Best External USB Enclosure for a 980 Pro

[Audacter42]

Hello,

 

I am currently in the process of repurposing an aging 1TB Samsung 980 Pro m.2 SSD drive with the intention of transforming it into an external drive. In this regard, I'm seeking guidance on selecting a suitable external m.2 enclosure that ensures optimal functionality without encountering issues such as drive or enclosure overheating, which could potentially lead to persistent operational concerns like overheating or crashes. Of equal importance to me is the economic aspect, as I aim to buy as inexpensive an enclosure as I can without sacrificing my desired functions.

 

My primary requisites for the m.2 enclosure are a minimum data transfer speed of 10Gbps, and USB-C and USB-A cables. While a faster speed is desirable, it is not imperative due to associated cost implications. Honestly, the most important thing to me is that the enclosure can handle the heat associated with the 980 Pro drive and not crash. 

 

Any insights and advice you might have would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thank you for your valuable input.

 

Best regards,

 

Richard

 

[RONOTHAN##]

https://www.newegg.com/orico-prm2-c3/p/0VN-0003-001E6?Item=9SIA1DS99M5376

 

This is the one I use, so while it might not be the absolute best or best value, I can at least give some numbers for how it would perform. I just threw in my spare 980 Pro (500GB instead of 1TB, but I don't think that really matters) and without the included thermal pad ran CrystalDiskMark with a 5 loop length and 32GB file size to give it a decent thermal stress, so about 5 minutes straight of the drive under a fairly heavy load. The temps across the three sensors peaked at 62C, 62C, and 79C (assuming they're NAND chip 1, NAND chip 2, and controller). That is definitely on the high side, though do remember that's without the included thermal pad and middle heat sink (didn't want to take it off the usual drive I keep in there as it is a bit tricky to get on and off), so temps will be lower if you actually install it correctly, and it still wasn't enough to thermal throttle the drive. If you want me to run a different test, let me know, this was just the first thing I thought of. 

 

Also, if you do decide to go for it, it goes on sale every other week, so wait a few days and it should go down to ~$13. 

 

EDIT: In case you wanted them, these are the HWInfo and CrystalDiskMark screenshots:

Spoiler

 

Edited August 16, 2023 by RONOTHAN##

[Doobeedoo]

There's some USB4 expensive enclosure I remember I saw. But yeah, definitely need USB4 to take off though.

[kokosnh]

there are active cold ones out there, and yes, the best ones are the USB 4.0, but they are expensive...
 

[Audacter42]

Thanks so much! So I bought the Orico enclosure you recommended, and I'm trying to set it up, and running into a problem on step 1!

 

The cooling fin and thermal pad don't touch the memory chips when pressed against the SSD. There is TONS of empty space between the thermal pad and the fin (I put the thermal pad on the SSD first). Also the cooling fin sits on an angle sideways. So I tried reversing it and put the thermal pad on the fin first...same problem. 

 

Help!

There is no way the cooling fin will do ANYTHING like this. What do I do? Do I attempt to bend the fin until the SSD fits inside it? I don't see any other solution other than return it and hope the new one works.

 

[Audacter42]

When I say bend the fin I mean bend that little edge that runs the length of it. I would bend one edge so the opening the SSD fits into is ever so slightly larger.

 

Personally I'm leaning towards exchanging it.

[kokosnh]

ahh yes, the sliding ones.  

Got one of those types too. Can't really do anything in there for thermal pads... Best I thought is to just roll up the thermal pads just on the controller (as you don't need to cool the NAND), so it will coil up when you close it, and lands on controller, it won't make good contact, but what else you can do (depends how much space there is, if it have space to coil up)

Ps. Do note it can become hot very fast, 60C inside PC is cool for the SSD, 60C on the top of the desk is burning.

[Doodlebug]

Was anyone here able to get a Samsung 980PRO or any PRO/EVO models of M.2 NVME internal SSDs to work in an external enclosure?  I also am having this issue.  If the solution is to go non-Samsung, great!  I'd love to have a fast external drive with a known, self installed SSD rather than an off the shelf SSD with an unknown drive quality.  Someone mentioned going with a WD Black, wondering if that worked.

 

BTW, I repurposed a Lenovo SATA (500gb) in the Sabrent that was mentioned above, worked just fine.  Samsung, not so much.