Anyone tried an AM5 CPU cooler with 3 fans?

Rocky-Roader · 28 Jun 2025 at 22:43

Just looking at getting a new cooler, seen some with 3 fans and thought I would ask if anyone has seen much difference between temps with a 3 fan cooler compared to a 2 fan cooler?

For general use would a 3 fan cooler be overkill? (i dont do overclocking)

as always any advice is appreciated

Tetras · 28 Jun 2025 at 22:49

I'd look at reviews that compare lots of coolers, like on Gamers Nexus (YouTube), 3 fans doesn't automatically make a cooler better than a 2 fan cooler.

E.g. peerless assassin/phantom spirit have been widely recommended because they're cheap and very competitive with coolers 2x-3x the price.

freddie64 · 29 Jun 2025 at 06:54

Seeing as most people have a fan on the rear of their case, i can't see the point of a 3 fan cooler.

For a 7600 a single fan cooler should be fine, but a 2 fan cooler would be best if you ever upgrade.

pastymuncher · 29 Jun 2025 at 11:25

Yes, I did it with a Thermalright Peerless Assassin SE120 on my 7800x3d. I saw a degree or two drop in temps but that wasn't why I did it. I value a quiet pc and run the fans under the motherboard bios silent profile. I added the extra identical fan (got a pair of extra fan clips on Ebay for a couple of quid) to keep the fan speed to a minimum and it worked, the result being that the fans hardly ever ramped up and even when they did they weren't hitting the same speeds as when I was running only two fans. Not that the Peerless Assassin was ever loud with two fans, it was a idea that popped into my head and for once it actually worked out the way I intended.

If buying a new cooler now I would look at the Thermalright Phantom Spirit PS120 which has a extra heatpipe over the Peerless Assassin and cools slightly better or the new king of Thermalrights air coolers the Thermalright Royal Pretor 130 which can be had for as little as £41. You can read a review of it here.

Rocky-Roader · 9 Jul 2025 at 15:44

Thanks for the info everyone, I'll take a look at the Royal Pretor and Peerless Assassin shortly, I've been away for a few days but last night I got to sit down and do some work on the pc and after about half an hour of typing the 6 case fans were irritating me (they are molex hence can't adjust the speed) so it looks like I'll replacing those at the same time too,

Do you guys have your tower cases low / on floor? or up on a desk?

deviation · 9 Jul 2025 at 21:05

pastymuncher said:
Yes, I did it with a Thermalright Peerless Assassin SE120 on my 7800x3d. I saw a degree or two drop in temps but that wasn't why I did it. I value a quiet pc and run the fans under the motherboard bios silent profile. I added the extra identical fan (got a pair of extra fan clips on Ebay for a couple of quid) to keep the fan speed to a minimum and it worked, the result being that the fans hardly ever ramped up and even when they did they weren't hitting the same speeds as when I was running only two fans. Not that the Peerless Assassin was ever loud with two fans, it was a idea that popped into my head and for once it actually worked out the way I intended.

If buying a new cooler now I would look at the Thermalright Phantom Spirit PS120 which has a extra heatpipe over the Peerless Assassin and cools slightly better or the new king of Thermalrights air coolers the Thermalright Royal Pretor 130 which can be had for as little as £41. You can read a review of it here.

What did you search for to find the additional clips? I can only find the HSF itself

Did you also just use a 3 into 1 3/4pin converter?

pastymuncher · 13 Jul 2025 at 12:00

Sorry for the late reply as I have been to Cornwall visitng my father. For wiring the fans up you just daisy chain them together, no need for any converters. As for the fan clips they are more expensive on Ebay now but you do get more of them. However, I have found them on Amazon for £3.99 a pair. You want 12cm and select Down Clip for the correct one. Search for AYPOHU 2 PCS Dissipate Heat Clip Clamp Computer CPU Cooling Fan Clips Stainless Steel Wire Fastener Buckle Bracket and that will give you the correct one. The "Superior Hook" version is far too big and will not hold the fan tight to the heatsink, in fact it will fall off, trust me I know!! I used exactly the same fan thhat came with the Peerless Assassin, Thermalright TL-C12C-S (mine are ARGB) for just £13 for a three pack.

deviation · 13 Jul 2025 at 12:11

pastymuncher said:
Sorry for the late reply as I have been to Cornwall visitng my father. For wiring the fans up you just daisy chain them together, no need for any converters. As for the fan clips they are more expensive on Ebay now but you do get more of them. However, I have found them on Amazon for £3.99 a pair. You want 12cm and select Down Clip for the correct one. Search for AYPOHU 2 PCS Dissipate Heat Clip Clamp Computer CPU Cooling Fan Clips Stainless Steel Wire Fastener Buckle Bracket and that will give you the correct one. The "Superior Hook" version is far too big and will not hold the fan tight to the heatsink, in fact it will fall off, trust me I know!! I used exactly the same fan thhat came with the Peerless Assassin, Thermalright TL-C12C-S (mine are ARGB) for just £13 for a three pack.

No worries mate, I hope you had a good time?
How do you mean daisy chain them together without an adapter - as in run the third off a spare pin header?
I've just found the clips thanks to you! Thanks dude!
Awesome, you've been a great help!

pastymuncher · 13 Jul 2025 at 20:13

Thermalright fans all plug into each other (male and female connector leads) so you only need a single header to run all three fans.

deviation · 13 Jul 2025 at 20:14

pastymuncher said:
Thermalright fans all plug into each other (male and female connector leads) so you only need a single header to run all three fans.

Ey? I've had a PA120SE and currently a PS120SE, and both have single fan connectors on the fan itself, then you plug each of them into a Y joiner cable that ends in 1 header.

pastymuncher · 14 Jul 2025 at 10:52

Sorry, yes you are quite right, I just unburied my PA120 SE in the cupboard and was getting mixed up with the ARGB cables whichh have both male and female connectors on each fan. I must have plugged the extra fan into a spare header on the motherboard. They were all controlled by the motherboard bios so it just worked anyway.

deviation · 14 Jul 2025 at 10:54

pastymuncher said:
Sorry, yes you are quite right, I just unburied my PA120 SE in the cupboard and was getting mixed up with the ARGB cables whichh have both male and female connectors on each fan. I must have plugged the extra fan into a spare header on the motherboard. They were all controlled by the motherboard bios so it just worked anyway.

No worries dude, nice and simple fix then