Samsung 990Pro 4TB (PCIe4.0x4)(NVM Express 2.0) in ACASIS 80Gbps M.2 NVMe SSD enclosure for Mac Mini M4 Pro?

[Populus]

From what I’ve been reading (thanks for the list @bzgnyc2 ) , the Western Digital Black SN850X seems the best NVMe overall. It mounts Kioxia NAND, just like the one found in most Macs’ SSD, it offers significantly higher lifespan compared to the Samsung 990 Pro (2400TBW Vs 600TBW), it has its own DRAM… and the WD SN850X uses TLC NAND with less layers, just 112, than the NAND chips on the 990 Pro, which has the same amount of layers as other QLC NVMe drives, 176.

Both the low TBW and the high number of layers make me suspect that the Samsung one is using QLC or something very similar despite saying it’s TLC. And I definitely don’t want QLC drives because I plan to use them for many years.

The only problem is that I would really like to get the 8TB NVMe, but it is more than double the price of the 4TB one. Here in Europe the prices for the Western Digital Black SN850X are 300€ for the 4TB model (cheaper than the Samsung 990 Pro), and 700€ for the 8TB one. Also, there’s the risk that they may be using QLC NAND on an NVMe as big as 8TB, not sure if there 8TB drives with TLC technology or if it’s possible to fit so many chips on a regular NMVe.

So the 4TB WD Black SN850X (300€) + OWC 1M2 TB4 aluminum case (150€) seems like a really good combination. Although it is much larger and heavier than my 4TB Samsung T7 Shield… but way faster and cooler.

 

[Ifti]

Also bear in mind I think the WD is double layer, so may be tight in some enclosures since it may need thermal pads both sides......

 

[Dutch60]

Also bear in mind I think the WD is double layer, so may be tight in some enclosures since it may need thermal pads both sides......

Too tight for a 1M2 already fitted with a thermal pad? In that enclosure with a WD SSD I then would need only 1 thermal pad.

Edit: after watching some Youtube videos, it seems that the WD is put inside the OWC 1M2 without any (extra) thermal pad. Just the one already inside the enclosure.

 

[bzgnyc2]

From what I’ve been reading (thanks for the list @bzgnyc2 ) , the Western Digital Black SN850X seems the best NVMe overall. It mounts Kioxia NAND, just like the one found in most Macs’ SSD, it offers significantly higher lifespan compared to the Samsung 990 Pro (2400TBW Vs 600TBW), it has its own DRAM… and the WD SN850X uses TLC NAND with less layers, just 112, than the NAND chips on the 990 Pro, which has the same amount of layers as other QLC NVMe drives, 176.

Both the low TBW and the high number of layers make me suspect that the Samsung one is using QLC or something very similar despite saying it’s TLC. And I definitely don’t want QLC drives because I plan to use them for many years.

The only problem is that I would really like to get the 8TB NVMe, but it is more than double the price of the 4TB one. Here in Europe the prices for the Western Digital Black SN850X are 300€ for the 4TB model (cheaper than the Samsung 990 Pro), and 700€ for the 8TB one. Also, there’s the risk that they may be using QLC NAND on an NVMe as big as 8TB, not sure if there 8TB drives with TLC technology or if it’s possible to fit so many chips on a regular NMVe.

So the 4TB WD Black SN850X (300€) + OWC 1M2 TB4 aluminum case (150€) seems like a really good combination. Although it is much larger and heavier than my 4TB Samsung T7 Shield… but way faster and cooler.

One thing to note on TBW is that they generally scale with size all else being equal. So if you see a 1TB SSD with a 600 TBW and then another brand with a 2400 TBW in their 4TB model, those two aren't comparable. When I look up the 4 TB models of each, I see the same TBW:

Samsung 990 Pro 4 TB Specs

4 TB, TLC, PCIe 4.0 x4, M.2 2280

www.techpowerup.com

Western Digital SN850X 4 TB Specs

4 TB, TLC, PCIe 4.0 x4, M.2 2280

www.techpowerup.com

(but note one limitation of that database is that it sometimes hard to find the exact model of an SSD especially when vendors have multiple revisions with the same model name).

Also, FYI I find Tom's Hardware reviews helpful as a final check (real-world experience, benchmarking, etc):

WD Black SN850X SSD Review: Back in Black (Updated)

The WD Black SN850X is one of the fastest drives around for gaming.

www.tomshardware.com

Samsung 990 Pro SSD Review: The Return of the King

A proper contender and 980 Pro successor

www.tomshardware.com

 

[Dutch60]

WD SN850X 4 TB vs. Samsung 990 Pro 4 TB....that still seems to be worth a discussion. Maybe I can narrow this down to..."for usage inside an OWC Express 1M2 enclosure".

