heatsink
Processor cooling component
A heatsink is a device that absorbs and disperses heat from electronic components, preventing overheating.
Typically made of metal with fins or ridges to maximize surface area, heatsinks are essential in computers, where they draw heat away from processors: The CPU heatsink needs fresh thermal paste.
Often paired with fans for active cooling.
Swimming appendages
- aluminumElement thirteen
- copperReddish-brown metallic element
- extrusionPushing through a die
- surface areaMeasure of outer boundary
passive · active · baseplate · nickel plating · anodized · stack · profile · spreader
Main computing chip
- GPUVisual processing hardware
- processorComponent that executes instructions
- fanAdmirer or air mover
- airflowMovement of atmosphere
motherboard · overclocking · chipset · cooling · dissipation · throttling · computer · server
Measured heat intensity
- wattsPower measurement units
- dissipationGradual loss or scattering
- junctionPoint where things meet
- ambientOf the surroundings
BTU · hot spot · steady state · transient · operating temperature · derating
Semiconductor that glows
- power supplyElectrical energy delivery device
- amplifierSignal-strengthening electronic device
- transistorSemiconductor signal switch
- rectifierAC-to-DC converter
inverter · welding equipment · automotive · telecom · solar inverter · battery charger · UPS · radio transmitter
fins
Swimming appendages
surface area · passive · active · baseplate · nickel plating · anodized · stack · profile · spreader · convection
CPU
Main computing chip
airflow · motherboard · overclocking · chipset · cooling · dissipation · throttling · computer · server · graphics card
temperature
Measured heat intensity
- wattsPower measurement units
- dissipationGradual loss or scattering
- junctionPoint where things meet
ambient · BTU · hot spot · steady state · transient · operating temperature · derating
LED
Semiconductor that glows
- power supplyElectrical energy delivery device
- amplifierSignal-strengthening electronic device
- transistorSemiconductor signal switch
rectifier · inverter · welding equipment · automotive · telecom · solar inverter · battery charger · UPS · radio transmitter · laser diode
- Motherboardsmotherboard, PCB, chipset, BIOS, CPU socket
- computer hardwareCPU, GPU, motherboard, RAM, hard drive
- Computer PartsRAM, GPU, CPU, motherboard, processor
- PC hardwareCPU, GPU, RAM, ROM, hard drive
- PC PartsCPU, GPU, motherboard, RAM, power supply
- thermal controlradiator, cooling fan, cooling, thermostat, active cooling
heatsinkheat source
Origin of thermal energy
heating element · heat lamp · burner · hot plate · furnace
heatsinkinsulator
Substance resisting energy flow
thermal barrier · insulation · thermal blanket · vacuum flask · aerogel