pretty cheap if you're really concerned. It might be a good investment if you plan to push your drive hard.
You don’t really need a heatsink for either if it’s just for gaming. I usually go with whatever my motherboard has, and if not, the one that comes with the SSD is fine. Just keep in mind, you could save some cash just using the 4TB for both booting and gaming—it’s really not necessary to have two drives anymore.
That doesn't sound right, though.
Having a heatsink can really help with performance and longevity, especially under load. But a lot of motherboards come with built-in heatsinks or thermal plates, so if yours has one, you should be fine!
If you have good airflow in your case, the 990 EVO Plus should be fine without a heatsink. Just use whatever your motherboard offers; it'll usually have a decent cooling solution if it's premium. Plus, if it’s purely for gaming, you shouldn’t worry too much.
Yes, you definitely want a heatsink for your SSD. Check your motherboard because they often include one for the primary slot, which can help a lot!
Honestly, in 2025, you don’t really need separate drives for booting and gaming anymore. Just get one larger drive; it simplifies everything!
Are WD Black drives faster than the Samsung ones?