A 120mm case fan offers a good balance of size and performance, providing enough airflow to keep components cool during gaming or heavy tasks. They’re vital for maintaining system temperatures and prolonging PC component lifespan for consistent performance.
Key Considerations To Buy:
- Airflow: It denotes the volume of air that a fan can circulate within a specified duration, typically quantified in cubic feet per minute (CFM). To attain optimal cooling efficacy, seek out 120mm case fans with airflow capacities ranging from 40 CFM to 100 CFM.
- Static Pressure: Static pressure indicates a fan’s ability to push air through obstacles like heat sinks, radiators, and tightly packed components. Typically, the static pressure of 120mm case fans ranges between 0.5 and 3.0 millimeters of water, with higher values indicating better performance in confined spaces.
- Noise Levels: Noise levels, quantified in decibels (dBA), dictate the auditory output of a case fan during operation. When deliberating on a 120mm case fan, consider models with noise levels ranging from 15 dBA to 30 dBA for a harmonious blend of cooling effectiveness and subdued operation.
The buying guide includes all the essential information that a customer should care about checking before spending their hard-earned money. So, we recommend every reader go through the Buying Guide once. Until then, let’s start checking the case fan options that we have shortlisted for you.
Best 120mm Case Fans List
| Best 120mm Case Fans | Max Rotational Speed | Noise Level | Warranty | Buy Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corsair Magnetic Levitation Fan | 2000 RPM | 35 dB | 5 years | Check On Amazon |
| ARCTIC ACFAN00119A P12 PWM | 1800 RPM | 10.64 dB | 6 years | Check On Amazon |
| be quiet! Pure Wings | 2000 RPM | 36.9 dB | 3 years | Check On Amazon |
| Noctua NF-P12 redux-1700 PWM | 1700 RPM | 25.1 dB | 6 years | Check On Amazon |
| Uphere Computer Case Fan | 1200 RPM | 19 dB | 1.5 years | Check On Amazon |
| Antec 120mm Case Fan | 1000 RPM | 21.5 dB | 1.5 years | Check On Amazon |
| Kingwin 120mm Silent Fan | 950 RPM | 19 dB | 1 year | Check On Amazon |
| PCCOOLER 120mm Case Fan | 1200 RPM | 18 dB | 3 years | Check On Amazon |
| ASUS 120mm Case Fans | 1900 RPM | 29 dB | -- | Check On Amazon |
| KEYFANCLUB 2-Pack 120mm Fan | 1500 RPM | 23 dB | 1 year | Check On Amazon |
Best 120mm Case Fans Reviews
1. Corsair ML120 120mm Case Fan
Corsair is known to be one of the most popular and trustworthy brands in the gaming industry as it sells almost every PC part that a gamer would ask for.
When it comes to PC case fans, Corsair also offers in this segment as well. The Corsair ML120 is one of the most premium case fan options that you will find on this list. It uses a unique magnetic bearing mechanism that allows it to function as fast as 2000 RPM while delivering a quiet performance with noise levels up to 35dB only.
In this package, Corsair offers 1 case fan, and the overall build quality and the design of these fans is absolutely top-notch. Thanks to its custom rotor design, each fan offers an airflow of about 75 CFM which is quite commendable. Moreover, these fans use a 4 pin connector, which means the speed of the fans is also controllable. Apart from that, you will be glad to know that Corsair offers a 5-year warranty for these PC case fans.
Best Features:
- Max Rotational Speed is 2000 RPM
- Noise level is 35dB
- Uses a 4-pin connector
- Delivers an airflow of 75 CFM
- Comes with a 5-year warranty
Pros:
- Superior design and build quality
- Performs very quietly
- Fan speed and airflow efficiency is great
Cons:
- Expensive
2. ARCTIC ACFAN00119A P12 PWM
Arctic is quite a decent brand that is highly popular for making affordable PC cooling parts such as case fans, CPU coolers, and even monitor mounts as well.
If we talk about the ACFAN00119A P12 PWM case fan from Arctic, we personally like its design and build quality as it comes in a completely black color which can match any PC rig very easily. Since it comes with a 4-pin connector, the fan’s speed can be easily adjusted from 200 RPM to 1800 RPM whenever needed.
Thanks to the latest generation PWM IC, this fan is best at controlling power usage without compromising on its performance. Thus, it delivers a max airflow of 56.3 CFM while running at its max speed of 1800 RPM. Even at such high speeds, it only makes noise up to 10.64 dB which is surprisingly good. Talking about its warranty, Arctic offers a 6-year manufacturer warranty on all its offerings.
Best Features:
- Max Rotational Speed is 1800 RPM
- Noise level is 10.64 dB
- Uses a 4-pin connector
- Delivers an airflow of 56.3 CFM
- Comes with a 6-year warranty
Pros:
- Highly affordable
- Efficient and powerful
- Long service life
Cons:
- Expensive
3. be quiet! Pure Wings 2 120mm PWM
Coming up next, you can also check the PC case fans range from be quiet! which is quite a wonderful and popular brand known for selling high-speed affordable fans.
