Dumb Question: Is it safe to put an external SSD on top of my PC case?

[jayneisagirlsname]

Realize this might be the stupidest question ever. For reference, I have a Fractal Design R5 case and I’m wondering if it’s safe to keep my external SSD (Samsung T5 500 GB) on top of the case. 

Not sure what a safe temp range is for such a drive.

 

Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks!

[Guest]

Why not, Use crystalDiskInfo to look at the ssd temp. If it is under 45C then all is good.

[Rainbow Dash]

Sure it's fine, just make sure you're not blowing hot air on it constantly. Don't let it fall and pull the cable out, or damage the cable. Or you could just duct tape it onto the case or velcro it to the case like how I just duct tape my sound DAC on the case.

[jayneisagirlsname]

3 minutes ago, Some Random Member said:

Why not, Use crystalDiskInfo to look at the ssd temp. If it is under 45C then all is good.

That works for external drives?

[vanished]

Only thing that would concern me is if your case is venting hot air onto it, or if it might block the ability of your case to vent.  If neither of those are an issue I can't see why it would be bad in any way.

[Guest]

2 minutes ago, jayneisagirlsname said:

That works for external drives?

Works for mine

[AT0MAC]

I would say Samsung it really playing it safe - if you look in the manual for your drive they have written:

 

"Use the product in appropriate environment: temperature between 5°C - 35°C and humidity between 10 - 80%."

 

The humidity is very important, but a chip based disc only recommended up to 35C seems low, should be able to handle way more.
So I guess it's fine as long you dont place it in direct sunlight and exhaust hot air directly onto it...

 

[jayneisagirlsname]

Thanks everyone. I keep it on on top of a moduvent, away from exhaust fans.

For reference:https://www.fractal-design-shop.de/Define-R5

 

So I guess I’m ok. Thanks again!

 

[Salacious B Crum]

Just pick up a cheap external case made for an internal ssd to be safe you can use it like any other ssd made to be external would offer some shock protection, that is shock as in banging it around

 

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA1DS5AU2703&ignorebbr=1&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleMKP-PC&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleMKP-PC-_-pla-_-External+Enclosure-_-9SIA1DS5AU2703&gclid=CjwKCAjwspHaBRBFEiwA0eM3kZhcWM2ZglRPeiZQgGjdH46QsFB70kesNg8IqAOosIEbDyl0sviJUhoCaLgQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

[jayneisagirlsname]

14 minutes ago, mrbilky said:

Just pick up a cheap external case made for an internal ssd to be safe you can use it like any other ssd made to be external would offer some shock protection, that is shock as in banging it around

 

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA1DS5AU2703&ignorebbr=1&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleMKP-PC&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleMKP-PC-_-pla-_-External+Enclosure-_-9SIA1DS5AU2703&gclid=CjwKCAjwspHaBRBFEiwA0eM3kZhcWM2ZglRPeiZQgGjdH46QsFB70kesNg8IqAOosIEbDyl0sviJUhoCaLgQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

That’s actually a great suggestion! It should also keep it cooler, right?

[Godlygamer23]

3 hours ago, jayneisagirlsname said:

That works for external drives?

Many SSDs allow you to monitor the temperature readouts from the sensors, but some do not. While mine is certainly not representative of modern SSDs(it's from 2012), I cannot monitor the temperature of the drive.