The process of spreading heat from the CPU into a large area to be dispersed by the fan is currently done with two separate components.  The main heatsink has a separate copper core press-fit into its center which transfers the heat rapidly away from the CPU's IHS.

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These two components could theoretically be combined into one single heatsink.  Since aluminum does not transfer the concentrated heat on the IHS fast enough, the whole heatsink would then have to be copper.

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Pros:

• Fewer metals means easier recycling.

• Fewer overall parts lowers mfg. costs.

Cons:​

• Copper is significantly more expensive than aluminum.

• Aluminum offers more desirable structural properties.

This cooler uses four pairs of twist-locking snap pins to secure itself onto the CPU socket.  This is in contrast to the more common method of aftermarket coolers of using metal screws securing the cooler to a backplate placed behind the motherboard.

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Intel likely chose this method since it is much cheaper than the metal backplate design.  However failure of this mechanism is a well-known problem in the PC enthusiast community as it is much less secure.

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Pros:

• Eliminates 8 plastic parts, replacing them with 5 metal components which are easier to recycle.

• More secure mounting.

Cons:​

• Metal machine screws and a metal backplate are more expensive.

A large portion of this cooler's parts are what make up the fan.  However, while these particular parts are specific to this cooler, the fan's function could be performed just as well by a standard PC case fan (shown below).

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Pros:

• Fan is detachable and usable in case even if stock cooler is not used.

• Fan is reusable if CPU is replaced and cooler is replaced.

Cons:​

• More expensive