I installed a 1TB WD Blue SN5000 as a second drive in my laptop. HWiNFO reports that Drive Temperature 2, described as the NAND flash media temperature, stays above 60°C at idle and reaches around 80°C during file transfers. The other drive temperatures are closer to 60°C under load, while CrystalDiskInfo reports the drive at only about 50°C. My original SK hynix drive usually stays between 40°C and 50°C. Should I be concerned about the higher NAND temperature, or is this normal for the SN5000?
2 Answers
Those readings are higher than ideal but not automatically dangerous for this particular SSD. The SN5000 is rated for operation up to about 85°C, unlike many consumer SSDs that use a lower 70°C limit. Occasional peaks around 80°C during transfers should be acceptable; sustained temperatures at or above the thermal limit would be the point to investigate cooling or airflow.
The SN5000 is known to run fairly hot under sustained workloads, especially in a laptop with limited airflow. Its temperature limit is around 85°C, so brief readings near 80°C are generally within its design range, though the drive may throttle as it approaches that limit. Improving heat transfer with a properly placed thermal pad against a suitable metal panel could help, as long as it does not interfere with the laptop's assembly.
Thanks. I’ll probably try adding a thermal pad between the drive and the aluminum panel to see whether that brings the temperature down.
So it should be fine as long as it does not climb toward 90°C or stay at the thermal limit for long periods?