When building or upgrading a PC, choosing the right cooling solution is critical to maintaining optimal temperatures and long-term system performance. Among the options available, 140mm fans stand out for their excellent balance of airflow, noise levels, and compatibility. Whether you’re looking to mount them on radiators for your liquid cooling setup or as case fans for improved air circulation, 140mm fans are a versatile choice that can elevate your PC’s cooling capabilities.
When comparing 120mm fans to 140mm fans, each has its distinct advantages and trade-offs.
120mm Fans:
Pros: 120mm fans are more widely compatible with a broader range of cases, radiators, and other components. They are typically more affordable and offer higher RPMs, allowing for finer tuning in performance scenarios. Their smaller size makes them ideal for tight spaces or compact builds.
Cons: However, due to their smaller size, 120mm fans tend to move less air (lower CFM) compared to 140mm fans, which can result in needing higher RPMs to match the cooling performance. This can often lead to higher noise levels in performance-oriented setups.
140mm Fans:
Pros: 140mm fans are generally more efficient, providing better airflow (higher CFM) at lower RPMs, which results in quieter operation. They are excellent for large radiators or cases with plenty of clearance, making them ideal for high-performance builds focused on both cooling and noise reduction.
Cons: On the downside, 140mm fans tend to be more expensive and may not fit in all cases or setups, limiting their versatility in more compact or budget-oriented builds. Additionally, there are fewer options for high-static-pressure 140mm fans compared to 120mm models.
Overall, the choice between 120mm and 140mm fans depends on your specific build needs, available space, and budget.
Benefits of 140mm Fans in PC Builds
- Higher Airflow (CFM): Compared to smaller fans (like 120mm), 140mm fans generally offer better airflow (measured in cubic feet per minute or CFM) at lower RPMs. This means they can move more air with less effort, improving cooling efficiency.
- Quieter Operation: Since 140mm fans can spin slower while still moving the same amount of air as smaller fans, they tend to produce less noise. This makes them ideal for builds focused on quiet operation, especially when placed on radiators or in cases with sound-dampening features.
- Versatility: These fans can be mounted on radiators (for liquid cooling), as exhaust or intake fans in cases, or even directly cooling components like the GPU or VRMs. Their larger size ensures better coverage of hot spots.
Where to Use 140mm Fans
- Radiators: 140mm fans are commonly used on larger radiators (280mm or 420mm) for liquid cooling. They provide higher static pressure, which helps push air through the dense fins of the radiator for better heat dissipation.
- Case Fans: As intake or exhaust fans, 140mm models offer excellent case ventilation, ensuring efficient air movement throughout the build. Their larger size helps cool larger areas of your system.
Pros and Cons of Choosing a Specific Fan
- Performance (CFM): Fans like the Noctua NF-A14 iPPC-3000 PWM offer top-tier airflow (269.3 CFM) for demanding setups but can be louder and more expensive.
- Noise Levels: Some fans prioritize silence, such as the be quiet! Silent Wings 3, which operates at only 16.4 dBA, making them nearly inaudible. However, they may not push as much air as higher-CFM models.
- Price: Budget-conscious builders may gravitate towards fans like the Arctic P14 PWM, which offers a good balance of airflow (78.6 CFM) and noise (24.3 dBA) for a reasonable price of $13.99. While it may not outperform premium fans, it’s an excellent choice for those looking for solid performance without breaking the bank.
The Best Balanced Option
For a 120mm fan that strikes the best balance between CFM (airflow), price, and noise levels, the Arctic P12 PWM PST is an excellent choice. Here’s why:
Arctic P12 PWM PST
- CFM: 72.1
- Noise Level: 22.5 dBA
- Price: $19.99
Why It’s a Great Choice:
- Airflow: At 72.1 CFM, the Arctic P12 PWM PST offers solid airflow for a 120mm fan, making it suitable for case cooling or radiator use in most setups.
- Noise Levels: With a noise level of 22.5 dBA, it runs quietly even under load, which is important for maintaining a quiet PC environment.
- Price: At $19.99, it’s competitively priced, providing excellent performance without breaking the bank.
Overall, the Arctic P12 PWM PST delivers high airflow, low noise, and a reasonable price, making it one of the best balanced 120mm fans for most users.
For 140mm, those looking to strike the perfect balance of airflow, noise, and price, the Corsair ML140 Pro stands out. Offering around 97.0 CFM with a noise level of 25 dBA, it delivers high performance while remaining relatively quiet, and at $24.99, it provides good value. This makes it an excellent choice for both radiators and case fans, ensuring your build stays cool without excessive noise or cost.
Final Thoughts
140mm fans are a great choice for anyone looking to improve their PC’s cooling efficiency while maintaining low noise levels. Whether you’re focused on high-performance liquid cooling or silent operation, there’s a 140mm fan that fits your needs. Evaluate your build’s requirements in terms of airflow, noise, and price to select the fan that will keep your system running smoothly for years to come.
