Amd Athlon X4 860k

[Jct]

Could I replace just the fan while keeping the stock heatsink for the Amd Athlon X4 860K? if this is possible would that at all reduce the noise of the system and/or increase the cooling of the cpu? not looking to overclock, just get a system as quite as possible.

what fans make the most noise and would be most beneficial in replacing?

 

[kanewolf]

A quiet fan only is $10. A heatsink and fan is $30. Save your pennies and replace the entire heatsink.
The stock unit is noisy because the fan has to spin fast to move air over the limited size of the heatsink. An aftermarket unit has a larger fan which can spin slower (and quieter) to move less air over a larger surface area to achieve the same cooling.