Methods, systems, and apparatuses that assist with cooling semiconductor packages, such as multi-chip packages (MCPs) are described. A semiconductor package includes a component on a substrate. The component can include one or more semiconductor dies. The package can also include a multi-reference integrated heat spreader (IHS) solution (also referred to as a smart IHS solution), where the smart IHS solution includes a smart IHS lid. The smart IHS lid includes a cavity formed in a central region of the smart lid. The smart IHS lid can be on the component, such that the cavity corresponds to the component. A first thermal interface material layer (TIM-layer 1) can be on the component. An individual IHS lid (IHS slug) can be on the TIM-layer 1. The IHS slug can be inserted into the cavity. Furthermore, an intermediate thermal interface material layer (TIM-1A layer) can be between the IHS slug and the cavity.