Best Computer Case Fans in 2022

Last update: November 14, 2022

Are bigger fans better PC?

There is no clear consensus on whether bigger fans are better for PCs. Some people argue that bigger fans can move more air and thus keep components cooler. Others argue that bigger fans can be louder and less efficient. Ultimately, it depends on the specific fan and the specific PC. Some PCs might benefit from a bigger fan, while others might not.

Are PC case fans worth it?

PC case fans are an important part of any gaming rig, helping to keep things cool and prevent any damage to your components. But are they worth the investment? Absolutely! PC case fans can make a big difference in terms of both cooling and noise levels. If you're looking to get the most out of your gaming PC, then case fans are a must. There are a few things to consider when choosing case fans, such as size, airflow, and noise levels. But as long as you choose a quality product, you'll be very happy with the results.

Can you run a PC without case fans?

You can run a PC without case fans, but it is not recommended. Without case fans, your PC will run hotter and be more likely to overheat.

Do case fans help cool GPU?

Most people believe that case fans help cool GPUs, when in actuality, they don't do much to lower the temperature of the graphics card. The main reason for this is because the case fans are usually not powerful enough to move enough air to make a difference. Additionally, the fan on the GPU itself is typically more effective than the case fans.


Noctua NF-A12x15 PWM, Premium Quiet Slim Fan, 4-Pin (120mm, Brown) Review:


Although I haven't tested the radiator fan's temperature, it is slightly noisier at full speed than the 1350rpm Arctic F12, which I would rate 5 stars without doubt.In contrast to Arctic F12, which feels like a ring air flow, the air flow is more concentrated. At full speed, I did notice that the air pressure was slightly stronger.Since Arctic makes 15mm fans, I won't buy this one if they do because I had a nice experience with Arctic fans and they come with a 6-year warranty.I only purchased this since there isn't much room for standard 25mm fans in Define C TG and I need to fit a 360 radiator in there.Putting everything else aside, this fan is fantastic; the only drawback is the exorbitant cost. However, given those costs and the fact that you will receive some spur/extender cables, it is acceptable. It is more akin to a fan that is sold with certain accessories for a hefty price.Big pluses include being extremely quiet, having a high-quality build, and having soft pads.Another intriguing observation I made was that the fan blades are undetectable while it is operating at full speed. I enjoy it. Perhaps it explains why it employed such hue.This review didn't come up on my agenda, therefore everything in it is exactly how I feel.Finally, I made the decision to upgrade from 4 to 5 stars.Although pricey, a fan offers satisfaction in every other way.I can't test the radiator performance because I only have one fan, so I won't.Lasting impressions: Arctic fans running at 800-900 rpm for my current build—a very large case—return a really good temperature result with hardly any noise.I will undoubtedly use this one if I need to create a compact, precise case.For me, silence is the only thing that matters. Otherwise, there are a ton of inexpensive fans that offer comparable performance while making jet engine noise.



Noctua NF-P14s redux-1500 PWM, High Performance Cooling Fan, 4-Pin, 1500 RPM (140mm, Grey) Review:


If you favor the gray colors of the Redux line, you may now customize these a little by using the chromax anti-vibration pads (NA-SAVP1).Since the past ten years, I've primarily used Noctua fans. Some of the original Noctua designs may be found in the redux line, which has a much more restrained gray color scheme that blends in with the rest of your PC's components. In addition, the redux hues are less likely to enrage PCMR nerds than the standard beige/brown color scheme does.This indicates that they are still employing some of the older Noctua fan designs. Until recently, they were also using square frames in the original form without integrated bumpers. As they are Noctua's "budget" fans, they also exclude practically all of the typical Noctua accessories; as a result, just screws are provided with the fan. But the wires are still covered in sleeves, just like the domestic and commercial lines.There isn't much else to say, really. I mainly published the review to inform folks that the square versions were modified to make use of the chromax bumpers. If you're unfamiliar with Noctua, you might think that their followers are quiet, but that impression isn't totally accurate. They generate a sound that is audible (unless they are running at extremely low RPMs), but compared to most of the competitors, it is typically a touch more pleasant to the ear. Both case and radiator fans should be compatible with these; just be sure to use the PWM option to reduce noise when the additional airflow is not required.



