Fans are the primary component in your PC, so when you want to buy a new PC, you want to make sure you get the best one for your particular needs, including noise levels.
There has been a lot of controversy in the past year regarding 120 mm vs. 140 mm fans; some brands say the smaller fans are better, while others say the larger fans are better. I decided to put 120 mm and 140 mm fans to the test and see which one is better.
While 120 mm fans are known for their quiet operation, they are also notorious for being expensive due to their size, assembly, and mounting. The 140 mm fans are smaller in size, but are still 3-4 times more expensive to produce. If you are looking to replace the fans on your current case, you will want to choose between the 120 mm or 140 mm fans based on the noise level you want to achieve.
For cooling and air circulation, 120 mm and 140 mm fans are often used by PC builders. These fans perform an excellent job of preventing overheating in the system.
However, the issue of whether size is best remains.
To find this out, I conducted extensive study and came to a conclusion.
Do you want to learn more?
Let’s get right down to business.
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Are 120 mm fans superior than 140 mm fans?
The larger fans usually push out the same quantity of air as the smaller fans, but at a slower rate. As a result, it’s a difficult question to answer.
We are going to explore something fascinating in order to get a better understanding of this topic. This article will compare and contrast the 140 mm and 120 mm fans, as well as the major features that distinguish them.
We’ll also compare them to help you figure out what your priorities should be.
As a result, let us not waste any time and get straight into the debate.
The following are the five variables to consider while choosing between 120 mm and 140 mm fans:
1. Improved Airflow
Whatever you do with your CPU, heat will unavoidably be produced. Whether it’s games or mundane chores, something will be created. It’s a common occurrence.
As a result, a fan with better airflow is required. However, not all fans can provide the same amount of airflow. Clearly, there are some inconsistencies.
When it comes to the 120 mm fans, they have a low CFM rating. However, they generally do a good job of keeping the CPU cool. They promote adequate air circulation, making them a great choice for combating heat-related issues. The greatest aspect is that the low CFM guarantees high static pressure. In the end, this characteristic makes it ideal for heavy-lifting jobs.
The CFM rating for the 140 mm fans is now very high. It improves airflow and reduces overheating fast. In fact, the 140 mm fans outperform the 120 mm fans when it comes to high workloads.
As a result, the 140 mm outperforms the 120 mm in terms of airflow, owing to its higher exhaust pressure and superior cooling capability.
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2. The ability to spin
The RPM (revolutions per minute) of a CPU fan is an important element to consider when selecting the appropriate fan for your system.
When it comes to fans with 120 mm and 140 mm blades, there are a few key distinctions that determine which one spins faster.
The 120 mm fans spin at a rate of more than 1200 RPM, which speeds up the PC process. Such rapid functioning is essential for completing difficult tasks since it allows for quicker replies.
The advantage of this fan is that it helps to remove any dust or debris from settling down more faster than the 140 mm one.
The 140 mm fans, on the other hand, spin at a speed of 1000 RPM or somewhat less. To be honest, any speed more than 800 RPM is OK. However, you must ensure that this pace is maintained at all times.
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As a result, the 120 mm fans come out on top since they have a faster spin speed. In terms of power and speed, they exceed the 140 mm models.
3. The level of noise
The volume of the music is very important. You are unlikely to select anything that will irritate you while gaming or doing chores.
The 120 mm fans, on the other hand, have a very low dBA. They run on tiny spins, which speeds up the rotation without generating a lot of noise. As a consequence, you won’t hear anything excessively loud, and there will be a few times when the sound is almost inaudible. The main feature is that the 120 mm fans do not spin very fast, resulting in a low noise level.
I’d say the dBA level of the 140 mm fans is rather high. However, there are just a few types that generate acceptable sound. However, at maximum RPM, the 140 mm fans may be very noisy. The reason for this is because they have bigger spins than the 120 mm ones. This is quite apparent, especially while multitasking.
So, when it comes to reduced noise levels, the 120 mm fans come out on top.
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4. Size
The fans within your CPU, on the other hand, take up a lot of room. As a result, at least some thought should be given to this issue.
The 120 mm fans, for example, take up less space and are low in weight. Even if you put them in your system, there is still a lot of room to work with.
They have a good amount of room between the screw holes, which I appreciate. The spacing between the perforations allows for good circulation, preventing heat from settling around the fans.
