Use the M.2 slot that matches your system requirements and compatibility standards.
Use the M.2 slot that matches your system requirements and compatibility standards.
I recently got the ASUS Strix B450-F gaming II and I’m trying to connect my NVMe Gen 3 SSD. I understand the guideline is to match the closest M.2 slot to the CPU, but this one lacks a heatsink. The lower slot has a heatsink, though using M.2_2 disables PCIe 16x1 for my GPU. What should I choose? It feels confusing from ASUS—shouldn’t I just use the primary M.2 slot since it’s Gen 3 NVMe?
You don't really have to use a heatsink. The NVMe unit above my 3080 is working well without it. It's also worth noting that a poorly made heatsink can actually cause the NVMe to overheat because it holds heat instead of letting it escape. If you're pushing the NVMe too hard and it stays hot all the time, consider using a better passive heatsink or one with a fan.