Alpha PAL8045 and Thermaltake Smart Fan

[Jonster]

I was considering using a Thermaltake Smart Fan on an Alpha 8045 heatsink, but while price shopping for the Alpha I found a note on Pham's web site saying the fan is not compatible with this heatsink without modification. Has anyone tried this combination, or have any idea why they would not work together?

-Thanks,

Jon

 

[OracleMan]

I think Alpha 8045 will fit almost any standard 80mm fan.

 

[Jonster]

Hi OracleMan,

Thanks for saving me from having to bump this topic.

I agree with you, I can't imagine what would make a fan incompatible with a heat sink, unless the screw holes are not in the normal positions or something.

I'm surprised I haven't gotten more response to this question. Am I the only one who has considered this combination? To me, the Thermaltake Smart Fan looks like a good fan, good CFM and dBA performance. And I know the Alpha PAL8045 is a good heat sink, plenty of posts on this forum have said so! So what am I overlooking?

-Jon

 

[tonyou]

Hi Jonster, I lost your e-mail earlier this week so I couldn't reply to you sooner (lucky we have AnandTech's forum!). I did however, updated our product page with explanation to why Smart Fans are not compatible with PAL8045.

The screws from the PAL8045 require that you put the screws thru the bottom holes of the fans you are using, see here:
PAL8045 installation guide

The Thermaltake Smart Fan and Enermax Thermo Control Fan do not have openings between top and bottom holes so you can't install the screws correctly. Hope this answers your question!

Tony

 

[Jonster]

Hi Tony,

I was wondering why I didn't get a reply! Thanks for the info. Maybe it's better this way, so others can share in the info.

If I'm understanding this correctly, getting 4 screws that are 25mm longer would solve the problem. I'm not sure what an "M3 X 50" screw is, but they look like pan-head machine screws. Maybe Pham could sell the correct screw as an option with these fans?

-Jon

 

[RHiNoX]

Longer screws will work. Local hardware store has them.

ALPHA PAL 8045 is the best socket A heatsink hands down. I have tried them all. Even the new and popular Thermalright AX7 doesn't hold a candle to it. I run the PAL8045 witha SanyoDenki 39 CFM model. Is very quiet. Compared to the AX7 with the same fan it is 4 to 5 degrees cooler celcius.

 

[johndoe52]

The only thing I can think of is that if the Thermaltake Smart Fan is a 60mm?