Can I use different fan brands on my CPU cooler?
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TechWiz97
I'm trying to set up my Peerless Assassin SE120, but I've run into a bit of an issue with my Asrock B850i motherboard. The second fan can't fit on the I/O shield side because it blocks it, and on the other side, even with low-profile RAM, the fan's thickness bends the USB connector out of place. To solve this, I want to install a slimmer 120mm fan on the RAM side. I have some Arctic P12 slim fans left over, but I'm concerned about potential issues with using two different types of fans together on the CPU cooler. The specs of the fans are that the SE120 has PWM DC12V 0.2AMP fans, while the P12 slim fans are PWM DC12V 0.12AMP. Will it work?
Answers
Using different fan brands should be fine as long as the fan sizes and mounts are compatible. Make sure the combined current doesn’t exceed the header's limit, which is usually around 1 AMP for four-pin connectors. Slim fans might not cool as effectively, but it should still do a decent job, especially in your setup. Just double-check your motherboard manual to be safe!
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Yeah, they’re standardized, so you shouldn't run into any compatibility issues. Just keep an eye on the performance—slim fans generally don't push as much air, but in your case, it should work.
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No problem at all! All standard fan mounts are compatible, so mixing brands is totally okay. Just remember that the slimmer fan may not cool as well as the stock one, but that shouldn’t cause major issues unless you're really pushing your CPU hard.
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I’m a little confused about your mounting situation. It sounds like the fan is incorrectly positioned. Typically, the fan should be attached properly without interfering with ports like USB. From what you’ve described, it seems like your fan placement might need adjusting to avoid conflicts with the I/O shield and RAM area.
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TechWiz97: Yeah, the USB connector is on the right side of the RAM based on what I read from the manual. It really complicates the fan layout!