Question I can't install my M.2 SSD with a heatsink I bought for it because I can't use a screw ?

[Raz_5_]

Hello today I bought a passive heatsink for my M.2 SSD but I can't install it because where you would usually screw it down into now had a plastic latch. Now that the M.2 SSD has a piece underneath it that slightly lifts it a little, the latch can no longer keep it in place. I don't know what to do.

https://imgur.com/a/76K5Y97

View: https://imgur.com/gallery/76K5Y97

 

[boju]

Passive heatsink would only be on top of the ssd wouldn't it? Shouldn't interfere with ssd pcb in the manner where the notch wouldn't sit flat with the plastic latch. Show pictures of what ssd + heatsink looks like.

What motherboard have you got and doesn't it itself provide heatsink covers?

There's no screw that replaces that latch, so it's an installation error here i believe.

 

[Misgar]

The passive heatsink I fitted on my M.2 drive had two sections that screwed together, i.e. a top section and a bottom section. The M.2 drive was sandwiched in between the two metal sections, with a thermal pad underneath and a thermal pad on top.

If the plastic latch on the motherboard is fouling on the heatsink and you don't mind a bit of DIY, judicious use of a Swiss File could be used to remove extraneous metal from the end of the heatsink.

Be scrupulous when cleaning fine particles of metal left by the file before fitting the M.2 drive or offering it up to the motherboard to see if it fits. Keep the thermal pads well away from the area when using a file. They'll pick up metal swarf which could cause a short circuit.

If you don't want to "mangle" the heatsink to make it fit, buy a different heatsink. They're not that expensive and it's worth doing the job properly.

 

[Raz_5_]

Passive heatsink would only be on top of the ssd wouldn't it? Shouldn't interfere with ssd pcb in the manner where the notch wouldn't sit flat with the plastic latch. Show pictures of what ssd + heatsink looks like.

What motherboard have you got and doesn't it itself provide heatsink covers?

There's no screw that replaces that latch, so it's an installation error here i believe.

The M2 is sandwhiched between 2 pieces, a bottom metal piece and the heatsink on top held together by two metal clips. The bottom part is causing the M2 to be slightly raised higher than normal causing the plastic lock not being able to fully turn to lock the M2 in place.

 

[Misgar]

Ah well, in that case and you can't modify it with a file, you need to buy a different M.2 cooler. There are dozens of different designs. It's just a question of finding the right one. Difficult but not impossible.