The heat dissipation capacity of a CPU air cooler determines its effectiveness in keeping the CPU cool.

It is influenced by several factors. The size and design of the heat sink are crucial. A larger heat sink with more fins can dissipate more heat. The material of the heat sink also matters. Copper has a higher thermal conductivity than aluminum, so a heat sink with a copper base or even entirely made of copper can transfer heat more efficiently. The fan's performance is another important factor. A fan with a higher CFM (cubic feet per minute) rating can move more air over the heat sink, enhancing heat dissipation. The fan's RPM (revolutions per minute) range also affects the cooling capacity. Some air coolers come with features like PWM (pulse width modulation) control that allows for precise fan speed adjustment based on the CPU temperature. The thermal paste quality impacts heat transfer between the CPU and the heat sink. High-quality thermal paste with good conductivity helps in improving the heat dissipation capacity. Additionally, the ambient temperature of the environment in which the computer is used also plays a role. In a hotter room, the air cooler has to work harder to dissipate the heat. Overall, a combination of these elements determines the heat dissipation capacity of a CPU air cooler.