Heat sink
An electronic device that incorporates either a fan or a peltier device that allows a hot device such as a processor to keep cool. There are two heatsinks
types: active and passive.
Active heat sinks utilize power and are usually a fan type or some other peltier cooling device. If you are looking to purchase an active heatsink, it is recommended that you purchase fans with ball-bearing motors that often last much longer than sleeve bearings. Sometimes these types of heatsinks are referred to as a HSF, which is short for heatsink and fan.
Passive heat sinks are 100% reliable, as they have no mechanical components. Passive heatsinks are made of an aluminum-finned radiator that dissipates heat through convection. For Passive heatsinks to work to their full capacity, it is recommended that there is a steady air flow moving across the fins. In the picture to the right, is an example of a heat sink that is both active and passive.
Also see: Fan, Processor definitions, Thermal compound