Regarding the size of heatsinks

[shneakerpeeker]

I just wanted to ask whether the size of the heatsink is a important factor in it's cooling ability, or whether the large heatsinks used in gaming rigs are more for aesthetic purposes, rather than functionality?

 

[Gam3r01]

That can really depend on the model, typically speaking larger heatsinks are better, but thats if you can get enough airflow to it, and the size of fans on it.

 

[Swordkd]

It's easier for a poorly designed large heatsink to perform well. However, there are smaller heatsinks that keep up with the larger ones from good manufacturer's. Take the Noctua NH-U12S for example. Not the largest cooler on the market, but it keeps up with most of them in cooling ability. It is beaten by some of the largest, best designed ones on the market though, but it's no where near as big.

 

[Calculatron]

Larger size means more surface area, which means more ways which heat can escape. This is only a general rule, however, since size isn't the only thing that goes into making the heat sink, and not the only way heat escapes. Larger (or at least thicker) heatsinks need a pretty tough fan to push a proper amount of air through them, since contact with any surface causes turbulence, and thus airflow loss. (That's why static pressure is important!)

Surface area is another reason why ceramic coatings seem to becoming more popular, amongst some other things.

Heat pipe construction, placement, and soldering are also factors to look at to see how effective a heatsink might be at holding/transferring heat.