Does Your NVMe SSD Need a Heatsink? Tips Before You Buy
You buy a fast NVMe SSD and notice some models come with a metal block on top and some don't. What's the difference, and do you need the heatsink version? It depends on where you install it and how you use it. Here are practical tips to help you decide.
Why does an SSD need cooling at all?
Modern NVMe drives are very fast, and speed means heat, especially when copying large files or installing huge games. Every drive has an operating temperature range set by its maker. For example, according to Samsung's data sheet for the 990 PRO with Heatsink, the operating temperature is 0°C to 70°C (measured by S.M.A.R.T.), and Samsung recommends proper airflow. When a drive gets too hot, most drives slow themselves down automatically to protect themselves, which is called thermal throttling.
The good news is that this isn't a fault; it's smart protection. But if it happens a lot during your work, you'll notice file transfers suddenly slowing after a fast start, and that's where extra cooling helps. In everyday use such as gaming and browsing, most drives rarely reach that point.
When do you need a heatsink?
1. Installing it in a PS5: required
No debate here. According to PlayStation's official support page, using an M.2 SSD with a PS5 requires effective heat dissipation with a cooling structure such as a heatsink. Sony sets the size limits: up to 25 mm wide and up to 11.25 mm total thickness including cooling. It recommends a sequential read speed of 5,500 MB/s or faster, and the drive must be PCIe Gen4.
2. Your motherboard has no M.2 cover
Many modern motherboards come with a cooling cover over the M.2 slot. If yours has one, you usually don't need the heatsink version of the drive, and the two may not even fit together. If the slot is bare, the heatsink version is the easier choice.
3. Your work involves constant large transfers
For video editing and moving big projects, better cooling helps the drive hold its speed for longer. For gaming and daily use, load on the drive comes in short bursts.
Careful before removing a heatsink
An important point many miss: according to Samsung, the heatsink on the 990 PRO with Heatsink is pre-installed and should not be removed, as it can damage the device, and the warranty is void if it is removed. So if your motherboard has its own cover, buy the standard version instead of taking the heatsink off.
Quick tips
- Before buying, check whether your motherboard has an M.2 cooling cover.
- For PS5, choose a drive with a built-in heatsink and confirm it fits Sony's size limits.
- Monitor drive temperature with Samsung Magician or any tool that reads S.M.A.R.T.
- Look after case airflow: a drive under the graphics card can heat up from the card.
Our picks at Gamerzone
- Samsung 990 PRO with Heatsink 1TB: factory-fitted heatsink, listed by Samsung for PCs and PS5, with sequential reads up to 7,450 MB/s according to Samsung.
- Kingston NV3 1TB PCIe 4.0: a practical choice if your motherboard already has an M.2 cooling cover.
Check the current price on the product page.
Bottom line
A heatsink isn't always necessary. For PS5 it's required; for a PC it depends on your motherboard and how you use the drive. Choose right from the start, and don't remove a factory heatsink.
Contact us
Not sure which SSD fits your PC or PlayStation? WhatsApp 0564121558 or visit our Olaya or Aqiq branch in Riyadh. Installments available with Tamara and Tabby.