The Best Case Fans for Your Computer’s Performance
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Enermax Marathon 120mm Silent PC Case Fan -
Noctuna NF-F12 Case Fan -
Corsair Quiet Edition Case Fan -
Antec Prizm 120 ARGB 5+C 120mm Case Fan -
Corsair Air Series SP120 PWM High Performance Edition (CO-9050013-WW) -
Buyer's Guide
Case fans move air in and out of your computer case and are important components to consider when you’re working on building a high performance computer. Having fans which perform well keeps your system essential components cool enough so they have a long operating lifespan and allowing higher overclocks on your CPU's and GPU's. When choosing the best case fans in 2022 for this list, we first looked at how much air they can move which is measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM); the picks on this list all have a minimum air flow rating of between 62 and 134 CFM. We also took into consideration the decibel (Db) levels these fans operated at. The fans I've chosen here all operate at exceptionally quiet sound levels of between 23 and 38 decibels while still maintaining an excellent level of cooling airflow throughout your computer case.
The Best Case Fan Models of 2022 in Detail
Enermax Marathon 120mm Silent PC Case Fan - Best Case Fan Overall
This class leading fan features three adjustable rotation speeds that can be set for silent operation or maximum airflow depending on your needs. At the quietest setting it rotates at 1500 rpm and produces an excellent 72.45 CFM at a virtually silent sound lover of 23 decibels. At the intermediate level of 2500 rpm it delivers an outstanding 115.75 CFM at a sound level of 30 decibels, which again, is very quiet. At its highest setting of 3500 rpm, this fan is able to produce an astounding 154.53 CFM while maintaining sound level of just 38 decibels. With a setting for every need and a reasonable price, you simply cannot go wrong with choosing this fan.
Noctuna NF-F12 Case Fan - Runner Up
Noctuna fans come very highly recommended among system over-clockers and high performance system builders. This fan shapes up very well to the standard of outstanding performance, long service life, and quiet operation that this brand has established a glowing reputation on. It produces an outstanding 71.7 CFM at a rotation speed of 2000 rpm while keeping to a noise level of just 29.7 decibels. To top everything off, this high quality fan features a six year manufacturer’s warranty in the unlikely event that anything goes wrong.
Corsair Quiet Edition Case Fan - Honorable Mention
Corsair is another manufacturer with a great reputation among fans of over-clocking thanks to their fans which deliver high quality construction and outstanding performance. This 140 millimeter fan takes a well-deserved place on our list because it delivers an outstanding 66.4 CFM at a rotation speed of just 1200 rpm and a very (and we mean VERY) low sound level of 25.4 decibels. It features a two year warranty and a price that’s very competitive.
Antec Prizm 120 ARGB 5+C 120mm Case Fan - Consider
This is a large, 200 millimeter fan from Antec features a high-quality, ball bearing construction which offers longer life than the more common sleeve bearings utilized by many fans. It features three adjustable speeds to allow users to tailor the fan for maximum cooling or silent operation. At 400 rpm it produces 85 CFM at just 24 decibels. At the intermediate speed of 600 rpm it puts out 108 CFM at only 27 decibels, while at 800 rpm it produces 134 CFM at just 30 decibels sound level. If your needs call for a fan of this size, this product fills the bill in a respectable fashion.
Corsair Air Series SP120 PWM High Performance Edition (CO-9050013-WW) - Best Case Fan
A fan I use for my own current PC build, this pick finds a place on this list because it's constructed for optimum operation in air-restrictive areas of your case such as placed against water cooling radiators, in the front of your case, or placed near drive cages. It accomplishes this by being designed with high static pressure in mind in addition to high airflow. Static pressure expressed in millimeters/H2O and is a measure of how well a fan moves can move air through air restrictions.
This fan can deliver 3.1mm millimeters/H2O with is considered outstanding. It produces 62.74 CFM at 2350 rpm with a sound output of just 35 decibels without being overly loud. If your case fans are going to be used in conjunction with water cooling radiators or you need fans for the front of your case in air-restricted areas, this fan is the ideal solution.
