What material type is better for a m.2 SSD heatsink in a laptop

[A&P211]

I will be putting a small heat sink on two M.2 SSD in a laptop, what would be better.
A copper heatsink or a aluminum heatsink.

I will be using the SSD for heavy writes so it will heat up pretty well. I am trying to get the longest possible top end writing speeds.
The 2 SSDs will be Corsair MP600 Pro 8TB.

 

[dgianstefani]

Unless the heatsink is actually sending the heat somewhere it won't make much difference in sustained loads.

Putting thermal pads that make contact with the ssd on one side and the case on the other would be more effective.

 

[joemama]

If there is enough gap in between the SSD and the case, then a copper heatsink and maybe even cut some vents on the case
If there isn't, use thermal pads to connect the SSD to the case

 

[A&P211]

If there is enough gap in between the SSD and the case, then a copper heatsink and maybe even cut some vents on the case
If there isn't, use thermal pads to connect the SSD to the case

Is putting just thermal pads better than a cooper heatsink. I do have a cooper heatsink on one of the SSDs. +

And should I put the heatsink over the entire SSD or just the controller.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Doubt you'd notice the difference.
Mine are all aluminum.

 

[Count von Schwalbe]

If the case material is metal, use thermal pads and the case will act as the heatsink.

If plastic, cut it away as much as possible and put a copper heatsink on.

Although, I would suggest an external enclosure would help with cooling more than any internal heatsink - if you can find one that does not reduce speeds.

 

[pavle]

Copper conducts heat near twice better than aluminum.

 

[Shrek]

But has a lesser heat capacity...

 

[pavle]

It would be best with additional fans under the laptop - Cu will then be better than Al, because of quick dissipation.

 

[Count von Schwalbe]

But has a lesser heat capacity...

Per this:

I will be using the SSD for heavy writes so it will heat up pretty well. I am trying to get the longest possible top end writing speeds.

I think either will be saturated quite quickly. Dissipation will be key, not absorption.

For burst/short writes, Al would be better as it would simply absorb the heat.

@A&P211 what is the laptop model?

 

[Shrek]

Sometimes aluminum CPU heat sinks have a copper core.

 

[joemama]

Is putting just thermal pads better than a cooper heatsink. I do have a cooper heatsink on one of the SSDs. +

And should I put the heatsink over the entire SSD or just the controller.

I can't directly compare the 2 options as I don't know the case design.
If the heatsink is a single large piece that can cover it whole then thats the best option. A larger heatsink offers higher heat capacity and more dissipation area

 

[A&P211]

Per this:

I think either will be saturated quite quickly. Dissipation will be key, not absorption.

For burst/short writes, Al would be better as it would simply absorb the heat.

@A&P211 what is the laptop model?

Its a MSI ge77, its the one in the system specs.

 

[Count von Schwalbe]

Ok, it seems that the base plate is aluminum on that one. I would suggest some thermal pads to transfer the heat to the case, and put it on a cooling pad.

 

[A&P211]

I can't directly compare the 2 options as I don't know the case design.
If the heatsink is a single large piece that can cover it whole then thats the best option. A larger heatsink offers higher heat capacity and more dissipation area

It look like this, 2 rubber bands on the tip ends.

Ok, it seems that the base plate is aluminum on that one. I would suggest some thermal pads to transfer the heat to the case, and put it on a cooling pad.

oh no, its plastic. The lid is metal, the bottom lid is not, i wish it was opposite.

 

[Count von Schwalbe]

oh no, its plastic. The lid is metal, the bottom lid is not, i wish it was opposite.

Crud. The review I was reading made it sound like the whole thing is metal.

Based on the picture below, I doubt there will be airflow worth mentioning in the SSD area. You will have to cut some slots in the laptop base to get some circulation - unless it has some there already.

That heatsink looks like a good choice though.

 

[thewan]

If there is barely any space for air to flow, you are better off with a copper plate coated with graphene and stuck on with thermal tape. keeps the height to a minimum while reducing some temps. Better than heatsinks that might initially reduce temps but will slowly become ineffective overtime because it got choked by being too close or completely touching your plastic case. I've done this on multiple laptops and can confirm it works well enough. Although I use the cheap aliexpress special of graphene sticker on copper plate with thermal sticker, if you can fine a proper graphene coated one it should work even better, if on a budget or can't find one, this cheap one does well.

Also remember that you are not supposed to sink heat directly via the laptop metal chassis, either directly attaching thermal pads to it or indirectly by having heatsinks that make contact with it. Its dangerous to both human skin and the surface of the laptop you use on (table, floor, whatever). There is a reason why manufacturers don't do this, it doesn't meet safety guidelines set by country specific laws to allow products to be sold to consumers.

 

[joemama]

Also remember that you are not supposed to sink heat directly via the laptop metal chassis, either directly attaching thermal pads to it or indirectly by having heatsinks that make contact with it. Its dangerous to both human skin and the surface of the laptop you use on (table, floor, whatever).

That shouldn't be a problem, the OP is cooling a SSD not some CPU or GPU which generates a lot of heat.

