A CPU heat sink is a hardware component designed to dissipate the heat generated by the central processing unit (CPU) of a computer. It is typically made of metal, such as aluminum or copper, and is attached directly to the CPU. The heat sink works in conjunction with a fan, which helps to cool down the heat sink by blowing air over its surface.

A heat sink is a piece of metal that sits on top of a computer chip such as a CPU and draws power away from components by letting it rise through a series of fins. By themselves, heat sinks are passive, meaning they have no moving parts.

The heat sink is made out of metal, such as a zinc or copper alloy, and is attached to the processor with a thermal material that draws the heat from away the processor towards the heat sink. Heat sinks can range in size from barely covering the processor to several times the size of the processor if the CPU requires it.