Should I Choose the Samsung 9100 Pro or the Pro with Heatsink for My New PC?

The top M.2 slot on your motherboard has its own heatsink and is the only one that supports 5.0x4 speeds, so you might not need a heatsink. For the type of work you're doing, you probably won't fully utilize the speeds of a 5.0x4 SSD, aside from specific tasks in Nuke. Look for one with DRAM, like the one you're eyeing. If you're planning to expand your storage down the line, consider a better motherboard than the X870 Eagle; something like the B850 Tomahawk MAX would give you more flexibility without breaking the bank.

Just go for the 9100 SSD without the heatsink and then get a third-party M.2 heatsink with active cooling. It gives you the cooling you need without overspending on the SSD.

For production work, the version with the heatsink is definitely recommended, as you'll get the full SSD speeds. Gen 5 SSDs can run hot, so having that extra cooling helps. Even if your motherboard has a heatsink, I’d trust the manufacturer’s option over generic ones.

If I had your budget, I'd grab two SSDs without heatsinks and buy a stylish third-party heatsink that matches my PC's look. Many motherboards already include heatsinks, so spending extra for certain SSD brands can be a bit much. A separate standalone heatsink with a fan is also an option if you want extra flair for around $15.

If the heatsink version costs double, then just go for the non-heatsink SSD! Most motherboards already have dedicated heatsinks for M.2 SSDs, so you likely won't need the extra heat management from the SSD itself.