Cooling Alternative fans for the Noctua D15 due to a compatibility issue.

[LJA]

Hi, who knows what fans can I use with the D15 instead of the original ones?. I'm having trouble to determine it, because of the odd form from the originals ones, should I go for 120 mm or 140 mm? or neither since I'll have the issue anyway?.

I was thinking of using one or a pair of 140 mm industrial ones. I know is overkill and adds more noise, but since is an ITX case, might come handly for some more extreme scenarios, long renders, video conversion, long gaming sessions, etc. I'm not that bothered by noise under intensive use. The issue that motivates the need to change the original (great fans) is the following:

Due to the position of my Front Panel USB3 Typer A connector, I just can't install the original fan there, it will go way over the limit of height from my Lian li TU 150.
I've just received from lian Li a new front panel, great gesture, so disconnecting and not using the front USB3 isn't an option, more when I've tried to remove it, to see if I can root the cable differently in order to gain some space and it is stuck as hell, no way I'll break that hideous connector again.

I've attached a pic of what I'm talking about. Also I'm just guessing that a "normal" 120 mm or 140 mm will fit either, but it seems to me thatI'll have more space. What are your thoughts? thanks in advance!

 

[LJA]

I'm adding a new pic to show the issue in (I hope) more clear way..

 

[tinyitx]

I am not sure if I fully understand your problem. I suppose, the USB3.0 cable plug has physical conflict with the fan?

If so, maybe you can use a 90-degree adapter like the one below?

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[LJA]

I am not sure if I fully understand your problem. I suppose, the USB3.0 cable plug has physical conflict with the fan?

If so, maybe you can use a 90-degree adapter like the one below?

taobao | 淘寶

淘寶（Taobao）讓您隨心淘超值商品，爲您提供流行服飾、美妝洗護、3C數碼、大小家電、家俬家居、箱包皮具、運動戶外、五金工具、玩具等千萬件熱銷好貨，淘寶支持文字或圖片搜索商品。天貓淘寶海外作爲Taobao面向華人的跨境電商平台，覆蓋200多個國家和地區的消費者，其中核心站點包括：淘寶香港（taobao hk）、淘寶台灣（taobao tw）、淘寶澳門、淘宝新加坡、淘宝马来西亚、淘宝韩国（타오바오 사이트）、淘宝澳洲、淘宝加拿大、taobao world。

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Exactly and also since the original fans are a bit too tall, I was thinking of replacing them with some 140 mm industrial ones, but I dunno if those are similar in height and if they are compatible with the D15.

BTW happily I've managed to root the USB3 in a way that with a bit of pressure I could mount the front fan. Still I'm thinking of changing the original ones for "normal 140mm" (industrial or mainstream ones). If they fit, at least I'll analyse the possibility.

Regarding the adapter, the USB3 connector sadly it would be a pain in the arse, I've already broke one USB3 Type A internal connector and Lian Li sent me a replacement that I almost broke too today but I've managed to save it this time, while also almost breaking the mobo connector. I dunno what I'm going to do if I sell this mobo in the future or I'm oblied to remove this cable for whatever reason. It's almost impossible to relase it.