PC fans are essential to effectively and efficiently running your laptop or PC.

That is because it regulates the devices operating temperature and also limits the heat exposure to the hardware, making the device itself more fluid to use. 

Most laptops include built-in fans and can be placed on a notebook with a cooling pad to reduce operating temperature.

This is because prolonged heat exposure and component overheating tend to damage the computer’s components over a period of time. In fact, extreme overheating can actually break the system.

That said, the good news is that there are lots of laptop coolers and options on the market, and in the following guide, we’re going to take a look at some of the best of them and the benefits of investing in them.

Best Overall: Corsair LL Series LL140 RGB 140mm Dual Light Loop

The Corsair LL Series LL140 RGB 140mm Dual Light Loop contains 16 independent RGB LEDs in every fan.

These LEDs are split into separate light loops to allow for endless customization of lighting and visual effects.

It also contains PWM fan control which allows for dynamic speed adjustment between 600 RPM and 1300 RPM minimizing noise and maximizing fan performance. 

These fans are intended as an expansion of the LI 140 RGB LED 2 fan kit with lighting node pro. The functionality of this requires an RGB lighting hub and lighting node.

The 140mm fan blade is engineered for low noise operation and it doesn’t sacrifice performance. The bearing type is hydraulic and the operating voltage is 7V.

Pros

• 16 RGB LEDs
• Low noise operation
• Customizable

Cons

• Lights sometimes do not sync

Product specifications

• Number of fans in the package: 1
• RGB: Yes
• Speed: 600 – 1,300 RPM
• Decibels: 25 dB

Runner Up: Asiahorse FS-9002 20+8LED ARGB White 120mm Case Fan

The Asiahorse FS-9002 20+8LED ARGB White 120mm Case Fan is made of the latest environmental protection materials.

It has a frosted and smooth white surface and the fan blade contains a huge airflow and an RGB PWM fan consisting of LED beads. 

So ultimately, it contains 20 lights, in-flame 8 lights, 20 lights, 28 lights in total according to the design. Thanks to the analog ARGB controller, it contains a thin PC chassis without RGB cable and motherboard.

The mainboard software support includes US Halo synchronization, MSI mysterious light synchronization, Gigabyte RGB fusion, etc. 

Thanks to the hydraulic bearing self-lubricating antifriction material, this fan provides quiet operation.

It can also switch between manual PWM and mainboard temperature control. Feel free to control fan lighting with select V5 addressable RGB motherboards.

Pros

• Total of 28 lights
• Silent and efficient
• Switches between manual PWM and mainboard temperature control

Cons

• Hydraulic bearing leaks oil

Product specifications

• Number of fans in package: 5
• RGB: Yes
• Speed: 4 variable speeds
• Decibels: Not specified

Best for Money: uphere 140mm Case Fan 3-Pack Computer Case Fan

The uphere 140mm Case Fan 3-Pack Computer Case Fan consists of hydraulic bearings with low noise design.

The hydraulic bearing is high quality making the fan spin at 1000 RPM at low 25 DBA and delivers airflow up to 49.8 CFM.

There is a 145 mm fan and it’s the best replacement for common 114 mm case fans and also the ideal fitment on 140 mm water cooling radiators. This is because it provides optimal efficiency.

You’ll also find the anti vibration mounting systems of this fan come with eight pre-installed rubber anti vibration pads that reduce vibration between fan and PC case.

The tough and silent case keeps decibels down to 29 DBA. The innovatively designed fan optimizes airflow and facilitates highly efficient ventilation.

Pros

• Innovative design maximizes airflow
• Low noise design
• Anti-vibration

Cons

• Fan is loud

Product specifications

• Number of fans in package: 3
• RGB: No
• Speed: 1000 RPM
• Decibels: 23 dBA

Runner Up: Noctua NF-P14s redux-900, Ultra Quiet Silent Fan

The Noctua NF-P14s redux-900 Fan is an ultra-low-noise fan.

In fact, the fan has received over 100 awards and recommendations from international computer hardware websites and magazines and has a loyal following of thousands of users as well. 

The optimized design makes the fan quiet and provides excellent static pressure and strong airflow as well.

The low-speed fan is also optimized at 900 RPM making it super-quiet and virtually inaudible low noise adapters can be used at low voltage. 

