Case fans are essential to keep all the components in the computer cool and working at their best. Computer cases may come with one or two preinstalled fans, but these are unlikely to be enough for optimal cooling.
Even if your computer has liquid cooling, you will need case fans to promote airflow. The fans can provide an attractive design element (some come with lighting and in exciting colors), but they are a vital functional part of your computer build.
The computer case has mount points for either fans or radiators or a combination. The case specifics will indicate what size of fans can be supported. The fans usually are square-framed, but round-framed fans are available if you need to mount a slightly larger fan than the mounting fittings will allow.
The fans either draw cold air into the case (intake) or push warm air out (exhaust) of the case. The same fan can be used either as an intake fan or an exhaust fan, depending on how and where you mount it. Air flows through a fan in one direction.
Most computer case fans are axial – the blades act in the same way as airplane wings, and they create a large volume of airflow at low-pressure speeds. This high volume airflow is what you want inside your computer case.
Some case fans can be the centrifugal form. The blades are designed to drag air in like a whirlpool and speed up the flow. The airflow is stronger, and it is stable compared to the airflow produced by an axial form. Centrifugal fans are excellent for dust control.
Optimal running and life of your computer are dependent on keeping the heat down and stopping dust from coming in.. Fans assist with both, so it is worthwhile taking time to select the very best quality fans for your budget. You will want to buy case fans either to increase the quality of the fans in your computer case or to provide optimal airflow by installing the right number of fans.
Best Small Case Fan
Noctua NF-A8
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Best Medium Case Fan
Be Quiet! BL070 Silentwings 3
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Best Large Case Fan
Cooler Master MF200R RGB
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Best Small Case Fans
Small case fans are ideal for the smaller chassis and cooling components like the CPU.
Cooler Master
Technical Specifications:
- Bearing Type Sleeve Bearing
- Rotational Speed Up to 2000RPM
- Listed Air Flow 24.2 CFM
- Listed Noise Level 20 dBA
- Size 80mm
- Connections 3 Pin
- Decorative Features N/A
- Price Less than $10
This small but powerful case fan is very quiet in its running noise levels. The compact design fits 11 blades into the array. This fan suits small cases and also provide spot cooling of components in big cases. The sleeve bearing means it needs to be fitted vertically for optimum performance and longevity.
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Noctua NF-A8
Technical Specifications:
- Bearing Type SSO Bearing (Magnetic)
- Rotational Speed Up to 2000RPM
- Listed Air Flow 50.4 m³/h
- Listed Noise Level 16.1 dBA
- Size 80mm
- Connections 3 Pin with a 4 Pin adapter
- Decorative Features N/A
- Price $10 to $20
Noctua is well known for consistent quality production of case fans with all the latest technology to enhance performance. This fan is no exception and comes with a six-year warranty. This compact little fan has a host of innovative design features. It has an advanced acoustic optimization frame (anti-vibration pads, stepped inlets, specialist materials) designed to cut down on running noise to produce a quiet fan.
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Arctic F8 PWM Rev.2
Technical Specifications:
- Bearing Type Fluid Dynamic
- Rotational Speed 700-2000RPM
- Listed Air Flow 31 CFM
- Listed Noise Level 21dBA approximately
- Size 80mm
- Connections 4 Pin
- Decorative Features N/A
- Price Under $10
This fan comes with a ten-year limited warranty. The bearing fitted with an oil capsule that prevents lubricant leakage and promotes a long life for the fan. These fans have PWM sharing technology that allows them to be connected and controlled together for optimum cooling and minimum noise production.
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Best Medium-Sized Fans
The typical size of the fan for standard-sized chassis is 120mm and 140mm. These are excellent for providing proper airflow around the case and components.
Be Quiet! BL070 Silentwings 3
Technical Specifications:
- Bearing Type Fluid Dynamic Bearing
- Rotational Speed Up to 2200RPM
- Listed Air Flow 73.33CFM
- Listed Noise Level 28.6dBA
- Size 120mm or 140mm
- Connections 4 Pin
- Decorative Features N/A
- Price Under $30
This case fan has a unique motor design to reduce power consumption and to cut down on running noise. The air inlets are funnel-shaped, designed to slightly compress the airflow to provide maximum air pressure where you need it. This fan is for both air and water-cooled systems. The fan comes with a three-year warranty from its German manufacturers.
