# Can the Pimoroni NVMe Base be installed upside-down (flipped orientation)? **URL:** \ **Category:** Support\ **Created:** [June 16, 2025, 7:28pm UTC](https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/can-the-pimoroni-nvme-base-be-installed-upside-down-flipped-orientation/27927 "2025-06-16T19:28:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MarcoJF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/958977/32.png) [@MarcoJF](https://forums.pimoroni.com/u/MarcoJF)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2025, 7:28pm UTC](https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/can-the-pimoroni-nvme-base-be-installed-upside-down-flipped-orientation/27927/1 "2025-06-16T19:28:30Z")
Hi everyone, I’m currently working on a Raspberry Pi 5 project using the Pimoroni NVMe Base and the official PCIe FFC cable (16-pin to 18-pin). For cooling reasons, I’m wondering if it’s safe and functional to mount the NVMe Base **upside-down** , so that the SSD and heatsink face upward, while the Raspberry Pi remains facing up as usual. In this setup, the FFC cable would still go: - 16-pin end to the Pi 5 PCIe port, - 18-pin end to the NVMe Base, but the board orientation would be reversed vertically. ### My questions: 1. Is the FFC cable designed to work in this flipped orientation? (i.e., are the contacts and signal alignment symmetric?) 2. Any electrical or mechanical risks I should be aware of when doing this? I’d really appreciate any confirmation, photos, or experience from the community. Thanks in advance! ---
**Author:** ![alphanumeric](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forums.pimoroni.com/alphanumeric/32/2729_2.png) [@alphanumeric](https://forums.pimoroni.com/u/alphanumeric)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2025, 7:49pm UTC](https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/can-the-pimoroni-nvme-base-be-installed-upside-down-flipped-orientation/27927/2 "2025-06-16T19:49:52Z")
I’m confused by your post? Mine is configured as follows Pi heatsink Pi circuit board NVME Drive NVME Base circuit board Which is as Pimoroni intended. You can’t flip / rotate the ribbon cable at either end. You will get no connection at the connector. ---
**Author:** ![alphanumeric](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forums.pimoroni.com/alphanumeric/32/2729_2.png) [@alphanumeric](https://forums.pimoroni.com/u/alphanumeric)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2025, 7:53pm UTC](https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/can-the-pimoroni-nvme-base-be-installed-upside-down-flipped-orientation/27927/3 "2025-06-16T19:53:34Z")
This was my original side by side setup, that does have the NVME Base upside down. It also shows my current stacked setup. [My custom Pi 5 NVMe base Pibow case - Discussion / Projects - Pimoroni Buccaneers](https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/my-custom-pi-5-nvme-base-pibow-case/27462) ---
**Author:** ![MarcoJF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/958977/32.png) [@MarcoJF](https://forums.pimoroni.com/u/MarcoJF)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2025, 4:44am UTC](https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/can-the-pimoroni-nvme-base-be-installed-upside-down-flipped-orientation/27927/4 "2025-06-17T04:44:43Z")
Hey, thanks so much for your reply! I actually came across your setup before — really appreciate you sharing it. I was also thinking of doing a similar side-by-side layout, but with the NVMe Base board facing up, so I could easily add a heatsink on top of the SSD. I’m still in the planning stage and haven’t purchased the board yet, so I can’t check it myself. Just wondering if that flipped configuration would still work. Thanks again! ---
**Author:** ![alphanumeric](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forums.pimoroni.com/alphanumeric/32/2729_2.png) [@alphanumeric](https://forums.pimoroni.com/u/alphanumeric)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2025, 7:24am UTC](https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/can-the-pimoroni-nvme-base-be-installed-upside-down-flipped-orientation/27927/5 "2025-06-17T07:24:15Z")
The NVME board can be mounted on top of the Pi 5, NVME drive on top open for cooling. You need longer standoffs, and likely the longer ribbon cable. ---
**Author:** ![bablokb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ee59a6/32.png) [@bablokb](https://forums.pimoroni.com/u/bablokb)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2025, 8:41am UTC](https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/can-the-pimoroni-nvme-base-be-installed-upside-down-flipped-orientation/27927/6 "2025-06-17T08:41:21Z")
> [@MarcoJF](#): > > I could easily add a heatsink on top of the SSD. Why would you want to do that? You are not running a PC that utilizes all PCIe-lanes that the SSD _could_ support. I really suggest that you keep things simple. It is a Pi5 after all. ---
**Author:** ![MarcoJF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/958977/32.png) [@MarcoJF](https://forums.pimoroni.com/u/MarcoJF)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2025, 11:04am UTC](https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/can-the-pimoroni-nvme-base-be-installed-upside-down-flipped-orientation/27927/7 "2025-06-17T11:04:36Z")
Thanks a lot for your response, I really appreciate it! You’re probably right, and honestly, I’m still very new to all of this. I just thought it would be fun (and a bit cooler-looking) to add a heatsink on top of the SSD. 😅 Also, I’ve heard that if you run things like a Bitcoin full node, NAS, and boot the OS from the same SSD, the drive can get pretty warm over time — especially since it’ll be running 24/7. In the future, I’d love to explore more advanced Bitcoin node stuff (like Lightning or other features I don’t even fully understand yet 😅), which might add a bit more load. So yeah — it’s mostly about experimenting, learning, and maybe making the setup look a bit “serious” while I’m at it 😄 Thanks again for sharing your thoughts! ---
**Author:** ![bablokb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ee59a6/32.png) [@bablokb](https://forums.pimoroni.com/u/bablokb)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2025, 11:30am UTC](https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/can-the-pimoroni-nvme-base-be-installed-upside-down-flipped-orientation/27927/8 "2025-06-17T11:30:23Z")
Yes, it can get warm, even hot. But normally the SSD will trigger a self-protection routine once you reach about 70°C. But I am not sure if Bitcoin mining does enough IO to put the SSD under stress. I thought this would be more of a GPU/CPU limited workload. BTW: for your use-case, you should think about an Intel N100 mini PC instead. You will get a higher performing system for less money if you sum up all the extras you need for a Pi5. Those N100 based mini-PCs are incredibly cheap now a days and all of that in a only slightly larger package compared to a Pi5. And if you pay only a bit more, you will get even more power. ---
**Author:** ![MarcoJF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/958977/32.png) [@MarcoJF](https://forums.pimoroni.com/u/MarcoJF)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2025, 6:31am UTC](https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/can-the-pimoroni-nvme-base-be-installed-upside-down-flipped-orientation/27927/9 "2025-06-18T06:31:35Z")
Thanks a lot for the insight — I really appreciate it. The Intel N100 mini PC sounds like a solid alternative I hadn’t considered before. I’m currently working on a Pi5 setup for a Bitcoin node and home NAS, but your suggestion made me realize I should also explore other options that might offer better performance or value. Definitely adding it to my research list — thanks again for the valuable input!