Question CPU Cooler - CPU opt

[Reso]

I've just installed my CPU cooler but the cooler is blocking the CPU fan connector on the motherboard underneath, meaning I can't put the cable in. Can I plug it into the more accessible CPU opt connector or not?

 

[Lutfij]

What is the make and model of your case? What cooler are you working with? You might want to try and approach the connector from another angle? I've used a tweezer, or simply worked at the build from another angle to reach hard to access headers or built the system in a specific order to get to the right connectors.

 

[Reso]

What is the make and model of your case? What cooler are you working with? You might want to try and approach the connector from another angle? I've used a tweezer, or simply worked at the build from another angle to reach hard to access headers or built the system in a specific order to get to the right connectors.

Fractal North, Noctua D-15s, the angle is just too awkward. The header is about 2cm down from the top of the mobo and it's just inaccessible

 

[Paperdoc]

Probably yes. BUT tell us your MOTHERBOARD maker and exact model. We can try to check its manual for a detail. In most mobos the CPU_OPT header is a complete duplicate of the CPU_FAN header. It certainly CAN and WILL power and control your CPU cooler system properly. However, the second and IMPORTANT function of the CPU_FAN header is to monitor the speed signal of that fan returned to the header for NO speed signal, indicating cooler failure. This triggers rapid warnings and USUALLY a quick shut-down to prevent damage to the CPU chip from NO cooling. I fully expect that a valid cooler fan speed signal delivered to the CPU_OPT header would satisfy that monitoring system. But I'd like to see what your manual says. If it does not answer that, you may have to contact Tech Support for that mobo and ask them. Not only do you not want false failure messages to bother you; you WANT that monitoring system to do its job and protect you from such a rare failure.

 

[Phaaze88]

Fractal North, Noctua D-15s, the angle is just too awkward. The header is about 2cm down from the top of the mobo and it's just inaccessible

Simply swap the order around a little - plug the fan in before installing the heatsink.
Turn PC completely off, and lay it on its side. Take the cooler and fan out.
Remove the clips from the fan.
Plug the fan in the CPU_FAN header and lay the fan itself out of the way.
Install the heatsink.
As you go to install the fan down the middle of the heatsink, put the fan clips back on.
Done.