Noctua NF-P12 redux-1700 PWM, High Performance Cooling Fan, 4-Pin, 1700 RPM (120mm, Grey) Review:


Good fans in two unattractive colors are what Noctua is known for. I chose to test two NF-P12 Redux fans designed for air pressure because I needed a few of fans. The other fan is the noctua NF-P12 redux-1300 PWM high-performance quiet 120mm fan, which is an award-winning premium model in a cost-effective grey redux edition. This fan has a speed of 1700 RPM. These two hues of gray are used in place of the brown and tan. Better colors, yet not the best.There are no rubber pads on them. In my situation, I'm unable to discern a difference. They do not tremble. Both fans have a similar design. Instead of the modern black screws that are used everywhere else, they come with silver screws.Pace test: They will continue to run at their lowest speed even if I lower the setting by 25%. The 1300s range between 350 and 1300 rpm, and the 1700s range between 500 and 1680 rpm.They make no sound at 1000 rpm or below. I can hear them starting at 1100 rpm. They are audible at 1300. This fan generates a lot of noise at its maximum speed of 1680 rpm.Conclusions: I recommend the 1300 rpm type if you can't manage your fan's speed and it will be stuck at full power. I would advise purchasing the 1700 rpm fan if you have the option of setting a custom fan curve. It is just 150 rpm faster at low speeds, quiet up to 1000 rpm, pleasant at 1300 rpm, and capable of reaching nearly 1700 rpm if necessary. I do wonder if the additional rubber cushions would enhance the sound at top speed.



AC Infinity MULTIFAN S5, Quiet Dual 80mm USB Fan for Receiver DVR Playstation Xbox Computer Cabinet Cooling Review:


The refrigerator is a built-in 36 inch KitchenAid. On the refrigerator side, all of the cold air is provided above the top shelf, with the exception of a gimmicky drawer (left back corner.) It largely remains there since the shelves are made of glass. [My defunct GE built-vertical in's channel for distributing cold air to the middle of each shelf] I used two Bluetooth thermometers from SensorPush Wireless Thermometer / Hygrometer for iPhone / Android - Humidity



AC Infinity AXIAL 1225, Quiet Muffin Fan, 115V 120V AC 120mm x 25mm Low Speed, for DIY Cooling Ventilation Exhaust Projects Review:


We used these fans to replace the noisy, ineffective Heatilator fireplace circulation fans from the 1950s. We added 100°F magnetic-attachment thermal switches to the metal firebox's back. The AC Infinity fans activate automatically and start silently moving the air when a fire is lit. If you wish to do this and believe a stronger fan is necessary to move enough air, reconsider. It's what I also believed, therefore I tested the following, more powerful set of these fans. They consumed a lot more energy to run and were obnoxious loud. I tried them, and we hardly even notice when they turn on (sometimes I have to go over and listen closely to make sure they didn't malfunction in any way). But is the airflow adequate? Yes, without a doubt. They both circulate enough heat through the fireplace's heat exchange to comfortably warm a great room that is 1000 square feet in size and has high vaulted ceilings.They are quite well manufactured and, if required, have protective grills. Although we didn't need them, the sizes are universal, and it turned out that one of the grills was ideal elsewhere, so it was kind of like a purchase-related bonus.