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Noctua NF-S12B redux-1200
Technical Specifications:
- Bearing Type Self-Stabilizing Oil Pressure Bearing
- Rotational Speed 400 – 1200rpm
- Listed Air Flow 59.2 CFM
- Listed Noise Level 18.1dBA
- Size 140mm and 120mm
- Connections 4 pin
- Decorative Features None
- Price Under $20
This medium-sized case fan by Noctua is in their new color range of gray and black instead of their trademark mud color. This quiet no-frills case fan will move a lot of air around your case for a very budget-friendly price.
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Noctua NF-A12
Technical Specifications:
- Bearing Type Self-Stabilizing Oil Pressure Bearing
- Rotational Speed 450 – 2000rpm
- Listed Air Flow 60.1 CFM
- Listed Noise Level 22.6 dBA
- Size 140mm or 120mm
- Connections 4 pin
- Decorative Features None
- Price Under $20
The fan color is the trademark muddy brown. This fan moves a lot of air, but the noise level increases with the fan speed. At lower rotational speeds, the fan is quieter than other models. The fan comes with a couple of accessories – rubber vibration dampeners, Y-splitter, and a 12” extension cable.
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Noctua NF-A14 IPPC-3000 PWM
Technical Specifications:
- Bearing Type Fluid Dynamic
- Rotational Speed Up to 1400RPM
- Listed Air Flow 53 CFM
- Listed Noise Level 0.3 Sone
- Size 120mm
- Connections 4 Pin
- Decorative Features N/A
- Price Less than $10
This fan comes with a limited ten-year warranty, as is standard for Arctic fans. It is a well-designed fan that will perform quietly and efficiently for a reasonable price.
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Arctic F12 PWM Rev.2
Technical Specifications:
- Bearing Type Fluid Dynamic
- Rotational Speed Up to 1400RPM
- Listed Air Flow 53 CFM
- Listed Noise Level 0.3 Sone
- Size 120mm
- Connections 4 Pin
- Decorative Features N/A
- Price Less than $10
This fan comes with a limited ten-year warranty, as is standard for Arctic fans. It is a well-designed fan that will perform quietly and efficiently for a reasonable price.
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Scythe Kaze Flex
Technical Specifications:
- Bearing Type Fluid Dynamic Bearing
- Rotational Speed 300 – 1200 RPM
- Listed Air Flow 51.2 CFM
- Listed Noise Level 24.9 dBA
- Size 120mm
- Connections 4 Pin
- Decorative Features None
- Price Around $10
This case fan is an unashamedly low price. Despite the low cost, its eleven fan blades (most fans have nine) will move a lot of air for the money.
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Corsair LL120 RGB
Technical Specifications:
- Bearing Type Hydraulic Bearing
- Rotational Speed 600 – 1500 RPM
- Listed Air Flow 43.3 CFM
- Listed Noise Level 24.8dBA
- Size 120mm or 140mm
- Connections 4 Pin
- Decorative Features RGB LEDs
- Price Around $100
The lights are positioned down the length of the fan blades as well as studded around the outer edge of the casing. If you want decorative fans for your computer build, then those fans will do the job in style. You will pay for them as you need to buy a pack of a minimum of three fans and a lighting package that will put the price above $100.
The 16 LEDs can display a variety of lighting effects. This static pressure case fan has a two-year warranty. The main selling point for this model is the lighting.
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Cooler Master MF120R A-RGB
Technical Specifications:
- Bearing Type Rifle Bearing
- Rotational Speed 650 – 2000 RPM
- Listed Air Flow 59.0 CFM
- Listed Noise Level 31 dBA
- Size 120mm
- Connections 4 Pin
- Decorative Features RGB
- Price Under $30
The lighting is on the fan blades, and it can be controlled through the motherboard or use a Cooler Master controller. At the maximum fan speed, these are noisy. At 1200rpm, they are not as loud but still louder than the competition.
