A liquid cold plate is a type of heat sink used in liquid cooling loops. It is a metal block (usually copper or aluminum) with an internal channel or manifold through which coolant is pumped. The component to be cooled is mounted directly onto the flat surface of the cold plate. Heat conducts into the plate and is carried away by the flowing liquid. Cold plates are used when:
- Heat flux (power per unit area) is extremely high (e.g., high-performance CPUs, GPUs, laser diodes, IGBT modules).
- The heat load is beyond the practical limits of air cooling.
- Low noise is paramount, as the radiator fans can run slower.
- Heat needs to be transported to a remote location for dissipation (e.g., in a vehicle). They are the core of custom water-cooling loops and many industrial cooling systems.