 

[Mussels]

You dont want anything held in with rubber bands because those will decay over time and fall off

You want/need a thermal pad under any heatsink you get, copper is technically better but with the low heat output of NVME drives you're just spreading the heat out to a larger area - it's not that big a deal how good that spreading is, and not all NVME drives benefit

(M.2 Sata drives, dont need heatsinks usually)

 

[A&P211]

You dont want anything held in with rubber bands because those will decay over time and fall off

You want/need a thermal pad under any heatsink you get, copper is technically better but with the low heat output of NVME drives you're just spreading the heat out to a larger area - it's not that big a deal how good that spreading is, and not all NVME drives benefit

(M.2 Sata drives, dont need heatsinks usually)

oh really, no rubber bands. It came with some but my last SSD with a heatsink, the rubber bank just dried out so I just some new ones.

 

[Mussels]

oh really, no rubber bands. It came with some but my last SSD with a heatsink, the rubber bank just dried out so I just some new ones.

Do you really want those rubber bands ending up in your CPU/GPU fans, and the metal heatsink coming loose?
Even thermal pads would have some adhesive value, just find a thin heatsink that doesnt need something as silly as rubber bands for a high-heat environment


This is one example of many, but its primarily designed for the PS5 - one side is held in by the regular M.2 screw, the rest by the thermal tape (not a pad). This wont fit any every system or laptop due to size, but its one of the better designed options (and thermal tape is a good solution even if you cant use the screw, since its designed for the PS5)

SABRENT M.2 NVMe Heatsink for The PS5 Console

If it fits, this one gets my recomendation based on the design - the fins help a LOT for cooling over flat metal, and it's basically a heatpipe imitator with those little copper pieces


Then theres these, which are much less heatsink but fit anywhere - and do a good job of cooling down the NVME drives controller, which is what needs cooling more than the flash themselves

Laptop NVMe M.2 Heatsink with Nano Thermal Pads，Heat Sink Copper for 2280 M2 SSD Laptop (2pcs)
Terrible rendering of the product, but its basically a copper sticker and thermal pads - for anything producing more heat these would be useless, but NVME drives are quite low wattage

There are also kinds that screw together in two pieces, but you have to be sure you have room under and beside your M.2 slot for these
Obviously, slimmer ones exist - just a demonstration of the type
EZDIY-FAB M.2 SSD heatsink 2280, Double-Sided Heat Sink, High Performance SSD Radiator for PC / PS5

 

[joemama]

Usually you just attach the heatsink onto the SSD with thermal pads, rubber bands could dry out and even stick to the contact surface causing a mess. Also rubber bands add up to the total thickness, if there isn't enough clearance, it could bend the SSD.

Your current heatsink should work just fine. A good heatsink requires a base plate thick enough to spread out the heat, a material with good heat conduction (aluminum or copper) and fins to dissipate heat into the air. SSDs don't generate a lot of heat so most fancy SSD heatsinks on the market are overkills.

Previously I bought a heatsink for my Kingston A2000 SSD looking like the picture below, it was like 2~3 USD only but it doesn't include thermal pads so I had to apply it myself.

 

[A&P211]

Do you really want those rubber bands ending up in your CPU/GPU fans, and the metal heatsink coming loose?
Even thermal pads would have some adhesive value, just find a thin heatsink that doesnt need something as silly as rubber bands for a high-heat environment


This is one example of many, but its primarily designed for the PS5 - one side is held in by the regular M.2 screw, the rest by the thermal tape (not a pad). This wont fit any every system or laptop due to size, but its one of the better designed options (and thermal tape is a good solution even if you cant use the screw, since its designed for the PS5)

SABRENT M.2 NVMe Heatsink for The PS5 Console
View attachment 283848
If it fits, this one gets my recomendation based on the design - the fins help a LOT for cooling over flat metal, and it's basically a heatpipe imitator with those little copper pieces


Then theres these, which are much less heatsink but fit anywhere - and do a good job of cooling down the NVME drives controller, which is what needs cooling more than the flash themselves

Laptop NVMe M.2 Heatsink with Nano Thermal Pads，Heat Sink Copper for 2280 M2 SSD Laptop (2pcs)
Terrible rendering of the product, but its basically a copper sticker and thermal pads - for anything producing more heat these would be useless, but NVME drives are quite low wattage

View attachment 283849

There are also kinds that screw together in two pieces, but you have to be sure you have room under and beside your M.2 slot for these
Obviously, slimmer ones exist - just a demonstration of the type
EZDIY-FAB M.2 SSD heatsink 2280, Double-Sided Heat Sink, High Performance SSD Radiator for PC / PS5
View attachment 283850

I'll take the rubber bands out. I dont want any damage to this laptop. thank you
I went with 2 copper heat sinks.

 

[killme2wice]

It's important to remember that while copper conducts heat better than aluminum it does not dissipate heat as well. Think of the radiator in your car. It draws heat from liquid using copper. It then uses aluminum fins to dispell that heat. Without the aluminum the copper would hold onto the heat longer. Aluminum on the other hand draws heat and releases it almost as quick making it the better choice of the 2 inside a computer.

 

[Assimilator]

It's important to remember that while copper conducts heat better than aluminum it does not dissipate heat as well. Think of the radiator in your car. It draws heat from liquid using copper. It then uses aluminum fins to dispell that heat. Without the aluminum the copper would hold onto the heat longer. Aluminum on the other hand draws heat and releases it almost as quick making it the better choice of the 2 inside a computer.

Why, exactly, did you feel the need for your first post in these forums to be a bump to a thread that's over a year old, and adding nothing new at that?