Subject

    Computer Science

    Topic

    Computer Hardware

    What is the purpose of a 'heat sink' on a CPU or GPU?

    a)
    To protect the chip from dust.
    b)
    To increase the processing speed of the chip.
    c)
    To passively dissipate heat from the chip into the surrounding air.
    d)
    To store a small amount of thermal energy.

    Explanation

    A heat sink is made of a thermally conductive material (like aluminum or copper) with a large surface area, often in the form of fins. It draws heat away from the processor via thermal conduction and then radiates it into the air, which is usually then moved away by a fan. This prevents the chip from overheating.

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