A processor is the brain of a computer.
Thats where the IHS comes into play.
What is a CPUs IHS & How Does it Work?
It is a protective shell around the processing silicon.
The surface of the IHS also makes contact between the heatsink and a GPU or CPU processor.
It is a bridge that carries heat from the processor to the CPU cooler.
The IHS is typically made of metal and attached directly to the top of the CPU die.
It helps distribute heat evenly across the surface.
So, the heatsink, fans, or liquid cooling systems can remove the heat more effectively.
Why do Desktop CPUs have IHS?
Below, Ive explained the necessity of IHS for desktop CPUs.
Heres why Desktop processors have heat spreaders:
CPUs perform complex calculations andgenerate a lot of heat.
The heat spreader also protects the delicate transistors and other components on the CPU die from physical damage.
The heat spreader is made of a high thermal conductivity material, like copper & aluminum.
You shouldclean old thermal pasteto help the CPU cooler dissipate heat easily.
Read our separate article how to do that.
OC is used to increase the clock speed of a CPU to boost its performance.
What are CPU Heat Spreader Materials?
Thats why the most common materials used for IHS arealuminum,copper, or acombination of both.
Aluminum is a lightweight material that provides good thermal conductivity.
Also, for being cheap, it is generally used in entry-level and mid-range CPUs.
However, some high-end processors have IHSs with separate aluminum plates.
It is used in top-tier CPUs.
Sometimes, copper is combined with aluminum to form an aluminum-copper hybrid IHS.
Why are Integrated Heat Spreaders Required on CPUs but Not Necessary on GPUs?
So, GPUs can easily handle their heat dissipation without an IHS.
Besides, GPUs and CPUs manufacturing processes are different.
Thats why GPUs have a separate thermal profile.
As a result, a heat spreader is not necessary for a graphics card to maintain stability and performance.
We exploredhow hot a CPU can get without a heatsink attached.
If you want to know the results, check our article.
Why do Laptops use a Heat Spreader instead of Heatsinks in Their Cooling System?
For being portable, laptops have limited space for cooling systems.
Also, the IHS improves a laptops thermal conductivity.
If yourCPU overheats this can introduce lagin gaming or general workloads.
To fix this, check our article where we provide you with the possible solutions.
FAQs
Why do CPUs have heat spreaders?
CPUs have heat spreaders to protect the CPU die from damage, for improved thermal conductivity.
The IHS makes sure that overclocked processors can operate longer without issues.
Why do some Intel processors have holes in the IHS?
The Integrated Heat Spreader is connected to the CPU with epoxy at the Intel plant.
Why does RAM have heat spreaders?
RAMs have heat spreaders to identify different lines of memory.
Heat spreaders on RAM arent really necessary.
Here, Ive described how IHS work and explained the necessity of heat spreaders in desktop and laptop processors.
