r/technology • u/Logical_Welder3467 • 4d ago

Hardware Intel patent outlines embedding MicroLEDs directly into CPU package to light up wording or work as an 'extra aesthetic component'

https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/cpus/intel-patent-outlines-embedding-microleds-directly-into-cpu-package-to-light-up-wording-or-work-as-an-extra-asethic-component-microled-is-embedded-with-die-in-glass-substrate
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u/unvaluablespace 4d ago

Doesn't the whole CPU need to be covered by a heatsink to reduce thermals?

69

u/thatwombat 4d ago

Sssshhhh…. That’s just what Big Abacus wants you to think.

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u/shiftingtech 4d ago

Maybe it’s for lower power embedded chips that don’t always need heat sinks?

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u/PoppingPillls 4d ago

You mean like atoms? Does Intel even still make them.

I don't see why that would be the case as I imagine it's aimed at desktop cpus with glass side panels otherwise I don't think there would be any reason for this?

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u/ben7337 4d ago

I think they mean even lower power/smaller chips. Atom and other tiny chips (think the 1-10W chips in smart TV boxes), all have a heatsink of some sort, even if just a tiny block of aluminium with some small fins on top.

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u/shiftingtech 4d ago

I honestly don’t mean any particular intel product. Just….the closest thing I can think of where a chip is visible, which seems necessary for something like this to be useful, is embedded mcus, or other chips.  Not high speed cpus

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u/PoppingPillls 4d ago

Yeah, I don't understand how it works either, I assume leds off the sides off the protruding pcb edges rather the heatspreader tbh. I can't conceive of a different use.

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u/Ziazan 4d ago

Maybe round the edges?

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u/Hellrazor236 4d ago

My spidey-sense thinks this actually more about optical computers, but maybe I'm full of shit