I am using this HSF from PC Power & Cooling (thanks guys!). It isn't much louder than the Intel retail HSF. I think the Intel HSF runs about 2500RPM. I think my motherboard reported the AVC as running at 4200RPM, not the 5000RPM that it is rated for. In any case, it does a good job and is reasonably quiet. As for using a different fan... don't know if it is possible. Looking at the Inflow Direct picture the clips and the side shroud seem to be one piece, meaning perhaps the fan can be removed without affecting the clipping mechanism. The HSF I received from PC P&C doesn't have anything connecting the two sides of the clipping mechanism besides the fan itself! If the fan was removed I would end up with two clips. I'm not sure if the clips would still work without the fan holding them together, but they probably would. The clip seems pretty tenacious (need to flex them to remove them from the part connected to the motherboard). I actually like the clip better than the Intel clip because the levers flip easily. With the Intel clip I fear for the motherboard because it is so tight that the motherboard flexes. Anyone else notice this with the Intel clip?