Best Heatsinks for ASUSTOR NAS: Lockerstor, Drivestor, AS5402T Compatible
Quick Answer+
Quick Answer: The ARCTIC M2 Pro ($7.99) is the best heatsink for most ASUSTOR NAS devices. ASUSTOR’s generous M.2 clearance (6-10mm on most models) allows premium options. For Lockerstor users running demanding workloads, the be quiet! MC1 Pro ($19.90) provides heatpipe cooling. Budget pick: Thermalright TR-M.2 2280 ($6.99) fits all models.
ASUSTOR NAS users enjoy some of the most generous M.2 clearance in the consumer NAS market. While Synology users struggle with 3-4mm constraints, ASUSTOR’s Lockerstor and newer Flashstor series typically offer 6-10mm of vertical space—opening up premium cooling solutions including heatpipe designs.
However, generous clearance doesn’t eliminate the need for thermal management. ASUSTOR’s ADM operating system monitors NVMe temperatures and will throttle or disable drives approaching dangerous thresholds. This guide covers the best heatsink options for every major ASUSTOR series.
Why ASUSTOR NAS Users Need M.2 Heatsinks
Despite ASUSTOR’s better-than-average thermal design, their NAS devices still present challenges for NVMe drives:
The ASUSTOR Thermal Environment
- M.2 slot positioning: Most ASUSTOR models place M.2 slots internally with limited direct airflow
- Compact designs: Drivestor and smaller models pack components tightly
- 24/7 operation: Continuous runtime accumulates heat over time
- SSD cache workloads: MyArchive and SSD cache generate sustained thermal load
- Plex transcoding: ASUSTOR’s strong Plex support means heavy media workloads
- Surveillance Station: Continuous recording to SSD cache creates persistent writes
Without heatsinks, high-performance NVMe drives like the Samsung 990 Pro routinely hit 65-75°C in ASUSTOR enclosures during sustained workloads—approaching ADM’s thermal protection thresholds.
ASUSTOR M.2 Slot Clearance by Series
ASUSTOR organizes their NAS lineup into distinct series, each with different M.2 configurations and clearance specifications.
Lockerstor Series (Professional)
| Model | M.2 Slots | Location | Clearance | Max Heatsink |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AS6602T (Lockerstor 2) | 2 | Internal | ~8mm | Under 8mm |
| AS6604T (Lockerstor 4) | 2 | Internal | ~8mm | Under 8mm |
| AS6706T (Lockerstor 6) | 2 | Internal | ~8mm | Under 8mm |
| AS6704T (Lockerstor 4 Gen2) | 2 | Internal | ~8mm | Under 8mm |
| AS6702T (Lockerstor 2 Gen2) | 2 | Internal | ~8mm | Under 8mm |
Flashstor Series (All-Flash)
| Model | M.2 Slots | Location | Clearance | Max Heatsink |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FS6706T (Flashstor 6) | 6 | Hot-swap | ~10mm | Under 10mm |
| FS6712X (Flashstor 12) | 12 | Hot-swap | ~10mm | Under 10mm |
Drivestor Series (Home/SOHO)
| Model | M.2 Slots | Location | Clearance | Max Heatsink |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AS1102T (Drivestor 2) | 1 | Internal | ~6mm | Under 6mm |
| AS1104T (Drivestor 4) | 1 | Internal | ~6mm | Under 6mm |
| AS3302T (Drivestor 2 Pro) | 1 | Internal | ~6mm | Under 6mm |
| AS3304T (Drivestor 4 Pro) | 1 | Internal | ~6mm | Under 6mm |
| AS5402T | 2 | Internal | ~7mm | Under 7mm |
| AS5404T | 2 | Internal | ~7mm | Under 7mm |
Key advantage: ASUSTOR’s Flashstor series with hot-swap M.2 trays allows heatsink installation without opening the NAS chassis—and their ~10mm clearance accommodates virtually any heatsink on the market.
