When we use our computer intensively, whether with games or resource-intensive programs, it causes the components to heat up, affecting the system's stability and lifespan. And what can we say about overclocking and needing to keep the temperatures of both the CPU and other vital components under control?
So, let's take a look at the best PC fans we can buy for our case, distinguishing mainly by their price-performance ratio, size, and noise levels. But first, let's also look at the key points we need to consider when choosing one model or another.
Best 8cm PC fans
80mm fans are very rare these days, mainly because they move less air than their larger counterparts. However, if your chassis doesn't allow for a different size, we have this model for you:
Noctua NF-A8 FLX Premium
Noctua is known for making high-quality but small fans, and they pride themselves on being very quiet. Despite being a three-pin fan, it comes with a physical fan speed limiter, which limits the speed to 1650 and 1200 rpm respectively, down from the standard 2000 rpm.
Review: Noctua NF-A9, NF-A8, and NF-A4x10 fans
Best 12cm PC fans
Corsair RS120 MAX
The Corsair RS120 MAX They are built with a chassis and propellers of glass fiber reinforced liquid crystal polymerWith a speed range of 425 to 2000 RPM, the Corsair RS120 MAX provides a maximum airflow of 72 CFM and a maximum static pressure of 4,2 mmH2O.
Features:
- Speed: 425 -2000 rpm
- 4-pin PWM connector to regulate speed.
- Noise level at maximum speed: 29,5 dB
- They include normal and anti-vibration screws for mounting.
- 5 year warranty
Noiseblocker NB-eLoop B12-PWM
This model comes with bionic bearings manufactured by the German brand, making them much quieter. Ideal especially for liquid cooling.
Features:
- Speed: 800-2000rpm
- 4-pin PWM connector to regulate speed.
- Noise level at maximum speed: 28,4 dB
- They include normal and anti-vibration screws for mounting.
- 6 year warranty
Corsair ML120 Pro
If you're looking for high-performance, high-quality fans, these won't disappoint. They're available in black and white, as well as with red and blue LEDs.
Features:
- Manufactured with magnetic bearings
- They can be regulated from 400 RPM to 2400.
- Air flow ranging from 12 to 75 CFM
- Sound level 16 – 37 dBA
Noctua NF-F12 120mm
It's hard to find many negative things to say about this fan other than its design, but that's a matter of taste. The Noctua F12 comes with an adapter to reduce the speed to 1200 RPM. Reliability is important in this model, as Noctua has changed the location of the magnet, making the fan more stable and further reducing its noise.
We can find them in various versions of 1500-2000 RPM both in this size and in the 140mm size (the higher the revolutions, the greater the cooling but also the more noise generated).
Features:
- Manufactured with SSO2 bearings from the brand itself
- The fan is capable of putting out a reasonable CFM of 44 – 55 CFM
- The noise level ranges between 18,60 and 22,40 dBA
- Includes integrated silicone anti-vibration pads
- Speed: 300-1500 RPM
- Estimated lifespan: 150000 hours
- 6-year manufacturer's warranty
Tacens Aura Pro II
If you're looking for a fan with a good price-performance ratio, the Tacens Aura Pro II is the best option for you. This model includes two adapters to reduce the speed from 1500 RPM to 1200 (quiet mode) and 900 (ultra-quiet mode).
Features:
- Estimated lifespan: 100000 hours
- 4-pin PWM connection
- Adjustable speed from 900 to 1500 RPM
- Noise level: 12-16 dBA
- Airflow: 29-49 CFM
Arctic F12 PWM Rev. 2
A combination of good price, quality, and performance. In its second version, performance has been further improved, making these fans very good, although not as high as the previous ones.
Features:
- Speed: 500-1350 PPM
- 4-pin PWM connection
- Airflow: 53CFM at maximum speed
- Noise level: 22,5 dBA
- Includes a 6-year manufacturer's warranty
Tacens Anima AF12
We've also decided to include the Tacens Anima AF12, which, while not as high-quality as the previous models, is one of the best-selling models currently for its price, which is around €4. And if we look at the features, we can't deny that for the price, they do their job. They have an average lifespan of 50000 hours, an airflow of 48,12 CFM, and a noise level of 14 dBA. They also include a 4-pin connector for speed control via the BIOS.
