Case fans move air through a desktop PC case, pulling cool air in or pushing warm air out, and suit anyone building a new PC or fixing one that runs hot or noisy. Our range of over 30 models is led by ZALMAN, with fans from Thermaltake, NZXT and Chieftec as well.
How to choose a case fan
Size. Fans are sold by frame size, and 120 mm and 140 mm are the most common in modern cases. Check the fan mounts in your case manual first, because a 140 mm fan will not fit a 120 mm slot. At the same airflow, a larger fan can turn more slowly, which usually means less noise.
Airflow and static pressure. Airflow, quoted in CFM, matters for open front and rear mounts. Static pressure matters when air has to pass through dust filters, mesh panels or a radiator, so a fan with higher static pressure is the better pick for those positions.
Noise level. Compare the rated noise in dBA and the speed range in RPM. A fan that is quiet at 800 RPM may be clearly audible at 2000 RPM, so the ability to control its speed matters as much as the headline figure.
Connector and speed control. A 4-pin PWM fan lets the motherboard adjust speed smoothly, while a 3-pin fan is controlled by voltage and usually has a narrower range. Count the fan headers on your motherboard, and add a fan hub if you plan to fit several fans.
Bearings and lighting. Fluid dynamic and similar bearings generally last longer and run quieter than basic sleeve bearings. If you want lighting, check whether the fan uses addressable 5 V ARGB or 12 V RGB, because the headers are not interchangeable.
Case fan brands we carry
- ZALMAN: a South Korean company known for CPU coolers and PC cases as well as fans, and it makes up most of our case fan range.
- Thermaltake: known for its Riing series of lit fans, alongside cases, power supplies and cooling products.
- NZXT: known for its Aer fan series and for cases and liquid coolers that are designed to work with them.
Also in our range: Chieftec, Lamptron, XFX and White Shark.
Case fans: frequently asked questions
How many case fans does a PC need?
Most desktop PCs work well with at least one intake fan at the front and one exhaust fan at the rear. Machines with a powerful graphics card or a high-end processor often benefit from two intake fans and an extra exhaust or top fan. The aim is a steady flow of air through the case, so the number of fans matters less than where they sit.
Which way should a case fan face?
Most fans have arrows on the frame showing the direction of airflow and the direction of rotation. Fans at the front of the case should blow inwards, and fans at the rear and top should blow outwards. Check the arrows before screwing the fan in, because it is easy to fit one the wrong way round.
What is the difference between 3-pin and 4-pin case fans?
A 4-pin fan has a dedicated PWM signal wire, so the motherboard can change its speed smoothly without altering the voltage. A 3-pin fan is controlled by voltage alone, which gives a narrower speed range. Both types plug into the same kind of header, so a 3-pin fan will usually still work on a 4-pin connector.
Is a 140 mm fan better than a 120 mm fan?
A 140 mm fan can move the same amount of air as a 120 mm fan at a lower speed, which usually makes it quieter. It only helps if your case has 140 mm mounts, though. Many cases accept both sizes in the same position, so check the manual before buying.
