ASUS has introduced a new mounting system for M.2 SSDs that doesn’t require screws. The company showed off the feature in a video that it tweeted yesterday, which demonstrates how a user can install an M.2 SSD simply by inserting the drive and turning a latch to lock it into place. While we wouldn’t call screwing something down strenuous work, ASUS’ so-called “Q-Latch” mounting system seems like a practical addition that should boost the appeal of the motherboards that they’ll be debuting in: the Z590 lineup for Intel 11th Gen Core “Rocket Lake-S” processors.
“SSDs can get pretty toasty […],” ASUS explained as part of its Z590 motherboard guide. Conventional heatsinks only cover the top side of a drive, leaving plenty of bare circuit board to be cooled by the whims of case airflow. To fully cool each M.2 SSD, we altered the design of our heatsink system to include a backplate under the drive to more efficiently whisk heat away. This new design is present across our ROG Maximus XIII line and in the majority of ROG Strix models.”
“Speaking of M.2 devices, we know that builders hate dealing with tiny, easily lost M.2 screws. We’ve designed a new Q-Latch system that lets you secure an M.2 SSD with nothing more than your fingertips. This stress-reducing feature is available on most ROG Strix models.”
ASUS’ Z590 motherboard lineup comprises various ROG Maximus and ROG Strix models, as well as a TUF Gaming and Prime SKU. The flagship is the ROG Maximus XIII Extreme Glacial, which boasts a number of impressive features such as an integrated full-coverage EK water block and robust power solution comprising 18+2 teamed power stages.
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— ROG Global (@ASUS_ROG) February 8, 2021