The IHS is basically a necessary design change for the new generation of (retail) CPU coolers. Newer CPU coolers clamp down on the CPU with ever increasing pressure; this pressure makes sure the surfaces make good contact, makes sure that the heatsinks will stay more secure in transit, etc.
With constant die shrinks on CPU's, die size has dropped over time; to the point where we started having enough space for 2, 3, 4+ cores on a single die. Part of the problem of die shrinks is that they make the contact area of the CPU smaller and smaller. This means if the heatsink is not centered perfectly, cooling will often be inadequate. IHS's solve this problem since the contact area is huge and the clamping mechanisms of coolers are basically 'idiot proof.'
While it's true that CPU core sizes have been kept relatively large recently due to a trend for greatly increased cache sizes and number of cores, it is also important to keep these cores safe from cracking, chipping, etc.
A bare core CPU does radiate heat better than one covered by an IHS, which is why so many extreme overclockers remove the IHS, but for the other 99.99% of computer users, IHS is a safe, smart way to eliminate core chipping, cracking, etc.
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As for GPU's, recall that GPU's have custom cooler designs depending on the die size/heat. So a value card will have a small heatsink/fan that attaches to the GPU with moderate pressure, while a top of the line GPU has a massive die, often protected by a shim (essentially the same principle as an IHS, just backwards) and with the cooler clamped on with more pressure. With CPU's an entire family of chips needs to be compatible with the same cooling mechanism.
With constant die shrinks on CPU's, die size has dropped over time; to the point where we started having enough space for 2, 3, 4+ cores on a single die. Part of the problem of die shrinks is that they make the contact area of the CPU smaller and smaller. This means if the heatsink is not centered perfectly, cooling will often be inadequate. IHS's solve this problem since the contact area is huge and the clamping mechanisms of coolers are basically 'idiot proof.'
While it's true that CPU core sizes have been kept relatively large recently due to a trend for greatly increased cache sizes and number of cores, it is also important to keep these cores safe from cracking, chipping, etc.
A bare core CPU does radiate heat better than one covered by an IHS, which is why so many extreme overclockers remove the IHS, but for the other 99.99% of computer users, IHS is a safe, smart way to eliminate core chipping, cracking, etc.
-----
As for GPU's, recall that GPU's have custom cooler designs depending on the die size/heat. So a value card will have a small heatsink/fan that attaches to the GPU with moderate pressure, while a top of the line GPU has a massive die, often protected by a shim (essentially the same principle as an IHS, just backwards) and with the cooler clamped on with more pressure. With CPU's an entire family of chips needs to be compatible with the same cooling mechanism.
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