A method and apparatus for improving the heat transfer from a semiconductor chip to its heat sinking device. The heat transfer device has a liquid chamber in which liquid is circulated within the chamber to spread the heat from one location of the chamber to the heat pipes partially mounted in the chamber. The heat is then carried away by the heat pipes to a remote heat sinking device. The chamber has built-in mechanism to allow the liquid to expand during normal operation and its expansion status to be monitored.