F5F Stay Refreshed Power Users Overclocking Can you utilize a CPU fan for your PC cooling? XD

Can you utilize a CPU fan for your PC cooling? XD

Can you utilize a CPU fan for your PC cooling? XD

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xRektByStonex
Member
67
02-01-2026, 07:51 AM
#1
Serious question doing some redneck/hillbilly stuff at the moment.
I mean take it off and use it. The whole 9.
Update: I did and it works like any other PC fan would. 10/10 would recommend taking apart ur family's old desktop and sacrificing its CPU fan to ur new PC to work as an exhaust slave.
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xRektByStonex
02-01-2026, 07:51 AM #1

Serious question doing some redneck/hillbilly stuff at the moment.
I mean take it off and use it. The whole 9.
Update: I did and it works like any other PC fan would. 10/10 would recommend taking apart ur family's old desktop and sacrificing its CPU fan to ur new PC to work as an exhaust slave.

C
CandyBugz
Member
122
02-05-2026, 06:19 PM
#2
Like a heatsink? No. There's no way to mount it in the case, unless you rig up some McGuyver stuff... I mean it does plug in to the motherboard like all other case fans would. It's the mounting that's the issue, and the size also. Most case fans are suited for 120/140/200mm fan configurations.
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CandyBugz
02-05-2026, 06:19 PM #2

Like a heatsink? No. There's no way to mount it in the case, unless you rig up some McGuyver stuff... I mean it does plug in to the motherboard like all other case fans would. It's the mounting that's the issue, and the size also. Most case fans are suited for 120/140/200mm fan configurations.

J
Jayhawk_Down
Senior Member
350
02-05-2026, 10:40 PM
#3
Yup...
the article discusses utilizing a CPU fan as a case fan.
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Jayhawk_Down
02-05-2026, 10:40 PM #3

Yup...
the article discusses utilizing a CPU fan as a case fan.

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Devin72002
Member
114
02-07-2026, 10:45 AM
#4
Belphegore shared his experience with a similar issue, noting that mounting the fan in the case isn't straightforward unless you have some unconventional solutions. He mentioned that most fans are designed for specific fan sizes, like 120/140/200mm. He described cleaning an old CPU fan from a 2009 Emachine computer, which had a heavily dust-covered heatsink. After removing the fan, he found it difficult to attach it due to a lack of suitable mounting points and duct tape not sticking. He also encountered another fan that was too large, forcing him to use the provided rubber inserts instead of the ones he was given. Despite these challenges, he successfully upgraded his cooling system and praised the performance improvement in temperature regulation. McGuyver responded with a humorous acknowledgment.
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Devin72002
02-07-2026, 10:45 AM #4

Belphegore shared his experience with a similar issue, noting that mounting the fan in the case isn't straightforward unless you have some unconventional solutions. He mentioned that most fans are designed for specific fan sizes, like 120/140/200mm. He described cleaning an old CPU fan from a 2009 Emachine computer, which had a heavily dust-covered heatsink. After removing the fan, he found it difficult to attach it due to a lack of suitable mounting points and duct tape not sticking. He also encountered another fan that was too large, forcing him to use the provided rubber inserts instead of the ones he was given. Despite these challenges, he successfully upgraded his cooling system and praised the performance improvement in temperature regulation. McGuyver responded with a humorous acknowledgment.

L
lololPower
Junior Member
32
02-09-2026, 09:21 PM
#5
McGuyver out.
You, sir, are a legend. Good job.
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lololPower
02-09-2026, 09:21 PM #5

McGuyver out.
You, sir, are a legend. Good job.