Looking down onto the 40-odd pairs of copper fins from the top, you notice a center space. This 8mm space between the 20mm wide sets of fins is for the socket clip to sit in. It may be difficult to see, but the very center fins are notched so the clip will sit dead-center. Each of the f ins are bent out from the center so they are spaced about 3mm from tip to tip at the circumference.

From one the side of the CNPS3000 the division looks a bit more purposeful. A stainless steel clip slides in between each of the halves and clips onto the socket with a stiff amount of force.

Each of the 40 sets of copper fins are 20mm wide, 65mm tall and 0.3mm thick. Four 43mm x 2mm slits are punched out of each fin to promote better airflow.

The base has been machine milled perfectly flat and is perfectly smooth. The base itself measures 42mm x 52mm. When seated on a socket A or socket 370, the core of the processor makes contact with the CNPS3000 in the area were all the fins are grouped, which measures ~12mm wide.

A few cc's of thermal compound are included with the kit, and a small amount applied to the base will help improve thermal transfer.