What is a heatsink?

[davie23223]

I was wondering what is a heatsink?

 

[kof2000]

the metal thing under the cpu fan

 

[Elite]

Have a look at this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heatsink
The site contains detailed information about heatsinks.

 

[Shambree]

Its a component made out of heat absorbing material that takes heat away from critical components to stop them overheating.

 

[diduknowthat]

it goes on cpu, gpu, sometimes ram, chipsets.

 

[bigsaucybob]

it disperses heat away from the thing its above

 

[kof2000]

heatsink=orange part in liuliuboy's avatar.

 

[drunkbum222]

Have a look at this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heatsink
The site contains detailed information about heatsinks.

WIKIPEDIA

 

[diduknowthat]

and it comes in aluminum and copper. Usually stock heatsinks are aluminum (though not always) and you can upgrade to copper ones. Copper heatsink disperses more heat but are heavier.

 

[Praetor]

For the most part now, stock heatsinks are combination copper/aluminum