Patent ID: 8159819

Claim:
A modular thermal management system that allows a single heat sink and fan combination to transfer heat away from a heat zone of a variety of graphics processing cards, the thermal management system comprising: a mounting bracket configured to attach to a respective graphics processing card of the variety of graphics processing cards in thermal contact with the heat zone, the mounting bracket having a first opening that can correspond to a processor in a plurality of positions in the heat zone; the single heat sink and fan combination comprises: a heat sink configured to attach to the mounting bracket, the heat sink comprises: a base having a first surface, a second surface opposing the first surface, and a second opening through the first surface of the base, the first surface positioned adjacent the mounting bracket and the second surface having a recess configured to receive a heat pipe; a plurality of fins thermally coupled to the base, and a heat spreader positioned within the second opening of the base and positioned to overlie at least a portion of the processor in the first opening of the mounting bracket, wherein the heat sink overlies the first opening and is in thermal contact with at least a portion of the processor through the first opening regardless of the exact location of the processor; and a fan configured to attach to the mounting bracket adjacent the heat sink.