A Peltier cooler is also known as a thermoelectric (TE) modules, which are small solid-state devices that function as heat pumps. Which means it will pump the heat from one side the other. This means that a Peltier element has a hot side and a cool side. To do this, the Peltier element uses electricity and quite a lot. This also means that in addition to pumping heat, the Peltier element will actually produce heat, the system will run hotter, but the Peltier element will cool were it is needed - on the CPU.

The temperature difference between the hot and the cold side is of about 70 degrees, with some high performance Peltiers reaching up to 120 degrees.

A good Peltier will cool significantly better than conventional heatsinks, making them better suited for overclocking. It is important to note that the heatsink of a Peltier cooler will get hotter than the heatsink of a conventional cooler, because of the heat the Peltier element produces.

Keep in mind that for the best cooling, the heatsink for a Peltier CPU cooler must handle THREE times as much heat as the CPU produces.