Is your Samsung 970 Series NVMe SSD feeling the heat? You’re not alone! These incredibly fast solid-state drives can get pretty toasty when they’re working hard, especially during intense gaming sessions, large file transfers, or heavy-duty video editing. When an SSD overheats, it can “thermal throttle,” meaning it intentionally slows down to protect itself, which totally defeats the purpose of having a blazing-fast drive.
That’s where a good heatsink comes in. While the main keyword for this article is “best active heatsink for 970 samsung ssd,” it’s important to note that many high-performance cooling solutions for M.2 SSDs are passive heatsinks (aluminum fins) that do an incredible job of dissipating heat. Only a select few truly active heatsinks incorporate a fan for forced air cooling. Regardless, finding an effective cooling solution is crucial for maintaining optimal performance and extending the lifespan of your valuable Samsung 970 SSD.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive into some of the top heatsinks and SSDs with integrated cooling that can help keep your Samsung 970 PRO or EVO running at peak efficiency. We’ve compiled a list of 10 options, ranging from standalone heatsinks designed specifically for your 970 series to newer Samsung SSDs that come with their own advanced cooling systems built-in. Let’s explore the options and help you find the best active heatsink for 970 Samsung SSD performance!
Our Top Picks for Samsung 970 SSD Cooling
1. M.2 PS5 SSD NVMe Heatsink for Samsung 990 980 Pro…
This M.2 SSD heatsink is a versatile cooling solution designed to keep a wide range of M.2 2280 NVMe SSDs, including your Samsung 970 EVO or PRO, running cool. What makes it stand out is its robust aluminum alloy construction combined with a smart groove design, which significantly increases the surface area for heat dissipation. It’s also designed with adjustable screws and double-sided clips, ensuring a snug fit for various SSD heights, which is great for protecting your drive during installation.
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Key Features:
- Designed for M.2 2280 SSDs, compatible with Samsung 970 series.
- Aluminum alloy groove material for enhanced cooling.
- Claims 10°C – 30°C cooling effect.
- Easy installation with double-sided clips and 6 height-adjustable screws.
- Includes three nano thermal pads for superior thermal conductivity.
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Pros:
- Excellent compatibility with a wide range of popular M.2 SSDs.
- High-quality aluminum construction with effective heat dissipation design.
- Easy and secure installation process.
- Nano-silicone thermal pads are soft and won’t damage SSD labels.
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Cons:
- Cooling effect can vary based on ambient environment.
- May add some bulk, requiring sufficient clearance in your PC case or PS5.
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User Impressions: Users frequently praise this heatsink for its straightforward installation and noticeable temperature drops on their NVMe SSDs, often citing improved sustained performance, especially in demanding applications or gaming. Many appreciate the secure fit provided by the adjustable screws.
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2. M.2 2280 SSD NVMe Heatsink for Samsung 9100 PRO/990…
This heatsink offers a specialized design focused on maximizing heat dissipation for M.2 2280 SSDs, making it an ideal choice for your Samsung 970. Its durable aluminum build not only protects your precious drive but also features a unique ventilation design to extend the SSD’s service life. The premium thermal pads included are designed for excellent conductivity and flexibility, ensuring optimal contact even with uneven surfaces.
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Key Features:
- Specifically designed for M.2 2280 NVMe SSDs, including Samsung 970 series.
- Durable aluminum material with specially engineered ventilation.
- Premium soft silicone thermal pads for improved thermal conductivity.
- Adjustable screw fixing holes for stable and optimal contact.
- Compact and lightweight design.
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Pros:
- Excellent cooling efficiency thanks to dedicated ventilation.
- High-quality thermal pads ensure effective heat transfer without damaging the SSD.
- Robust construction provides good physical protection for the drive.
- Easy to install with adjustable features for a secure fit.
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Cons:
- Primarily a passive cooling solution, though very effective.
- Compatibility might be tighter for certain niche M.2 slot configurations.
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User Impressions: Customers often highlight the sleek design and solid build quality of this heatsink. They report significant temperature drops, especially on Samsung 970 series drives, leading to less throttling and more consistent performance during heavy workloads. The installation is generally described as simple and intuitive.