 

[MacCheetah3]

WD SN850X 4 TB vs. Samsung 990 Pro 4 TB....that still seems to be worth a discussion. Maybe I can narrow this down to..."for usage inside an OWC Express 1M2 enclosure".

I’m not sure if the extra 1.5mm thickness err height of the 4/8TB SN850X would be a problem in the 1M2.

 

[Dutch60]

One thing to note on TBW is that they generally scale with size all else being equal. So if you see a 1TB SSD with a 600 TBW and then another brand with a 2400 TBW in their 4TB model, those two aren't comparable. When I look up the 4 TB models of each, I see the same TBW:

Samsung 990 Pro 4 TB Specs

4 TB, TLC, PCIe 4.0 x4, M.2 2280

www.techpowerup.com

Western Digital SN850X 4 TB Specs

4 TB, TLC, PCIe 4.0 x4, M.2 2280

www.techpowerup.com

(but note one limitation of that database is that it sometimes hard to find the exact model of an SSD especially when vendors have multiple revisions with the same model name).

Also, FYI I find Tom's Hardware reviews helpful as a final check (real-world experience, benchmarking, etc):

WD Black SN850X SSD Review: Back in Black (Updated)

The WD Black SN850X is one of the fastest drives around for gaming.

www.tomshardware.com

Samsung 990 Pro SSD Review: The Return of the King

A proper contender and 980 Pro successor

www.tomshardware.com

Well according to this, the TBW is exactly the same between WD and Samsung (2400TB in case of 4TB)

 

[Dutch60]

I’m not sure if the extra 1.5mm thickness err height of the 4/8TB SN850X would be a problem in the 1M2.

I see You tube videos where they stick a WD SN850X in an OWC Express 1M2 enclosure, without any problem . For what it's worth ofcourse.

 

[MacCheetah3]

I see You tube videos where they stick a WD SN850X in an OWC Express 1M2 enclosure, without any problem . For what it's worth ofcourse.

Well, I have an SN850X in one of my 1M2s, but it’s the 2TB. Quite frankly, I’ve been primarily using the SN850 drives for several years now. Anyway… I don’t anticipate compatibility problems as I don’t recall seeing SMDs or other obstructions in the SSD mounting area of the 1M2. And product marketing photos seem to confirm my recollection:

 

[Dutch60]

Well, I have an SN850X in one of my 1M2s, but it’s the 2TB. Quite frankly, I’ve been primarily using the SN850 drives for several years now. Anyway… I don’t anticipate compatibility problems as I don’t recall seeing SMDs or other obstructions in the SSD mounting area of the 1M2. And product marketing photos seem to confirm my recollection:

Good to read. For the WD, being "double sided" doesn't mean, you added an extra thermal pad to it, I guess?

 

[MacCheetah3]

Good to read. For the WD, being "double sided" doesn't mean, you added an extra thermal pad to it, I guess?

I didn’t add any pads. Although, following both assemblies, I applied an extra squeeze in the center areas of the enclosure. It may have been pointless, a placebo, but I wanted to ensure, even with snug screw tightening, the pre-applied thermal pads made solid contact.

 

[Dutch60]

I didn’t add any pads. Although, following both assemblies, I applied an extra squeeze in the center areas of the enclosure. It may have been pointless, a placebo, but I wanted to ensure, even with snug screw tightening, the pre-applied thermal pads made solid contact.

Thank you, but...." an extra squeeze"? What and where excactly?

 

[Populus]

Good to read. For the WD, being "double sided" doesn't mean, you added an extra thermal pad to it, I guess?

What does the "extra thermal pad" mean? Another one on top of the one that comes pre installed? Or another pad between the under side of the NVMe and the OWC logic board?

 

[Dutch60]

What does the "extra thermal pad" mean? Another one on top of the one that comes pre installed? Or another pad between the under side of the NVMe and the OWC logic board?

Ifti said (a few posts ago):

"Also bear in mind I think the WD is double layer, so may be tight in some enclosures since it may need thermal pads both sides......"

 

[MacCheetah3]

Thank you, but...." an extra squeeze"? What and where excactly?

Down the center/middle (width), the thermal pad area.

They’re fairly sturdy aluminum, however, I figure even if there is a one or two mm flex, the squeeze could help. As can be seen in the product images, the secure points are two tabs in the front and two screws in the rear.

