How to Answer: What is a heat sink, and why is it used for?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Computer Hardware Engineer job interview.
30. What is a heat sink, and why is it used for?
How to Answer
Computer hardware systems contained hundreds if not thousands of components. As a computer hardware engineer, you need to be familiar with each of these and their function. Interviewers can ask you about any of these during the interview and expect you to know about them. Your experience should allow you to do this easily. However, reviewing the common components of a computer hardware system before the interview will help refresh and prepare you. Practicing questions like this one will also enhance your ability to respond to the interviewer's questions.
Written by William Swansen on September 13th, 2021
Answer Example
"A heat sink is a component within the computer hardware system that helps to dissipate the heat of the component which it is attached to. Typically, this will be a microprocessor that runs at high speeds using lots of electricity and produces much residual heat. Heat sinks are typically metal components designed to direct heat away from the processor. Not having a heat sink would result in the processor failing and the computer shutting down."
Written by William Swansen on September 13th, 2021