Top 7 Best PC Fans For Gaming, Home Use & Graphic Design (2021 Reviews)

best pc fans

You have just assembled your new PC and miss nothing. You have taken a powerful processor and a dedicated video card. The SSD and HDD storage units are there, and you have wisely chosen the power supply based on the maximum power consumption. But the last doubt remains about the best PC fans.

The best PC fans will do it quietly and with a low rotation speed. They can resist much longer over time without producing annoying noises due, for example, to axis misalignment. In this topic, we will introduce the seven best fans for PC.

Top 7 Best PC Case Fans 2021

#1 Best Pc Fans On The Market – Noctua NF-P12 Cooling Fan

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Noctua has made some of the best PC fans and coolers in nearly 15 years and shows no signs of slowing down. Its Redux-1700 NF-P12 fan is an excellent example. It is high-powered, super quiet, and features a unique blade design to maximize airflow without creating additional noisy turbulence.

For people who dislike Noctua’s typical brown and cream scheme, this fan eliminates it in favor of a uniform gray aesthetic. Colorful anti-vibration mounts (sold separately) can stress the product if the users want it.

Pros

  • Super eminent power
  • Non-vibration
  • Maximum airflow
  • Neutral color

Cons

  • Expensive price

The best part of Redux-1700 NF-P12 is the maximum airflow. However, it is barely more expensive than our low-budget fan.

#2 Best Pc Fans For Gaming – Noctua NF-F12 Quiet Fan

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For gaming radiators, the average fan will do an acceptable job but is not what you need. To push air through high-density heat sinks, you need a fan capable of generating high static pressure. It is where wide-blade fans like the Noctua NF-F12 PWM come in.

Once again, Noctua’s quality comes to the fore with this fan. It not only provides high static pressure but also offers lower noise levels. It would be a replacement for the fans of an all-in-one closed-loop cooler or a key component in your custom water cooler. It would also be a worthy replacement for a strong CPU heat-sink.

Pros

  • High static pressure generation
  • Wide blade
  • Low noise level
  • Cooling function

Cons

  • Expensive price

Noctua NF-F12 PWM comes with built-in anti-vibration mounts, to reduce noise while gaming. It is a bit more expensive than other models, but we recommend paying for premium quality.

#3 Best Pc Fans For Radiators – Noctua NF-A12x25 PWM Fan

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Noctua is back again, and this time with a low-profile solution. If you are building a miniature PC, you cannot miss out on high performance. Less space in your case means less thermal headroom. You need hot air and cold air inside, and it is what Noctua’s NF-A12x15 will do. But it is only in a shorter form than other models.

With a depth of only 15mm, this 120mm fan is perfect for mATX and mini-ITX enclosures or configurations with limited space, offering high airflow, low noise output, and solid quality. It is not too expensive either.

Pros

  • Low-profile solution
  • Compact design
  • High airflow
  • Low noise output

Cons

  • Low efficiency

The noise generated is the same as the 120mm model, but the static pressure changes slightly. Overall, we recommend these fans for their quality despite their low price.

#4 Best Pc Fans For Price – Scythe Kaze Flex Fan

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You can get a fan for a few dollars if all you care about is how cheap it is. Unfortunately, a budget fan does not mean a low-quality fan. Scythe Kaze Flex is a unique option to consider. It offers unique functions that are the same as expensive fans at an affordable price.

At just over $10, you could cool down your entire PC and get no money. They will move a lot of air without getting nervous, even with a hissing sound. They come complete with pre-installed rubber mounts and last over 120,000 hours.

Pros

  • Extremely affordable
  • No hissing sound
  • Premium materials
  • Anti-vibration

Cons

  • Not so high efficiency

Scythe Kaze Flex guarantees that you can upgrade your entire PC before the budget fan takes their course.

#5 Best Fans For Pc Water Cooling – WINSINN USB Fan

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The WINSINN Light USB is a particular PC fan powered via USB cable. It is compatible in the most different ways. The model is an excellent solution if you want to cool down your laptop or need a small desk fan for the hottest days of the year.

The diameter is 92 mm and can be adjusted continuously from 900 to 2100 RPM. It is an inexpensive RGB PC fan that supports all the synchronization technologies of light and color effects. You can control directly from the most modern motherboards.

Pros

  • Compact handheld device
  • Synchronization technologies
  • Control via motherboards

Cons

  • Low cooling power

WINSINN model is compatible with Gigabyte, MSI, and RGB sync.

#6 Best Pc Case Fans For Airflow – ARCTIC F8 PWM Fan

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The ARCTIC F8 Silent is the best PC case fan for airflow generation. It is characterized by a diameter of 80 mm and excellent for systems that require higher airflows. It is a product that uses a 4-pin PWM connector, characterized by a Ninja Sword design.

It works with low noise, even at high rotation speeds. The RPMs range from 200 to 2000 and the maximum airflow produced is 31 CFM.

This model uses a particular hydrodynamic bearing designed to improve the longevity of the product. It can produce a maximum airflow of 56.3 CFM at 1800 RPM.

Pros

  • Non-vibration
  • Ultimate airflow
  • High rotation speed
  • Hydrodynamic bearing

Cons

  • Expensive

The noise level is also amazing that could be defined as the lowest level at a maximum speed of less than 25dB.

