Can I use any fan to replace the fan on my cpu cooler?

[mrweaponx]

I have the Cooler Master TX3 and would like to replace the 92mm fan with a better one. Can I just get any 92mm fan and use that or is there special fans just made for the cpu fan plug-in on the motherboard?

 

[unknownofprob]

yes, as long as it has the same mounting holes.

My Noctua NH-D14 has CPU case fans used, and i have added another 2 of the same case fans, works fine.

 

[Invictus321]

I think it needs to be a speed-controlled fan

 

[mrweaponx]

I think it needs to be a speed-controlled fan

This is what I thought so too. IDK if all the fans are speed controlled or only certain ones.

 

[mrweaponx]

yes, as long as it has the same mounting holes.

My Noctua NH-D14 has CPU case fans used, and i have added another 2 of the same case fans, works fine.

Any recommendations for a 92mm CPU fan?

 

[unknownofprob]

Great fan, it is a case fan which is PWM, PWM meaning it is speed controlled, great for your CPU cooler fan replacement.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186034

 

[JackNaylorPE]

Fans for CPU coolers are generally designed for a higher static pressure than case fans. And yes, CPU cooler fans are generally speed controlled so that it will run slower and quieter when there is little load on the CPU and ramp up when load and heat increase. Fan speed is controlled on one of two ways:

All but the lowest budget modern MoBos now have two fan headers for the CPU so that users can utilize both push and pull fans on the coolers.....These are usually labelled "CPU" and "CPU-OPT" . If ya only have one ya can get a special fan splitter cable. CPU headers generally use PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) for speed control. In this method, voltage top the fan is constant..... but the power is cycled on and off with the length of time between pulses controlling fan speed.

This is where ya have to be careful in selecting fans.,.... most case fans do not use PWM but instead use variable voltage to control fan speed. At 12v they go full speed and by lowering the voltage, (some can go down as far as 25% speed) they lower speed. So:

1. Make sure that your fan has greater than or equal static pressure as the original fan

2. Make sure, if using the CPU header to power than fan, that you get a PWM fan.

3. If using two fans,m make sure the total amperage draw does not exceed the fan header rating. Remember to account for inrush current...that initial spike you get when the fan 1st kicks up. 98% of MoBos have 1 amp fan header ratings.

For 1800 rpm fans, I don't like to exceed 0.50 to 0.67 total amps
For 1200 rpm fans, I don't like to exceed 0.67 to 0.82 total amps.