I'm confused! Are a heatsink and fan the same thing?

[LordSwedish]

I asked a question in the cooling forum about the best fan for a XP CPU and I got the answers for an alpha pal8045 (heatsink?) and a panaflow something (fan?). What do you need two for?

I'm confused/.

Someone please enlighten me.

 

[ucvb6]

your gonna need both.

when you buy the Heatsink, their is usually an option to purchase a fan along with it. the fan sits on top of the heatsink to help dissipate the heat(cool it down)

hope this helps

 

[TOCSYS]

A heatsinc is the metal piece of the cooling system that absorbs the heat off of the processor. The fan, which is connected on top of the heatsinc(usually ) cools down or pulls the hot air away from the heatsinc. So if someone says my "heatsinc" or "cooling fan" or HSF they are pretty much talking about the whole unit.

 

[LordSwedish]

Thank you.

It was simply put and now I understand it.

 

[John]

Keep in mind that you will have to remove your motherboard to install the Alpha 8045. I think the Thermalrite SK6 is a damn fine cooling solution as well.