Noctua NF-A4x10 FLX, Premium Quiet Fan, 3-Pin (40x10mm, Brown) Review:


incredible fan This device is incredibly quiet. When I first turned it on, I couldn't even tell it was spinning; I got it to replace a 40mm fan in my 3D printer. I assumed there was a problem, but everything was OK. This place is quite silent. The main thing you heard when the 3D printer was running with my old fan was the fan noise. My stepper motors are actually merely eliminating the continual fan drone, but this fan gives the impression that they are louder than usual.The aerodynamics of the housing and blades help this fan sustain airflow while lowering noise levels. The fan has built-in noise isolation cushions on its corners to stop vibrations from penetrating whatever it is mounted to, significantly lowering the noise it makes. They even come with silicone mounts to entirely avoid any screws or harsh contact with the frame when mounting the fan, however I didn't use them for my application. This guy has been designed to be exceedingly quiet while still providing the required airflow performance.The fan's high degree of quality is reflected in the package. This is practically ready for any purpose right out of the box thanks to the accessories and connectors provided.All positives for this fan. The only drawback I can think of is that I don't like the Noctua color scheme. If you want a quiet, high-quality fan, this one is worth the money.This fan is priceless. In actuality, they do cost more than other generic fans of the same size, but the quality and silence that you get from this fan more than makes up for the price difference. Anyone should do this, in my opinion.



Noctua NF-F12 PWM chromax.Black.swap, Premium Quiet Fan, 4-Pin (120mm, Black) Review:


Before I go into more detail, let me just state my points:Pros: Much quieter tone compared to stock Cryorig H7 fan Fairly straightforward to mount to cooler with H7 fan clip Variety of color options for rubber mounts Attractive for my build, matches RGB lights on motherboard, front fans, and LED strip powerful cooling ability (notice at most a 3-5 degree Celsius difference from stock with an upgraded Noctua airflow fan on the back)Cons: - Expensive fans - Limited cable lengthI adore these supporters, to give a more thorough assessment. I can now claim to be a "fan" of Noctua fans (HA bet you weren't expecting the puns in this review). According to my tests, there wasn't much of a difference between using this Noctua fan and the stock case fan I had on the back of the computer to cool the CPU. The second Noctua fan made a significant difference because it can push the heat stack aggressively while the rear fan can keep up with a lot of airflow. If you want to upgrade your heatsink, I do suggest this product, however you should also consider upgrading the case fan in the back.Because it has a quieter tone than the standard Cryorig fan, I hear a noticeable improvement in noise compared to the factory fan. The rear fan is also much quieter than the stock Fractal Design case fan in this regard. Highly suggested.



ARCTIC F12-120 mm Standard Low Noise Case Fan - Fluid Dynamic Bearing - Innovative Design Review:


Fantastic quality, really quiet almost silence. All seven fans in my case were replaced with these, and they are now functioning flawlessly.For those who are not familiar, PST essentially enables you to connect numerous fans to a single header because each fan has a small pigtail from the main connector that you can connect another fan into. Five fans can be connected to one header. This is excellent for motherboards with insufficient fan headers. I ultimately used the PST function on 4 of these fans to synchronize the front case fans, which is quite pleasant. The substantial cable length should be more than enough for an entire ATX case. Without a doubt, I endorse these. Without a doubt, I would definitely purchase them again.After utilizing these, I also received an answer regarding the static air pressure. They move a lot of air and blow quite effectively. In order to use a closed loop water cooler, I have two of these placed on my radiator (Corsair H100i). They don't quite have the same static pressure as the Corsair HS series fans, but the system isn't overclocked and I still reach my CPU's maximum temperature with the ARCTIC F12 fans at roughly 48 degrees. When the Corsair is operating at full speed, they are so loud that you can hear them from another room. At full power, the F12s are considerably quieter (with perhaps less static pressure), but still more than adequate. They also appear cool! No gimmicks or stupid LEDs. I've broken blades in the past from all my tinkering and unintentional bumping, but the plastic is a wonderful thick sort. The additional couple of blades definitely help with noise and air flow, in my opinion. These fit the front 120mm case port or the rear exhaust port of a computer case PERFECTLY. Additionally, they have two bearings. These bearing fans are comparable to how silent sleeve bearings are now that they are normally quieter (albeit they don't last as long).



