Patent Publication Number: US-2021193558-A1

Title: Technologies for processor loading mechanisms

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     A compute device may include a processor positioned in a processor socket on a mainboard. The processor typically requires a heat sink to absorb and disperse heat generated in the processor. The processor has pins connecting the processor to the processor socket. When the processor is positioned in the processor socket, a force must be applied to keep the processor in contact with each of the pins. For a higher number of pins, a higher force may be required. In order to keep the processor in contact with the pins of the processor socket, the heat sink can be fastened to the mainboard and press down on the processor. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The concepts described herein are illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the accompanying figures. For simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements illustrated in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. Where considered appropriate, reference labels have been repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a simplified diagram of at least one embodiment of a system with an integrated circuit component and heat sink connected to a system board; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of simplified diagram of at least one embodiment of the system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of the system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a simplified diagram of at least one embodiment of a system with an integrated circuit component and heat sink connected to a system board; 
         FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view of simplified diagram of at least one embodiment of the system of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a simplified diagram of at least one embodiment of a system with an integrated circuit component and heat sink connected to a system board; 
         FIG. 10  is an exploded perspective view of simplified diagram of at least one embodiment of the system of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of the system of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of the system of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a block diagram of an exemplary computing system in which technologies described herein may be implemented; and 
         FIG. 14  is a block diagram of an exemplary processor unit that can execute instructions as part of implementing technologies described herein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For processors and other integrated circuit components with a large number of pins, a large force may be required to keep the processor in contact with all of the pins. That force may be applied to the heat sink by one or more fasteners, which then transfers the force to the processor. However, in some cases, the force applied to the heat sink may cause uneven loading on the processor or damage to the heat sink, causing reduced performance over time. For example, in one embodiment, heat sink fins may be adhered (e.g., soldered) to a base of a heatsink. With a high force applied to the edges or corners of the heatsink, the heat sink fins may delaminate from the heatsink, reducing the effective heat dissipation of the heat sink. In another embodiment, the base of the heat sink may warp over time under the stress of the force applied to it, redistributing the force applied to the processor away from the center and towards the edges. 
     In order to possibly address those drawbacks, in one embodiment, the force applied to the processor to keep it in contact with the processor socket can be split between a heat sink and a load plate. The force can be split between the heat sink and the load plate in any suitable manner, such as the specific embodiments described below in more detail. 
     Some embodiments may have some, all, or none of the features described for other embodiments. “First,” “second,” “third,” and the like describe a common object and indicate different instances of like objects being referred to. Such adjectives do not imply objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally or spatially, in ranking, or any other manner. The term “coupled,” “connected,” and “associated” may indicate elements electrically, electromagnetically, thermally, and/or physically (e.g., mechanically or chemically) co-operate or interact with each other, and do not exclude the presence of intermediate elements between the coupled, connected, or associated items absent specific contrary language. Terms modified by the word “substantially” include arrangements, orientations, spacings, or positions that vary slightly from the meaning of the unmodified term. For example, surfaces described as being substantially parallel to each other may be off of being parallel with each other by a few degrees. 
     The description may use the phrases “in an embodiment,” “in embodiments,” “in some embodiments,” and/or “in various embodiments,” each of which may refer to one or more of the same or different embodiments. Furthermore, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and the like, as used with respect to embodiments of the present disclosure, are synonymous. 
     Reference is now made to the drawings, wherein similar or same numbers may be used to designate same or similar parts in different figures. The use of similar or same numbers in different figures does not mean all figures including similar or same numbers constitute a single or same embodiment. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the novel embodiments can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form to facilitate a description thereof. The intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives within the scope of the claims. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an illustrative system  100  with a heat sink module attached to a system board includes a heat sink  102 , a load plate  108 , an integrated circuit component  118  (not visible in  FIG. 1 ), a bolster plate  110 , and the system board  112 .  FIG. 2  shows an exploded view of the components of  FIG. 1 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the integrated circuit component  118  includes an integrated heat spreader (IHS)  202  mounted on a substrate  204 . The integrated circuit component  118  is configured to mate with a processor socket  206 , which includes several pins  208 .  FIG. 3  shows a front view of the system  100 , and  FIG. 4  shows a side view of the system  100 .  FIG. 5  corresponds to the cross-section  5  shown in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 5  shows a cross-sectional view of the system  100  along a long axis of the system  100 .  FIG. 6  corresponds to the cross-section  6  shown in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 6  shows a cross-sectional view of the compute system along a short axis of the system  100 . 
     In the illustrative embodiment, the heat sink  102  is fastened to the bolster plate  110  by two fasteners  114 . The heat sink  102  contacts the top of the IHS  202 , applying a downward force on the integrated circuit component  118  towards the processor socket  206 . The illustrative load plate  108  is fastened to the bolster plate  110  by four fasteners  116 . The load plate  108  contacts the integrated circuit component  118 , applying a downward force on the integrated circuit component  118  in the same direction as the heat sink  102 . In the illustrative embodiment, the load plate  108  contacts the substrate  204  to apply the downward force. 
     The heat sink  102  and the load plate  108  may apply any suitable force to the integrated circuit component  118 . In the illustrative embodiment, the heat sink  102  and the load plate  108  apply a force of about 300 pounds. In other embodiments, the heat sink  102  and the load plate  108  together may apply, e.g., 50-1,000 pounds of force. In some embodiments, the heat sink  102  and the load plate  108  may apply a force proportional to the number of pins  208 . For example, the heat sink  102  and the load plate  108  may apply 10-15 grams of force (0.022 pounds of force) per pin  208 . The force applied may be split in any suitable amount between the heat sink  102  and the load plate  108 . For example, the heat sink  102  may apply 1-90% of the combined force applied by the heat sink  102  and the load plate  108 . 
     It should be appreciated that splitting the forces applied to the integrated circuit component  118  between the illustrative heat sink  102  and the illustrative load plate  108  can have several benefits. In order to absorb heat from the integrated circuit component  118 , the illustrative heat sink  102  needs to be strongly thermally coupled to the IHS  202  but does not necessarily need to apply a large force to the IHS  202  to do so. As such, the heat sink  102  can be fastened to the bolster plate  110  in such a way as to ensure strong thermal coupling without applying unnecessarily high forces to the heat sink  102 . The reduced forces on the heat sink  102  can reduce or eliminate concerns of the heat sink fins  106  delaminating from the heat sink base  104 . Additionally, the heat sink base  104  can be designed for improved thermal performance by not having to meet design requirements to withstand the stresses caused by large forces applied to the heat sink  102 . For example, the heat sink base  104  can be, e.g., a relatively thin piece of high-thermal-conductivity material such as aluminum or copper rather than a relatively thicker piece of high-thermal-conductivity material or a higher-strength material with a lower thermal conductivity. In contrast, the illustrative load plate  108  can be designed to withstand a high force being applied, without the designed having to consider thermal characteristics as a significant design criterion. As a result, the heat sink  102  can be made of a relatively high-thermal-conductivity and low-strength material while the load plate  108  can be made of a relatively low-thermal-conductivity and high-strength material. 
