I saw someone place a thermal pad directly on an SSD without adding a separate heatsink. I'm considering doing something similar in my laptop, but there isn't enough clearance for a proper heatsink. If I stack two thermal pads so the SSD contacts the laptop's bottom cover, would the cover act as a heatsink and help dissipate the drive's heat?
3 Answers
A thermal pad by itself won’t do much because its main job is to transfer heat to another surface. If the laptop’s bottom cover is metal and the pad makes solid contact with it, the cover can act as a basic heat spreader. If the cover is plastic or otherwise insulating, the benefit will be minimal.
Avoid stacking two thermal pads if possible. Each pad-to-pad interface adds thermal resistance and can reduce heat transfer. A single pad with the correct thickness is preferable. Also check that the SSD components won’t short against the case and that the added pressure won’t interfere with the laptop closing properly.
The bottom case is effectively the heatsink in this setup. It may help, especially if it’s metal, but it won’t perform like a dedicated heatsink because the case may have limited surface area and airflow. Make sure the pad is thick enough to make contact without putting excessive pressure on the SSD or bending the cover.
The pad’s thickness and thermal conductivity matter here. A thicker pad might bridge the gap, but thicker or softer pads generally transfer heat less effectively than a properly fitted, thinner one.