IMHO you need to add to the PCB (in future releases) connector for standard connection of fan (preferably with 3 pins to control the fan). And to link this connector to the fan with a predetermined GPIO. Then can easily use not only the genuine cooling fan, but anyone depending on the actual conditions. For example, I need a workstation and I’m planning maximum load - then I set the fan size of 80 mm. You will need a working device for medium load, I set 40-50-60 mm (we of the region\country, and ambient temperature of +20 or +40 is different requirements). In addition, I will place the fans outside, not inside the case. Then it will be enough to make ventilation holes in the hull and can install the fan of any size. By the way, big fan is much quieter in operation and much more effective. I bought the radiators and fans from a single vendor on Aliexpress (if there is interest, I can give the link). Have got the heatsinks and fans of different sizes, to suit any user’s needs. Maybe then not need to spend extra money on developing and maintaining specific fan for VIM. At desire it is possible to produce sets additional cooling (heatsink + fan) with different parameters. For example 30M (30 mm fan + heatsink only for CPU). 50M - fan 50 mm + uvelichiny radiator for the CPU for the memory. 80M - 80 mm fan + full set of radiators (for all core elements + enhanced body).
Those would be some nice options.
Like Robert, I have it setting on a fan at the moment.
I have an amd cpu fan, taken from a dead mbo, it has 4 pin male connector, can it be powered up through vin port, vin port has 4 pins?
I am not at home, so i can’t check to see if it fits, so if anyone with technical knowledge can answer?
Heatsink will be too big. The fan may be useful, but I believe the 5volt on the GPIO has a 500mA max, so you want to make sure the fan draws less than 500mA. Also, most PC fans are 12 volt, the Vim offers 5 volt on the GPIO. Many 12 volt fans can run on 5v, but the speed will be reduced considerably.
Looking at the GPIO pin out, you can see where the 5v is available. The fan’s connector may not fit physically, and the fan’s signal wire won’t be used. Also the fan connector’s pins may require repositioning to get them into the proper orientation to match the GPIO’s available 5v and ground pins. Note pins 1(5vdc) & 21(GND) below. A two pin fan connector will be required to use pins 1 & 21. You will notice 5 volt and ground(GND) are available elsewhere on the GPIO, but you may want to reserve those for USB port expansion. Don’t connect the fan’s signal wire to the GPIO.
I didn’t even think about heatsink, it is too big.
I have seen that the connector is too big for VIN port.
I didn’t check how much current it draws, but i do believe it is a 12V fan, so it certainly won’t run at full speed.
I will wait for official fan, i won’t experiment with this one, i don’t want to destroy the board, and i do need every usb port available.
Thanks for clearing this up.
The fan is likely under 500mA, but I did not want to speculate.
But yes, the coming Khadas Fan kit and top section should make for a tidy Vim.
For access to the extra USB ports available from the GPIO, an example is shown here under “VimUstension”.
Based on my personal experience, Khadas will definitely need a fan.
I don’t think it is only needed for Amlogic boards, probably all Arm Linux desktop powered boards need proper cooling,
I just hope a fan will be enough, i hope that we won’t need water cooling with massive heatsink. 
What I’m doing for now… it was getting quite hot on idle even… so this Lil hook up dropped it down about 10 degrees …
Hahahaha, 10 degrees, it is a noticeable difference, good idea!
Willow, Gouwa, when will the fan be available for buying, you have said in january, and now is february and we still have nothing?
Thanks for the update, i hope it will be available for sale asap, it is needed for a pleasant Linux experience.
I have used a fan from an old amd cpu, connected it by using one of my unneeded usb cables, fan is spinning, but it’s obvious it doesn’t ran at full speed.
This is a 12V fan, so the speed is much lower than it should be, 5V of course, isn’t enough to achieve max rpm’s.
Second step is needed for the fan to have a purpose, i need to modify the upper side of the case, or maybe make a new upper part, so the fan can fit and cool the device.
This shouldn’t be tough, but it probably won’t look as beautiful as original case, but i could live with that.
Did a few seconds testing holding it with my hand, temperature fell to 37°C, lower than 43-44°C without the fan, tested without any Linux app running.
This doesn’t mean i won’t buy a fan, i will buy it as soon as it comes out, but if it will help me before you start selling case and fan, then why not.
Why not indeed. I did this to a TV box, and it came with a fan and heatsink.
Not much for aesthetics, but it looks better than in the picture. It ran very cool under all loads. The 120mm 12vdc fan was powered by 5vdc externally, resulting in reduced speed, but perfectly adequate airflow and virtually no noise. The fan was drawing air out, this was as effective as when the fan was blowing into the case.
I want the VIM to be a bit more portable than the box I slung the 120mm fan on and board powered. So I will be looking forward to the fan kit’s arrival too.
A Set of Heatsinks, maybe with another case (Top Plate) would also be nice 
Will it be available this week, these are all temporary solutions?
Hi, Tommy:
Should be next week, as still one part of cooling fan set is not available:
- High speed & Slim cooling Fan (Available)
- Upper case (Available)
- converter for VIM (Not yet)
Sorry for the long waiting. 
This is what i have done, temperatures are now mostly not over 45°C, only temperature issue is playing videos, it will get very hot when playing youtube video for a few minutes, yt is impossible to watch because of lagging.
You have the list includes the Converter. Can you clarify what is this element ? What is its purpose ? Is there any decision where and how to connect the fan on the PCB Board ? If You specify a port\settings GPIO (which can be used to connect and control the fan), then I can write scripts for automatic control of the fan.
Check Cooing Fan Assemble Guidance for details.
When we designed Khadas VIM, our team talked about is it necessary to add the control circuit for cooling fan, we final didn’t design with it as we tested the temperature was not high when playing 4K videos on Android. It turned out we made a wrong decision, many users used VIM as Linux server which require more stable device with cooling fan for better heat spread.
So, currently, the cooling fan still can’t be controlled by GPIO, except we design a new module with the power management and can be controlled by the GPIO then.