Buyer's Guide
Searching to purchase the best case fan can be a tedious and challenging task with so many options available in the market, and we know that. That is why we have compiled some of the key considerations and best features to keep in mind during the hunt. Trust me; just looking for the huge and fastest option isn't enough, there are numerous other factors as well. Want to know about those factors and features? Here you go:
Size
Case fans come in different sizes; starting from 80 mm and ending at 200 mm. However, not just any size would be suitable for you, right? Here is a fact: large case fans produce less noise as compared to the small ones. So yes, huge case fans are ideal. However, not every CPU supports large fans. So, it is essential to consider your requirements, your CPU, and what noise level you can. If you ask us, 120 mm is the ideal option!
RPM
Revolutions Per Minute (RPM) is the key factor that defines and determines the speed of your best case fan. Case fans with a high RPM obviously mean a remarkable speed, but that means a very high level of sound as well. So, don’t let the high RPM level fool you. You can also opt for a case fan with a medium RPM level, especially if you are buying it for home use.
Bearing Type
Bearings are one of the most important materials used in the production of a case fan. In fact, it alone defines the durability and performance of the product. There are two types of bearings; ball bearings and fluid bearings. Always make sure to opt for the best case fan with fluid bearings as they are the most efficient and durable of them all.
Noise Level
The next important factor that you need to consider while purchasing the best case fan is its noise level. Obviously, who wants to continuously hear the sound of fans moving? Definitely not us. Case fans can be annoyingly noisy, so you need to opt for a model with lower dBA. The lower the dBA, the lower would be the noise. Moreover, you can also take a close look at the RPM. The lower the RPM, the lower would be the noise of fans. Trust me; a sound and peaceful environment are what you need for gaming.
Capability
Cooling capability is one of the most important features you need to consider while looking for the best case fan. This means the fan of the model you are going to buy should be quick enough to cool down your PC while you are busy in your gaming sessions. Moreover, the cooling capability also depends on the airflow of your case fan. The lower is the airflow, the lower would be the cooling capability of the unit. So, always make sure to opt for a model with remarkable cooling capabilities to save yourself from inconvenience and hassle!
LED Lighting
Here is a bit of an extra and additional feature, but extremely aesthetic and cool. Case fans with LED lighting give a cool effect to your PC and make it look great as well. Many case fans come with LED lights, and some give you the option to change the colors as well. However, case fans with LED lighting can be a bit expensive. So if you are not too tight on budget, we would recommend you to definitely go for them!
Durability
The durability of products is something you should never compromise on, and the same is the case with case fans! If you are spending your money on something, there is nothing wrong with expecting the best from that product. After all, that is your hard-earned money. So, make sure to buy the most durable and best case fan for your gaming PC. Closely look at all the materials, the brand, the company, fan quality, RPM, and most importantly, the functionality. Case fans are a great investment, so make sure to never compromise on its quality.
Pin Type
Here comes the most basic yet important factor to consider: the pin type! You can connect all the case fans with your motherboard with the help of a pin, obviously. However, different motherboards have different types of pin slots. So make sure to closely look and identify the pin slot of your motherboard and then purchase the best case fan accordingly.
Conclusion
Now that you know almost everything about choosing the best case fan, you are all ready to go and make your first purchase. Just keep all the tips in mind, and choose the best product for your PC.
Best Case Fan FAQs
Q.1) What is the Ideal size for a case fan?
Ans. As we have briefly mentioned above, the larger the case fan, the higher the noise. So make sure to choose a medium-sized case fan that will not produce much noise but will work efficiently as well. Ideally, 120 mm is considered the best size for a case fan.
Q.2) Why are case fans expensive?
Ans. Case fans are small devices that produce great magic, which means they are definitely going to be expensive. Also, the raw materials and goods used in manufacturing have a great cost. So the prices are surely going to be high, but the best case fan will be worth every penny you will spend.
Q.3) what is meant by intake and exhaust?
Ans. The fans that are used for intake draw cool air from the surroundings into the PC to cool the components inside while the exhaust fans draw any hot air produced by the hardware outside of the PC. Intake fans are usually in the front of the case and exhaust fans are usually at the back.
Q.4) how can we control the speed of the fans?
Ans. You can control a fan's speeds by going into the BIOS of your computer or you can download any software available for the brand of your case fans to control the speeds easily.
