Fans - do they make a difference?

[richardmajor86]

Is there a big difference between different case fans? Has there been an LTT video about this; I don't remember seeing one.

 

i wonder how much of a difference there is between cheap, medium priced and mega expensively priced fans. 

 

Anyone got any thoughts on this?

[TheProfessionalAmateurs]

 

[Godlygamer23]

Cheap fans tend to be loud, offer lousy warranties, and as a result will not last very long due to poor quality motors being used. Even between my Corsair AF and Noctua NF-A14 FLX fans, the Corsair fans exhibited ticking at low voltages, whereas my NF-A14s do not. 

 

Of course you can have higher quality fans that are cheaper than others depending on what they're including with the product?(Is the product mostly about looks, or does it offer superior functionality? Where did most of the R&D go?)

[Maxxtraxx]

Yes, in my experience with a variety of cheap to midgrade fans the extra money can go a long way(as it does with many other products) in providing a far superior product.

[fjdhdhcyfhf]

Cheap fans do not last long. I had some cheap 500rpm fans loose their bearings after about 2 years. AFAIK only noctua offers 6 year warranty; makes the premium price worth it.

[LogicalDrm]

There are some differences. Really cheap fans you might just skip. They are loud, don't really deliver and can break without any real reason. Like what happened to my Arctic Cooling F12 which has broken while in storage locker. Thats €7 fan. Compared to OEM NZXT case fans, which would be about same price range or bit higher, thats really poor quality.

 

Midrange gives you bit more to table. Even PWM and LED options. Personally I look at €15-20 range when looking for new fans. Thats where the good compromises are. Not too expensive per fan, noise levels (from reviews) are ok, same with specs and performance. And you get bonuses in package, like adapters and anti-vibration mounts.

 

As for specs, CFM and rpm are those which do matter. More CFM for less RPM is better as you can run fan at slower speed while still getting same amount of moved air compared to some other fans.