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NZXT Aer RGB 2
Technical Specifications:
- Bearing Type Fluid Dynamic Bearing
- Rotational Speed 500 – 1500 RPM
- Listed Air Flow 52.4 CFM
- Listed Noise Level 22 dBA
- Size 140mm or 120mm
- Connections 4 Pin
- Decorative Features RGB
- Price Between $50 and $100
It’s noisy but pretty with RGB lighting artistically arranged around the outer rim, providing a soft glow to illuminate the spinning fan. Again, you must commit to buying a pack of two fans as a minimum, which raises the initial price level.
These static pressure fans can be connected and controlled together. The fluid dynamic bearing is estimated to have a six-year life span.
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Corsair ML140
Technical Specifications:
- Bearing Type Magnetic Levitation
- Rotational Speed 400 – 2000RPM
- Listed Air Flow 97 CFM
- Listed Noise Level 37 dBA
- Size 140mm
- Connections 4 Pin
- Decorative Features Color Options
- Price Under $50
Magnetic levitation is a new technology in case fans. This type of bearing is expected to permit faster fan speeds at less noise. This product performs well and has a decent five-year warranty. The new technology does not make its performance markedly better than other case fans, but it is a quality product at a reasonable price. The fans come in a range of colors to match your build design.
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Best Large Case Fans
Large fans can move more air than smaller fans; these fans are ideal for the larger chassis.
Cooler Master MF200R RGB
Technical Specifications:
- Bearing Type SE
- Rotational Speed Up to 800RPM
- Listed Air Flow 90.3 CFM
- Listed Noise Level 28 dBA
- Size 200mm
- Connections 3 Pin
- Decorative Features Supports RGB lighting
- Price Under $30
This fan will support various RGB lighting options, and if your motherboard does not support RGB lighting, you can combine it with an RGB controller.
The Cooler Master comes with some excellent features in addition to the creative lighting options – a Smart Fan Sensor that will stop the fan if a cable becomes jammed and rubber sound-absorbing pads to cut down noise. The fan design is a hybrid of a jet engine blade and a helicopter rotor.
This large case fan comes with a two-year warranty.
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Thermaltake Riing Trio 200mm
Technical Specifications:
- Bearing Type Self-lubrication hydraulic
- Rotational Speed 500-1000RPM
- Listed Air Flow N/K
- Listed Noise Level N/K
- Size 200mm
- Connections N/K
- Decorative Features RGB lighting, voice controlled.
- Price Between $50 and $100
These fans come as a pack of three. One of the fans has 60 controllable RGB LEDs to allow for a variety of lighting effects. An added attraction is that the lighting effects can be voice-controlled. There is a staggering 16 million-plus of light colors available. There is a three-year warranty on this product.
The main attraction for this innovative large case fan is that all the functions can be voice-controlled.
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Thermaltake 200mm Pure 20
Technical Specifications:
- Bearing Type Sleeve bearing
- Rotational Speed Up to 800RPM
- Listed Air Flow 129 CFM
- Listed Noise Level 28.2dBA
- Size 200mm
- Connections N/K
- Decorative Features An option with RGB lights
- Price Around $10
This competent large case fan performs well. There is a version with RGB lighting if that suits your build. It is easy to install and is relatively quiet given the size of the fan,
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Top Tips for Choosing Case Fans
We talk in detail about the finer points of case fans later in this article, but if a quick list of what to look for is in our top tips.
Check the size and number of fans your chassis will support.
It’s an obvious point, but it is a waste of money buying too many fans or a size that will not fit inside your chassis.
Check the orientation of the fan mountings.
Some mountings may require the case fan placed in a horizontal position. Sleeve bearing fans do not perform well in these positions, so you may want to invest in a more expensive fan with a different type of bearing for these positions.
Match the Fans to the PC
The fan quality you need will depend on the way you are going to use your PC. If you are using your build as a gaming rig, then you have a lot of components chucking out a lot of heat in a small space. You need fans that can shift a lot of air quickly. If you’re planning to use the PC as a home theater or a recording studio, then you want a quiet running PC, and you need fans that are as near silent as you can get.
Budget
You might be tempted to save money on your build by buying cheap fans. This approach may be the best solution for you, but if your cooling system breaks down and your expensive components overheat, then they are fried and useless. You can buy cheap fans and combine them with temperature monitoring inside the chassis, but the cost of regular replacement may be more expensive than purchasing a quality fan in the first place.
You will be able to find a quality fan at every price point.