It’s also quite affordable and comes with a range of accessories for maximum usage.

Pros

• Low noise
• Static pressure and strong airflow
• Affordable

Cons

• Not a PWM fan

Product specifications

• Number of fans in package: 1
• RGB: No
• Speed: 900 RPM 
• Decibels: 13.2 dB

Alternative: be quiet! Pure Wings 2 PWM high-Speed Cooling Fan

The be quiet! Pure Wings 2 140mm PWM high-Speed, BL083, Cooling Fan consists of nine airflow optimized fan blades that reduce noise-generating turbulence. 

It also contains a fan speed of 1600 RPM, for extremely high air pressure, and at maximum speed, it operates at 37.3 dBA.

The long-life rifle bearing gives an operating lifetime of 80,000 hours, and overall the product has a good design and quality control.

Pros

• Airflow optimized fan blades
• 1,600 RPM
• Bearing lifespan of 80,000 hours

Cons

• Not quiet

Product specifications 

• Number of fans in package: 1
• RGB: No
• Speed: 1,600 RPM
• Decibels: 37.3 dBA

140 mm Case Fans FAQ

Are 140 mm fans better than 120mm?

When it comes to the differences between the 120 mm versus 140 mm fans, you should note that there are a few differences. So let’s take a close look at some of them.

120 mm fans have more than 1200 RPM spinning speed, which makes them faster when conducting serious tasks. Also, something else you need to be aware of is that the better the spin speed of the fan, the more effectively the PC will respond and even output faster.

So with a huge RPM spinning speed, the 120 mm fans help to get it rid of dust and debris by creating positive pressure throughout the spinning speed.

And this is probably one of the most notable features that you need to take into consideration before making a purchase.

Ultimately, the 120 mm fans have a higher spinning speed, which ensures your PC works efficiently under heavy loads without any heat increase. 

However, 140 mm fans come with 1000 RPM spinning speed and ensures your PC remains cool while multitasking. Even the 1000 RPM is enough for most PCs to function efficiently, but 120 mm fans are still faster. 

Airflow CFM

120 mm case fans come with low CFM to get your overloaded PC cool. Additionally, they ensure that your PC is cycling through seamlessly when multitasking.

The 120 mm case fans also allow you to get rid of the heat snag when using big sized files. Aside from that, the lowest CFM of airflow actually makes the 120 mm case fans give good static pressure. 

140 mm case fans, on the other hand, have a higher CFM to accommodate power to airflow for your PC and keep it cool even under a huge workload and heavy pressure.

Additionally, they maintain decent airflow to all parts of your PC to make it function optimally with no chances of burn. So when it comes to this feature, 140 m case fans are the clear winner.

Sound frequency

When it comes to sound frequency, the difference between 120 mm fans and 140 mm fans is quite significant. Most 120 mm fans have low DBA and sound frequency support, so you can enjoy a smooth and quiet operation.

Additionally, they are also designed to run with smaller spins to rotate faster without making any significant noise. So the 120 mm fan blades are designed to spin in a better way, ensuring there’s less noise.

Additionally, the 120 mm fans ensure that no loud roaming tones occur while the fan is rotating, so you enjoy peaceful processing.

The 140 mm fans, on the other hand, have a high sound frequency, thanks to their huge spinning power and huge DBA.

They also usually have higher DBA noise levels, which consequently result in louder noise while multitasking or performing huge workloads. Some models, however, don’t really make a huge noise while functioning.

That said, some 140 mm fans contain whisper-quiet sound noise when doing heavy workloads, yet when talking about the 120 mm fans versus 140 mm fans, the 140 mm fans have a lower sound frequency, which allows you to work noiselessly.

So in this category, the 120 mm fans almost always operate quieter than the 140 mm.

Dimensions

Another aspect when deciding which fan to opt for is the dimensions. 120 mm case fans have a dimension of 120 x 120 x 25 mm, which ensures that it uses less space on your PC.

They are also lightweight and small in size. These fans also ensure that your PC has plenty of space left, even after installation. So the advantage is that they are lightweight and can be easily installed by anyone.

Additionally, they also have a 105 mm distance between screw holes to ensure more airflow through the case easily. The 140 mm case fans, on the other hand, have a dimension of 140 x 1 40 x 25 mm.

