Although there is some cooling interference using a 2.5 SATA drive in the bay, the majority of thermal issues have come from actually using hard drives.
HDDs are denser, and create/generate thermal conditions, adding to additional cooling problems. The majority of the 2.5 SATA SSDs are in an aluminum case and generate a minimalistic amount of thermals.
Still, a number of our clients have come up with more advantageous installation solutions to receive 2TB of SATA storage
M.2 NGFF to SATA Adapter Card B Key/B & M Key SSD Converter
The card adapter is both thinner and narrower, allowing it to be positioned for better airflow within the bottom of the case, while having virtually nothing to absorb and retain heat.
This has been the configuration used by many of our clients for some time now, with no problems.
A number of other clients have shucked this model here
Silicon Power Ace A55 2TB SSD Review
With great success.
MaxProAndU Team
If you got a really good deal on the new 500GB drive or can't return it, a M.2 to SATA adapter is like 6 bucks on Amazon.
Something like this
Let's review your post as a list.
We've got a tremendous amount of experience with our clients owning the SER5-Pro 5800H, which is nearly identical outside of the motherboard PCB being retraced from the FP6 socket to FP7r2, so we could support DDR5 quad channel and the new BGA. To the socket was revised, traces were added, and the new SODIMM retainer mounted.
For the sake of cooling, I don't intend to load a 2.5" SSD into the bay.
If you decide to use the bay, the trick (on a number of these mini PCs) has been to purchase a SATA to M.2 NGFF adapter, and utilize an M.2 SATA SSD if they need additional storage
M.2 NGFF to SATA Adapter Card B Key/B & M Key SSD Converter NGFF M2 to 2.5 Inch
Silicon Power 1TB A55 M.2 SSD SATA III Internal Solid State Drive 2280 SU001TBSS3A55M28AB
It allows for some creative positioning, and it's narrowed, less thermal intensive design offers less impedance to both airflow and heat generation.
What else should I know or plan to do once this thing arrives?
From our clients findings, as little as possible. Running the little boxes stock OOTB without adjustments are the clients experiencing next to no issues.
On past models, some clients have not been very fond of the liquid metal used from the factory, especially when attempting to push one past its limits. And the LM does tintage out quicker than it should (quality?). So after some initial use, generally about 12 weeks out, they service the unit if performance is seeming to taper.
This is what the majority of our clients are currently using
some recommended changes to the BIOS settings, but I don't know of those apply to the SER6 Pro
We advise our clients to give their mini PCs minimalistic adjustments for the first 21 days. This allows them a point of reference, the ability to detect a true defect, allow the mini the properly break in, and allow other people to be the guinea pigs so the client learns from their mistakes!
Ironically, the commercial customers that are picking these up have their IT department adjust the wattage to the 15W or 25W range. The performance drop is NOT that significant, and the service periodically the life expectancy is probably decades beyond the point of e-waste.
sometimes, the Beelinks do not load their Windows code into the BIOS and you have to email them for an activation code.
This has been a lesser issue, and was primarily in the transfer from Windows 10 to Windows 11. As stated, It's a relatively easy fix. The majority of our clients that receive one with a NVMe SSD simply clone the original in their upgrade process.
SSK Aluminum M.2 NVMe PCIe / SATA SSD Enclosure Adapter, USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps) Model SHE-C325
Lazesoft Recovery Suite Home Edition w/ Cloning Tool
The process is quicker, cleaner, allows for backup of the original, and one satisfied, you have a handy/high speed USB flash drive to carry around.
I'm also picking up an externally powered USB3.2 hub to help connect everything.
When you choose a hub or dock that fit your needs, try focusing on one that will support the USB4 plug on the front, as it will give you the best performance and have the least impedance on the system. Our clients have also found that this design will significantly benefit if the power source is a GaN Tech PD
Evatronic 100W 2 USB-C Ports PD PPS Wall Charging Adapter [GaN Tech]
If you go with a standard USB Type-A hub (that's generally all we use here), make sure that it's at least being powered by a 12V 3A PSU or greater.
A number of our clients have started using a M.2 NGFF SATA SSD adapter double-sided taped at the end or creating a mounting solution
Which takes up approximately half the surface area with less restrictions airflow. It also provides the advantage of cooling the SSD better. At that point, they just choose
Silicon Power 1TB A55 M.2 SSD SATA III Internal Solid State Drive 2280 SU001TBSS3A55M28AB
Other clients have just started shucking a drive altogether, and creating a mounting solution for the card.
Silicon Power 1TB SSD 3D NAND A55 SLC Cache Performance Boost SATA III 2.5" 7mm (0.28") (SP001TBSS3A55S25) or Silicon Power 2TB SSD 3D NAND A55 SLC Cache Performance Boost SATA III 2.5" 7mm (0.28") (SP002TBSS3A55S25)
Either direction, they have found the airflow is noticeably different.
MaxProAndU Team