Appearance
The importance of the look of a fan inside your computer is a matter of personal choice. You may wish to display your computer complete with flashing lights, or you may like to contain it neatly in a black box.
If the appearance of the fan is essential to you, then there are a range of fans with decorative features.
Guide to Case Fan Features
Fan Size
Case fans come in a range of sizes, from a small 80mm fan to an extra-large 220mm fan. The most used fans are the 120mm diameter. The dimensions of the case and the available mounting holes will determine the size of the fan that you can install
120mm and 140mm fans are used extensively in gaming rigs as they are midway between being too small and too large. Gaming computers have high-end graphic processing units, and their components generate a lot of heat when in use. Hence, the need for excellent airflow.
The smallest fans are for more specialist usage or less demanding cooling. Typically, they are deployed with a heat sink to cool CPU, SFX power supply, and graphics cards. Occasionally they will be used because the case dimensions are so small that they are the only fans that will fit inside.
The larger the fan, the higher the volume of air it can move at the same speed. Or, they can be used to move the same quantity of air as a smaller fan but at a slower rotational rate, running very quietly by comparison.
The quantity of air a fan can move is in cubic feet per minute (CPM), and typically the higher the CPM, the better the fan. Its size and its rotational speed will govern the amount of air that a fan can move.
Rotational Speed
The fan blades spin is in revs per minute (RPM). A high RPM means faster spinning, better airflow, and more cooling. It also means that the fan is likely to vibrate more and generate more noise.
The airflow a fan generates is from a combination of its speed of rotation and its static pressure. Most case fans are axial fans, and they rotate at speeds around 2000rpm. The noise produced by a fan spinning has a relationship to the fan speed (to the fifth power). If you cut the fan speed in half, then you reduce the noise level by 15dB. Fan noise is in decibels (dBA).
The fan noise is produced by the motor, the bearings, and the movement of the blades through the air. The most significant component of the unwanted sound is the motor. High-end fans will have been designed to generate as little noise as possible even when running at high speed.
A standard case fan will generate noise levels between 50dB and a 105dB; some manufacturers have redesigned the shape of the fan blades to produce a much quieter fan. The fan blades cut through the air at a shallower angle and can be less than 25 dB of noise emitted. This low, almost silent running is highly desirable in a home theatre PC in a living room.
Air Pressure
Case fans are one of two types.
High airflow fans push as much air as they can, the CFM (cubic feet per minute) rating shows how much air they can move. Most case fans are high airflow fans, and these can serve as intake fans or exhaust fans.
The other type of fan is a high static pressure fan. This fan will push the air through a small space. They are better than airflow fans at forcing air through small spaces. These fans are not used as general case fans but in specialist locations within the case. You position them next to components that need air forced past them to remove heat. You use them with heatsinks, HDD cages, and radiators. The need for static pressure fans is dictated by how crowded the inside of the case is by components and cables. If the space between heatsink fins is small, then you need to be able to push air into those spaces rather than relying on general airflow.
The design of the fan blades determines the type of fan. Large fan blades are for airflow, and strongly curved fan blades increase the static pressure. Both types of fans move air around the computer case.
The air pressure inside the computer case will be either positive, negative, or neutral.
Neutral air pressure (sometimes called balanced airflow) means that the air pressure inside the computer case is the same as in the surrounding room. Or, the volume of air coming into the case matches the amount of air flowing out of the chassis.
If the case were an empty box, neutral air pressure would be easy to achieve, but the box contains components. The air drawn into the case by the intake fans meets obstructions on its way out of the chassis. The air pressure will always be slightly negative or positive.
When more air is drawn into the chassis than is being expelled, you get positive air pressure. This situation happens when the intake fans are moving a higher volume of air than the exhaust fans.
Negative air pressure happens when more air is being pushed out by the exhaust fans than is being pulled in by the intake fans. This situation results in the creation of a slight vacuum inside the case.
In theory, negative air pressure would result in better cooling as more hot air leaves the case. In practice, the creation of a slight vacuum results in more air coming into the chassis. It is sucked in through any gap, and that includes the case seams. The air that comes in through the intake section passes through dust filters, the air that is dragged in through any gap in the chassis does not. Negative air pressure can bring more dust into the computer case. Dust and computer components are a terrible combination.
