Heat sinks can all be divided into two major categories: active heat sink and passive heat sink. What's the difference between them?

Active heat sink

It is usually equipped with some kind of active components such as fans or water pumps, which accelerate the dissipation of heat through forced convection, more effectively removing the heat from the heat source and reducing the working temperature of the equipment. The most common type is the ball bearing motor fan, which has excellent mechanical performance, but the manufacturing components are expensive and the price is relatively high.

Passive heat sink

It dissipates heat by relying on natural convection and radiation and is not equipped with mechanical components. Its heat sink should still maintain a continuous airflow passing through. The design of the heat sink fins is adopted to increase the heat dissipation area and improve the heat dissipation efficiency. It has relatively low efficiency, but it has the advantages of simple structure, no noise and no need for additional energy consumption.

Active heat sinks and passive heat sinks differ in terms of heat dissipation methods, performance, and application scenarios. When making a choice, a comprehensive consideration should be made based on actual needs and working environment to ensure the stable operation of the equipment and extend its service life.