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3. M.2 Heatsink Cooler 2280 SSD Double-Sided Heat Sink with…
This double-sided M.2 heatsink cooler offers a simple yet effective solution for keeping your Samsung 970 SSD cool. Its key strength lies in its double-sided clip design, which allows for a secure fit across various M.2 NVMe SSD heights, providing both stable installation and excellent heat dissipation. Made from aluminum alloy with an anodic oxidation surface treatment, it’s built for durability and effective heat transfer.
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Key Features:
- Designed for desktop PC/PS5, compatible with Samsung 970 series.
- Aluminum alloy main body with anodic oxidation surface treatment.
- Double-sided clip design for versatile M.2 SSD heights.
- Includes thermal pads with good thermal conductivity and low viscosity.
- Offers 10°C – 20°C cooling effect.
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Pros:
- Simple and effective double-sided cooling.
- Easy to install and securely fits a range of SSDs.
- Durable material with aesthetic silver plating.
- Good cooling performance for general use.
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Cons:
- Cooling performance might be less aggressive than some competitor designs.
- “Active” aspect is more about effective passive cooling than a fan.
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User Impressions: Reviewers appreciate the no-frills, effective cooling this heatsink provides. It’s often praised for its ease of installation and the noticeable reduction in SSD temperatures, preventing thermal throttling on drives like the Samsung 970. Many users find it a great value for the price.
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4. SAMSUNG 990 PRO w/ Heatsink SSD 2TB, PCIe Gen4 M.2…
While not a standalone heatsink for your existing 970, the Samsung 990 PRO with Heatsink is a fantastic option if you’re looking to upgrade your entire M.2 SSD and get cutting-edge performance with integrated, factory-tuned cooling. This drive is a powerhouse, offering PCIe Gen4 speeds that blow past the 970 series, along with a slim, integrated heatsink specifically designed by Samsung to ensure optimal temperature control and prevent performance drops under heavy load. It’s a true “plug-and-play” solution for top-tier performance and thermal management.
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Key Features:
- Integrated ultra-slim heatsink designed for optimal temperature control.
- PCIe Gen4 M.2 SSD with blazing sequential read/write speeds (up to 7450/6900 MB/s).
- Significantly improved random performance over the 980 PRO.
- Compatible with PlayStation 5 and PCI-SIG D8 standard desktops/laptops.
- Available in large storage capacities (1TB to 4TB).
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Pros:
- Best-in-class performance with integrated, optimized cooling.
- No need for separate heatsink installation; ready to go.
- Ideal for demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, and data analysis.
- Exceptional reliability from Samsung, the world’s #1 flash memory brand.
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Cons:
- This is an entire SSD replacement, not just a heatsink for your existing 970.
- Higher cost than a standalone heatsink.
- Only suitable if your system supports PCIe Gen4.
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User Impressions: Users rave about the incredible speed and consistent performance of the 990 PRO with Heatsink. Gamers especially love how it reduces loading times and prevents any signs of thermal throttling, even during extended play. The integrated heatsink is consistently praised for its effectiveness and convenience.
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5. Samsung SSD 9100 PRO with Heatsink 2TB, PCIe 5.0×4 M.2…
Pushing the boundaries even further, the Samsung 9100 PRO with Heatsink is for those who demand the absolute peak of SSD performance and are ready for the next generation of computing. This drive is a PCIe 5.0 marvel, delivering mind-blowing speeds and coming equipped with an advanced integrated heatsink to manage its intense thermal output. If you’re building a bleeding-edge system or upgrading your current one to Gen5, this drive provides unparalleled speed and a robust, built-in cooling solution, ensuring your workflow and gaming are turbo-charged without compromise.
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Key Features:
- Breakthrough PCIe 5.0 performance (up to 14,800/13,400 MB/s sequential).
- Integrated heatsink for optimal temperature control, slim profile.
- 5nm controller boosts power efficiency.
- Compatible with PCIe 5.0 PCs, laptops, and PlayStation 5.
- Supports Magician Software for drive health and updates.
- Available in massive capacities up to 8TB.
