MSI debuts (Opens in a new tab) Adoption of screwless M.2 SSD fixation on future 600 series motherboards for AMD’s Ryzen 7000 Zen 4. The system relies on a combination of MSI screwless M.2 shield Frozr and EZ M.2 clips. No tools or screws are required for MSI’s patent-pending design.
MSI first Exhibit M.2 slot (Opens in a new tab) Design back with Computex 2022. Twitter leaker chi11eddog (Opens in a new tab) I shared a series of lifelike images. Here you can see an overview slide containing various MSI claims regarding the ease of use of the screwless M.2 shield Frozr. In addition, some figures show how to use the installation system and how spring-loaded latches work.
Future MSI motherboards with screwless M.2 shielded Frozr heatsinks will have a set of pre-fixed stanchions available to facilitate M.2 SSD / heatsink installation. Readers who have installed the Bare M.2 SSD will notice that they rotate the M.2 stick and then screw it to the other end. It’s not difficult to stack with other PC building tasks, but MSI engineers / marketers must have decided it was a problem.
In the new MSI system, the M.2 teeth are first inserted into the motherboard socket at a slight angle. Then push down on the other side of the SSD to align the U-shaped notch with the MSIEZ M.2 clip. Turn this clip to secure the M.2 SSD flat. Much like the AsusROG M.2 latch fixing system.
MSI isn’t the only one because you need to install an M.2 heatsink. With its debut on the next-generation PC platform, it will become even more important with high-speed PCIe 5.0 SSDs.
For heatsinks, MSI has another screwless, toolless fixing method called MSI screwless M.2. This is somewhat similar to the first M.2 SSD installation. First, the user aligns and inserts the retaining post into the back of the heatsink, then rotates it down. If you feel the heatsink is in contact with the bottom fixing base, it’s easy to push the spring-loaded slot hole at the far end to fit the bottom stanchion. If you continue to apply downward pressure, it will snap into place.
MSI Computex 2022 Video Shows company executives who make this new “easiest” M.2 SSD installation seem tedious and awkward to use. Perhaps since that video, the fix system has improved a bit and is more reliable. In a review of the new motherboard, we will highlight this fix system when it arrives.
