M.2 SSDs and Thermal Pads / Thermal Foam

[MRxROBOT]

Do thermal pads or thermal foam make any discernible difference in operating temperature with M.2 SSDs?

 

[g4cube]

Do thermal pads or thermal foam make any discernible difference in operating temperature with M.2 SSDs?

Only if there is a heatsink on the other side of that thermal pad or foam. One side contacting the SSD chips; the other side being the heatsink or cooler.

 

[MRxROBOT]

Only if there is a heatsink on the other side of that thermal pad or foam. One side contacting the SSD chips; the other side being the heatsink or cooler.

What about when the drive is in a laptop that has a metal bottom case or if the drive is in a metal external enclosure, in which case does the thermal foam in fact draw heat away from the controller using the metal as a heatspreader? I'm curious to if this does in fact work or if it's one of those things that makes sense on paper but doesn't make any discernible difference in application.

 

[MrX8503]

The thermal pad has to physically touch something else, preferably metal.

 

[MRxROBOT]

The thermal pad has to physically touch something else, preferably metal.

Yes I know. See the post above yours.

 

[g4cube]

Yes, metal in a chassis or even a metal outside case can act as a heatsink.

 

[MRxROBOT]

Yes, metal in a chassis or even a metal outside case can act as a heatsink.

Thanks. While I understand the premise on paper, I'm curious to those who have experience in it's application.