Moving the CPU on the other side of the PCB would allow the use of a larger and more efficient heatsink, with no need for noisy fans, save maybe for heavy overc

Moving the CPU on the other side of the PCB would allow the use of a larger and more efficient heatsink, with no need for noisy fans, save maybe for heavy overclocking. Not to mention metal enclosures or panels which would easily become themselves heatsinks once the board is screwed on them using the right spacers and decent thermal paste. Noise aside, fans have moving parts which can break, especially cheap ones (just about all those used in consumer IT), and that makes them a weak spot; that's why I would avoid them whenever possible until really necessary.