     The illustrative heat sink  102  has a heat sink base  104  and several heat sink fins  106 . The fins  106  may be any suitable structure that has a high surface area-to-volume ratio. The fins  106  may be any suitable shape, such as a plane, a rod, a folded sheet, etc. In the illustrative embodiment, the heat sink fins  106  are bonded to the heat sink base  104  by solder, glue, or other adhesive. In other embodiments, the heat sink fins  106  may be removably fastened to the heat sink base  104 . In some embodiments, the het sink  102  may be a unitary piece that includes both the heat sink base  104  and the heat sink fins  106 . More generally, the heat sink  102  may be manufactured in any suitable manner, such as extrusion, skiving, stamping, forging, machining, 3D printing, etc. 
     One purpose of the heat sink  102  is to absorb heat from the integrated circuit component  118  and transfer the heat to air. In some embodiments, a fan (not shown in  FIGS. 1 &amp; 2 ) may blow air onto and/or through the heat sink fins  106 . In the illustrative embodiment, a layer of thermal interface material (TIM) is positioned between the IHS  202  and the heat sink base  104 . The TIM may be any suitable material, such as a silver thermal compound. 
     The heat sink  102  may be made from any suitable material. In the illustrative embodiment, the heat sink base  104  and the heat sink fins  106  are made from a high-thermal-conductivity material, such as copper, aluminum, or another material with a thermal conductivity greater than 100 W/(m×K). In some embodiments, the heat sink base  104  and the heat sink fins  106  may be made of different material. For example, the heat sink base  104  may be aluminum and the heat sink fins  106  may be copper. In some embodiments, the heat sink base  104  may have more than one layer of different materials. 
     The heat sink  102  may have any suitable shape or dimensions. For example, the heat sink  102  may have a width of 10-250 millimeters, a length of 10-250 millimeters, and/or a height of 10-100 millimeters. In the illustrative embodiment, the heat sink  102  has a width of about 75 millimeters, a width of about 150 millimeters, and a height of about 30 millimeters. The thickness of the base plate  104  may be any suitable thickness, such as 1-10 millimeters. In the illustrative embodiment, the base plate  104  has a thickness of about 5 millimeters. The height of the fins  106  may be any suitable height, such as 5-100 millimeters. In some embodiments, the heat sink  102  may be a cold plate used in a liquid cooling system and may not have any external fins  106 . 
     The illustrative heat sink  102  is a rectangular shape. In other embodiments, the heat sink  102  may be any suitable shape, such as a square, a circle, etc. The illustrative heat sink base  104  has a flat surface on the bottom. In the illustrative embodiment, the central region of the bottom of the heat sink base  104  contacts the flat surface of the IHS  202 . Heat flows from the central region of the heat sink base  104  to the edges of the heat sink base  104  and into the fins  106 . In some embodiments, the heat sink base  104  does not have a flat surface on the bottom. For example, the heat sink base  104  may have a pedestal extruding from the bottom of the heat sink base  104  that contacts some or all of the IHS  202 . Such a pedestal may elevate the rest of the heat sink  102 , allowing more room for other components such as the load plate  108  to be nearer to the integrated circuit component  118 . In some embodiments, the heat sink  102  may include other heat-transferring components such as one or more heat pipes, a thermoelectric heater/cooler, etc. 
     In the illustrative embodiment, the heat sink  102  has corners cut out to accommodate fasteners  116  that are inserted into the load plate  108 . In some embodiments, the heat sink  102  does not have any corners cut out to accommodate fasteners  116 . For example, the dimensions of the load plate  108  may be greater than that of the heat sink  102 , allowing the fasteners  116  to be inserted without interfering with the heat sink  102 . Additionally or alternatively, fasteners  116  or another fastening mechanism may be used that does require a corner cut out of the heat sink  102 , such as a low-profile fastener or a fastener that fastens at an angle. 
     The load plate  108  may be made of any suitable material. In the illustrative embodiment, the load plate  108  is made out of high-strength steel. In other embodiments, the load plate  108  may be made out of, e.g., iron, steel, aluminum, ceramic, etc. It should be appreciated that, in the illustrative embodiment, the load plate  108  does not need to absorb heat from the integrated circuit component  118 . As such, a low-thermal-conductivity material may be used in the load plate, such as a material with a thermal conductivity of less than 100 W/(m×K). 
     The load plate  108  may have any suitable shape or dimensions. For example, the load plate  108  may have a width of 10-250 millimeters, a length of 10-250 millimeters, and/or a height of 1-100 millimeters. In the illustrative embodiment, the load plate  108  has a width of about 75 millimeters, a width of about 150 millimeters, and a height of about 3 millimeters. The illustrative load plate  108  has a hole in it that can accommodate the IHS  202 , allowing the heat sink  102  to contact a surface of the IHS  202  (e.g., a top surface  212  of the IHS  202  or a surface  214  of the substrate  204 ). The size and shape of the hole may be any suitable size and shape, depending on the size and shape of the IHS  202 . In the illustrative embodiment, the hole may have a length of, e.g., 10-240 millimeters and/or a width of 10-240 millimeters. In the illustrative embodiment, the load plate  108  has a height that is less than the IHS  202 , allowing the load plate  108  to contact the substrate  204  around the IHS  202  without contacting the heat sink  102  that is sitting on top of the IHS  202 . The illustrative load plate  108  has an area cut out to accommodate a fastener  114  that extends from the heat sink  102  to the bolster plate  110 . In some embodiments, the load plate  108  may not have such an area cut out. For example, the heat sink base  104  can extend past the edge of the load plate  108  below it or may have a flange extending from the heat sink base  104  past the edge of the load plate  108  such that the fastener  114  does not interfere with the structure of the load plate  108 . 
     In the illustrative embodiment, the load plate  108  forms a complete loop around the integrated circuit component  118  and applies force all around the edge of the integrated circuit component  118 . In other embodiments, the load plate  108  may not form a complete loop but rather may be in the shape of a horseshoe, with one end of the load plate  108  open. In yet other embodiments, the load plate  108  may be split into two or more separate pieces. For example, the load plate  108  may be embodied as two rails that apply force to two sides of the integrated circuit component  118 . 