#7 Best Pc Case Fans RGB – Corsair LL120 LED PWM Fan

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Whether it is memory modules, peripherals, case fans, Corsair’s RGB lighting is at the front of the game. The LL120 RGB fans are not cheap, but they are some of the nicest fans we have seen. Low noise fan blades keep the atmosphere quiet and look gorgeous with custom LEDs all lit up.

This new design lets you split colors to have a different coloration on the front and back or top to bottom. It also comes with 34 individually addressable zones. They can work in concert with other lighting systems in the PC if the control hub is available.

Pros

  • Customizable LEDs
  • Colorful virtualization
  • 34 addressable zones
  • Suitable for concerts and bars

Cons

  • Low cooling functions

Compatible with Corsair LINK, the LL120 RGB fan allows you to create extraordinarily dynamic lighting profiles. It will leave even the most experienced RGB lovers spoiled for choice.

How We Test To Find out The Best PC Fans

The rotation speed refers to the motor and the blades. They make up the structure of the fans. The testing data expressed in RPM (rotations per minute). It is the first parameter to take into consideration to buy the best PC fans.

This value is closely linked to two other parameters, the size of the fan and the noise generated. It shows in dBA (decibels) on the measurement scale that demonstrates the sensitivity of the human ear to low frequencies. dBA is a personal parameter in terms of noise perception.

The higher the RPM value, the higher the noise produced. The ability to move air volume will be significantly greater. The smaller fans have a high rotation speed compared to the same size, while the larger fans can guarantee less noise and greater airflow.

The best PC fans, regardless of the noise produced, limit vibrations as much as possible. As for the size parameter, it is essential to consider the space available inside your case. And finally, check its compatibility for a correct installation.

Static Pressure Fans Vs. Airflow Fans

Airflow Fans

The airflow fans come with the CFM value (Cubic Feet per Minute). It is a formula derived from fluid dynamics. Here, we use precisely to measure the maximum volume of air that a fan can move. The value in CFM reported in the manufacturer’s specifications refers to the maximum rotation speed of the fan in question.

Usually, an airflow fan can maintain high airflow and generate more noise. So, you can look for the best compromise between these two parameters.

Static Pressure Fans

The static pressure comes with the millimeters of water. It belongs to the units of measurement relating to pressure.

Every single fan has a performance curve inherent to the airflow that it delivers in front of resistant back pressure, or an obstacle. The greater the resistance expressed by the obstacle to the generated airflow, the lower the constant flow that the fan can maintain.

It is a measure that refers to the potential energy of the airflow that we were talking about before in the particular cross-section of a duct.

Factors to Consider When Choosing The Best PC Case Fans

Size

Meter is the value that most affects the size of a PC fan. There are several on the market and clearly, the amount of air moved depends on this. Our advice is to choose a fan of the right size for your needs. Do not exaggerate too much with the diameter and test the amount of space available in your PC case.

Speed

For RPM, we mean the maximum rotation speed of the fan or the revolutions per minute of the same. The larger fans can produce good airflow even at 1000/1500 RPM, while the smaller ones need to work at 3000 RPM to produce sufficient airflow.

Noise

The noise level of a PC fan is evaluated in decibels (dB) and is often indicated by the manufacturer in the technical specifications of each product. No sane person would like to have noisy fans on their PC. So, our advice is to aim for products that can have good efficiency even at low speeds to ensure the silence of the system.

Power Connectors

The connector of a PC fan is nothing more than the cable that we supply it with power. It must be connected directly to the motherboard. You must be careful to verify the type of connection that the latter supports. There are several types of connectors on the market that differ according to the number of pins and size.

Intake/Exhaust

Airflow is another important feature for PC fans. Each model generates a flow measured in CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute). It is a figure that in a nutshell represents the volume of air that the fan. Here, the rule of proportionality between CFM and dB applies as a fan that can produce a large flow of air will also produce a greater noise.

FAQs

Are 120mm or 140mm fans better?

120mm fans are the model we recommend the most. They are especially compatible with almost as many houses and heat-sinks. They can move full-bodied air flows. For this reason, they can have better results than 140mm even at low speed and with silence.

A 140mm fan is a performing model that can operate even at low speeds and produce little noise thanks to its large dimensions. But, because of its size, it is important to check precisely whether the space available in the case allows its dimension.

What speed should my PC fans be?

RPM can normally vary within a defined range. It can usually go from a minimum of 300 RPM to a maximum of 2000 RPM, at least in the most popular models on the market.

What are PC fans called?

There are two types of PC fans, one called “case fan” and the other called “CPU fan (cooler)”. Both are available for cooling the inside of a personal computer. Although there are physical differences in arrangement and number of cords, they are products for the same purpose.

Final Words

The vast majority of users rely only on the fans included in their case or on the proprietary ones included with the heat-sink. So, the best PC fans will surely satisfy you.

Noctua NF-P12 is our best choice as it offers all the best features of a PC fan such as non-vibration, high airflows, excellent durability, and a long lifespan. If you have a limited budget, Scythe Kaze Flex is worth considering.

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