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Pros:
- Cutting-edge PCIe 5.0 speeds, twice as fast as 990 PRO.
- Factory-integrated heatsink ensures perfect fit and thermal performance.
- Exceptional random read/write speeds for AI, gaming, and multitasking.
- Excellent power efficiency for a high-performance drive.
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Cons:
- Highest price point among the listed options.
- Requires a motherboard with PCIe 5.0 M.2 slots to utilize full speed.
- An entire SSD, not a separate heatsink for an existing 970.
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User Impressions: Early adopters and high-performance enthusiasts are blown away by the speed and responsiveness of the 9100 PRO with Heatsink. They report virtually no lag in any application, with the integrated heatsink effectively maintaining performance under extreme loads. The ease of installation (as a complete unit) is also a big plus.
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6. M.2 Heatsink SSD Cooler for PS5 PCIE NVME or SATA…
This M.2 heatsink 2-pack offers a practical and effective double-sided cooling solution for your Samsung 970 EVO/PRO, specifically designed for desktop computers and PS5 compatibility. The aluminum alloy construction features a groove design that significantly increases the heat dissipation area, helping to drop temperatures by a reported 10°C to 30°C. It comes with high-quality nano thermal pads that are soft and flexible, ensuring excellent contact without damaging your SSD’s warranty label.
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Key Features:
- M.2 heatsink 2-pack, ideal for multiple SSDs or spares.
- Double-sided aluminum alloy-groove design for increased heat dissipation.
- Compatible with M.2 2280 SSDs, including Samsung 970 series.
- Nano Silicon Grease Material thermal pads for good thermal conductivity.
- CNC fine workmanship with anodic oxidation surface treatment.
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Pros:
- Comes as a convenient 2-pack, offering great value.
- Effective double-sided cooling for significant temperature drops.
- Nano thermal pads are safe and efficient.
- Solid aluminum construction built to last.
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Cons:
- Cooling effect, as with all passive solutions, is dependent on ambient airflow.
- Fixed screw design might be slightly less flexible than adjustable ones for odd SSD heights.
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User Impressions: Users frequently commend this product for its value, offering two heatsinks for the price of one. They report noticeable improvements in SSD temperatures and stability, particularly for older or hotter-running M.2 drives like the Samsung 970. Installation is generally considered straightforward, making it a popular choice.
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7. SAMSUNG 970 EVO Plus SSD 1TB NVMe M.2 Internal Solid…
It’s important to clarify that the SAMSUNG 970 EVO Plus SSD itself, as listed here, does not come with an external heatsink. This product is the fantastic NVMe SSD that many users (including potentially you!) are looking to cool. The 970 EVO Plus is renowned for its breakthrough read/write speeds and reliable performance, but like any high-performance NVMe drive, it can benefit greatly from an external heatsink to unleash its full potential. Samsung does include “Dynamic Thermal Guard” technology within the SSD’s firmware to automatically manage temperatures, but an external heatsink provides an additional layer of cooling for sustained heavy workloads, ensuring you get the most out of this powerful drive without thermal throttling.
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Key Features (of the SSD itself):
- Powered by V-NAND technology for breakthrough read/write speeds (up to 3,500/3,300 MB/s).
- Samsung Magician software for data security, drive health monitoring, and performance boosting.
- Internal Dynamic Thermal Guard for automatic temperature management.
- High endurance ratings (up to 1,200 TBW for 2TB model).
- Excellent reliability and a 5-year limited warranty.
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Pros (of the SSD):
- Exceptional performance for its generation, making it a popular choice.
- Reliable and durable with Samsung’s renowned quality.
- Internal thermal management helps, but an external heatsink enhances it.
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Cons (related to heatsink discussion):
- This product is the SSD, not a heatsink for it.
- An external heatsink is highly recommended for optimal performance under heavy load, as the drive itself is bare.
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User Impressions: Owners consistently praise the 970 EVO Plus for its incredible speed and responsiveness, making their PCs feel much faster. Many note that while the drive performs admirably on its own, adding a passive or active heatsink significantly improves sustained performance during intensive tasks, confirming the benefit of external cooling for this powerhouse drive.