     As used herein, the term “integrated circuit component” refers to a packaged or unpacked integrated circuit product. A packaged integrated circuit component comprises one or more integrated circuits. In one example, a packaged integrated circuit component contains one or more processor units and a land grid array (LGA) or pin grid array (PGA) on an exterior surface of the package. In one example of an unpackaged integrated circuit component, a single monolithic integrated circuit die comprises solder bumps attached to contacts on the die. The solder bumps allow the die to be directly attached to a printed circuit board. An integrated circuit component can comprise one or more of any of computing system component described or referenced herein, such as a processor unit (e.g., system-on-a-chip (SoC), processor cores, graphics processor unit (GPU), accelerator), I/O controller, chipset processor, memory, or network interface controller. In one embodiment, the integrated circuit component  118  is a processor unit, such as a single-core processor, a multi-core processor, a desktop processor, a server processor, a data processing unit, a central processing unit, a graphics processing unit, etc. The processor unit may include an integrated memory, such as a high-bandwidth memory. The integrated circuit component  118  may include one or more chips integrated into a multi-chip package (MCP). 
     The illustrative integrated circuit component  118  includes an IHS  202 . The IHS  202  is in thermal contact with the dies of the integrated circuit component  118 , either directly or through one or more intermediate layers, such as a thermal interface material (TIM). The illustrative IHS  202  is made out of nickel-plated copper. In other embodiments, the IHS  202  may be made out of or otherwise include any suitable material, such as copper, aluminum, gold, or other high-thermal-conductivity material. In some embodiments, the integrated circuit component  118  may not include an IHS. In such an embodiment, the heat sink  102  may contact the dies included in the integrated circuit component  118  without an intermediate IHS. It should be appreciated that, in those embodiments, there may still be other layers such as a TIM between the heat sink  102  and the bare integrated circuit die(s) of the integrated circuit component  118 . 
     The illustrative IHS  202  may be any suitable size. The illustrative IHS  202  has a width of about 30 millimeters, a length of about 60 millimeters, and a height of 5 millimeters. In other embodiments, the IHS  202  may have any suitable dimensions, such as a length and/or width of 50-200 millimeters and a height of 0.5-20 millimeters. 
     It should be appreciated that the IHS  202  may have a shape other than the box shape shown in the figures. For example, in some embodiments, the IHS  202  may have more than one level. For example, in one embodiment, the IHS  202  may have a top surface that it to contact the heat sink  102 . The IHS  202  may also have a lower tier surrounding the top surface, providing a second surface that the load plate  108  can contact without interfering with the heat sink  102 . 
     The illustrative substrate  204  includes interconnects to connect electrical paths of the dies of the integrated circuit component  118  to the pins  208  of the processor socket  206 . In the illustrative embodiment, the substrate  204  includes a land grid array with a pad corresponding to each pin  208 . Each pad may be any suitable material, such as gold, copper, silver, gold-plated copper, etc. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the substrate  204  may include a pin grid array with one or more pins that mate with a corresponding pin socket in the processor socket  206  or a ball grid array. The substrate  204  may include one or more additional components, such as a capacitor, voltage regulator, etc. The illustrative substrate  204  is a fiberglass board made of glass fibers and a resin, such as FR-4. In other embodiments, the substrate  204  may be embodied as any suitable circuit board. 
     In the illustrative embodiment, the substrate  204  has larger dimensions that the IHS  202  and/or the dies mounted on the substrate  204 . As such, the substrate  204  can be contacted by the load plate  108  to apply a downward force to the integrated circuit component  118  without interfering with the heat sink contacting the IHS  202 . The illustrative substrate  204  has a width of about 40 millimeters, a length of about 70 millimeters, and a height of 3 millimeters. In other embodiments, the substrate  204  may have any suitable dimensions, such as a length and/or width of 50-200 millimeters and a height of 0.5-20 millimeters. 
     In some embodiments, the substrate  204  may not extend past the IHS  202  and/or the load plate  108  may not contact the substrate  204 . For example, in some embodiments, the heat sink base  104  may have a pedestal that contacts the central region of the IHS  202 , and the load plate  108  may contact the edge areas of the IHS  202  to apply a downward force. In other embodiments, the integrated circuit component  118  may not include a separate substrate  204 . Rather, the dies or other components inside a package may contact pins  208  on the processor socket  206  directly. 
     The system board  112  supports the bolster plate  110  and the processor socket  206 . The processor socket  206  is configured to mate with the integrated circuit component  118 . The illustrative processor socket  206  includes a socket frame  210  with a shape that mates with the shape of the integrated circuit component  118 . The socket frame  210  may include features such as one or more notches or protrusions that mate with corresponding features on the integrated circuit component  118  such that the integrated circuit component  118  can only be oriented one way in the processor socket  206 . 
     The processor socket  206  includes several pins  208  that are configured in a pin grid array to mate with a corresponding pad of a land grid array of the integrated circuit component  118 . The processor socket  206  may include any suitable number of pins, such as any number from 2-10,000. In the illustrative embodiment, the processor socket  206  may include 1,151, 1,200, 1,331, 2,066, 3,647, or 4,094 pins  208 . In the illustrative embodiment, the pins  208  are bent or otherwise in contact with the integrated circuit component  118  such that each pin  208  acts as a small spring, ensuring good electrical contact with the integrated circuit component  118  when an appropriate downward force is applied to the integrated circuit component  118 . As a result of acting as a small spring, each pin  208  applies a small upward force to the integrated circuit component  118  that is countered by the downward force applied by the heat sink  102  and the load plate  108 . In the illustrative embodiment, each pin  209  may apply 10-15 grams of force (0.022-0.033 pounds of force). Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the processor socket  206  may include a land grid array, a ball grid array, or any other suitable array of connectors to mate with the integrated circuit component  118 . 
     The bolster plate  110  is configured to be fastened to the heat sink  102  and to the load plate  108 . The illustrative bolster plate  110  is in turn fastened to or otherwise connected to the system board  112 . In the illustrative embodiment, the bolster plate  110  is connected to a backplate  302  on the underside of the system board  112  (see  FIG. 3 ). The bolster plate  110  may be connected to the backplate  302  in any suitable manner, such as with one or more screws, bolts, rivets, etc. In the illustrative embodiment, the heat sink  102  and load plate  108  apply a downward force to the integrated circuit component  118  and apply an equivalent upward force on the bolster plate  110 , the back plate  302 , and/or the system board  112 , which transfers the upward force to the processor socket  110  and the integrated circuit component  118 . In some embodiments, the bolster plate  110  may not connect to a back plate  302 . For example, the bolster plate  110  may simply connect to the system board  112  or may connect directly to the processor socket  110  to transfer the force from the heat sink  104  and load plate  108  to the pins  208 . 
