What are the big heat sinks around the CPU on MOBO's?

[garyhope]

I know it's a dumb question, but what are the big heat sinks around the CPU on ASUS and other MOBO's?

I know where the Northbridge heatsink is and what it looks like but the other 2 by the CPU I don't know what those are and what they're cooling. How necessary are they and why do some boards have them and others don't?

It seems the cheaper the board, the smaller the heat sink, the more expensive the MOBO, the more elaborate, fancy, colorful and sculptural they are. Is this marketing?

Not that they don't look cool and impressive,.....


Thanks.

 

[jockey]

The one next to the rear panel headers is for the MOFSET, the pipe that goes from that to the other set of fins is just extra cooling (at least that's hoe GB's 890gpa board is set up). The thin aluminum plates on top are free advertising space.

 

[garyhope]

" The thin aluminum plates on top are free advertising space. "

LOL, that explains why they're all so big and colorful.