The area between the screw holes on the 140 mm fans, on the other hand, isn’t as well suited. As a consequence, the airflow isn’t consistent, which means it’s no better than a 120 mm fan in this situation. This fan is also heavier than the 120 mm, and its larger size takes up more room.
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5. Budget
Obviously, you want the most bang for your money. It’s a complete waste of money to spend money on something that isn’t fair.
Allow me to go right to the point. When compared to 120 mm fans, 140 mm fans are more costly. However, the difference isn’t significant. You may assume that a 140 mm fan is expensive. However, the price tag is justifiable in light of the power it will provide to your system. Because of its somewhat lower output level, 120 mm is less expensive than 140 mm. The 140 mm fans are for all constructions, while the 120 mm fans are mostly for economical setups.
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Is it true that 140 mm fans are superior than 120 mm fans?
If you want my honest view, I believe that 140 mm fans are superior than 120 mm fans to some degree. When you have several slots, 140 mm fans are always preferable than 120 mm fans.
The explanation is straightforward. Because the 140 mm fans are big, they spin slowly. They provide excellent cooling performance at a near-inaudible noise level. Above all, they move a significant quantity of air at a low RPM.
When choosing between dual 140 mm and dual 120 mm fans, always choose the 140 mm fans. The explanation for this is as I already said. The advantages of a 140 mm fan always outweigh those of a 120 mm fan. As a result, consider the benefits you’ll get from each one while choosing which one is preferable.
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Is having two 140 mm fans or three 120 mm fans better?
When comparing the output of both kinds of fans, the difference is insignificant. The air is pushed at considerably slower rates with bigger fans. However, such rates produce less noise than fans spinning at considerably greater speeds.
Isn’t it incredible?
The bigger fans, on the other hand, aren’t any better than the smaller fans in terms of static pressure. Because smaller fans, such as the 120 mm fans, draw pressure more effectively. However, the issue with the 120 mm fans is that they are noisy.
Overall, I believe that 2x 140 mm fans are preferable than 2x 120 mm fans if you want superior cooling. 3x 120 mm fans, on the other hand, are clearly superior than 2x 140 mm fans.
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Is it true that 140 mm fans move more air?
Most people have the misconception that if the fan is big enough, it would ultimately move more air. Whoever believes this is very much correct, although there are a few points to discuss.
The fans with a radius of 140 mm have a greater radius. When it comes to CFM, they are generally on the upper end of the spectrum, and they move a lot of air. But, to be honest, you won’t feel that way in practice.
And why is it the case?
The explanation is straightforward. 140 mm fans push air out at a considerably slower rate. You’ll notice a difference in fan speed between the 140 mm and 120 mm fans if you compare them. The RPM of a 120 mm fan with a lower radius than a 140 mm fan is considerably higher. As a result, you will notice that these fans are blowing out much more air at a considerably faster rate than a 140 mm fan.
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However, the case is the polar opposite. In any scenario, the CFM of a 140 mm fan would be higher than that of a 120 mm fan. It’s simply that the air pressure is lower, but the volume of air moving out is always higher.
What is the size of a 120 mm fan?
The primary purpose of utilizing fans in a PC case is to effectively transfer the heated air within. These fans are available in a variety of sizes, with 120 mm fans being one of the most popular.
The 120 mm fans are one of the most popular kinds of fans. You’ll be happy to hear that this fan size is suitable for both RGB and non-RGB builds. The issue now is how big they are. What size are they?
They are usually 120 mm by 120 mm in size, with a 25 mm thickness. The most significant advantage that fans have over other types of case fans is that their blades are relatively bigger. This ability enables them to generate a lot of air even when they aren’t spinning very fast.
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Last Thoughts
Now that we’ve examined the 120 mm and 140 mm fans based on a variety of factors, I’d like to point out that they’re both appropriate for distinct applications.
Nonetheless, I created a parallel between these two kinds to make your job a little simpler. Overall, I recommend that you review the text to clear up any misunderstandings before making any decisions. Still, if you have any questions, you may use the comment area.
When it comes to fan size, the best airflow comes from way more than just the blades. Some fans are designed with two sets of blades, one which is attached to the base, the other which is attached to the blade hub. This configuration gives the greatest amount of air velocity, but they’re also the most expensive. An even better option is to attach the blades directly to the fan hub, which is the best option for noise-free operation. This is the configuration that was chosen for our comparison.. Read more about noctua 140mm vs 120mm and let us know what you think.