Talking about the Pure Wings 2 120mm case fan, this fan features a total of 9 fan blades which are engineered to deliver fantastic airflow at all speeds. The power connector of this fan is a 4-pin connector which means that its speed is fully controllable while the max it can reach is 2000 RPM, which is great!
Although it runs at a pretty fast speed, it creates noise up to 36.9 dB which is quite standard as there are many other options out there that perform better. However, the noise is not disturbing at all and you’ll rarely be distracted by it. Apart from that, we personally like its build quality a lot, and it’s even rated to work for more than 80,000 hours, thanks to the long-life rifle bearing that it uses. As far as the warranty is concerned, be quiet! offer a 3-year warranty on its PC case fans.
Best Features:
- Max Rotational Speed is 2000 RPM
- Noise level is 36.9 dB
- Uses a 4-pin connector
- Operating lifetime of 80,000 hours
- Comes with a 3-year warranty
Pros:
- Excellent build quality
- Easy to clean design
- Deliver fantastic airflow
Cons:
- A little extra noisy as compared to other options
4. Noctua NF-P12 redux-1700 PWM
If you want to pick the case fans for your PC rig from an absolutely premium brand, Noctua offers a wide range of top-notch options to choose from.
Although this fan option is quite premium and efficient, it’s not at all too expensive which is a great fact about this one. Noctua has been in this industry for a long time now and they have perfected their way of making fans as this fan has an exceptional build-quality and operational working hours of more than 150,000.
Thanks to its pressure-optimized blade design, this fan can operate as quiet as 25.1 dB which is absolutely impressive. In fact, this is the maximum noise level it produces while running at its full speed of 1700 RPM. Speaking of the speed, this case fan uses a 4-pin connector, hence, the fan’s speed can be adjusted very simply. If we talk about its warranty, Noctua offers a 6-year warranty for it.
Best Features:
- Max Rotational Speed is 1700 RPM
- Noise level is 25.1 dB
- Uses a 4-pin connector
- Operation working time of 150,000 hours
- Comes with a 6-year warranty
Pros:
- Low noise performance
- Build quality is very good
- Easy to install
Cons:
- Colour is a bit odd
5. Uphere 3-Pack Long Life Computer Case Fan
Coming to the next PC case fan option on this list, if you are on a budget and want to purchase multiple fans for an affordable price, uphere is one of the best brands that will offer what you exactly need.
In this pack from uphere, there are three 120mm case fans, all of which are built from environment-friendly materials and are well-constructed to make them last for years. If we talk about their performance, these fans use a wear-resistant hydraulic bearing which lets them offer a noiseless performance, as quiet as 19 dB only. In fact, the fans rotate pretty fast at a pace of 1200 RPM, while the overall airflow offered by each fan is 38 CFM which is quite good.
The overall weight of the fans is very light, yet they are quite strongly built and are tested to work perfectly for over 40,000 hours. Speaking of the connectors, these fans come with a 4-pin MOLEX connector that can be directly connected to the PSU. On the other hand, an additional 3-pin connector option is also there in case you want to plug them directly into the motherboard. Apart from that, uphere has quite a good reputation in the market and offers a 1.5 years long warranty.
Best Features:
- Max Rotational Speed is 1200 RPM
- Noise level is 19dB
- Uses a 3-pin connector and 4-pin MOLEX connector
- Delivers an airflow of 38 CFM
- Comes with a 1.5-year warranty
Pros:
- Can function properly for over 40,000 hours
- Lightweight design
- Highly affordable
Cons:
- Slightly difficult to clean
6. Antec 120mm Case Fan
Next up, we have yet another affordable PC case fan option coming from Antec, which is one of the most popular and trustworthy brands in the PC accessories category.
You will be glad to know that this package includes a total of 5 PC case fans which means you can properly ventilate your gaming rig with the help of this fan kit. What’s more special about this package is its pricing as it comes at a very cheap price and offers you a very high value for your money. Coming to the performance of these fans, each fan has 7 blades that optimally deliver an airflow of 30.5 CFM at their max rotational speed of 1000 RPM.
Even at their highest rotational speed, these fans barely make a noise which makes them quite a good option to pick. The noise level of these fans is measured to be 21.5 dB only which is really very impressive. Apart from that, you will find all the installation accessories in the package already. Moreover, since Antec also provides a 1.5 years warranty for these PC case fans, you can definitely go for this deal.
