I'm going to purchase a PYNQ-Z1 FPGA development board from Digilent (Link: https://store.digilentinc.com/pynq-z1-python-productivity-for-zynq/). However, some of the comments on the linked page say that the board runs very hot and they should have included a heatsink or fan.
As the board is rather expensive and I want to protect it from damage, I'm thinking of also buying a heatsink. The main chip is a ZYNQ XC7Z020-1CLG400C (BGA, 0.8mm ball pitch, 17×17 mm package).
So I did some research and found at least one heatsink designed for this size of chip, linked here: https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/advanced-thermal-solutions-inc/ATS-55170D-C1-R0/ATS1264-ND/1284978
I'm wondering whether it's a good idea to install this heatsink, or whether it's unnecessary or even dangerous, or whether a different kind of heatsink would be better. At 9.5mm in height, I'm also worried that this heatsink might interfere with the Arduino interface, but I would need better measurements to be sure.
Best Answer
Adding a heat-sink won't hurt your board or any other board connect to it. Also fitting one which is too large is not an issue either, as long as it does not touch anything but the top of the chip.
Before you go though all the trouble have a look at the applications which cause it to heat up so much and what speed they are running. It could well be that the circuit you are planning to program into it will not heat it up.
There is a power estimation tool in Vivado which can give you some idea of the energy it will use before you program the board.