     The bolster plate  110  may be made of any suitable material. In the illustrative embodiment, the bolster plate  110  is made out of high-strength steel. In other embodiments, the bolster plate  110  may be made out of, e.g., iron, steel, aluminum, ceramic, etc. The bolster plate  110  may have any suitable shape or dimensions. For example, the bolster plate  110  may have a width of 10-250 millimeters, a length of 10-250 millimeters, and/or a height of 1-100 millimeters. In the illustrative embodiment, the bolster plate  110  has a width of about 75 millimeters, a width of about 150 millimeters, and a height of about 3 millimeters. 
     The illustrative bolster plate  110  has a hole in it that can accommodate the processor socket  206 . The size and shape of the hole may be any suitable size and shape, depending on the size and shape of the processor socket  206 . In the illustrative embodiment, the hole may have a length of, e.g., 10-240 millimeters and/or a width of 10-240 millimeters. In the illustrative embodiment, the bolster plate  110  has a height that is less than the height of the surface of the integrated circuit component  118  that the load plate  108  contacts, allowing the illustrative load plate  108  to contact the substrate  204  around the IHS  202  without contacting the bolster plate  110 . 
     In the illustrative embodiment, the bolster plate  110  forms a complete loop around the processor socket  206 . In other embodiments, the bolster plate  110  may not form a complete loop but rather may be in the shape of a horseshoe, with one end of the bolster plate  110  open. In yet other embodiments, the bolster plate  110  may be split into two or more separate pieces. For example, the bolster plate  110  may be embodied as two rails, each of which mates with the part of the load plate  108  and heat sink  104  above it. In some embodiments, a bolster plate  110  may not be included, and the load plate  108  and the heat sink  104  may fasten directly to the back plate  302 . 
     Similar to the bolster plate  110 , the back plate  302  may be made of any suitable material. In the illustrative embodiment, the back plate  302  is made out of high-strength steel. In other embodiments, the back plate  302  may be made out of, e.g., iron, steel, aluminum, ceramic, etc. The back plate  302  may have any suitable shape or dimensions. For example, the back plate  302  may have a width of 10-250 millimeters, a length of 10-250 millimeters, and/or a height of 1-100 millimeters. In the illustrative embodiment, the back plate  302  has a width of about 75 millimeters, a width of about 150 millimeters, and a height of about 3 millimeters. 
     The illustrative back plate  302  is a solid shape without any holes or gaps, allowing the back plate  302  to evenly apply an upward force to the system board  112  and to the processor socket  206  above the back plate  302 . In some embodiments, the back plate  302  may have some holes in it, which may change how force is applied upward to the system board  112 . 
     In the illustrative embodiment, the system board  112  may be embodied as a motherboard of a computer system. The system board  112  may include other components not shown, such as interconnects, other electrical components such as capacitors or resistors, sockets for components such as memory or peripheral cards, connectors for peripherals, etc. In other embodiments, the system board  112  may be form or be a part of another component of a computer system, such as a peripheral card, a mezzanine board, etc. The illustrative system board  112  is a fiberglass board made of glass fibers and a resin, such as FR-4. In other embodiments, other types of circuit boards may be used. 
     In the illustrative embodiment, heat sink  102  is fastened to the illustrative bolster plate  110  by fasteners  114 , and the illustrative load plate  108  is fastened to the illustrative bolster plate  110  by fasteners  116 . In the illustrative embodiment, each of fasteners  114  and  116  are embodied as screws or bolts. Fastener  114  has a spring  115  that applies a downward force on the heat sink base  104 , and fastener  116  has a spring  117  that applies a downward force on the heat load plate  116 . The fasteners  114 ,  116  can screw directly into threaded holes of the bolster plate  110  or may be secured by, e.g., a nut. Additionally or alternatively, the fasteners  114  and/or  116  may be embodied as any other suitable type of fastener, such as a torsion fastener, a spring screw, one or more clips, a land grid array (LGA) loading mechanism, and/or a combination of any suitable types of fasteners. In the illustrative embodiment, the fasteners  114  and  116  are removable. In other embodiments, some or all of the fasteners  114  and  116  may permanently secure the various components they fasten. 
     In the illustrative embodiment, the fasteners  114  fastening the heat sink  102  pass through two holes in the heat sink base  104 . The illustrative holes are positioned near the middle of a long edge of the heat sink  102 , with the hole positioned 1-10 millimeters from the edge. Additionally or alternatively, the fasteners  114  fastening the heat sink  102  to the bolster plate  110  may be positioned at different locations, such as the corners of the heat sink  102 . In some embodiments, there may be a different number of fasteners  114 , such as 2-8 fasteners. 
     In the illustrative embodiment, the fasteners  116  fastening the load plate  108  pass through four holes in the load plate  108 . The illustrative holes are positioned near the corners of the load plate  108 , with the hole positioned 1-10 millimeters from the corners. Additionally or alternatively, the fasteners  118  fastening the load plate  108  to the bolster plate  110  may be positioned at different locations, such as the side of the load plate  108 . In some embodiments, there may be a different number of fasteners  116 , such as 2-8 fasteners. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 7 &amp; 8 , in one embodiment a compute system  700  has a heat sink  702 , a load plate  708 , and a bolster plate  710 .  FIG. 7  shows the assembled compute system  700 , and  FIG. 8  shows an exploded view of the components of  FIG. 7 . The compute system  700  is similar to the system  100 , but, in the compute system  700 , the heat sink  702  is fastened to the load plate  708  rather than to the bolster plate  710 . It should be appreciated that several of the advantages described above in regard to the system  100  are similarly present in the compute system  700 . For example, the force applied to the heat sink base  704  needs to be sufficient to establish strong thermal coupling between the heat sink base  704  and the IHS  802  but does not need to be sufficient to apply the necessary downward force to the integrated circuit component  718  to keep the integrated circuit component  718  in good electrical and mechanical contact with the processor socket  806 . Rather, the load plate  708  can apply the necessary downward force to the integrated circuit component  718  to keep the integrated circuit component  718  in good electrical and mechanical contact with the processor socket  806 . As for the load plate  108 , the load plate  708  does not need to have a high thermal conductivity to absorb heat from the integrated circuit component  718 . The heat sink  702  may be fastened to the load plate  708  in any suitable manner, including any mechanism described above for fastening the heat sink  102  to the bolster plate  110 , a description of which will not be repeated in the interest of clarity. 