Corsair LL Series LL120 RGB 120mm Dual Light Loop RGB LED PWM Fan 3 Fan Pack with Lighting Node Pro Review:


The fans are VERY BRILLIANT! These dropped right as I was setting up my new system, and I was going to get the NZXT AER fan kit. Since they are the brightest RGB fans I've ever seen, I'm really glad they appeared. These are far superior to NZXT models, Corsair HD models, and Thermaltake Racing models as well. They work perfectly with Corsair Link 4, and the included lightning controller is really powerful. I have 6 fans connected to it—3 140mm fans and 3 120mm fans—and 4 Corsair lightning strips connected to the controller's second port. The two cables that each fan has—one for the lightning controller and one for a fan header—are the most headache. Although attaching the additional connection to the lightning node resulted in a cable mess in my case that was only manageable to conceal because of my Carbide air 540 chassis, I was able to use a 2 way splitter for the 6 fans and run them as 3 from a motherboard fan extension header without issue. Ensure that you have adequate space behind your rear panel if you receive a lot of these (and pray if you have a full tempered glass case).I'd want to add that you should indicate which of your admirers is number 1, 2, 3, etc. when you add them in. If you want a "chasing" look, you can have fans that run out of sequence instead of attaching them to the lighting node in that order. Speaking of effects, there are roughly 14 that may be programmed in CL4, some of which are only minute variations of others. Rainbow Wave really demonstrates the entire RGBness of them, and Pong is quite awesome. The only drawback of CL4 is that you must first click "copy to..." before ensuring that all of the fans are selected on the right side and clicking "ok" to apply the changes. Although doing it each time is a bit of a pain, there is a lot of creativity here, and the fans are BRILLIANT. They are great and completely awesome, yet they almost completely overshadow everything. However, they are rather pricey.Worth money to me, but not necessarily to you; I'm content with it because I wanted an RGB insanity case long before this fad emerged.



uphere 3-Pack Long Life Computer Case Fan 120mm Cooling Case Fan for Computer Cases Cooling,12BK3-3 Review:


[Edit: 4/10/19]It has been nearly six months. Fans are still quite effective, brilliant, and silent.—-Original—-These fans are a wonderful price at $4 each.I have only had these for a week, so I can't comment to how long they will last.Since many LED fans only have a few light sources, it can be challenging to achieve the desired look in its entirety.These UPHERE fans (shown as front intake in the image) have several LED sources over a white translucent fan blade, resulting in a brilliant color that is equally distributed throughout the fan.I'll use the other fans in the screenshot as a comparison even if they are not the UPHERE brand.- The case exit fan has a red opaque fan blade and a red LED. Even with a solid red fan blade, you can see that it isn't as bright or vibrant. - The CPU heat sink fan is smoky grey and red LED. Apart from the four light sources, it's difficult to identify this as an LED fan.


Do case fans need to be plugged into the motherboard?

No, case fans do not need to be plugged into the motherboard. They can be plugged into any available 3-pin or 4-pin fan header on the motherboard or on the power supply.

Do more case fans help?

Adding more case fans can help improve airflow and cooling in your PC. More fans can also help reduce dust buildup inside your case.

How do I choose a PC case fan?

How do I increase airflow on my PC?

If your PC is feeling a little sluggish, one thing you can do to help increase airflow and improve performance is to clean the interior of your computer case. Over time, dust and other debris can accumulate inside your case and block airflow, causing your components to run hotter than they should. To clean your case, first unplug all the cables and remove any expansion cards. Then, using a can of compressed air, blow out all the dust and debris from the inside of the case. Be sure to also clean the fans, as dust can build up on the blades and impede their ability to

How many fans should a PC have?

A PC should have at least two fans: one for drawing cool air into the case, and another for expelling warm air. More fans can improve airflow and cooling even further.

How many PC fans is too many?

Too many PC fans is a matter of opinion. Some people might say that having more than three fans is too much, while others might say that as long as the fans are not too loud, any number is fine. Ultimately, it is up to the individual to decide how many fans is too many for their own PC.