r9 295x2 question

[faithfullmatt]

Called XFX about my r9 295x2 if I could replace the radiator fan with a different fan. The tech said a different fan would ruin something on the PCB due to higher voltage of the fan. Is this true? Or can i replace the fan with a better one/use a Y-cable to do push/pull on the gpu radiator.

 

[Suztera]

It depends on what fans you use but most fans should be fine. You probably only see a 1-2C difference though as it is the radiator that is inadequate not the stock fan.
I would only plug in a single fan, the header on the gpu should be using a DC signal.
You could add another fan onto the radiator but you must power it off the motherboard or psu.

 

[LostAlone]

I'd say you have to trust the company when it comes to stuff like that. Personally I doubt that plugging in another fan would really hurt anything, but there's no reason what so ever to take the risk. Remember you can easily do push-pull just by adding another traditional fan that's not directly connected to the same power. It'd be less automatic but it'd be there, and you have the traditional options for fan control if the noise is a bother.

 

[Epsilon_0EVP]

You're replacing the radiator fan, not the fan in the graphics card shroud, right? I'm pretty sure that fan does not plug into the card itself, but rather onto a motherboard fan connector. If I'm right, then the graphics card should be completely unaffected by changing the fan on the radiator.

However, if the fan does connect to the graphics card, then it might have some specific properties to run, and another fan may not work properly. I doubt it would cause PCB damage, though. Worst case, you can disconnect the fan from the graphics card, connect the new fan to the motherboard, and just run the new fan at a constant RPM or get some fan management software to dial it up or down as needed.

 

[faithfullmatt]

The radiator fan connects to a 3 pin that goes to the gpu itself. I assume any fan would work because the fan thats on there looks no different then any other radiator fan.

 

[Epsilon_0EVP]

The radiator fan connects to a 3 pin that goes to the gpu itself. I assume any fan would work because the fan thats on there looks no different then any other radiator fan.

I guess that makes sense, since they'd want to get control the fan using the GPU temp. But I don't see why we can't just disconnect the fan an run a standard 120mm fan off the motherboard then. In the end, the performance gain may be small, but with some Noctua fans or something at least the noise can be reduced quite a bit.