     The compute system  700  and its components may be similar to the system  100  except for the differences shown in the figures and described herein. For example, the heat sink  702 , the heat sink base  704 , and heat sink fins  706  may be similar to the corresponding components of the system  100 . The bolster plate  708  may be similar to the bolster plate  108 . The integrated circuit component  718  (including the IHS  802  and substrate  804 ) may be similar to the integrated circuit component  118 . The system board  712 , bolster plate  710 , and back plate of the compute system  700  (not shown in  FIGS. 7 &amp; 8 ) may be similar to the corresponding component of the system  100 . The processor socket  806 , the pins  808 , and the socket frame  810  may be similar to the corresponding component of the system  100 . A description of each of those components will not be repeated in the interest of clarity. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 9-12 , in one embodiment a compute system  900  has a heat sink  902 , a load plate  908 , and a bolster plate  910 .  FIG. 9  shows the assembled compute system  900 , and  FIG. 10  shows an exploded view of the components of  FIG. 9 .  FIG. 11  shows a cross-sectional view of the assembled compute system  900 , and  FIG. 12  shows a cross-sectional view of the heat sink  802  and load plate  908  when removed from the rest of the compute system  900 . 
     The compute system  900  is similar to the compute system  700 , but, in the compute system  900 , the heat sink  902  is fastened to the load plate  908  with a spring  920 , such as with spring screws  914 . When the heat sink  902  and load plate  908  are installed, with the load plate  908  fastened to the bolster plate  910 , the spring  920  is compressed, applying a downward force to the heat sink  902 , as shown in  FIGS. 9 &amp; 11 . When the heat sink  902  and load plate  908  are not installed, the spring  920  raises the load plate  908  closer to the heat sink base  904 , as shown in  FIGS. 10 &amp; 12 . It should be appreciated that, in the illustrative embodiment, when the load plate  908  is installed, the springs  920  automatically apply a downward force to the heat sink  902  that is sufficient to keep the heat sink  902  in strong thermal contact with the integrated circuit component  918 . As such, installation of the heat sink  902  and load plate  908  may be simpler than installation of the heat sink  102  and load plate  108 . 
     The heat sink  902  may be mechanically coupled to the load plate  908  with any suitable fastener or spring. In the illustrative embodiment, removable fasteners  914  may be embodied as screws or bolts with an integrated coil spring  920 . Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the heat sink  902  may be coupled to the load plate  908  with a different type of spring, such as a leaf spring, a torsion spring, etc. In some embodiments, the heat sink  902  may be permanently fastened or otherwise permanently linked to the load plate  908 . In the illustrative embodiment, the force applied by the springs  920  when the heat sink  902  and load plate  908  are installed is not tunable. In other embodiments, the force applied by the springs  920  when the heat sink  902  and load plate  908  are installed may be tunable or otherwise controllable, such as by loosening or tightening a spring screw  920 . 
     The compute system  900  and its components may be similar to the system  100  except for the differences shown in the figures and described herein. For example, the heat sink  902 , the heat sink base  904 , and heat sink fins  906  may be similar to the corresponding components of the system  100 . The bolster plate  908  may be similar to the bolster plate  108 . The integrated circuit component  918  (including the IHS  1002  and substrate  1004 ) may be similar to the integrated circuit component  118 . The system board  912 , bolster plate  910 , and back plate of the compute system  900  (not shown in  FIGS. 9 &amp; 8 ) may be similar to the corresponding component of the system  100 . The processor socket  1006 , the pins  1008 , and the socket frame  1010  may be similar to the corresponding component of the system  100 . A description of each of those components will not be repeated in the interest of clarity. 
     The technologies described herein can be performed by or implemented in any of a variety of computing systems, including mobile computing systems (e.g., smartphones, handheld computers, tablet computers, laptop computers, portable gaming consoles, 2-in-1 convertible computers, portable all-in-one computers), non-mobile computing systems (e.g., desktop computers, servers, workstations, stationary gaming consoles, set-top boxes, smart televisions, rack-level computing solutions (e.g., blades, trays, sleds)), and embedded computing systems (e.g., computing systems that are part of a vehicle, smart home appliance, consumer electronics product or equipment, manufacturing equipment). As used herein, the term “computing system” includes computing devices and includes systems comprising multiple discrete physical components. In some embodiments, the computing systems are located in a data center, such as an enterprise data center (e.g., a data center owned and operated by a company and typically located on company premises), managed services data center (e.g., a data center managed by a third party on behalf of a company), a colocated data center (e.g., a data center in which data center infrastructure is provided by the data center host and a company provides and manages their own data center components (servers, etc.)), cloud data center (e.g., a data center operated by a cloud services provider that host companies applications and data), and an edge data center (e.g., a data center, typically having a smaller footprint than other data center types, located close to the geographic area that it serves). 
       FIG. 13  is a block diagram of a second example computing system in which technologies described herein may be implemented. Generally, components shown in  FIG. 13  can communicate with other shown components, although not all connections are shown, for ease of illustration. The computing system  1300  is a multiprocessor system comprising a first processor unit  1302  and a second processor unit  1304  comprising point-to-point (P-P) interconnects. A point-to-point (P-P) interface  1306  of the processor unit  1302  is coupled to a point-to-point interface  1307  of the processor unit  1304  via a point-to-point interconnection  1305 . It is to be understood that any or all of the point-to-point interconnects illustrated in  FIG. 13  can be alternatively implemented as a multi-drop bus, and that any or all buses illustrated in  FIG. 13  could be replaced by point-to-point interconnects. 
     The processor units  1302  and  1304  comprise multiple processor cores. Processor unit  1302  comprises processor cores  1308  and processor unit  1304  comprises processor cores  1310 . Processor cores  1308  and  1310  can execute computer-executable instructions in a manner similar to that discussed below in connection with  FIG. 14 , or other manners. 
     Processor units  1302  and  1304  further comprise cache memories  1312  and  1314 , respectively. The cache memories  1312  and  1314  can store data (e.g., instructions) utilized by one or more components of the processor units  1302  and  1304 , such as the processor cores  1308  and  1310 . The cache memories  1312  and  1314  can be part of a memory hierarchy for the computing system  1300 . For example, the cache memories  1312  can locally store data that is also stored in a memory  1316  to allow for faster access to the data by the processor unit  1302 . In some embodiments, the cache memories  1312  and  1314  can comprise multiple cache levels, such as level 1 (L1), level 2 (L2), level 3 (L3), level 4 (L4), and/or other caches or cache levels, such as a last level cache (LLC). Some of these cache memories (e.g., L2, L3, L4, LLC) can be shared among multiple cores in a processor unit. One or more of the higher levels of cache levels (the smaller and faster caches) in the memory hierarchy can be located on the same integrated circuit die as a processor core and one or more of the lower cache levels (the larger and slower caches) can be located on an integrated circuit dies that are physically separate from the processor core integrated circuit dies. 