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8. Awxlumv M.2 Heatsink NVMe SSD PS5 Heat Sink Computer PC…
The Awxlumv M.2 Heatsink is another solid choice for your Samsung 970, focusing on efficient double-sided cooling. Its design features an aluminum alloy body with a distinctive broken groove pattern that helps to increase heat dissipation speed. This heatsink is designed for flexibility, with a double-sided clip design and five adjustable height screws, ensuring compatibility with M.2 NVMe SSDs of various thicknesses. It promises a significant temperature drop, helping to prevent throttling and boost your computer’s performance.
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Key Features:
- Specifically designed for M.2 2280mm SSDs, suitable for 970 series and PS5.
- Double-sided aluminum alloy-groove design for enhanced heat dissipation.
- Claims 10°C – 30°C cooling effect (environmental variation noted).
- Three nano thermal pads for high thermal conductivity and ductility.
- Easy installation with adjustable screws and clips.
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Pros:
- Effective double-sided cooling for consistent performance.
- Adjustable height screws provide excellent compatibility and a secure fit.
- High-quality nano thermal pads ensure efficient heat transfer.
- Durable aluminum construction with an aesthetic design.
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Cons:
- Cooling performance, like other passive heatsinks, is influenced by case airflow.
- Minimum installation height requirement of 12mm might be a factor for some ultra-compact builds.
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User Impressions: Users report that this heatsink does an excellent job of lowering SSD temperatures, particularly for high-performance drives like the Samsung 970 series, preventing thermal throttling. The adjustable screws are a frequently praised feature for making installation secure and hassle-free.
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9. QIVYNSRY M.2 Heatsink NVMe 2280 PS5 SSD Heat Sink…
The QIVYNSRY M.2 Heatsink is engineered to upgrade your PC or PS5’s cooling capabilities for M.2 NVMe SSDs, making it a strong contender for the best active heatsink for 970 samsung ssd needs. It features an aluminum alloy construction with a large heat dissipation area, promising a substantial cooling effect of 10°C to 30°C. Installation is made simple and secure with its double-sided clip design and six adjustable height screws, plus two spare screws for convenience, ensuring a perfect fit for various M.2 SSDs.
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Key Features:
- Specifically designed for M.2 2280 SSDs, compatible with Samsung 970 series.
- Aluminum alloy material for increased heat dissipation area.
- Claims 10°C – 30°C cooling effect.
- Easy installation with double-sided clips and 6 adjustable height screws (plus 2 spares).
- Three nano thermal pads made from Nano Silicon Grease Material.
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Pros:
- Strong cooling performance for preventing thermal throttling.
- Highly adjustable design for excellent compatibility and secure mounting.
- High-quality thermal pads that are safe for SSD labels.
- Comes with spare screws, a thoughtful addition.
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Cons:
- Cooling performance is dependent on ambient case airflow.
- “Active” refers to its efficiency, not the presence of a fan.
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User Impressions: Customers are generally very pleased with the QIVYNSRY heatsink, citing its effectiveness in keeping their NVMe SSDs, including Samsung 970s, at much lower temperatures. The ease of installation and the secure fit provided by the adjustable screws are standout points for many users.
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10. Thermalright HR10 2280 PRO Black SSD Heatsink…
If you’re truly seeking an active heatsink, the Thermalright HR10 2280 PRO Black stands out. Thermalright, a brand known for its cooling solutions, brings advanced technology to this M.2 SSD heatsink. This isn’t just passive fins; it features AGHP technology heatpipes and a compact PWM fan (3500-6000RPM) for forced air cooling, making it a genuinely active cooling solution. This beast is designed to quickly whisk away heat, supporting even the demanding PCI-E 5.0 SSDs, and will absolutely conquer any heat issues your Samsung 970 might throw at it.
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Key Features:
- Truly active cooling with a custom 30mm x 30mm x 10mm PWM fan (3500-6000RPM).
- Advanced AGHP technology with 4x5mm heatpipes for superior heat conduction.
- Double-sided cooling with high thermal conductivity (14.8W/MK) pads.