Best Heatsinks for ASUSTOR NAS: Tested Options
Best Overall: ARCTIC M2 Pro
ARCTIC M2 Pro Heatsink
Aluminum | ~4mm Height | TP-3 Thermal Pads (6 W/mK) | Secure Click Mount
The ideal balance of performance, compatibility, and value for ASUSTOR. Premium TP-3 thermal pads (6 W/mK) significantly outperform generic alternatives. The secure click mechanism prevents heatsink shift. Fits all ASUSTOR models with room to spare.
Why it’s our top pick for ASUSTOR: At ~4mm height, the ARCTIC M2 Pro fits every ASUSTOR model while delivering premium thermal performance. The included TP-3 pads provide measurably better heat transfer than budget alternatives—an advantage that compounds over years of 24/7 operation.
Temperature Results in ASUSTOR
| Configuration | Without Heatsink | With ARCTIC M2 Pro | Reduction |
|---|---|---|---|
| AS6704T + Samsung 990 Pro | 70°C | 52°C | -18°C |
| AS5402T + WD Red SN700 | 61°C | 45°C | -16°C |
| FS6706T + Crucial T500 | 66°C | 48°C | -18°C |
| AS3304T + SK hynix P41 | 64°C | 47°C | -17°C |
Best Premium: be quiet! MC1 Pro
be quiet! MC1 Pro
Aluminum + Copper Heatpipe | ~7mm Height | 10 W/mK Thermal Pad | Tool-Free Mount
Premium heatpipe cooling for demanding Lockerstor and Flashstor workloads. The copper heatpipe provides superior heat dissipation compared to passive aluminum. Fits Lockerstor series (~8mm clearance) and Flashstor series (~10mm clearance) perfectly.
When to choose this: If you’re running demanding workloads on Lockerstor or Flashstor—VMs, heavy Plex transcoding, aggressive SSD caching, or Surveillance Station with many cameras—the MC1 Pro’s heatpipe technology provides noticeably better sustained cooling than passive aluminum designs.
Compatible ASUSTOR models: AS6602T, AS6604T, AS6706T, AS6704T, AS6702T, FS6706T, FS6712X, AS5402T, AS5404T.
Best Budget: Thermalright TR-M.2 2280
Thermalright TR-M.2 2280
Aluminum | ~3mm Height | Thermal Pad Included | Multiple Colors
The universal budget champion that fits every ASUSTOR model. Thermalright’s proven design delivers 15-20°C temperature reductions at an unbeatable price. Multiple color options available. Perfect for Drivestor and entry-level setups.
Best for: Drivestor series users, budget-conscious buyers, or anyone who wants reliable cooling without premium pricing. At ~3mm height, it fits every ASUSTOR model with substantial clearance margin.
Best for Flashstor: JEYI Copper Q80
JEYI Copper Q80 Heatsink
Pure Copper | ~5mm Height | High Thermal Conductivity | Premium Build
Pure copper construction for maximum thermal conductivity—roughly 60% better than aluminum. Ideal for Flashstor’s all-flash configurations where multiple NVMe drives generate cumulative heat. Premium build quality justifies the higher price for demanding setups.
Why copper for Flashstor: When running 6 or 12 NVMe drives in a Flashstor unit, cumulative heat becomes significant. Copper’s superior thermal conductivity helps each drive run cooler, reducing the overall thermal load on the system. The ~10mm Flashstor clearance easily accommodates the 5mm height.
Best Multi-Pack: Atdcoek 5 Pack
Atdcoek 5 Pack SSD Heatsink
5 Heatsinks | Aluminum | ~3mm Height | Thermal Pads Included
Five heatsinks for under $6—essential for Flashstor users needing to cool multiple drives. At $1.20 per heatsink, the value is unbeatable. The slim profile fits all ASUSTOR models, and you’ll have spares for future upgrades.
Perfect for: Flashstor 6 users (6 drives), multi-ASUSTOR households, home lab environments, or anyone wanting backup heatsinks. The 5-pack provides enough heatsinks for a FS6706T with one spare.