The ideal situation would be a balanced airflow but that is not going to be possible without very complicated mathematics involving airflow around components. You are best aiming for slightly positive air pressure, so all the air is drawn into the computer through dust filters. This position results from balancing the CFM of the intake and the exhaust fans. The components will slow down the airflow resulting in slight positive air pressure in the case.
Types of Bearing
The construction of all fans is a rotor (an arrangement of fan blades) on a bearing, driven by a motor. The bearing is the critical component that dictates the durability and life of the fan. The type of bearing will determine how noisy the fan is and how well it performs.
Sleeve Bearings
A sleeve bearing consists of two surfaces (one is enclosing the other like a sleeve on the arm) with lubrication (oil or grease) cutting down the friction. Sleeve bearings made from porous sintered metal are self-lubricating and are preferred because they require less maintenance.
Sleeve bearings are inexpensive, but they need vertical mounting. They are an excellent choice for cold rooms, but they are more likely to fail in high-temperature environments. At higher temperatures, the lubricant dries up, and the contact surfaces rub against each other and wear.
If you run a sleeve bearing fan at maximum capacity at a steady temperature of 50°C, you can expect 30,000 hours of running time. These fans cost less than one with ball bearings, and when newly installed, they are quieter. As the fan ages and the bearings start to wear, the noise generated increases.
Rifle Bearings
Rifle bearings are a more advanced form of the sleeve bearing. Spiral grooves pump lubricant from a reservoir, so the surfaces are kept friction-free as far as possible in operation. This simple change in the design means these bearings last longer and are quieter in operation than standard sleeve bearings. In terms of a lifetime running, they approach the levels achievable with ball bearing fans. These fans can be mounted horizontally as well as vertically.
Ball Bearings
The ball bearings reduce the rotational friction between the shaft and the rotor. This bearing costs more than a simple sleeve bearing, but it lasts considerably longer – 60,000 hours.
A ball-bearing fan is noisier than a sleeve fan at lower speeds, but it performs better at higher temperatures and is quieter at high rates. The fans can be mounted vertically or horizontally.
Fluid Dynamic and Hydrodynamic Bearings
These fans are more expensive than ball bearing fans, but their life expectancy is similar, and they are less noisy in operation. These bearings are a modified sleeve bearing with a pattern of grooves (patented) to improve the lubrication. The improved lubrication makes them suitable for horizontal as well as vertical mounting.
Magnetic or Maglev Bearings
Strong magnets repel the rotor part from the shaft. Unlike standard bearings, the moving parts do not rub against each other. The rotors spin with less vibration and the lack of friction reduces mechanical wear on the fan.
Fan Connections and Controls
The days when case fans switched on with the power and whirred away are long gone. Now the best fans are controlled with software that adjusts their speed depending on the temperatures reached by the components.
When there is less need for cooling, the fan speed reduces. A slower rate generates fewer vibrations and less noise. It also consumes less power and the reduced wear on fan gives it a longer useful life. The life of a fan is an estimate on running it at its maximum speed setting at a constant ambient temperature. In real life, fans will run hot and cold, fast and slow, and their durability will vary. The quoted life of the fan is thus only a rough guide to its longevity.
Fans have three or four connecting pins. Three pins (or wires) allow connections for power, ground, and a tachometer. The tachometer reports information about the fan speed to the motherboard. The fourth pin when available is for Pulse Width Modulation (PWM). This connection can allow control of the fan speed. PWM is a term used to describe a type of digital signal. Increasing or decreasing the pulse width changes the energy flow to the fan motor and thus alters the speed. This system is power efficient and gives excellent control.
Appearance
The appearance of the fan has no bearing on its performance. If you are placing your computer components on display with a clear case or with tempered glass panels, then you may want your fans to fir with your build theme.
Decorative features include LEDs and RGB lighting in a choice of color schemes. An added attraction (that will cost a little more) is a fan with UV sensitive plastic that glows under the right light.
Most case fans have grilles on one side (to help trap dust and protect curious fingers), and manufacturers have started to use decorative grilles to improve the aesthetic appearance of fans on display in the computer build. You can add a decorative grille of your choosing (a cartoon character perhaps?) for a few dollars.
