Radiator fans performance/noise ratio - 140mm vs 120mm?

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KrzysiekX10

KrzysiekX10

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Apr 6, 2014
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Hi.
So basically, the title describes it all. Everybody says that a 140mm fan on a 140mm radiator will get significantly better temps than a 120mm variant of this fan on a 120mm variant of this radiator at the same RPM (Captain Obvious). But my problem is that at the same RPM the 140mm variant is also going to be significantly louder than the 120mm variant.

So my real question is: Which of them ultimately gives a better performance/noise ratio?
 
Solution
Rhinofart
You also have to take into account your fin density on the radiator. If you don't have a lot of density you get yourself some High Flow fans. If you have a lot of fins get yourself fans with a higher static pressure rating. 140's won't be significantly lower temps than 120's My system has 4 120mm's but since my radiators are high end ones with very high density of fins I have 4 Corsair SP120s. I have them running at 12v full speed, and I can barely year them. In fact when I have a mechanical HD hooked up to my system I hear that over my fans.
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sna

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check Noctua fans they are low noise .. and go for 140 fans.

www.noctua.at
 
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Gentleman Jim

Gentleman Jim

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Mar 4, 2015
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When looking at fans look at the CFM and then look at the dba specs. There are several fans on the market that run a very high cfm and the dbi is still a decent range. Fractal Design has specs of 66cfm and 18.5dba, Cougar has 70.5 cfm and 19.2 dba, Phanteks has 82.1 cfm and 19 dba while NZXT has 83.6 cfm and 24.5 dba ( a little higher but still fairly quiet).
 
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Rhinofart

Rhinofart

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You also have to take into account your fin density on the radiator. If you don't have a lot of density you get yourself some High Flow fans. If you have a lot of fins get yourself fans with a higher static pressure rating. 140's won't be significantly lower temps than 120's My system has 4 120mm's but since my radiators are high end ones with very high density of fins I have 4 Corsair SP120s. I have them running at 12v full speed, and I can barely year them. In fact when I have a mechanical HD hooked up to my system I hear that over my fans.
 
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Solution
why_wolf

why_wolf

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Aug 28, 2015
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The 140 should turn at a slower RPM and still push just as much air as the 120 moving at a higher RPM. But in real terms not that big of a difference as its only a 20mm difference, though I'm sure some people will swear they can tell the difference.

The quality of the fan itself will make the bigger difference in my book. Personally I've always found the fans that ship with radiators to more interested in pushing air at the expense of noise over keeping things quieter at the expense of some airflow. So if you are after quiet you'll need to look into some other fans to pair with your radiator. If you want that airflow though you'll have to eat some more noise, whether you can hear it or not is debatable.
 
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