alphacool 11969 hdx apex acrylic argb m.2 2280 ssd cooler

The Alphacool HDX Apex Acrylic aRGB M.2 2280 SSD Cooler is a water block for one M.2 2280 SSD, with chips on one or both sides, two G1/4 ports and 3 digital aRGB LEDs. Its nickel-plated copper base sits under a clear acrylic top. The black one without lighting is the HDX Apex Acetal.

Properties

• Compatibility: M.2 2280 SSD, populated on one or both sides
• Ports: 2x G1/4
• Size (L x W x H): 67.99 x 25.6 x 16.8 mm
• Cooler: Nickel-plated copper, 1.6 mm bottom
• Top: Acrylic, clear
• Lighting: 3 digital aRGB LEDs, 5V, 3-Pin JST

Why an active M.2 cooler?

SSDs in M.2 format are becoming increasingly popular, because their high transfer rates and extremely low access times allow faster and more effective working or playing on the PC. Due to their design, though, they are only able to deliver that maximum performance for a short time. The controller chip heats up extremely quickly and begins to throttle the drive at an early stage in order to avoid overheating. Alphacool cites independent tests which have shown that during write operations the transfer rates of uncooled M.2 SSDs can drop after just 30 seconds. With read processes, the throttling usually occurs a few seconds later.

Alphacool offers this cooler so that the full performance of the SSD can be used permanently, over a significantly longer period of time. It says this is clearly noticeable during longer read and write processes. Alphacool calls it a useful addition to any water circuit, one that ensures the SSD memory can release its full potential.

Mounting

The cooler is compatible with drives that are mounted with memory chips on one side or on both. If the PCB is populated on both sides, the 0.5 mm heat conduction pad is used on each. If chips are only installed on one side, then the 1.5 mm pad goes on the side without chips. The manual says to remove the protective foils from the thermal pads first. Once the top and bottom of the SSD have been fitted with pads, it is pushed into the retaining clip and mounted under the cooler. The installation on the mainboard is then carried out as usual.

What the loop needs

The cooler can now be integrated into the water circuit using the existing G1/4 connections: two ports, so two fittings. The manual shows it connected to the other components of a cooling circuit, and the components shown there are not included.

Technical data cooler

• L x W x H: 67.99 x 25.6 x 16.8 mm
• Material cooler: nickel-plated copper
• Material cooler top: acrylic
• Material clip: synthetic material
• Threads: 2x G1/4
• Thickness cooler bottom: 1.6 mm
• Thermal conductivity thermal pads: 3 W/mK
• Illumination: digital aRGB LEDs
• Power connector digital aRGB LEDs: 3-Pin JST
• Power digital aRGB LEDs: 5V
• Number of digital aRGB LEDs: 3
• Pressure tested: 0.8 Bar
• Maximum working temperature: 60 °C
• Weight: 43 g
• Color: clear

Notes

• Use only clear, transparent water cooling fluids. Alphacool warns that the particles and additives in pastel liquids can clog and permanently damage radiators, pumps, coolers and hoses, which can void the manufacturer's warranty.

In the box

• 1x HDX Apex Acryl aRGB M.2 2280 SSD Cooler, clear
• 2x 20 x 68 x 0.5mm Thermal Pad
• 1x 20 x 68 x 1.5mm Thermal Pad
• 1x clip