Placement and Maintenance of Case Fans
The fans’ purpose is to draw cold air across hot components and move the heated air away and out of the case. Warm air rising and cold air rushing in is how winds form in the weather. In the small confines of a computer case, this natural flow of hot and cold air will not cool down the components fast enough. We rely on active airflow produced by carefully chosen and positioned fans.
Mounting the Fans
The air flows through a fan in one direction. We talk about fans drawing in the fresh air and pushing hot air out, but the fan always pulls air through it. The fans are positioned to provide airflow through the chassis. Typically, we want air to flow from the front to the back of the case and towards the top of the case.
A fan has an open side and a side covered by a grille. The air flows through the fan from the open side to the grilled side. The fans pulling in the cold air (intake fans) should have the open side directed towards the outside of the case. Generally, this will be the front or bottom of the case. Typically, the area will be covered by a dust filter to cut down the dust dragged into the computer. We can help prevent fine particles from going into the intake fans by making sure we raise the case off the floor.
The exhaust fans used to push out the hot air should be positioned to the top and back of the case. The open side of the fan is pointing to the interior of the case. Case fans are designed to air cool the computer. We can assist this by ensuring that the machine is not inside a cupboard. The exhausted air will rapidly warm up an enclosed space. The air cooling works best if there is a ready supply of cold air, at least cooler than the air inside the computer case.
The aim is to have air flowing freely through the case. Components and cables will impede the airflow. The work of the fans will benefit from as much space as possible between the parts and proper cable management.
Some computer cases provide mount points to position fans to blow air directly towards the hottest components in the case – the motherboard and expansion cards. These used in conjunction with a heat sink are effective in keeping the parts cool. Fans can also be directing the airflow at radiators to keep the liquid used in a liquid cooling system as cool as possible.
Dealing with Dust
Dust and heat are the twin enemies of computers. The fans are part of the cooling system, but they can also drag dirt in with the cold air. This problem is solved in part by the careful use of dust filters over the intake grilles.
Dust is a problem because it can build up on components such as heat sinks. The dirt is insulating and prevents the heat sink from doing its job of absorbing heat. The dust can clog the fans and increase wear. The grime can build up on the filters and impede airflow into the case. Regular attention will remove dirt from the computer. The removal of dust will maintain optimum operating conditions.
At least every six months use compressed air to blow dust out of the inside of the computer case. Regularly check and wash the dust filters. You can get easy to remove and clean dust filters that stay in place with magnets. Check the fans, and if the compressed air is not able to clean them, consider washing the fan blades. You need the fans to be dry before they return to the chassis.
Lubrication
Any moving part requires lubrication to reduce friction between the moving surfaces and minimize wear. The case fans come as a sealed unit with the lubrication inside. If you check the instructions that come with the fan, you may find that they will explain how to top up the lubrication regularly.
Regular lubrication will minimize friction and promote a long life for your fans. It will also ensure that the noise generated by the fan is minimal. The lubrication point for a sleeve bearing fan is in the center of the blades. It is best to take the fan out of the chassis for cleaning and lubrication. You will want to avoid dripping any oil on any other components.
The best oil to use is light machine oil, such as that used for sewing machines. This oil is inexpensive and sold in small containers.
The center of the fan blades will have a sticker as a cover. If you peel this carefully, it will expose a small rubber plug in the middle. The cap lifts with something like a wooden cocktail stick. If there is no removable plug, then you will not be able to lubricate the fan. In this case, when it starts to wear (it will get noisy, and everything will get hotter), you will have to replace it.
Removing the plug exposes the drive shaft. You apply one drop of oil. That’s all; more is not better. Replace the cap, replace the sticker and reinstall the fan. As the fan rotates, the oil will spread out and lubricate the moving parts.
A routine of cleaning and maintaining your case fans will prolong the life of your equipment. But the essential point is that it will mean that you are keeping your expensive components cool.
A case fan that is beginning to break down will not cool as efficiently and will allow the interior of the case to heat up. You might not notice the fan getting noisier until it is too late to avoid damage. As a back up you might want to consider installing software that alerts you to the temperature rising inside the chassis. This temperature monitoring, together with regular maintenance, will keep your precious computer ticking along at optimum performance.
There are many reasons for you to be in the market for a new case fan, upgrading, supplementing, or replacing existing fans in your chassis. We have assembled a shortlist of the best fans currently available.
