I'm upgrading my 3 year old desktop today, updated my BIOS to the latest version, upgrading 32GB to 64GB, 1600 to 3700X.

The main issue I'm running into is the CPU cooler: I was using a classic Bulldozer-era Wraith for my 1600, and my 3700X came with a Wraith Prism, which is much taller.

You see, my computer is a mITX build, and my CPU is located right below my power supply. It pokes up just a bit too much, with the test fit. The classic Wraith had a clearance of a centimeter or so, so it's very close.

The case has a fan blowing from the front to the back, and the PSU is sucking air from the case (just above the CPU cooler) to the back. Would it be a terrible idea to take the fan off from the cooler, and use the existing case airflow to cool the 3700X? I was planning to run it at a 45W TDP anyway.

If not, I can get new thermal paste and install the old cooler, or trim down the top of the Prism to get it to fit.