A case fan plays an essential role in your PC setup, significantly impacting how the airflow works inside your PC. The efficient case fan will help push and pull the air easily and quickly, improve your PC operation, and keep it in the best condition after a long period. Keep reading this article to find the best case fans for your PC.
Quick shopping tips:
Contents
- Fan size is one of the most important factors when it comes to choosing a case fan. It doesn’t mean anything if your case fan cannot fit into your case. The size of your ideal case fan will depend on your case very much and your preference. You should know how large your PC case is to choose the most suitable case fan for it. They often vary from 25mm-200mm and even above. PC users often use small case fans (25mm-70mm) to cool chipsets and VRMs on hot motherboards. With middle-size PC case fans, people often use smaller CPU coolers, motherboards, and graphics cards. Extra-large case fans can be an optimal option because it produces less noise.
- Connector types: It is highly recommended that we should choose a case fan with a 3-pin connector to a 4-pin connector. Try to avoid an ancient relic called “ Molex.” A 3-pin connector case fan can be compatible with a 4-pin header on your motherboard. However, it cannot support regulating its speed using PWM. Meanwhile, a 4-pin connector case fan can handle it by itself with precise regulation in using a fourth PWM line.
- Noise levels & Case fan speed: RPM has a significant impact on the temperature of your PC. High-speed case fans can make the airflow run more smoothly and efficiently, but it can cause annoying noises. However, you now can have many choices to choose the most effective high-speed case fan, which can help reduce the noise as much as possible for a better computing experience.
Best Case Fans
1. Be Quiet BL040
Best case fan overall: best 140mm case fan
SPECIFICATIONS
- Diameter: 140 mm
- RPM range: 600 – 2100
- Airflow: 61.2 CFM
- Noise: 19.8 dBA
- LEDs: No
- Connector: 4-pin PWM
TODAY’S BEST DEAL
REASONS TO BUY
- Efficient in reducing noise
- 61. 2 CFM/ 19.8 decibels
- Durable rifle-bearing
- PWM regulation
REASONS TO AVOID
- Very affordable
If you care about PC case fans, Be Quiet may be the name you have ever heard for many times before. It is considered the most trusted name among many different PC case fan brands on the current market. With many outstanding features, we want to show you some exceptional ones right now.
Be Quiet BL040 does an excellent job of moving air in and out efficiently, producing a smooth airflow inside your PC. Significantly, the noise can be reduced to the minimum thanks to nine fan blades. The case fan can move airflow at 61.2 CFM and keep the noise level at 19.8 decibels. Also, this case fan can guarantee a long lifetime of use with a durable and stable rifle-bearing. Numbers can tell you how efficient it is!
Moreover, this case fan allows PWM to control fan speed through the motherboard. This product is highly suggested for water cooling, and CPU cooling builds.
Alternate choice:
Noctua NF-A14 FLX Premium Quality PC Case Cooling Fan 140mm
ARCTIC P14 PWM PST (5 Pack) – 140 mm Case Fan
(Image credit: Amazon)
2. Corsair QL Series
Best RGB fan
SPECIFICATIONS
- Diameter: 120mm
- RPM range: up to 1,500 RBM
- Airflow: 41.8 CMF
- Noise: 26 dB
- LEDs: RGB lighting
TODAY’S BEST DEAL
REASONS TO BUY
- Triple fan kit with four lighting zones
- Having compact iCUE lighting Node controlled by Corsair iCUE software
- RGB lighting
REASONS TO AVOID
- A bit pricey
The most competitive advantage of the Corsair QL Series is its RGB design. It is an attractive case fan, providing the users RGB lighting via Corsair iCUE software while cutting down the cable clutter with SATA connections and simple USB 2.0.
Powerful Corsair iCUE software can help create animated lighting effects, bringing your system to life with dynamic RGB lighting synchronized across all your icue-compatible products. If you are interested in RGB lighting technology in gaming products, Corsair QL Series is the best choice for sure.
Apart from the support of RGB lighting for an exciting gaming experience, the case fan offers high speeds up to 1500 RPM, pushing up to 41.8 CFM of air and cooling down your PC hardware.
Alternate choice:
Cooler Master SickleFlow 120 V2 ARGB 120mm Square Frame Fan
Cooler Master Master Fan MF120 Halo Duo-Ring Addressable RGB Lighting 120mm
(Image credit: Amazon)
3. be quiet! Pure Wings 2 120mm PWM high-Speed, BL081, Cooling Fan
Best 120mm fan
SPECIFICATIONS
- Diameter: 120 mm
- RPM Range: 2000 RBM
- Noise: 36.9 dBA
- Connector: PWM
TODAY’S BEST DEAL
(Image credit: Amazon)
REASONS TO BUY
- Stable and sturdy bearing for a long time of use
- The fan speed of 200 RPM
- Reducing noises at the minimum.
- Very cheap
REASONS TO AVOID
- No RGB lighting
We are so excited to introduce many products for building your PC from the “be quiet!” brand – one of the most prominent brands in producing high-quality products for PC enthusiasts.
First of all, this case fan features a durable bearing that offers an extended lifetime of up to 80,000 hours. The fan speed of 2,000 RPM (Resolutions per minute) is for extremely high air pressure for the most efficient operation of your PC’s hardware.
You may have thought that this case fan can produce loud noises when it reaches the maximum speed; however, it operates at only 36.9 dB(A). You can enjoy your gaming time to the fullest. Luckily, if you are on a budget but want to finish your PC setup with a functional and versatile case fan, this is the right product for you.
