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Noob question about nvme temps.

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Sep 26, 2020
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System Name The_Mule
Processor i9 9960x
Motherboard ASUS ROG STIRX X299-E Gaming II
Memory 64GB Quad
Video Card(s) RTX 3080 12GB
Storage 2TB NVME + 6TB for stuff
Display(s) DELL S2716FG + DELL 1908WFP
Case FRACTAL DESIGN R6
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Power Supply EVGA SuperNova 1000W 80+ Gold
Software Win 11 Pro
I have two free PCI-e slots on my motherboard but they are only PCI-e 3.0 x4 slots. I know that PCI-e 4.0 or 5.0 nvme drives are backward compatible however do they run at lower temps while limited to PCI-e 3.0 speed?
I want to put 1 2TB drive and I would like to avoid installing a radiator.
 
They will run cooler, only when pcie interface speed is the limiting factor on performance. You are best off just getting a cheap heatsink.
 
The temps should be better as the max speed allowed is PCI-e 3 so they be naturally running slower. All so will depend on location the board too and if they have a heatsink too.

I would buy them without a heatsink and buy the heatsink separately to fit your needs.
 
Than you guys :toast: My mobo has pretty solid (metal) lid it works just fine with my OS drive, I'll give it a try with a decent thermopad.
 
The newer NVMe drives that have the controller chip on the smaller 7nm processor node are much cooler than the older 12/14nm chips that require a heatsink.
 
I figure M.2 NVMe SSD temperatures will ease as foundries retool for BiCS improvements. Give the sector some time as consumer needs differ from corporate ones. I have seen some water cooled servers as the NVMe was too warm for air. PCIe 5.0 is migrating to PCIe 6.0 and now PCIe 7.0 is emerging.

My Dell is PCIe 4.0 so it takes few more seconds to boot My next laptop will likely have some improvements but my machine now is not hurting.
 
They will run cooler and may not even require a heatsink. But if you already have one, might as well use it. Certainly no over-the-top pcie 5 like contraptions should be necessary.
 
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