Best Features:
- Max Rotational Speed is 1000 RPM
- Noise level is 21.5 dB
- Package includes 5 Case Fans
- Delivers an airflow of 30.5 CFM
- Comes with a 1.5-year warranty
Pros:
- Premium build quality
- Installation accessories included
- Performs silently
Cons:
- Fan speed is not adjustable
7. Kingwin 120mm Silent Fan
If we speak about affordable brands, Kingwin is typically one of the best brands out there that is highly popular for selling affordable PC case fans.
Despite its lower price tag, you will barely find any compromises made on its build quality as it looks absolutely solid and will definitely last for years. That said, even its life expectancy is mentioned to be over 100,000 hours which makes it one of the most reliable PC case fan options on this list. One of the best parts about this PC case fan is that it comes with both a 4 pin MOLEX connector and a 3-pin connector as well which lets you install these fans in your PC rig very conveniently.
Talking about its performance, this fan uses special high-profile blades which offer a decent 40 CFM airflow and do a great job to keep your PC cool. Although the speed of this fan is not adjustable, it rotates at 950 RPM constantly without making any distracting noise. In fact, the noise levels are measured to be 19 dB only which is quite impressive. Speaking of its warranty, Kingwin provides a 1-year warranty for it.
Best Features:
- Max Rotational Speed is 950 RPM
- Noise level is 19 dB
- Uses a 4-pin MOLEX connector or a 3-pin connector
- Delivers an airflow of 40 CFM
- Comes with a 1-year warranty
Pros:
- Quality of the blades is brilliant
- Life expectancy is quite good
- Wallet-friendly
Cons:
- Design is not attractive
8. PCCOOLER 120mm Case Fan
Now, coming to the premium 120 case fans, you should definitely check out this 3 pack of case fans from PCCOOLER as it’s one of the most-selling options out there right now.
The reason why this case fan option is so popular is that it comes with RGB lighting which makes it stand out. The lighting looks absolutely brilliant, and even the design of the fans is quite attractive which can easily match up with any PC case. In terms of performance, these fans offer a 31.68 CFM airflow which is quite decent. In fact, the max speed of this case fan can reach up to 1200 RPM, and since it uses a 4-pin connector, it’s adjustable too.
If you are concerned about the noise levels, you will be glad to know that this case fan only produces 18 dB noise which makes it one of the most silent-performing case fan options. Apart from that, this case fan comes with a life expectancy of more than 40,000 hours, thus, it is also reliable and going to last for a long time. The best part is that you will be getting a total of 3 fans in this package, thus, the pricing is quite justified as well. Moreover, if we talk about the warranty, this PC case fan option is backed up by a 3-year warranty.
Best Features:
- Max Rotational Speed is 1200 RPM
- Noise level is 18 dB
- Uses a 4-pin connector
- Delivers an airflow of 31.68 CFM
- Comes with a 3-year warranty
Pros:
- Has an effective shock absorption design
- Uses efficient hydraulic bearings
- Installation is quite simple
Cons:
- Airflow could have been better
9. ASUS 120mm Case Fans
Introducing a powerful and reliable case fan designed to take your PC cooling to the next level. With class-leading airflow and minimal noise levels, this fan ensures optimal cooling for all types of workloads. Equipped with an advanced fluid dynamic bearing, it provides up to 250,000 hours of operation, ensuring long-lasting use.
The PWM control allows an ultra-wide RPM range, making it suitable for various applications. The anti-vibration pads reduce fan noise by damping rattling and vibration, ensuring a peaceful computing experience. Additionally, the fan features a double-layer LED array that produces deeper color saturation and more lighting effects than conventional RGB fans.
The bundled ARGB hub can connect up to four fans and features onboard lighting control and Aura Sync support, making customization a breeze. Upgrade your PC build’s performance and aesthetics with this ultimate case fan!
Best Features:
- Max Rotational Speed is 1900 RPM
- Noise level is 29 dB
- Uses a 3-pin PWM connector
- Delivers an airflow of 76 CFM
Pros:
- Features addressable RGB lighting
- Silent performance
- Offers effective cooling with high airflow
Cons:
- Costly
10. KEYFANCLUB 2-Pack 120mm Fan
Last but not the least, here’s another budget-friendly high value for money option left to discuss which is offered by KEYFANCLUB.
Apart from its attractive pricing, one thing about it that impressed us very much is its performance. This case fan can run at a max rotational speed of 1500 RPM while blowing out or drawing in the air into the case at an airflow capacity of 58 CFM. Thus, there are no issues regarding its performance as it does its job quite well. However, if we talk about its design, it looks pretty standard which might not fit everyone’s taste.
But, if you are looking for a reliable and effective cooling fan for your PC case, this is not at all a bad option. In fact, it’s pretty simple to install which barely takes about 10 minutes. On top of it, this fan from KEYFANCLUB doesn’t even make much noise. The max noise level offered by this fan is 23 dB which is not at all a problem. Moreover, this fan is quite reliable as it comes with a life expectancy of 35,000 hours which is very good. Well, you will be glad to know that KEYFANCLUB offers 2 PC case fans in this package which are both backed by a 1-year warranty.
