Question X870 Riptide: Do I need the thermal pad on M.2?

[JSC-34581]

I recently invested in an ASRock X870 Riptide. I'm in the middle of my build and whilst installing the SSD, to the primary m.2 slot, if I leave the thermal pad that came with the board in place, I just can't get the SSD "latch" in place, the thermal pad is too large and the SSD will not go down.

Question is, do I really need the thermal pad? I've opted for an SSD with integrated heatsink (it was on sale cheaper than the same model without) so would I be running any significant risks here?

I can't seem to get the locking mechanism to move. I kinda miss the old screws.

 

[COLGeek]

That integrated heatsink is the problem. Either remove it, or don't use the one that came with the motherboard.

The motherboard heatsink is not designed to accommodate an SSD with one already attached.

 

[JSC-34581]

Apologies if I wasn't clear. I have already removed the heatsink that came with the board (I'm sticking with the heatsink on the SSD) But the board came with thermal pads between the mobo and the SSD. It's this thermal pad that is preventing me from securing the SSD with the "latch".

I'm wondering if I can do away with the thermal pad between the mobo and SSD or if doing so, is unwise? I can't seem to find any way to adjust the "latch" height to accomodate the thermal pad below the SSD.

 

[COLGeek]

The pad is there to assist with heat transfer. Did you remove the protective film?

If still too think, you could replace the pad with a thinner one. What SSD are you using?

 

[JSC-34581]

I did indeed remove the protective film. The SSD in question is: Crucial T700 2TB.

Seems I might have to get thinner some thermal padding in that case. There is no way I'm getting this SSD secured otherwise.

 

[Bob.B]

I did indeed remove the protective film. The SSD in question is: Crucial T700 2TB.

Seems I might have to get thinner some thermal padding in that case. There is no way I'm getting this SSD secured otherwise.

Don't use the thermal pad.....run your stuff and watch the temps.

 

[CountMike]

I did indeed remove the protective film. The SSD in question is: Crucial T700 2TB.

Seems I might have to get thinner some thermal padding in that case. There is no way I'm getting this SSD secured otherwise.

If there's no metal plate or some kind of heat sink between MB and bottom of M.2, there's no use for thermal pad as heat has nowhere to go. it's even better to have some air instead. Thermal pads do nothing on their own.

 

[JSC-34581]

Don't use the thermal pad.....run your stuff and watch the temps.

I have gone with this for the time being. Keeping an eye on the temps. I will probably get some more pads after the holiday period. For now, everything seems to be okay. The pads will give me some peace of mind later though.

If there's no metal plate or some kind of heat sink between MB and bottom of M.2, there's no use for thermal pad as heat has nowhere to go. it's even better to have some air instead. Thermal pads do nothing on their own.

The mobo has a metal back plate, so it would draw the heat away from the drive. But given the heat sink on the top and the air beneath the SSD, I'm hoping that will do for now. The whole build is new so it's running nice and cool for the time being.

Thank you all, for your feedback. Last build I did, they didn't have thermal pads for SSD's!

 

[CountMike]

I have gone with this for the time being. Keeping an eye on the temps. I will probably get some more pads after the holiday period. For now, everything seems to be okay. The pads will give me some peace of mind later though.


The mobo has a metal back plate, so it would draw the heat away from the drive. But given the heat sink on the top and the air beneath the SSD, I'm hoping that will do for now. The whole build is new so it's running nice and cool for the time being.

Thank you all, for your feedback. Last build I did, they didn't have thermal pads for SSD's!

If it's back plate behind MB, heat would have to go thru MB which is insulator first.

 

[JSC-34581]

Now that I think about it, I don't recall if there was a back plate behind the mobo for the SSD. You'd think I'd have checked that huh?

 

[Bob.B]

Now that I think about it, I don't recall if there was a back plate behind the mobo for the SSD. You'd think I'd have checked that huh?

The pads that came with the mobo may have been to use between the top of the ssd and the metal plate.

 

[JSC-34581]

The mobo came with pads for the back plate AND the boards heatsink covers for the SSD drive on both the primary and dual secondary M.2 slots. It's impressive cooling but the pads are really chunky. I can't see how most drives would be comfortably sandwiched between those things.

It seems that the SSD's in built heatsink is doing the job of keeping the SSD cool for now. I helps that the case is loaded out with some pretty decent fans.