Question Easy to install M2 Heatsink for existing system ?

[bernie.maggie]

I have a computer that was assembled a couple of years ago:

- asus tuf b550 motherboard
- Noctua U14s with two fans
- GTX 1030 GPU, passively cooled
- meshify c case
- Samsung Evo 970 plus 1tb installed next to the CPU, no heatsink
- Samsung Evo 970 plus 2tb in the secondary slot, with the heatsink that came with the motherboard.

I am not confident at doing complex work. However, my secondary drive has temperatures 10-15C below my primary drive.
The primary drive approaches 70C and appears to throttle when under load (I run proprietary financial simulations on my PC)

I would like an easy to install heatsink for the primary drive. What could I install without removing the GPU and CPU? I like the heatsink that came with my motherboard as I just screwed it on top of the drive and it just worked. However, I can't see those for sale. And I can't find any heatsinks that will just let me screw them into the motherboard. Perhaps I am searching in the wrong way, or they just aren't for sale.

 

[Lafong]

There are numerous Asus "tuf b550" boards.....gaming models, plus models, gaming plus models, etc.

What is the complete formal model name and number?

I don't know which manual to look at.

"appears to throttle"..............are you sure? That should be identifiable for certain.

970 Plus typically wouldn't need a heatsink, but you may have airflow issues.

What is the difference in airflow patterns from fans over each of those drives? You might be able to change that to good effect.

Is Windows on the 1 TB drive, the one closest to the CPU and without a heatsink?

 

[CountMike]

I have a computer that was assembled a couple of years ago:

- asus tuf b550 motherboard
- Noctua U14s with two fans
- GTX 1030 GPU, passively cooled
- meshify c case
- Samsung Evo 970 plus 1tb installed next to the CPU, no heatsink
- Samsung Evo 970 plus 2tb in the secondary slot, with the heatsink that came with the motherboard.

I am not confident at doing complex work. However, my secondary drive has temperatures 10-15C below my primary drive.
The primary drive approaches 70C and appears to throttle when under load (I run proprietary financial simulations on my PC)

I would like an easy to install heatsink for the primary drive. What could I install without removing the GPU and CPU? I like the heatsink that came with my motherboard as I just screwed it on top of the drive and it just worked. However, I can't see those for sale. And I can't find any heatsinks that will just let me screw them into the motherboard. Perhaps I am searching in the wrong way, or they just aren't for sale.

All aftermarket ones clip on drive itself but you have to take it out to mount it-

 

[bernie.maggie]

There are numerous Asus "tuf b550" boards.....gaming models, plus models, gaming plus models, etc.

What is the complete formal model name and number?

I'm not 100% sure, but it looks like this one:

TUF GAMING B550-PLUS｜Motherboards｜ASUS United Kingdom

TUF Gaming Motherboards are designed with game-ready features and proven durability in mind. Engineered with military-grade components, upgraded power solutions and a comprehensive set of cooling options. TUF Gaming delivers rock-solid performance with unwavering stability under any strenuous load.

www.asus.com

I don't know which manual to look at.

"appears to throttle"..............are you sure? That should be identifiable for certain.

Yes. I'm sure.

If the temp rises above 70C, my total CPU usage starts to drop. If it stays below 70C, the CPU usage is closer to 100%

During this time, my CPU temperature is fairly stable between 60-60C.

970 Plus typically wouldn't need a heatsink, but you may have airflow issues.

What is the difference in airflow patterns from fans over each of those drives? You might be able to change that to good effect.

Is Windows on the 1 TB drive, the one closest to the CPU and without a heatsink?

I have Ubuntu on the 1TB drive without the heatink.

In terms of airflow, I have 2 Noctua NF-A14 fans mounted on the front of the case.

The upper fan blows in the direction of the primary drive. However, it doesn't have direct line of sight, as I have 2 RAM modules in the way.

The lower one blows directly passed the secondary drive.

 

[Lafong]

Are the Noctuas spinning at maximum acceptable noise level?

 

[bernie.maggie]

No. They are at a nice low pleasing hum. From what I know, the fan curves in the BIOS adjust temperatures based on the CPU temperature. I don't think they can be adjusted based on the NVME temps.

 

[Misgar]

Does your GPU or CPU heatsink prevent easy access to the M.2 drive that needs a heatsink?

If so, you're out of luck if you're not prepared to disassemble a few components.

Most of the heatsinks I've fitted to M.2 drives require you to unplug the SSD from the mobo.

You fit the bottom plate of the heatsink under the SSD with one thermal pad, then fit the upper half of the heatsink with another thermal pad and screw the two halves together.

Finally, plug the drive back into the mobo and replace the GPU or any other overhanging cards.

I can take a while if space is restricted inside your case, but it's the price you have to pay for not buying an M.2 drive with a heatsink already fitted by the manufacturer.

 

[bernie.maggie]

Does your GPU or CPU heatsink prevent easy access to the M.2 drive that needs a heatsink?

Yes. That's the reason for my question. I don't fancy removing my GPU or CPU to fit it.

 

[Misgar]

You could buy a really simple M.2 heatsink with only one part (upper half) that sticks to the top of your NVMe drive using 3M adhesive tape.

Not as effective as a double sided heatsink with two flexible thermal pads that confirm to the various surfaces on both sides of the SSD.

You peel the backing tape off the double sided 3M tape, position the single sided heatsink over the top of the drive, them press down to stick the heatsink on top of the SSD.

There's a slight risk that if a single sided heatsink comes unstuck, it will rattle around inside the computer case and potentially cause a short circuit, but that's the price you have to pay for not unplugging the GPU and fitting a double sided heatsink.

Could can buy two part epoxy resin thermally conductive adhesive and make a more permanent job of sticking the heatsink on top of the SSD, but you're likely to spread glue all over the place if you drop the heatsink in the wrong place.

You can do the job properly, perform a bodge job, or put up with possible thermal to throttling. The choice is yours.

 

[bernie.maggie]

You can do the job properly, perform a bodge job, or put up with possible thermal to throttling. The choice is yours.

Thanks for the suggestions. Given the risk of the bodge jobs, and the fact that it's an important work machine, I think it might be best if I just copy my data over to the secondary drive and leave the primary drive as it is. I'll probably get a new PC in 3 years and will make sure I get heatsinks when that moment arrives.

 

[geofelt]

Look for a simple heat sink like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Awxlumv-M-2-heatsink/dp/B08MF73N1D?th=1

You should be able to simply press it on to the top of your m.2 device.