I just built my second PC and I'm really enjoying it! I'm using an SN8100 2TB SSD in the direct-to-CPU slot and an SN850X for my games. However, the SN850X is in a slot that doesn't have a motherboard heatsink because the other slots share PCIe lanes with my GPU, which I'm trying to avoid using. I bought the Arctic M.2 Pro heatsink since it was affordable and compatible with double-sided NVMe SSDs. But when I tried to install it, the heatsink was too tight for the SN850X with the 1.5mm thermal pad already in place. The only way it fit was by pushing it down hard, which pressed the backplate against the SSD's chipsets and controller. While it's been running fine so far, I'm a bit worried about potential damage or thermal throttling. I'd love to hear any recommendations for a better heatsink for my SN850X 4TB!
4 Answers
You could grab a cheap heatsink, like one for around $5-10 that has adjustable side screws on Amazon. That way, you can set the height just right for your M.2 SSD!
Compressing that thermal pad isn’t a big deal. If you're looking for a replacement, check out the Thermalright TR-M.2 2280 Type A—it’s a popular option.
The compression isn't my main concern, but I want to avoid direct contact with the chipsets. I will definitely look into the Thermalright one, thanks!
Honestly, if you're gaming, you probably don’t need a heatsink for your SSD. Your motherboard might already have sufficient cooling, and most of the differences in thermal performance aren't a big deal during gaming. If you really want one, almost any heatsink will do since they mainly act as heat spreaders.
I get that, but I want to keep my options open. Avoiding those other heatsinks is a must for my GPU lanes, and since I'm installing a lot of games, I’d rather be safe. Heatsinks are pretty cheap anyway!
You don’t really need a heatsink at all, and if it’s working fine pressed against the controller now, you might risk more issues if you take it off. The benefits are minimal anyway.
I'll check those out! Do you have any specific ones in mind, or would any of them work?