A cooling fan comprising a housing, an electric motor, a blade assembly, and a first motor control circuit board. The housing is operable to connect to a computer chassis that supports an electronic component. An electric motor is fixably mounted within a volume formed by an inner surface of the housing. A blade assembly is rotatably mounted to the electric motor. A first motor control circuit board is coupled to the electric motor and is disposed externally to the volume formed by the inner surface of said housing.