     Although the computing system  1300  is shown with two processor units, the computing system  1300  can comprise any number of processor units. Further, a processor unit can comprise any number of processor cores. A processor unit can take various forms such as a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), general-purpose GPU (GPGPU), accelerated processing unit (APU), field-programmable gate array (FPGA), neural network processing unit (NPU), data processor unit (DPU), accelerator (e.g., graphics accelerator, digital signal processor (DSP), compression accelerator, artificial intelligence (AI) accelerator), controller, or other types of processing units. As such, the processor unit can be referred to as an XPU (or xPU). Further, a processor unit can comprise one or more of these various types of processing units. In some embodiments, the computing system comprises one processor unit with multiple cores, and in other embodiments, the computing system comprises a single processor unit with a single core. As used herein, the terms “processor unit” and “processing unit” can refer to any processor, processor core, component, module, engine, circuitry, or any other processing element described or referenced herein. 
     In some embodiments, the computing system  1300  can comprise one or more processor units that are heterogeneous or asymmetric to another processor unit in the computing system. There can be a variety of differences between the processing units in a system in terms of a spectrum of metrics of merit including architectural, microarchitectural, thermal, power consumption characteristics, and the like. These differences can effectively manifest themselves as asymmetry and heterogeneity among the processor units in a system. 
     The processor units  1302  and  1304  can be located in a single integrated circuit component (such as a multi-chip package (MCP) or multi-chip module (MCM)) or they can be located in separate integrated circuit components. An integrated circuit component comprising one or more processor units can comprise additional components, such as embedded DRAM, stacked high bandwidth memory (HBM), shared cache memories (e.g., L3, L4, LLC), input/output (I/O) controllers, or memory controllers. Any of the additional components can be located on the same integrated circuit die as a processor unit, or on one or more integrated circuit dies separate from the integrated circuit dies comprising the processor units. In some embodiments, these separate integrated circuit dies can be referred to as “chiplets”. In some embodiments where there is heterogeneity or asymmetry among processor units in a computing system, the heterogeneity or asymmetric can be among processor units located in the same integrated circuit component. 
     Processor units  1302  and  1304  further comprise memory controller logic (MC)  1320  and  1322 . As shown in  FIG. 13 , MCs  1320  and  1322  control memories  1316  and  1318  coupled to the processor units  1302  and  1304 , respectively. The memories  1316  and  1318  can comprise various types of volatile memory (e.g., dynamic random-access memory (DRAM), static random-access memory (SRAM)) and/or non-volatile memory (e.g., flash memory, chalcogenide-based phase-change non-volatile memories), and comprise one or more layers of the memory hierarchy of the computing system. While MCs  1320  and  1322  are illustrated as being integrated into the processor units  1302  and  1304 , in alternative embodiments, the MCs can be external to a processor unit. 
     Processor units  1302  and  1304  are coupled to an Input/Output (I/O) subsystem  1330  via point-to-point interconnections  1332  and  1334 . The point-to-point interconnection  1332  connects a point-to-point interface  1336  of the processor unit  1302  with a point-to-point interface  1338  of the I/O subsystem  1330 , and the point-to-point interconnection  1334  connects a point-to-point interface  1340  of the processor unit  1304  with a point-to-point interface  1342  of the I/O subsystem  1330 . Input/Output subsystem  1330  further includes an interface  1350  to couple the I/O subsystem  1330  to a graphics engine  1352 . The I/O subsystem  1330  and the graphics engine  1352  are coupled via a bus  1354 . 
     The Input/Output subsystem  1330  is further coupled to a first bus  1360  via an interface  1362 . The first bus  1360  can be a Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe) bus or any other type of bus. Various I/O devices  1364  can be coupled to the first bus  1360 . A bus bridge  1370  can couple the first bus  1360  to a second bus  1380 . In some embodiments, the second bus  1380  can be a low pin count (LPC) bus. Various devices can be coupled to the second bus  1380  including, for example, a keyboard/mouse  1382 , audio I/O devices  1388 , and a storage device  1390 , such as a hard disk drive, solid-state drive, or another storage device for storing computer-executable instructions (code)  1392  or data. The code  1392  can comprise computer-executable instructions for performing methods described herein. Additional components that can be coupled to the second bus  1380  include communication device(s)  1384 , which can provide for communication between the computing system  1300  and one or more wired or wireless networks  1386  (e.g. Wi-Fi, cellular, or satellite networks) via one or more wired or wireless communication links (e.g., wire, cable, Ethernet connection, radio-frequency (RF) channel, infrared channel, Wi-Fi channel) using one or more communication standards (e.g., IEEE 802.11 standard and its supplements). 
     In embodiments where the communication devices  1384  support wireless communication, the communication devices  1384  can comprise wireless communication components coupled to one or more antennas to support communication between the computing system  1300  and external devices. The wireless communication components can support various wireless communication protocols and technologies such as Near Field Communication (NFC), IEEE 1002.11 (Wi-Fi) variants, WiMax, Bluetooth, Zigbee, 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE), Code Division Multiplexing Access (CDMA), Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS) and Global System for Mobile Telecommunication (GSM), and 5G broadband cellular technologies. In addition, the wireless modems can support communication with one or more cellular networks for data and voice communications within a single cellular network, between cellular networks, or between the computing system and a public switched telephone network (PSTN). 
     The system  1300  can comprise removable memory such as flash memory cards (e.g., SD (Secure Digital) cards), memory sticks, Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards). The memory in system  1300  (including caches  1312  and  1314 , memories  1316  and  1318 , and storage device  1390 ) can store data and/or computer-executable instructions for executing an operating system  1394  and application programs  1396 . Example data includes web pages, text messages, images, sound files, and video data to be sent to and/or received from one or more network servers or other devices by the system  1300  via the one or more wired or wireless networks  1386 , or for use by the system  1300 . The system  1300  can also have access to external memory or storage (not shown) such as external hard drives or cloud-based storage. 
     The operating system  1394  can control the allocation and usage of the components illustrated in  FIG. 13  and support the one or more application programs  1396 . The application programs  1396  can include common computing system applications (e.g., email applications, calendars, contact managers, web browsers, messaging applications) as well as other computing applications. 
     The computing system  1300  can support various additional input devices, such as a touchscreen, microphone, monoscopic camera, stereoscopic camera, trackball, touchpad, trackpad, proximity sensor, light sensor, electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor, PPG (photoplethysmogram) sensor, galvanic skin response sensor, and one or more output devices, such as one or more speakers or displays. Other possible input and output devices include piezoelectric and other haptic I/O devices. Any of the input or output devices can be internal to, external to, or removably attachable with the system  1300 . External input and output devices can communicate with the system  1300  via wired or wireless connections. 
     In addition, the computing system  1300  can provide one or more natural user interfaces (NUIs). For example, the operating system  1394  or applications  1396  can comprise speech recognition logic as part of a voice user interface that allows a user to operate the system  1300  via voice commands. Further, the computing system  1300  can comprise input devices and logic that allows a user to interact with computing the system  1300  via body, hand or face gestures. 
