News Now More M.2 Screw Rage? Asus Creates Latched Mounting System for M.2 SSDs

[Admin]

Asus creates a new screw-free mounting system for M.2 SSD's with the use of a plastic latch that stays permanently on the motherboard.

Now More M.2 Screw Rage? Asus Creates Latched Mounting System for M.2 SSDs : Read more

 

[BillyBuerger]

Our Dell Optiplex PCs at work have been using a plastic "clip" to hold the SSDs for some time I think. Looks like this...

Doesn't necessarily let you move to different lengths as it's an OEM thing where they expect you to use their own approved parts.

I haven't been that bothered by the screws myself. My biggest issue was that most motherboards don't have a screw there by default. Seems to be that the SSDs themselves generally have come with the screws. Why don't they just include at least one screw in the longest position so it's there ready to go and can be moved to whatever location is needed?

 

[GenericUser]

My biggest issue was that most motherboards don't have a screw there by default. Seems to be that the SSDs themselves generally have come with the screws. Why don't they just include at least one screw in the longest position so it's there ready to go and can be moved to whatever location is needed?

I've generally witnessed the opposite, with the screws coming with the board in a bag somewhere, and the amount matching the number of M.2 slots. To avoid losing them I actually do what you said you wished they did, and just pre mount them in the board. That way if the computer or motherboard goes anywhere, the screws for the M.2 drives are always with it, whether there's a drive in place or not.

 

[logainofhades]

Yea the M.2 screw is usually just in a little bag, included in the motherboard. They really should be just installed, by default, for less plastic waste, though.

 

[thepersonwithaface45]

My z390E has a M.2 shroud, so the screw was in place when I went to install a M2 once I got one. I think shrouds are the way, they look nice as well.

 

[drtweak]

Our Dell Optiplex PCs at work have been using a plastic "clip" to hold the SSDs for some time I think. Looks like this...

Doesn't necessarily let you move to different lengths as it's an OEM thing where they expect you to use their own approved parts.

I haven't been that bothered by the screws myself. My biggest issue was that most motherboards don't have a screw there by default. Seems to be that the SSDs themselves generally have come with the screws. Why don't they just include at least one screw in the longest position so it's there ready to go and can be moved to whatever location is needed?

Was going to say the same thing! I will say this though they switched back to screws on the new ones, and unless you order with a M.2 THEY DON"T COME WITH A FREAKEN SCREW!!!!

 

[Conahl]

the x99 deluxe board i have, as one of those, which i bought in 2015 or so.

 

[warezme]

The screws are not really an issue if you are careful but my biggest shock is not all motherboard manufactures have a standard size for the screw retainer. It is more of shock when you loose one and then order a replacement only to receive it and not be the right size and you are like what>??? You mean this isn't standardized?

 

[hotaru.hino]

Why don't they just include at least one screw in the longest position so it's there ready to go and can be moved to whatever location is needed?

Some motherboards do include the screws. Mine came with the ones needed for all three slots in a separate bag.

But yeah, the screw thing never bothered me either since it's usually a one and done deal.

 

[Krotow]

The screws are not really an issue if you are careful but my biggest shock is not all motherboard manufactures have a standard size for the screw retainer. It is more of shock when you loose one and then order a replacement only to receive it and not be the right size and you are like what>??? You mean this isn't standardized?

Some motherboards even lack bundled M.2 spacers. And M.2 standard creators invented how to properly troll people - they use spacer with M3 screw at motherboard side and M2 thread for screw. Which is double fail because spacers in building stores and RC stores have M2 thread at both ends and doesn't match. Motherboards definitely must have unified solution for M.2 drive locking in place. Maybe something simpler and sturdier than weak plastic lock - like thumb screw with notches.

Stumbled on missing M.2 spacer and screw when wanted to add second M.2 drive into MSI MPG B550 Gaming Edge WiFi motherboard. Luckily I had extra spacer and screw left from other build.

 

[mac_angel]

There have been tonnes of options for a long time for anyone that has half a brain.
Duct tape
Gorilla Glue
any sort of bubble gum.

Gorilla Glue is awesome. Little bit of that on the CPU or GPU cooler and you never have to change your thermal paste again.

 

[Johnpombrio]

This is wrong. The mounting system for M.2 drives need BOTH a Standoff AND the Screw. I have had to screw the drive down on the mobo due to a lack of a standoff. It works...kinda but the board is bent way down in the socket. This mess should have all sorts of solutions besides tiny little bags of standoff and screws.

 

[jpe1701]

I have a lot of trouble with those little screws because I have a bad tremor so I am constantly losing them. I have to use a really strong magnetic screw driver. I learned with my last motherboard however to just use a tiny bit of scotch tape and tape the screw to the end.

 

[Sergei Tachenov]

I have a lot of trouble with those little screws because I have a bad tremor so I am constantly losing them. I have to use a really strong magnetic screw driver. I learned with my last motherboard however to just use a tiny bit of scotch tape and tape the screw to the end.

And to make matters worse, these screws are so small that my usual screwdriver that I use to screw literally everything else in my PC just doesn't match. I have to use a smaller one specially for this, and I don't have a magnetic one that small! So I have to squeeze one finger between the GPU and the cooler and try to simultaneously hold the screw and position the whole thing correctly... oh, and move the SSD into the proper position with that same finger as well! That's one hell of a feat...

 

[Conahl]

And to make matters worse, these screws are so small that my usual screwdriver that I use to screw literally everything else in my PC just doesn't match. I have to use a smaller one specially for this, and I don't have a magnetic one that small! So I have to squeeze one finger between the GPU and the cooler and try to simultaneously hold the screw and position the whole thing correctly... oh, and move the SSD into the proper position with that same finger as well! That's one hell of a feat...

IF you have a magnet, you can put a small magnetic charge on the screwdriver that is sufficient enough to hold the screw long enough to get it where it needs to be, and start it. done that for ages, i even do that for the mobo stand off screws 🙂

 

[hotaru.hino]

On another note, I just realized a lot of mid-range to higher end motherboards include a heatsink for the M.2 drive, usually mounted with sensibly sized screws. So it makes me wonder, at least for those motherboards, if the M.2 screw is really necessary.

 

[Krotow]

On another note, I just realized a lot of mid-range to higher end motherboards include a heatsink for the M.2 drive, usually mounted with sensibly sized screws. So it makes me wonder, at least for those motherboards, if the M.2 screw is really necessary.

It is. Because same motherboards usually have another M.2 slot. Where this screw will become very necessary if you will want to add second M.2 drive.

 

[Sergei Tachenov]

My mobo has heatsinks on both slots, so it's a really good question... or it would be, if SSDs themselves were not equipped with their own heatsinks, that are typically impossible to remove (at least without losing warranty). This makes mobo heatsinks pretty useless, unless I was willing to buy an SSD without a heatsink, but I think such models will become more and more rare very soon. Why? Because it “looks cool”. These days even most DDR4 units come with stupid plastic “heatsinks” that are absolutely useless, and would still be even if they were real heatsinks, so what can stop SSD vendors from equipping their products with real heatsinks, where they are actually useful? Nothing, I guess.