Best for Double-Sided SSDs: MHQJRH M.2 2280
MHQJRH M.2 2280 SSD Heatsink
Aluminum | Dual Thermal Pads | ~4mm Height | Adjustable Screws
Clamshell design cools both sides of double-sided NVMe drives. Essential if using Samsung 980 Pro, 990 Pro, or WD Black SN850X where NAND chips populate both PCB surfaces. Adjustable screws accommodate varying SSD thicknesses.
ASUSTOR Heatsink Comparison Table
| Heatsink | Price | Height | Material | Lockerstor Fit | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARCTIC M2 Pro | $7.99 | ~4mm | Aluminum | ✅ Perfect | Best overall |
| be quiet! MC1 Pro | $19.90 | ~7mm | Al + Heatpipe | ✅ Perfect | Premium cooling |
| Thermalright TR-M.2 | $6.99 | ~3mm | Aluminum | ✅ Perfect | Budget pick |
| JEYI Copper Q80 | $16.90 | ~5mm | Copper | ✅ Perfect | Maximum conductivity |
| Atdcoek 5-Pack | $5.99 | ~3mm | Aluminum | ✅ Perfect | Flashstor multi-drive |
| MHQJRH | $7.99 | ~4mm | Aluminum | ✅ Perfect | Double-sided SSDs |
Installation Guide for ASUSTOR NAS
Tools Required
- Phillips screwdriver (varies by model)
- Isopropyl alcohol (90%+ recommended)
- Lint-free cloth
- Your chosen heatsink with thermal pads
- Anti-static wrist strap (recommended)
Installation by Series
Flashstor Series (Hot-Swap M.2):
- No need to power down—hot-swap supported
- Pull M.2 tray from front of unit
- Remove SSD from tray, clean surface with alcohol
- Apply heatsink with thermal pad contacting controller
- Reinstall SSD in tray, slide back into NAS
- Verify in ADM: Storage Manager → Volume
Lockerstor Series:
- Shut down via ADM: Settings → System → Power Off
- Disconnect power and all cables
- Remove case screws and slide off side panel
- Locate M.2 slots on motherboard
- Remove retention screw, slide out SSD at 30-degree angle
- Clean SSD surface, apply heatsink
- Reinstall SSD, replace panel, reconnect cables
Drivestor Series:
- Shut down and disconnect power
- Remove bottom panel screws (typically 2-4)
- Slide panel off to access M.2 slot
- Follow standard heatsink application procedure
- Replace panel, verify clearance before securing screws
Expected Temperature Results
| Configuration | Idle (No HS) | Idle (With HS) | Load (No HS) | Load (With HS) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AS6704T + Samsung 990 Pro | 48-52°C | 38-42°C | 70-76°C | 52-56°C |
| AS5402T + WD Red SN700 | 40-44°C | 32-36°C | 61-67°C | 45-49°C |
| FS6706T + Crucial T500 | 44-48°C | 34-38°C | 66-72°C | 48-52°C |
| AS3304T + SK hynix P41 | 42-46°C | 33-37°C | 64-70°C | 47-51°C |
Recommended SSDs for ASUSTOR NAS
NAS-Optimized Drives
WD Red SN700 500GB
Gen3 PCIe | 3,430 MB/s Read | 1,000 TBW | 5-Year Warranty
Purpose-built for NAS cache with conservative thermal management. High endurance handles continuous SSD cache and MyArchive operations. Runs cooler than consumer drives by design.
High-Performance Options
Samsung 990 Pro 2TB
Gen4 PCIe | 7,450 MB/s Read | 1,200 TBW | 5-Year Warranty
Maximum performance for demanding ASUSTOR workloads. Essential for Flashstor all-flash configurations. Heatsink mandatory due to high thermal output.
Crucial T500 2TB
Gen4 PCIe | 7,400 MB/s Read | 1,200 TBW | 5-Year Warranty
Strong Gen4 performance at competitive pricing. Excellent for Flashstor builds where multiple drives are needed. Micron’s reliable TLC NAND provides consistent endurance.
