Heatsinks
TLDR: Heatsinks are passive cooling components used to dissipate heat generated by hardware components like CPUs, GPUs, and voltage regulators. They work by transferring heat away from the component to a larger surface area, allowing it to dissipate into the surrounding air. Paired with computer fans or liquid cooling systems, heatsinks are essential for maintaining thermal stability and preventing overheating in computing systems.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heat_sink
Heatsinks are typically constructed from thermally conductive materials like aluminum or copper. These materials efficiently transfer heat from the hardware to the heatsink’s fins or heat pipes, where it is dissipated. Copper heatsinks offer superior thermal conductivity, while aluminum heatsinks are lighter and more cost-effective. High-performance heatsinks often use a combination of both materials and incorporate features like heat pipes to enhance heat transfer.
https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/products/details/thermal-solutions.html
The efficiency of a heatsink depends on factors like its size, design, and airflow around it. Larger heatsinks with more fins provide greater surface area for heat dissipation, making them suitable for high-performance setups such as overclocked CPUs or gaming GPUs. Proper installation with thermal paste ensures optimal contact between the heatsink and the component. Heatsinks are critical in modern systems, enabling components to operate reliably under heavy workloads.