Best 120mm Fans
| Brand | Model | CFM | Noise Level (dBA) | Max RPM | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Noctua | NF-A12x25 PWM | 75.4 | 22.6 | 2000 | 34.99 |
| Corsair | ML120 PRO PWM | 74.5 | 23.0 | 2400 | 24.99 |
| Arctic | P12 PWM PST | 72.1 | 22.5 | 1800 | 19.99 |
| NZXT | AER P120 | 71.0 | 21.2 | 1500 | 19.99 |
| Cooler Master | SickleFlow 120mm RGB | 67.0 | 20.4 | 1800 | 17.99 |
| be quiet! | Silent Wings 3 PWM | 66.7 | 19.8 | 1600 | 29.99 |
| Corsair | SP120 PWM | 65.5 | 19.5 | 1400 | 15.99 |
| EKWB | EK-Vardar EVO 120ER | 63.4 | 20.2 | 2200 | 24.99 |
| Thermaltake | Riing 12 RGB | 62.0 | 18.5 | 1500 | 19.99 |
| Scythe | Kaze Flex 120 PWM | 61.0 | 20.0 | 1800 | 14.99 |
| Phanteks | PH-F120MP | 60.2 | 18.2 | 1800 | 14.99 |
| Arctic | F12 PWM | 58.5 | 19.0 | 1350 | 13.99 |
| Fractal Design | Dynamic X2 GP-12 PWM | 57.2 | 17.9 | 1200 | 12.99 |
| NZXT | AER F120 | 55.5 | 18.0 | 1500 | 11.99 |
| Thermaltake | Pure 12 ARGB | 54.0 | 18.8 | 1500 | 16.99 |
| Arctic | P12 Slim PWM | 53.0 | 17.5 | 1700 | 9.99 |
| Cooler Master | MasterFan MF120L | 50.5 | 16.9 | 1200 | 9.99 |
| SilverStone | Air Penetrator 120 | 49.5 | 19.5 | 1500 | 14.99 |
| Corsair | ML120 RGB | 48.0 | 19.0 | 1600 | 19.99 |
| Lian Li | Uni Fan SL120 | 47.5 | 17.5 | 1900 | 15.99 |
Best 140mm Fans
| Brand | Model | CFM | Noise Level (dBA) | Max RPM | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Noctua | NF-A14 iPPC-3000 PWM | 269.3 | 41.3 | 3000 | 32.95 |
| EKWB | EK-Vardar X3M 140mm PWM | 123.6 | 33.5 | 2500 | 19.99 |
| Delta | AFC1414HB-PWM-1 Fan | 120.0 | 24.8 | 2400 | 49.99 |
| SilverStone | Air Penetrator AP142 140mm | 114.2 | 23.5 | 1500 | 34.99 |
| Thermaltake | Riing Silent 14Riig 140mm | 108.6 | 22.3 | 1400 | 29.99 |
| Corsair | ML140, Premium 140mm PWM Fan | 106.4 | 21.9 | 2000 | 24.99 |
| Noctua | NF-A14 iPPC-2000 PWM | 104.8 | 20.6 | 2000 | 39.99 |
| NZXT | Aer RGB 2 140mm Fan | 102.2 | 19.5 | 1500 | 29.99 |
| NoiseBlocker | NB-eLoop B14-PS | 98.7 | 23.0 | 1500 | 29.99 |
| Thermaltake | Riing Silent 12Riig 140mm | 98.4 | 21.1 | 1400 | 24.99 |
| Cooler Master | MasterFan SF140R | 97.5 | 23.0 | 1800 | 21.99 |
| Corsair | ML140 PRO PWM | 97.0 | 25.0 | 2400 | 24.99 |
| Corsair | ML140 Pro | 97.0 | 25.0 | 2400 | 24.99 |
| Corsair | SP140, High-Performance 140mm PWM Fan | 96.6 | 20.3 | 1700 | 19.99 |
| Thermalright | TY-147A SQ | 96.0 | 21.0 | 1500 | 24.99 |
| Noctua | NF-A14 iPPC-1500 PWM | 94.8 | 18.9 | 1500 | 19.99 |
| SilverStone | Air Penetrator AP141 140mm | 92.2 | 19.5 | 1500 | 24.99 |
| NZXT | AER P140 | 91.3 | 29.0 | 1500 | 19.99 |
| Thermaltake | Riing Silent 14Riig 140mm | 89.4 | 21.3 | 1400 | 29.99 |
| Phanteks | PH-F140MP | 87.0 | 19.3 | 1600 | 19.99 |
| NZXT | Aer RGB 2 140mm Fan | 86.6 | 20.1 | 1500 | 19.99 |
| Phanteks | PH-F140MP PWM | 85.2 | 19.0 | 1600 | 19.99 |
| Corsair | ML140, Premium 140mm PWM Fan | 84.8 | 19.1 | 2000 | 24.99 |
| Noctua | NF-A14 PWM | 82.5 | 19.2 | 1500 | 24.99 |
| Noctua | NF-A14 PWM chromax.black.swap | 82.5 | 19.2 | 1500 | 24.99 |
| Noctua | NF-A14 iPPC-1200 PWM | 82.2 | 18.5 | 1200 | 19.99 |
| Thermaltake | Riing Silent 12Riig 140mm | 79.4 | 20.9 | 1500 | 29.99 |
| Arctic | P14 PWM | 78.6 | 24.3 | 1700 | 13.99 |
| Arctic | ARCTIC P14 PWM | 78.6 | 24.3 | 1700 | 13.99 |
| be quiet! | Silent Wings 3 140mm PWM High-Speed | 77.6 | 28.1 | 2200 | 24.9 |
| SilverStone | Air Penetrator AP141 140mm | 76.6 | 19.7 | 1500 | 24.99 |
| NZXT | Aer RGB 2 140mm Fan | 73.8 | 18.3 | 1500 | 19.99 |
| be quiet! | Silent Wings 3 PWM | 73.3 | 16.4 | 1600 | 24.9 |
| Fractal Design | Dynamic X2 GP-14 PWM | 72.0 | 21.0 | 1800 | 19.99 |
| Corsair | SP140, High-Performance 140mm PWM Fan | 70.2 | 20.5 | 1500 | 29.99 |
| Scythe | Kaze Flex 140 Square | 67.0 | 23.0 | 1200 | 19.95 |
| Noctua | NF-A14 iPPC-1000 PWM | 66.6 | 19.1 | 1400 | 24.99 |
| Thermaltake | Riing Trio 14 RGB PWM | 60.0 | 25.0 | 1500 | 39.99 |
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