Best Features:
- Max Rotational Speed is 1500 RPM
- Noise level is 23 dB
- Uses a 2-pin connector
- Delivers an airflow of 58 CFM
- Comes with a 1-year warranty
Pros:
- Offers optimal cooling performance
- Affordable
- Long lasting
Cons:
- Blades are a bit flimsy
Top Features to Look for in 120mm Case Fans
Selecting the appropriate 120mm case fan is crucial to maintaining optimal cooling and efficient operation of your PC. These fans play a vital role in managing the internal temperature of your computer, which directly impacts the well-being and functionality of its components. To aid you in making an informed decision, let’s explore the essential factors to weigh when choosing 120mm case fans.
1. Airflow
Airflow, quantified in cubic feet per minute (CFM), indicates the volume of air that a fan can circulate within a given period. Opt for fans with elevated CFM ratings to effectively expel hot air from your computer, guaranteeing cooler operating temperatures for your hardware, particularly during demanding gaming sessions or intensive work tasks.
2. Static Pressure
It refers to the ability of a fan to push air through confined areas such as heat sinks or radiator fins, particularly when airflow encounters resistance. When choosing case fans, it’s essential to prioritize ones with high static pressure ratings. These fans maintain efficient airflow even under challenging circumstances, guaranteeing consistent cooling performance.
3. Noise Level
The significance of balancing cooling efficiency and noise reduction is crucial. For those who value a tranquil computing atmosphere, it’s advisable to consider the decibel (dB) ratings offered by manufacturers to assess fan noise. Opt for fans with lower dB ratings or noise-dampening attributes to ensure efficient cooling without enduring bothersome fan noise.
4. Bearing Type
The bearing type in a case fan impacts its lifespan, noise level, and durability. Sleeve, ball, and fluid dynamic bearings (FDB) are the primary types. Sleeves are affordable but less durable and potentially louder. The balls are sturdy but possibly louder. FDBs offer a balanced longevity and quieter operation, preferred by many.
5. RGB Lighting Options
Customizable RGB lighting for case fans can enhance your PC’s appearance, with numerous manufacturers offering 120mm fans. This feature allows you to personalize your system’s look. Though RGB lighting doesn’t directly affect performance, it greatly improves your setup’s visual appeal.
6. Fan Speed Control
Fan speed regulation enables tailoring the revolutions per minute (RPM) of your case fans to suit cooling needs and preferences. Choose fans with PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) compatibility for precise speed control, guaranteeing quieter performance during minimal cooling needs and improved airflow when necessary.
120mm Case Fans – FAQs
Ans: Opt for 120mm case fans with lower dB ratings or noise-dampening features. Additionally, adjusting fan speed through PWM control can help reduce noise levels without sacrificing cooling performance.
Ans: Sleeve bearings are cost-effective but may have shorter lifespans and higher noise levels compared to other bearing types. Consider them for budget builds or applications with less demanding cooling requirements.
Ans: FDB bearings combine the benefits of sleeve and ball bearings, offering improved longevity and reduced noise levels. They’re a popular choice for users seeking a balance between performance and noise.
Ans: PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) control allows for precise adjustment of fan speed, optimizing cooling performance while minimizing noise levels. It’s essential for maintaining a quiet and efficient PC.
Ans: Yes, 120mm case fans can be used for water cooling radiators, but ensure they have high static pressure ratings to effectively push air through the fins for efficient cooling.
Conclusion
Ensuring your PC operates smoothly and endures over time necessitates investing in high-quality 120mm case fans. When selecting fans to match your cooling and aesthetic preferences, evaluate factors like airflow, noise levels, lighting, and speed control. Emphasize reliability and efficiency to maintain a cool and quiet PC, especially during demanding tasks. By choosing the appropriate fans, you’ll achieve a chic and efficient computer setup that delivers optimal performance over the long term. Here are our recommendations.
- The Corsair ML120 Fans are highly regarded for enhancing PC case cooling. They feature superb construction and provide robust airflow of 75 CFM while operating at 2000 RPM, offering a favorable blend of performance and noise level. Moreover, they are backed by a comforting 5-year warranty.
- Consider the Antec 120mm Case Fans for budget cooling. Providing 5 fans in a single bundle, they deliver effective cooling with a 30.5 CFM airflow and operate at 1000 RPM. Their quiet performance and a 1.5-year warranty enhance their appeal.
- We suggest opting for the Noctua NF-P12 Cooling Fan for its excellent affordability. It boasts a maximum speed of 1700 RPM, customizable settings, and operates quietly at 25.1 dB. With a lifespan exceeding 150,000 hours and backed by a 6-year warranty, it ensures both reliability and peace of mind.
