Question Install M.2 SSD Under Graphics Card?

[Pete66]

I have a Gigabyte B760 DS3H AX mobo. It has 2 M.2 connectors for SSDs:

• 1 x M.2 connector (Socket 3, M key, type 22110/2280 PCIe 4.0 x4/x2 SSD support) (M2A_CPU)
• 1 x M.2 connector (Socket 3, M key, type 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4/x2 SSD support) (M2P_SB)

I have a 1 GB SSD in the first connector (M2A_CPU). This is the system drive.

I'd like to add a second SSD, but there's a catch. The second connector is underneath an overhanging portion of the GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER graphics card.

Will I run into overheating issues if I install an SSD in the second connector? This SSD will be used for data (not video editing or other high intensity uses). If I do put an SSD here, should I use a heat sink on it?

I think that there is sufficient space between the surface of the mobo and the bottom of the portion of the graphics card that overhangs this area to fit an M.2 SSD, although I'm pretty sure that I'll have to remove the graphics card in order to install one.

I do have the alternative of using a 2.5" SSD connected to the mobo via SATA if sticking an M.2 in a tight space is a bad idea.

Thoughts?

 

[USAFRet]

Will I run into overheating issues if I install an SSD in the second connector?

Almost certainly not.

If it would lead to heat issues, they would not have put it there.

 

[RAIDGoblin]

Almost certainly not.

If it would lead to heat issues, they would not have put it there.

this, my brothers PC has the M.2 under the GPU, so long as it fits without the two things touching each other (it should, most of other mobo components like capacitors etc... stand higher than an M.2) you won't have any problems

 

[Misgar]

Will I run into overheating issues if I install an SSD in the second connector?

A quick look at the Gigabyte web site shows your motherboard does not have an integrated M.2 heatsink solution. I'd consider buying an M.2 drive with a pre-attached low profile heatsink. There should be a few mm clearance under the GPU.

The additional height of a heatsink will reduce air flow even more, but the thermal mass of the heatsink should go some way towards avoiding throttling on heavy loads.

I have a couple of 1TB Samsung SSDs, one with heatsink, the other without. My mobo has only two M.2 positions covered by the integrated heatsink, which also cools the X670 chipset with a small fan. The third M.2 slot has no heatsink, hence buying a drive with a heatsink for that position.

Third-party M.2 heatsinks tend to be much taller and may not fit under a GPU. You don't actually "need" a heatsink on many Gen.4 drives, but they may throttle more frequently. With Gen.5 M.2 I'd definitely use a heatsink.

My main (first) Windows M.2 drive sits between the GPU and the NH-D15 cooler, Hardly any free space around it, but the integral mobo cooler does a good job.

I do have the alternative of using a 2.5" SSD connected to the mobo via SATA if sticking an M.2 in a tight space is a bad idea.

SATA and M.2 drives are roughly the same price these days for lower capacities. You probably won't notice any speed difference if you're using the drive to store data.

I wouldn't worry about overheating.

 

[geofelt]

The key to avoiding m.2 heat issues is to see that you have some sort of airflow over the device.
And even if the m.2 does get hot over a sustained period of activity, it will protect itself by slowing down a bit until the situation resolves.

Nothing wrong with a 2.5" ssd which might be more convenient to install.
The price per gb should be comparable.