Cooling Solutions for High-Speed SSDs: Thermalright’s HR-10 2280 PRO and HR-10 2280 PRO BLACK Heatsinks

The evolution of SSD technology has delivered impressive speed and performance gains, but it has also brought about a new challenge – excessive heat generation. Particularly with the advent of faster PCIe interfaces, SSDs are prone to overheating, leading to thermal throttling and reduced performance. To address this issue, Thermalright has introduced the HR-10 2280 PRO and HR-10 2280 PRO BLACK heatsinks, equipped with fans designed to effectively cool high-speed SSDs.

The Heat Issue with PCIe SSDs: As computer systems transitioned to PCIe 4.0 and PCIe 5.0 SSDs, the temperature problem has escalated. PCIe 4.0 drives already require heatsinks to prevent thermal throttling, and this issue becomes critical with PCIe 5.0 drives. The thermal challenges posed by M.2 PCIe 5.0 SSDs have even led to scarcity in the market, making them difficult to find despite their theoretical presence for two years.

Thermalright-HR-10-2280-PRO

Introducing the HR-10 2280 PRO and HR-10 2280 PRO BLACK Heatsinks

Thermalright has stepped in to provide a solution with two dedicated heatsinks: the HR-10 2280 PRO and the HR-10 2280 PRO BLACK. These high-density heatsinks are engineered to tackle the temperature problem associated with modern SSDs, offering a specialized cooling approach.

Key Features:

Thermalright HR-10 2280 PRO black

Heat Dissipation: The HR-10 2280 PRO model features four 5mm heatpipes passing through a dense block of aluminum fins, facilitating efficient heat dissipation from the SSD.

Fan-Assisted Cooling: To enhance cooling performance, both heatsinks are equipped with a 30 mm fan. This fan aids in rapidly dissipating heat, maintaining SSD temperatures within safe limits.

Fan Specifications: The included fan features a 4-pin PWM connector, allowing for variable fan speeds ranging from 3,500 RPM to 6,500 RPM. However, the noise level generated by this high-speed fan is not disclosed, so users should be aware of potential noise concerns.

Slim Design: The heatsinks have a height of approximately 44 mm. While this slim profile is effective for cooling SSDs, it may not be compatible with graphics cards. Many motherboards position the M.2 slot between the graphics card and the processor, creating a thermal “sandwich” scenario.

Color Options: The HR-10 2280 PRO is available in white, while the HR-10 2280 PRO BLACK comes in a sleek black color. Users can choose the model that best matches their system’s aesthetic.

Thermalright HR-10 2280 PRO heatsink

Availability and Pricing

Both the Thermalright HR-10 2280 PRO and HR-10 2280 PRO BLACK heatsinks are set to launch on October 11. These cooling solutions are expected to be priced at around $25, making them a reasonable investment for addressing SSD temperature concerns. However, users should carefully consider the potential noise impact that high-speed fans may introduce into their system.

It’s worth noting that Thermalright offers a 1-year warranty for these heatsinks. In some regions, including Spain, consumer protection regulations require brands to provide a minimum 3-year warranty, so users should be aware of this discrepancy and any associated warranty conditions.