Dissipating heat reliably in computer systems

A blade server system comprising:

• a blade server console constructed for pluggable reception of corresponding ones of blade server modules;
• and,
• one or more blade server modules, each of which is for plugging into the blade server console;
• each one of the blade server modules comprising a first sidewall portion and a second sidewall portion;
• each one of the blade server modules further comprising:
• a printed circuit board disposed between the first sidewall portion and the second sidewall portion, the printed circuit board mounted for limited free-floating movement within each one of the blade server modules, in a vertical direction relative to the sidewall portions of each one of the blade server modules;
• a processor mounted on the printed circuit board;
• a heat sink surface in close proximity to the processor;
• and, at least a compliant compression element preloaded to resiliently urge the printed circuit board into continuous thermal engagement with the heat sink surface with a predefined retention force.