Alternate choice:
Thermaltake Riing 12 Series Blue High Static Pressure 120mm
Antec 120mm Case Fan, PC Case Fan High Performance, 3-pin Connector
4. ARCTIC P12
Best quiet PC fan
SPECIFICATIONS
- Diameter: 120 mm
- RPM range: 200- 1800 rpm
- Airflow: 56.3 CFM
- Noise: 0.3 Sone
- Connector: 4-pin
TODAY’S BEST DEAL
(Image credit: Amazon)
REASONS TO BUY
- Optimized for static pressure
- Regulated VIA PWM PST
- The new and more efficient P12 PWM PST
- Long lifespan ARCTIC motor
REASONS TO AVOID
- There is sometimes a harmonic resonance at mid RPMs
The noise produced from the case fan is always the most annoying issue that all gamers want to solve. To make your gaming time more enjoyable, our experts at YLG highly recommend ARCTIC P12 – the quietest PC fan you can have.
ARCTIC P12 features a high static pressure thanks to the P12 PWM PST. With a 4-pin connector, the RPM is regulated in a broad spectrum via PWM; noise can be kept at a minimum, but the case fan can give you the maximum cooling performance if necessary.
Neodym-Iron-Boron-Magnet ring of the newest generation enables the new P12 PWM PST to run much more efficiently than its predecessors. Moreover, it is said that the new ARCTIC motor has a four times longer lifespan than its competitors; it also works quietly at all rpm. Do not hesitate to buy the product at a price under $40.
Alternate choice:
noctua NF-A6x25 FLX Low Noise PC Case Cooling Fan 60mm
Fractal Design Case Fan Cooling Black
5. Noctua NF-S12B
Best airflow fan
SPECIFICATIONS
- Diameter: 120x120x25 mm
- RPM range: Max. 1200 RPM
- Noise: 18.1 dB
- Connector: 4-pin
TODAY’S BEST DEAL
(Image credit: Amazon)
REASONS TO BUY
- A pressure-optimized blade design
- Offering a wide range of accessories
- Very affordable
REASONS TO AVOID
- The cable is quite long
Last but not least, Noctua NF-S12B is the best airflow case fan that can offer the most special functions you need. When it comes to a good case fan, people talk much about Noctua NF-S12B; it is understandable because this product has gained more than 100 awards and many suggestions from international and prestigious websites, a technology magazine, and thousands of satisfied users reviews.
This case fan stands out from the rest because it has a pressure-optimized blade design that can give you the most silent gaming moment without being disturbed by noises. In addition, this case fan also offers strong CFM for air-based CPU coolers or low-noise chassis ventilation.
You will be overwhelmed by its superb quality compared to the low price you have to pay for it. The product comes with a wide range of optional accessories, including anti-vibration mounts, y-splitters, extension cables, S-ATA adaptors, etc.
Alternate choice:
be quiet! Silent Wings 3 140mm PWM High-Speed, BL071
Corsair ML120, 120mm Premium Magnetic Levitation Fan (2-Pack)
6. ARCTIC F12
Best budget case fan
SPECIFICATIONS
- Diameter: 120x120x25 mm
- RPM range: Max. 1350 RPM
- Airflow: 53 CFM
- Noise: 0.3 Sones
- Connector: 3-pin
TODAY’S BEST DEAL
(Image credit: Amazon)
REASONS TO BUY
- Innovative design
- Two-way installation
- Long service life
REASONS TO AVOID
- The plastic is pretty fragile
ARCTIC F12 offers the users the most innovative design. Significantly, the mart design of fan blades improves the airflow as well as facilitates efficient ventilation. Moreover, the impeller was designed to reduce noises at the minimum but feature the desired airflow and pressure.
The case fan can help blow warm air out of the case and pull cool air into the case, keeping your hardware in check. Moreover, the fluid dynamic bearing comes with an oil capsule to avoid lubricant leakage. This bearing is both durable and stable for a long time of use.
Alternate choice:
EZDIY-FAB Moonlight 120mm RGB Case Fan with Fan Hub X and Remote
uphere 3-Pack Long Life Computer Case Fan 120mm Cooling Case Fan
FAQs
1. What is a good cfm for case fans?
It depends on the size of the fan; 80mm, 92mm, 120mm, 140mm, 200mm. If it’s a 120mm one, I’d expect to see at least 60CFM or greater. The larger the space is, the higher the fan CFM must be to cool a room efficiently. CFM for fans is a vital measurement for determining if a room can be cooled. If the CFM is too low, the room will be unable to be cooled and undermine any energy efficiency of the fan.
2. Does CFM matter for case fans?
The greater the CFM, the more air a fan moves. To cool your computer correctly, you need to have enough case fans to push or pull air into and out of the case. More case fans mean higher total CFM and more air being moved through your computer. … To avoid making your computer too loud, use fewer or quieter fans.
3. Are 140 mm fans better than 120 mm?
Before buying a case fan, it is necessary to know what size you need. More giant fans will push more air more quietly; however, not every case will have room for a 200mm+ fan size.
Some cases may not even have room for the standard 120mm fan size, but those are outliers for the typical ranges of Mini ITX to Extended ATX cases.
Every case fan manufacturer follows this standard in the industry. It also leads to a mere “120 mm fan” being a lot larger than it sounds – usually slightly larger than the palm of an adult male.
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