So when it comes to weight and space consumption, it does use up more than the 120 mm fans. There is a big distance between screw holes, up to 124.5 mm needed for installing the PC hardware.

The big dimensions hinder airflow throughout the entire PC. So when comparing the two with regards to dimensions and space-saving properties, the 120 mm once again comes out on top.

Slots required

120 mm fans require three fan slots on the front or top of your PC case. There are 3 or 4 pins to easily connect to the PC, making it cool while using your device. You will need two to three fans to provide decent airflow.

These fan slots can be installed in either horizontal or vertical form. It also uses slots, but they would not give you decent airflow. 140 mm case fans, on the other hand, provide decent airflow to get your entire PC cool.

They also ensure that your PC gets decent airflow quality and fit in the space. You may choose to use 1 140 mm fan; however, it won’t provide adequate airflow and will not be as effective as two of them.

Ultimately, when using 2 fans, it enhances the cooling performance of your PC. So in this category, the 140 mm fans are the clear winners.

Affordability

120 mm case fans are available at a reasonable price range based on affability and quality. They do last long and won’t break easily. Additionally, they will cost you anywhere between $10-$30.

140 mm fans, on the other hand, are more expensive than 120 mm ones, however, but the price is justified when you consider the brilliant airflow capabilities.

They cool down your PC and enhances its performance so you can use it productively with no slowdown or lag. They also reduce processing failure, and these fans would cost anywhere between $10-$35.

While both 120 mm and 140 mm fans are both beneficial to PC users, if you prefer a good quality budget-friendly fan, then 120 mm ones are for you.

Alternatively, if you want the best performance and airflow benefits, then the 140 mm case fan should be your choice.

Are 140mm fans quieter?

When it comes to which fan is louder, the 120 mm or the 140 mm, there is no straightforward answer. This is because there are many 120 mm fans that are quiet, and then again, there are 140 mm fans that are quiet as well.

In most cases, the larger fans move more air and can spin at a low RPM, so they don’t create as much of a buffering sound, which is what most people hear as fan noise. 

So it ultimately all boils down to the model, make and type of fan you are investing in.

However, lots of people have stated that since 140 mm fans have larger blades, they don’t have to spin as quickly as 120 mm fans, so ultimately, they generate a fair amount of airflow with less noise.

How many case fans do I need?

In lots of cases, 2 case fans show the biggest improvements to CPU and GPU performance.

However, it depends on the layout and hardware case, but in general, a single intake fan is enough for a general use computer. For a low-end gaming PC, one is fine, and 2 to 3 is required for higher power hardware. 

Is it better to have 2 140mm fans or 3 120mm fans?

2 140 mm fans push more air and are quieter at doing it than three 120 mm fans.

Three 120 mm or two 140 fans is going to make such an insignificant difference to your CPU and GPU that it’s not even worth the time considering.

Ultimately, it’s recommended that you get whichever suits your budget or looks best. But generally speaking, larger fans perform the same type of work as smaller ones and do so in a quieter way. 

Laptop fan benefits

Faster CPU and GPU performance

While internal laptop fans support faster speeds, they don’t make the computer faster. Laptops usually make use of an internal system fan connected to the CPU and GPU.

These are two of the laptop’s components inside your laptop and produce the most amount of heat without reaching a breaking point. Faster computer hardware as well tends to produce more heat than slow computer hardware.

However, both tend to break in the same temperature range. By installing a cooling fan, you will keep your laptop cool enough to function optimally at all times.

Suitable resting place

Laptop cooling pads or fans improve the airflow on a laptop by positioning the system on a hard and flat non-fabric surface.

This is because lots of laptops use the bottom of the device as an air-intake source, so any obstruction to the airflow is particularly hazardous for the system.

So when using a laptop cooling pad or fan, you can place a laptop on any fabric surface without worrying about the device overheating.

Conclusion

PC or laptop cooling fans make your time spent on your laptop or PC more productive.

This is because they cool down your laptop or PC, thereby ensuring that multitasking and pulling big files are more efficient and effective.

Additionally, when it comes to using a laptop on your lap, it tends to obstruct laptop vents and causes the laptop to heat up. So without a laptop fan, it may get too warm for comfort.

There are lots of choices on the market, including 120 mm and 140 mm cooling fans, and the choice you make will depend on your budget and, of course, your requirements.