Best 14cm PC fans
Although 120mm fans are the most common, as long as our case/heatsink allows it, we can use 140mm fans, which allow for greater airflow. The models we recommend are very similar to the previous ones, although the features vary with increasing size. Here you can see the specifications for each one.
Noctua NF-A14
Features:
- Speed: 300-1200 RPM
- Noise level: 19-24,6 dbA
- Airflow: 20-100 CFM
- Average life: 150000h
Corsair ML140 PRO
Features:
- Speed: 400-2000 RPM
- Noise level: 16-37 dbA
- Airflow: 20-100 CFM
- Average life: 200000h
Arctic F14 PWM
Features:
- Speed: 600-1350 PPM
- 4-pin PWM connection
- Airflow: 74CFM at maximum speed
- Noise level: 24 dBA at maximum speed
How to choose a fan for your PC
Size
Case fans come in a variety of sizes and are measured in millimeters. The most common sizes are 80mm, 120mm (the most commonly used), and 140mm. Larger sizes mean greater capacity to move air at the same speed, making them quieter. Choose the size that fits your case by referring to the manufacturer's specifications; the larger the better.
Noise
Fan speed is measured in revolutions per minute (RPM). Higher speeds result in louder noise, but also greater cooling power (as a general rule, although we'll see later that fan speeds vary depending on the fan and its quality). There are models with speed control, ideal for users looking for the lowest possible noise.
There are other critical aspects of noise beyond what we can easily measure. The most familiar aspect of sound or noise is the sound pressure level (SPL), measured in decibels. But this is a basic measure of "volume" or amplitude. But beyond SPL, there are other elements such as pitch (that high-pitched sound we can find in other electronic devices and that sounds like a tone) and regular or irregular deviations, which comprise a range of sounds that some fans emit depending on how we position them or the speed at which they operate.
Air flow (CFM)
This specification tells you how much air the fan can move per minute. Higher numbers mean more cooling, although it may come at the cost of being slightly louder. Again, your fans don't need to run at full power all the time, so choosing one with a high CFM is generally a good choice.
Connections
Modern case fans come with either 3-pin or 4-pin motherboard connections. A standard XNUMX-pin fan runs at its normal speed and is regulated by sensors on the motherboard. XNUMX-pin fans can be controlled via software or a radio bus. This allows you to monitor the RPM and increase or decrease the speed to adjust based on the desired performance/noise level.
Quality
Aside from noise and effective cooling, reliability is another important consideration. Unfortunately, build quality and reliability are impossible to prove without a long-term study with a large sample size. The most important factors are:
- Bearing type.
- Average lifespan in hours assigned by the manufacturer. It's also important to keep in mind that reducing the speed will increase the lifespan, and most fans currently last a lifetime without wearing out.
- Manufacturer: It's a known fact that some manufacturers are generally better or worse than others. This is especially noticeable in the build quality, details, and type of plastic. Some fans, like the Noctura, include anti-vibration screws to secure them without transmitting vibrations to the case.
Best PC fan brands
The best brands of fans that we can find are:
- NoctuaThe Austrian brand is synonymous with quality and silence. Founded in 2005, it specializes in the enthusiast cooling market, and we can say without a doubt that it's one of the best brands currently available.
- NoiseblockerNoiseblocker is a German brand that's been on the market for a few years, specializing in fans. And they're good at it, because you won't find anything quieter on the market.
- Corsair: Manufacturer of all kinds of high-performance components for PC, it is a benchmark in terms of high-end and, as expected, it is also a benchmark in cooling, from its fans to liquid cooling kits
- Tacens: The brand best known for its quality/price ratio with its Aura range and its Anima white range.
- Arctic: The Swiss brand that started in 2001 as "Artic Cooling" has gone from being one of the references in cooling to producing all kinds of computer components and accessories.
Are 120mm or 140mm PC fans better?
This depends on the space you have in your computer case. If they fit well, a 140mm fan is probably a better option. 140mm PC fans can move more air while running at lower RPMs, which means they're more effective and much quieter.
How to improve the airflow of my PC?
Your PC's cooling is important because it directly affects its performance. You may hear different opinions about how to mount your fans to optimize their performance. Make sure you place them in a position with neutral pressure so hot air doesn't stagnate around them.
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