Alphacool HDX Apex Acrylic aRGB M.2 2280 SSD Cooler (11969)

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.

Copper instead of aluminum!

Alphacool only uses copper in its water coolers. The reason it gives is simple: copper has almost twice the thermal conductivity of aluminum, which Alphacool says makes it therefore the obviously better choice of material for a water cooler. The data sheet adds that the cooler avoids overheating of the SSD and allows the best possible performance.

Brilliant lighting

The top is equipped with 3 digitally addressable 5V RGB LEDs, which Alphacool says create a unique, very noble-looking illumination. This Digital aRGB LED illumination is connected via a JST 3-pin connector. To control the digital RGB lighting, an adapter must be plugged into the 3-pin female connector and connected to a digital RGB controller or a digital RGB capable motherboard. That adapter is not on Alphacool's scope of delivery list. The remaining 3-pin male connector can be used to connect additional digital RGB LEDs.

Technical data cooler

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

Alphacool's manual and datasheet (EN) are both PDFs. Its 3D model of the cooler is an STP file, and the 3D viewer shows it from every side.