     The system  1300  can further include at least one input/output port comprising physical connectors (e.g., USB, IEEE 1394 (FireWire), Ethernet, RS-232), a power supply (e.g., battery), a global satellite navigation system (GNSS) receiver (e.g., GPS receiver); a gyroscope; an accelerometer; and/or a compass. A GNSS receiver can be coupled to a GNSS antenna. The computing system  1300  can further comprise one or more additional antennas coupled to one or more additional receivers, transmitters, and/or transceivers to enable additional functions. 
     It is to be understood that  FIG. 13  illustrates only one example computing system architecture. Computing systems based on alternative architectures can be used to implement technologies described herein. For example, instead of the processors  1302  and  1304  and the graphics engine  1352  being located on discrete integrated circuits, a computing system can comprise an SoC (system-on-a-chip) integrated circuit incorporating multiple processors, a graphics engine, and additional components. Further, a computing system can connect its constituent component via bus or point-to-point configurations different from that shown in  FIG. 13 . Moreover, the illustrated components in  FIG. 13  are not required or all-inclusive, as shown components can be removed and other components added in alternative embodiments. 
       FIG. 14  is a block diagram of an example processor unit  1400  to execute computer-executable instructions as part of implementing technologies described herein. The processor unit  1400  can be a single-threaded core or a multithreaded core in that it may include more than one hardware thread context (or “logical processor”) per processor unit. 
       FIG. 14  also illustrates a memory  1410  coupled to the processor unit  1400 . The memory  1410  can be any memory described herein or any other memory known to those of skill in the art. The memory  1410  can store computer-executable instructions  1415  (code) executable by the processor core  1400 . 
     The processor unit comprises front-end logic  1420  that receives instructions from the memory  1410 . An instruction can be processed by one or more decoders  1430 . The decoder  1430  can generate as its output a micro-operation such as a fixed width micro operation in a predefined format, or generate other instructions, microinstructions, or control signals, which reflect the original code instruction. The front-end logic  1420  further comprises register renaming logic  1435  and scheduling logic  1440 , which generally allocate resources and queues operations corresponding to converting an instruction for execution. 
     The processor unit  1400  further comprises execution logic  1450 , which comprises one or more execution units (EUs)  1465 - 1  through  1465 -N. Some processor unit embodiments can include a number of execution units dedicated to specific functions or sets of functions. Other embodiments can include only one execution unit or one execution unit that can perform a particular function. The execution logic  1450  performs the operations specified by code instructions. After completion of execution of the operations specified by the code instructions, back-end logic  1470  retires instructions using retirement logic  1475 . In some embodiments, the processor unit  1400  allows out of order execution but requires in-order retirement of instructions. Retirement logic  1475  can take a variety of forms as known to those of skill in the art (e.g., re-order buffers or the like). 
     The processor unit  1400  is transformed during execution of instructions, at least in terms of the output generated by the decoder  1430 , hardware registers and tables utilized by the register renaming logic  1435 , and any registers (not shown) modified by the execution logic  1450 . 
     As used in any embodiment herein, the term “module” refers to logic that may be implemented in a hardware component or device, software or firmware running on a processor, or a combination thereof, to perform one or more operations consistent with the present disclosure. Software may be embodied as a software package, code, instructions, instruction sets and/or data recorded on non-transitory computer readable storage mediums. Firmware may be embodied as code, instructions or instruction sets and/or data that are hard-coded (e.g., nonvolatile) in memory devices. As used in any embodiment herein, the term “circuitry” can comprise, for example, singly or in any combination, hardwired circuitry, programmable circuitry such as computer processors comprising one or more individual instruction processing cores, state machine circuitry, and/or firmware that stores instructions executed by programmable circuitry. Modules described herein may, collectively or individually, be embodied as circuitry that forms a part of one or more devices. Thus, any of the modules can be implemented as circuitry. A computing system referred to as being programmed to perform a method can be programmed to perform the method via software, hardware, firmware or combinations thereof. 
     Any of the disclosed methods can be implemented as computer-executable instructions or a computer program product. Such instructions can cause a computer or one or more processor units capable of executing computer-executable instructions to perform any of the disclosed methods. Generally, as used herein, the term “computer” refers to any computing device or system described or mentioned herein, or any other computing device. Thus, the term “computer-executable instruction” refers to instructions that can be executed by any computing device described or mentioned herein, or any other computing device. 
     The computer-executable instructions or computer program products as well as any data created and used during implementation of the disclosed technologies can be stored on one or more tangible or non-transitory computer-readable storage media, such as optical media discs (e.g., DVDs, CDs), volatile memory components (e.g., DRAM, SRAM), or non-volatile memory components (e.g., flash memory, solid-state drives, chalcogenide-based phase-change non-volatile memories). Computer-readable storage media can be contained in computer-readable storage devices such as solid-state drives, USB flash drives, and memory modules. Alternatively, the computer-executable instructions may be performed by specific hardware components that contain hardwired logic for performing all or a portion of disclosed methods, or by any combination of computer-readable storage media and hardware components. 
     The computer-executable instructions can be part of, for example, a dedicated software application or a software application that is accessed via a web browser or other software application (such as a remote computing application). Such software can be read and executed by, for example, a single computing device or in a network environment using one or more networked computers. Further, it is to be understood that the disclosed technology is not limited to any specific computer language or program. For instance, the disclosed technologies can be implemented by software written in C++, Java, Perl, Python, JavaScript, Adobe Flash, or any other suitable programming language. Likewise, the disclosed technologies are not limited to any particular computer or type of hardware. 
     Furthermore, any of the software-based embodiments (comprising, for example, computer-executable instructions for causing a computer to perform any of the disclosed methods) can be uploaded, downloaded or remotely accessed through a suitable communication means. Such suitable communication means include, for example, the Internet, the World Wide Web, an intranet, cable (including fiber optic cable), magnetic communications, electromagnetic communications (including RF, microwave, and infrared communications), electronic communications, or other such communication means. 
     As used in this application and in the claims, a list of items joined by the term “and/or” can mean any combination of the listed items. For example, the phrase “A, B and/or C” can mean A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; or A, B and C. As used in this application and in the claims, a list of items joined by the term “at least one of” can mean any combination of the listed terms. For example, the phrase “at least one of A, B or C” can mean A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; or A, B and C. Moreover, as used in this application and in the claims, a list of items joined by the term “one or more of” can mean any combination of the listed terms. For example, the phrase “one or more of A, B and C” can mean A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; or A, B, and C. 