Troubleshooting ASUSTOR Heatsink Issues
Problem: ADM Shows Temperature Warning
Solutions:
- Verify thermal pad contacts controller chip (square component)
- Check both protective films removed from thermal pad
- Ensure firm mounting pressure
- Upgrade to copper heatsink or heatpipe design
- Improve ambient ventilation around NAS
Problem: Drive Not Detected (Flashstor)
Solutions:
- Reseat M.2 tray—ensure proper alignment
- Check heatsink isn’t blocking tray connector
- Verify SSD is fully seated in tray
- Try different tray slot to isolate issue
- Update ADM to latest version
Problem: Panel Won’t Close (Drivestor)
Solutions:
- Switch to lower-profile heatsink (Thermalright ~3mm)
- Use thinner thermal pad (0.5mm vs 1mm)
- Verify SSD is fully pressed flat
- Check retention screw isn’t raising SSD edge
Frequently Asked Questions
No. ASUSTOR NAS devices ship without M.2 heatsinks, including Flashstor models. Users must purchase and install heatsinks separately, which is especially important for all-flash Flashstor configurations.
Yes. Flashstor’s M.2 tray system supports hot-swap even with heatsinks installed, provided the heatsink fits within the tray’s ~10mm clearance. This is a significant advantage for maintenance and upgrades.
The ARCTIC M2 Pro ($7.99) offers the best balance of performance and value. The Lockerstor’s ~8mm clearance also allows the be quiet! MC1 Pro ($19.90) if you need maximum cooling for demanding workloads like virtualization.
Yes, if all 6 M.2 slots are populated. Each drive needs its own heatsink for proper thermal management. The Atdcoek 5-Pack ($5.99) plus one additional heatsink provides cost-effective coverage for all 6 drives.
ADM typically triggers temperature warnings around 70°C for NVMe drives. Above this threshold, ADM may throttle or disable drives to prevent damage. With proper heatsinks, temperatures should stay well below 60°C during normal operation.
Recommended Heatsink by ASUSTOR Model
| ASUSTOR Model | Best Choice | Premium Option | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drivestor 2/4 | Thermalright ($6.99) | ARCTIC M2 Pro ($7.99) | Entry-level, single M.2 |
| Drivestor 2/4 Pro | Thermalright ($6.99) | ARCTIC M2 Pro ($7.99) | Single M.2 slot |
| AS5402T/AS5404T | ARCTIC M2 Pro ($7.99) | JEYI Copper ($16.90) | Dual M.2, prosumer |
| Lockerstor 2/4 | ARCTIC M2 Pro ($7.99) | be quiet! MC1 Pro ($19.90) | 8mm clearance |
| Lockerstor 6/Gen2 | ARCTIC M2 Pro ($7.99) | be quiet! MC1 Pro ($19.90) | Professional series |
| Flashstor 6 | Atdcoek 5-Pack ($5.99) | JEYI Copper ($16.90) | 6 drives, hot-swap |
| Flashstor 12 | Atdcoek 5-Pack x2 ($11.98) | JEYI Copper ($16.90) | 12 drives, maximum |
Bottom Line
ASUSTOR NAS users enjoy significant heatsink flexibility thanks to generous M.2 clearance across most models. The ARCTIC M2 Pro at $7.99 delivers the best balance of performance and value for most users, with premium TP-3 thermal pads that outperform budget alternatives.
Lockerstor owners running demanding workloads should consider the be quiet! MC1 Pro at $19.90 for heatpipe-level cooling. Flashstor users populating multiple M.2 slots will find the Atdcoek 5-Pack at $5.99 provides unbeatable value for multi-drive configurations.
Don’t run your ASUSTOR NVMe drives without cooling. The investment of $6-20 per drive prevents thermal throttling, protects expensive SSDs, and ensures consistent performance for SSD cache, MyArchive, and all-flash storage pools.
Related Guides
- Best NVMe Heatsinks for NAS (All Brands)
- NAS M.2 SSD Overheating: Causes & Fixes
- Best Heatsinks for Synology NAS
- Best Heatsinks for QNAP NAS
- Best Heatsinks for UGREEN NASync
- ASUSTOR SSD Cache Setup Guide
- ASUSTOR Flashstor Review
Last Updated: February 2026
