Choosing the right processor heat sink depends on compatibility with the motherboard and processor socket. Heat sinks come in different sizes and types, including active and passive. Passive heat sinks are larger and quieter, while active heat sinks are smaller and noisier but better for full-sized computer cases.
Choosing the best processor heat sink isn’t just a matter of which heat sink is the highest quality or the most functional; it also depends on the compatibility of the heat sink with the current computer configuration. Each type of processor uses a certain type of socket, which is basically the house bed where the processor is mounted. The heat sink must be compatible with the motherboard and processor socket. Heat sinks can vary in size, so in addition to choosing the best and most effective processor heat sink, you also need to decide on a heat sink model that can fit your computer case.
Find out the socket used for the processor on your motherboard and look for processor heatsink models that are compatible with your processor socket. The heat sink must also be compatible with the heat sink retention bracket, which is the device that secures the processor heat sink to the motherboard. Using an incompatible socket retention bracket can be hazardous to the integrity of computer parts, especially if you are using a large and heavy passive heat sink. Passive heatsinks mounted in the wrong socket can bend the retaining bracket and break the motherboard or other computer components.
Also known as a motherboard heat sink, a processor heat sink is a cooler that controls the temperature of a computer’s processing unit (CPU). When the CPU is running, it builds up heat that needs to be removed. High-power processors generally produce more heat than your average home computer, so a high-end computer needs a more powerful processor heat sink. Check out the heat removal rating for the heat sinks you are looking for. If you have a problem with your current level of heat removal, you’ll probably want to go with a new heat sink that removes more heat.
Types of heat sinks include active heat sinks and passive heat sinks. A passive heat sink is a cooling unit that uses the natural movement of hot and cold temperatures to control heat in a hardware component. Typically, these types of heat sinks are large metal devices that are specially designed to draw heat away from the processor by conduction.
Conduction is a process by which heat is removed by contact. A processor heat sink is mounted in contact with the processor and the contact helps move heat from the processor chip to the heat sink. Because a passive heat sink lacks the fan and motor found in an active heat sink, these devices tend to remove heat more quietly. Due to their size and weight, passive coolers are not recommended for all users.
An active heat sink is a heat sink with a fan. Active heatsinks use the convection process to remove heat from the processor. Convection is the process of removing heat away from the object, like wind cooling a hot cup of coffee. To remove heat from the object by moving air, active heat sinks use a fan that moves air near the processor. While this type of heat sink can be noisier, it is much smaller than most passive heat sinks, making it a better choice for full-sized computer cases.
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