     The disclosed methods, apparatuses and systems are not to be construed as limiting in any way. Instead, the present disclosure is directed toward all novel and nonobvious features and aspects of the various disclosed embodiments, alone and in various combinations and subcombinations with one another. The disclosed methods, apparatuses, and systems are not limited to any specific aspect or feature or combination thereof, nor do the disclosed embodiments require that any one or more specific advantages be present or problems be solved. 
     Theories of operation, scientific principles or other theoretical descriptions presented herein in reference to the apparatuses or methods of this disclosure have been provided for the purposes of better understanding and are not intended to be limiting in scope. The apparatuses and methods in the appended claims are not limited to those apparatuses and methods that function in the manner described by such theories of operation. 
     Although the operations of some of the disclosed methods are described in a particular, sequential order for convenient presentation, it is to be understood that this manner of description encompasses rearrangement, unless a particular ordering is required by specific language set forth herein. For example, operations described sequentially may in some cases be rearranged or performed concurrently. Moreover, for the sake of simplicity, the attached figures may not show the various ways in which the disclosed methods can be used in conjunction with other methods. 
     Examples 
     Illustrative examples of the technologies disclosed herein are provided below. An embodiment of the technologies may include any one or more, and any combination of, the examples described below. 
     Example 1 includes a system comprising a mainboard comprising a processor socket and a bolster plate; an integrated circuit component physically coupled to the processor socket; a heat sink in contact with a surface of the integrated circuit component; and a load plate in contact with the integrated circuit component, wherein the load plate is fastened to the bolster plate with one or more fasteners, wherein the heat sink and the load plate apply a downward force on the integrated circuit component to press the integrated circuit component into the processor socket. 
     Example 2 includes the subject matter of Example 1, and wherein the heat sink comprises a rectangular heat sink base, wherein the heat sink is fastened to the bolster plate with one or more additional fasteners, wherein each fastener fastening the heat sink to the bolster plate is positioned near the middle of an edge of the rectangular heat sink base. 
     Example 3 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 1 and 2, and wherein the heat sink comprises a rectangular heat sink base wherein the heat sink is fastened to the load plate with one or more additional fasteners, wherein each fastener fastening the heat sink to the load plate is positioned near the middle of an edge of the rectangular heat sink base. 
     Example 4 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 1-3, and wherein the heat sink is fastened to the load plate with one or more springs, wherein the one or more springs apply a downward force on the heat sink that is transferred to the integrated circuit component. 
     Example 5 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 1-4, and wherein the load plate applies a downward force to the integrated circuit component of at least one hundred pounds. 
     Example 6 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 1-5, and wherein the load plate applies at least 50% of the downward force applied to the integrated circuit component by the load plate and the heat sink. 
     Example 7 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 1-6, and wherein the processor socket comprises at least one thousand pins. 
     Example 8 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 1-7, and wherein the load plate is a steel load plate. 
     Example 9 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 1-8, and further including a back plate on an underside of the mainboard, wherein the bolster plate is fastened to the back plate. 
     Example 10 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 1-9, and wherein the integrated circuit component comprises an integrated heat spreader, wherein the heat sink is in contact with a surface of the integrated heat spreader of the integrated circuit component. 
     Example 11 includes an apparatus comprising a heat sink configured to be in contact with a surface of a integrated circuit component, the heat sink to absorb heat from the integrated circuit component; and a load plate configured to be positioned between the heat sink and the integrated circuit component, wherein the load plate is to be in contact with the integrated circuit component and fastened to a bolster plate of a mainboard; wherein the heat sink and the load plate are configured to simultaneously apply a downward force on the integrated circuit component to press the integrated circuit component into a processor socket of the mainboard when the load plate is fastened to the bolster plate and the heat sink is in contact with the surface of the integrated circuit component. 
     Example 12 includes the subject matter of Example 11, and wherein the heat sink is fastened to the bolster plate with one or more additional fasteners. 
     Example 13 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 11 and 12, and wherein the heat sink is fastened to the load plate with one or more additional fasteners. 
     Example 14 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 11-13, and wherein the heat sink is fastened to the load plate with one or more springs, wherein the one or more springs apply a downward force on the heat sink that is transferred to the integrated circuit component. 
     Example 15 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 11-14, and wherein the load plate applies a downward force to the integrated circuit component of at least one hundred pounds. 
     Example 16 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 11-15, and wherein the load plate applies at least 50% of the downward force applied to the integrated circuit component by the load plate and the heat sink. 
     Example 17 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 11-16, and wherein the load plate is a steel load plate. 
     Example 18 includes an apparatus comprising heat sink means for absorbing heat from an integrated circuit component and for applying a downward force on the integrated circuit component; and loading means for applying a downward force on the integrated circuit component simultaneously with the heat sink means. 
     Example 19 includes the subject matter of Example 18, and wherein the loading means applies a downward force to the integrated circuit component of at least one hundred pounds. 
     Example 20 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 18 and 19, and wherein the loading means applies at least 50% of the downward force applied to the integrated circuit component by the loading means and the heat sink means. 
     Example 21 includes a system comprising the apparatus of claim  18 , the system further comprising a mainboard comprising a processor socket; an integrated circuit component physically coupled to the processor socket; wherein the heat sink means and the loading means apply a downward force on the integrated circuit component to press the integrated circuit component into the processor socket. 
     Example 22 includes a method comprising positioning a load plate on top of a processor in a processor socket of a main board of a compute device; fastening the load plate to the main board to apply a first downward force on the processor; positioning a heat sink on top of the processor such that the heat sink is in contact with a surface of the processor, the heat sink configured to absorb heat from the processor; and mechanically coupling the heat sink to the main board to apply a second downward force on the processor. 
     Example 23 includes the subject matter of Example 22, and wherein mechanically coupling the heat sink to the main board comprises fastening the heat sink to a bolster plate of the main board with one or more fasteners. 
     Example 24 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 22 and 23, and wherein mechanically coupling the heat sink to the main board comprises fastening the heat sink to the load plate of the main board with one or more fasteners. 
     Example 25 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 22-24, and wherein mechanically coupling the heat sink to the main board comprises fastening the heat sink to the load plate of the main board with one or more springs, wherein the one or more springs apply a downward force on the heat sink that is transferred to the processor. 
     Example 26 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 22-25, and wherein the load plate applies a downward force to the processor of at least one hundred pounds. 
     Example 27 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 22-26, and wherein the load plate applies at least 50% of the downward force applied to the processor by the load plate and the heat sink. 
     Example 28 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 22-27, and wherein the processor socket comprises at least one thousand pins. 
     Example 29 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 22-28, and wherein the load plate is a steel load plate. 
     Example 30 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 22-29, and wherein the main board comprises a back plate on an underside of the mainboard, wherein the bolster plate is fastened to the back plate.