External SSD drive constantly warm

[aevan]

I have an external LaCie Thunderbolt SSD drive that I usually don't have plugged in all the time. It used to be plugged in on my previous Mac as a boot drive, but now I use it mostly just to move things between computers.

However, I left it plugged this time and even though I'm not using it at all, it is warm to the touch after being plugged in and idle for about an hour. I don't care it's warm as I don't hold it in my hand, but I don't want to break the little guy, so I plugged it off until I need to use it.

But this brings me to the question - is it safe to just leave these external drives plugged in all the time? I know there are quite a few fans of the 'external drive as media storage' here, so I'd like to know if it's ok to just keep the thing plugged in. Even if it gets warm without actually using it. Thanks.

 

[ricede]

I use a Lacie Rugged Thunderbolt SSD drive as my boot drive on my iMac. i have noticed that it stays warm even if I'm not actually working on the mac ( i.e. its in standby ) I did read somewhere that Thunderbolt connections run warm anyway.

Just Googled it and came up with this : The Thunderbolt Controller also is attached to a SATA PCIE controller. The thermal overhead of these extra components is likely the cause of the additional heat.

I think that as long as the drive is not HOT, then it should be ok. However - if you are not accessing the drive often - just disconnect it till you need it. I have external drives which i only ever connect, when i need them.

 

[aevan]

I use a Lacie Rugged Thunderbolt SSD drive as my boot drive on my iMac. i have noticed that it stays warm even if I'm not actually working on the mac ( i.e. its in standby ) I did read somewhere that Thunderbolt connections run warm anyway.

Just Googled it and came up with this : The Thunderbolt Controller also is attached to a SATA PCIE controller. The thermal overhead of these extra components is likely the cause of the additional heat.

I think that as long as the drive is not HOT, then it should be ok. However - if you are not accessing the drive often - just disconnect it till you need it. I have external drives which i only ever connect, when i need them.

Thanks for the quick reply! I think that's a good advice, I'll keep it disconnected until I need it.

 

[matreya]

My external Intel 730 SSD (inside an OWC Mercury On The Go Pro thunderbolt enclosure) remains hot at 46° C.

I don't let it worry me.

 

[hfg]

Despite the notion that SSDs are low power and run cool ... in actual use they do not. A fast SSD in intensive use can get quite hot, and while the average power is "low", there are very short peaks of very high power consumption.

That your external enclosed SSD is warm is normal ... don't worry about it.