Review on GLOTRENDS Adapter Aluminum Heatsink PA09_HS by Brandon Page

If you really want to speed up your old desktop and want a PCIe slot, this NVMe M.2 SSD hard drive card might be a good option, but be prepared for some minor hiccups and know that this is not a viable option is. for opponents of Windows 7. If your computer is old, be sure to check if it can recognize the PCI storage device as a boot drive. Inside the box is a cute little screwdriver that will do for many. While this is handy, if you have a good jeweler's screwdriver, you'll probably want to use this instead. The tiny screw that secures the drive to the card is easy to lose. A small spacer ring is used to mount discs shorter than 80mm but is not required for full length discs. This is not explained in the instructions. I only had a full height backboard that was not attached. The screws that came with it didn't thread easily into the plate and I had to use a large screwdriver and some extra to hook the threads. I expect even cheap electronics to spin properly. The package includes a heatsink and thermal pad to ensure good transmission. There are even cleaner ones to make good contact with the SSD. It's a nice touch. There are also metal clips and "silicone bands". The instructions say to use rubber bands, although clips appear, they offer stronger contact. Looking at how the clips would sit on the disc I wasn't comfortable, they wouldn't rub the coating on the surface tracks of the disc chain and short out the disc. I only used strips. Be sure to install the heatsink on the drive BEFORE installing it. I chose this because M.3 NVMe drives tend to get hot and the heatsink needs to dissipate them. Heat seems to be the companion of a fast running engine. Overall I am happy with this adapter. It gave me what I wanted to speed up my old desktop and get more life out of it. But the experience could have been better without figuring out a few annoyances and with better instructions. That's why I give this adapter card 4 stars.