 

[bzgnyc2]

Well according to this, the TBW is exactly the same between WD and Samsung (2400TB in case of 4TB)

Yes that was my point -- the previous poster posted TBW values for the WD Black SN850X and the Samsung 990 Pro that were different but likely they were from different models (likely the 4TB WD Black SN850X versus the 1TB Samsung 990 Pro). I wanted to correct as the WD Black SN850X may (or may not) be better than the Samsung 990 Pro but not due to the TBW rating.

 

[Populus]

Also bear in mind I think the WD is double layer, so may be tight in some enclosures since it may need thermal pads both sides......

Have you seen anyone put another thermal pad between the lower NAND chips and the logic board of the 1M2?

If you don’t apply an extra thermal pad, do you run the risk of overheating the NAND chips on the lower side of the NVMe?

 

[Dutch60]

Down the center/middle (width), the thermal pad area.
View attachment 2473171
They’re fairly sturdy aluminum, however, I figure even if there is a one or two mm flex, the squeeze could help. As can be seen in the product images, the secure points are two tabs in the front and two screws in the rear.

Thank you.

 

[Dutch60]

Yes that was my point -- the previous poster posted TBW values for the WD Black SN850X and the Samsung 990 Pro that were different but likely they were from different models (likely the 4TB WD Black SN850X versus the 1TB Samsung 990 Pro). I wanted to correct as the WD Black SN850X may (or may not) be better than the Samsung 990 Pro but not due to the TBW rating.

Exactly. And your post made me look further into this. Thnxs for that!

 

[OWC_TAL]

it seems that the WD is put inside the OWC 1M2 without any (extra) thermal pad. Just the one already inside the enclosure.

Yes most of the heat comes from the side with the controller on it. One thermal pad on top should be fine.

 

[soulpowa]

To chime in here: I also recently assembled the Samsung 990 Pro(4TB) NVMe along with the OWC 1M2 enclosure from the holiday sales, and my temps seem to be a bit hotter than what I've seen most other people report. At first, I was pretty alarmed by how hot to the touch the enclosure was, so I went online to figure out what the normal operating temps should be. You can definitely fry an egg on that thing. I feel like it's safe now more or less, but I'm usually around 40-50c, mostly around 44-45c at idle, and upper 40s pushing 50 under load/file transfers. I do remember pressing on the case pretty firmly to close it, but maybe the thermal pad didn't make great contact. I've seen others post upper 30s for idle temps, which is not the case for me. Also, in Windows, it runs much, much cooler (upper 30s at idle), and the enclosure is cool to the touch. I also read elsewhere that the chipset is not optimized for MacOS, or vice versa, which may explain it. Unfortunately, the Samsung magician software doesn't recognize the drive even with their kernel extension.

 

[Dutch60]

To chime in here: I also recently assembled the Samsung 990 Pro(4TB) NVMe along with the OWC 1M2 enclosure from the holiday sales, and my temps seem to be a bit hotter than what I've seen most other people report. At first, I was pretty alarmed by how hot to the touch the enclosure was, so I went online to figure out what the normal operating temps should be. You can definitely fry an egg on that thing. I feel like it's safe now more or less, but I'm usually around 40-50c, mostly around 44-45c at idle, and upper 40s pushing 50 under load/file transfers. I do remember pressing on the case pretty firmly to close it, but maybe the thermal pad didn't make great contact. I've seen others post upper 30s for idle temps, which is not the case for me. Also, in Windows, it runs much, much cooler (upper 30s at idle), and the enclosure is cool to the touch. I also read elsewhere that the chipset is not optimized for MacOS, or vice versa, which may explain it. Unfortunately, the Samsung magician software doesn't recognize the drive even with their kernel extension.

I ofcourse don’t know why this gets so hot or why that is do different on Windows (haven’t got any SSD yet). Maybe someone else can comment.
I read that the enclosure should become warm or hot (“then it’s doing its work”). Don’t know, if your temps are ok/fine, but I understand your concerns when you say you can fry an egg on it!

Edit…I cannot believe the chipset isn’t optimized for MacOS; if one has to know Macs, then OWC should.

 

[Ifti]

Have you seen anyone put another thermal pad between the lower NAND chips and the logic board of the 1M2?

If you don’t apply an extra thermal pad, do you run the risk of overheating the NAND chips on the lower side of the NVMe?

My 1M2's came pre-populated, and the one that I purchased empty I installed a 4TB 990 into - so didn't have any need to install a pad on the underside. Personally I'm not sure if I would want to place a pad on the underside, as you'd just be transferring the heat to the actual board rather than the heatsink?......