- Stainless steel laminated lower cover for increased cooling area.
- Support for single-sided and double-sided 2280 SSDs (like Samsung 970).
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Pros:
- Superior cooling performance due to active fan and heatpipe technology.
- Ideal for highly demanding users who experience severe thermal throttling.
- High-quality thermal pads with exceptional conductivity.
- Sleek black design with robust construction.
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Cons:
- The fan might introduce some minimal noise, though typically very quiet.
- Larger footprint due to the fan, potentially causing clearance issues in very tight builds or certain ITX motherboards.
- Higher price point compared to passive heatsinks.
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User Impressions: Users who opt for the Thermalright HR10 are consistently impressed by its outstanding cooling capabilities. They report drastically lower SSD temperatures, even under extreme load, ensuring zero thermal throttling. While acknowledging its larger size, many consider it the ultimate solution for keeping their high-performance NVMe drives, like the Samsung 970, operating at their absolute best.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Do I really need an active heatsink for my Samsung 970 SSD?
A: While the Samsung 970 series SSDs have built-in thermal management (like Dynamic Thermal Guard), they can still experience thermal throttling under sustained heavy workloads (e.g., large file transfers, intense gaming, video editing). Adding an external heatsink (passive or active) is highly recommended to maintain peak performance, prevent slowdowns, and potentially extend the lifespan of your drive by keeping it cooler.
Q2: What’s the difference between an “active” and “passive” heatsink for M.2 SSDs?
A: A passive heatsink typically consists of a block of aluminum or copper with fins that absorb heat from the SSD and dissipate it into the surrounding air. They rely on natural convection or case airflow. An active heatsink, on the other hand, includes a small fan to actively push air over the heatsink fins, providing more aggressive and effective cooling by forcing heat away from the drive. While this article uses “active heatsink” in the main keyword, most common M.2 heatsinks are passive, with only a few true active solutions like the Thermalright HR10.
Q3: Will an M.2 heatsink improve my SSD’s speed?
A: Directly, no – a heatsink doesn’t make your SSD inherently faster than its rated specifications. However, it prevents your SSD from slowing down due to overheating (thermal throttling). By keeping the drive cool, a heatsink allows your Samsung 970 SSD to maintain its maximum rated speeds for longer periods during demanding tasks, effectively ensuring you always get the performance you paid for.
Q4: Are these heatsinks compatible with both Samsung 970 EVO and 970 PRO SSDs?
A: Yes, almost all M.2 2280 heatsinks (which is the standard size for the 970 series) are compatible with both the Samsung 970 EVO and 970 PRO models. These drives share the same physical dimensions, so a heatsink designed for one will fit the other.
Q5: Can I install an M.2 heatsink in my PS5?
A: Many M.2 heatsinks are designed with PS5 compatibility in mind, provided they meet the PS5’s specific size requirements (especially height clearance). Products like the M.2 PS5 SSD NVMe Heatsink and others on our list explicitly state PS5 compatibility in their features. Always double-check the dimensions of the heatsink and your PS5’s M.2 slot to ensure a proper fit.
Q6: How do I install an M.2 heatsink? Is it difficult?
A: Installing an M.2 heatsink is generally straightforward. Most heatsinks involve placing thermal pads on your SSD’s chips (both top and bottom, if double-sided), then securing the heatsink body around the SSD using clips or screws. It usually takes only a few minutes. Always refer to the specific heatsink’s instructions for the best results.
Q7: Do SSDs with integrated heatsinks (like Samsung 990 PRO with Heatsink) offer better cooling than standalone heatsinks?
A: SSDs that come with integrated heatsinks (like the Samsung 990 PRO or 9100 PRO with Heatsink) are often factory-tuned and optimized for that specific drive. This can lead to very efficient cooling as the heatsink is designed for the exact thermal profile and dimensions of the SSD. However, some aftermarket standalone heatsinks, especially larger passive ones or active ones with fans (like the Thermalright HR10), can offer comparable or even superior cooling for bare drives, depending on their design and the airflow within your PC case. The best choice depends on whether you’re buying a new SSD or cooling an existing one.