It is important to choose the right cooling system. Sometimes, however, it may be difficult to choose between 140mm and 120mm fans. This is because you might not be aware of the main differences between fan sizes and their outputs.
We will be taking a closer look at 120mm and 140mm fans to see what the differences are. We will also look at the top 140mm and 120mm fans available on the market.
140mm Vs 120mm Fans: Head To Head
| Factors | 140mm Fans | 120mm Fans |
| Blade Size | Large | Small |
| CFM Rating | High | Low |
| RPM | Low | Higher |
| Static Pressure | High | Low |
| Noise Level | Low | High |
| Versatility | Smaller (and therefore, less expensive) | High (Can be used with any casing). |
Comparison: 140mm Vs 120mm PC Fans
Let’s look closer at the different properties of each fan to see what they have in common.
Size
The size of the fan and the 120mm fan are the most obvious differences. The 120mm blade is smaller than the 140mm, as the name suggests. This gives the 140mm fan an advantage.
A 140mm fan’s larger blade area allows it to move air at higher rpm levels than 120mm fans. A 140mm fan will provide better cooling performance than 120mm fans.
Winner: 140mm Fan
Noise
Both fans produce equal noise levels. The 140mm fan’s larger surface area is more advantageous when it comes down to noise levels. This is because 140mm fans have a bigger blade than 120mm fans. Manufacturers put more effort into controlling noise.
Winner: 140mm fan
CFM Rating
As we have already mentioned, the case fan 140mm blade size is significantly larger. This means that the CFM rating for 140mm fans will be higher.
This allows 140mm fans to move more air through the system and cool it efficiently.
After we have finished the comparison, we will be taking a look at the top 140mm case fans. Please continue reading.
Winner: 140mm
Rounds per Minute (RPM)
Their RPM is another factor that can be used to compare the two types. You may have learned in your physics and mechanical engineering classes that larger gears rotate slower than smaller ones. This is also true for PC fans.
If we compare Noctua 140mm fans to 120mm fans, it will be apparent that the 140mm fan is larger. It will therefore produce more cooling than the 120mm fan, but it won’t rotate as fast as 120mm. The 120mm fan on the PC case must rotate faster to provide reliable cooling.
Winner: 120mm (more RPM)
Static Pressure
The static pressure is an important factor to consider when comparing fans. Static pressure measures how resistant an object or system is to the flow of air. It is simply the ability of a fan or other device to push air against walls.
The typical 140mm fan for a PC case has a higher static pressure than its 120mm counterpart. Because of its larger surface area, the 140mm fan is able to push more air. The same holds true for 120mm fans, which are smaller than 140mm fans.
Static pressure fans can be used by both 140mm and 120mm PC case fans. If you want to achieve high static pressure, however, choose 140mm PC fan fans.
Winner: 140mm PC Fans
Airflow
A 140mm fan’s larger blade size allows it to push more air through the system than 120mm PC fans.
A 120mm fan can still be useful. A 120mm fan for your PC can work well. A 140mm fan is a better choice if you want to get the most from your PC components.
A 120mm fan rotates at a fast speed due to its smaller blade. This means that 120mm fans need to be rotated more to provide the same cooling effect as 140mm fans.
You will notice that the CFM ratings of both 140mm and 120mm fans are similar, but that 120mm fans have a lower RPM.
Is 140mm Cooling Fans Worth It?
This question is often asked by many people. It is better to invest in high-quality fans if you are designing a system. However, the performance difference between 140mm and 120mm cooling fans is not significant so it’s not a smart move to spend more on bigger fans if you already own a 120m fan.
If you want to build a computer with an overclocked CPU or GPU, you will need a 140mm fan.
The 140mm fans provide more airflow than their 120mm counterparts, making them ideal for multi-GPU systems such as Crossfire and SLI.
If you are certain that a 140mm fan fits in your system, there is no reason to not go for one.
If you are interested in the system, then check out our guide “Is 8ms good for gaming”.
These are the top 120mm and 140mm case fans available on the market today:
Best 140mm Case Fan: CoolerMaster SickleFlow 140 V2 Cooling Fans
This is the best 140mm cooling fan you can purchase for your computer to provide better cooling under all conditions. This fan is highly recommended for a number of reasons. These are just a few of the reasons we recommend this fan:
This fan is ideal for people who need additional cooling, or a CPU tower air conditioner. It can produce 1,400 RPM at maximum speed and pushes 79 CFM.
The fan’s performance is impressive. It is 32% quieter and produces a 27dB noise level. This fan also features RGB lights, which give any gaming PC a stunning look.
There is much more that we could discuss but it is not the time to do so. We’ve already discussed some key aspects that make Cooler Master Sickleflow an excellent choice.
Now that you have reread the point, you may be thinking that the 140mm wins in nearly every angle. Do I need to change my 120mm for a larger one? Some people might think that 120mm cooling fans are worth it.
Is 120mm Cooling Fans Worth It?
You might be wrong if you think that size is the only reason to use a 120mm fan for your PC case. If you switch to larger fans, you might be missing something.
While the 120mm and 140mm cooling fans may have their pros and cons, they are both equally efficient if you’re looking for high performance. The 140mm fan is larger and generates more pressure, which allows for the air to be pushed further.
But 120mm fans can also be used to cool your GPU or CPU. You can always use the 120mm fan again if you have one. They can cool down your system perfectly.
If you want to change to the 140mm fan, you can install it with the help a 120mm-140mm fan adapter. It is easy to find one on Amazon and well worth the money.
Most Frequently Asked Questions
Are 140mm Fans Better Than 120mm Fans?
They are definitely better, but only if you have the money. You don’t have to spend a lot on the fan. However, both 140mm and 120mm case fans can provide cooling.
Are 140mm Fans Quieter Than 120mm?
The 140mm case fans are quieter that the 120mm fans. They are quieter and will not disturb you when working or playing. A 120mm fan of high quality can provide great performance and lower noise.
What is a 140mm fan?
A 140mm fan for a PC is larger than a 120mm fan. They are larger than their counterparts in size, pressure and performance. They can move more air than 120mm fans, which allows them to produce more cooling effect within the system.
What Size Is a 140mm Fan?
140mm fans for PC cases are larger than 120mm fans. Their frames measure 5.57 inches (140mm), and 2.17 inches (52.5mm) high. Their blades’ thickness can vary. If you have a fan of high quality, the blades will be 0.11 inches (2mm).
What Size Is a 120mm Fan?
A 120mm fan will be considered smaller than a 140mm case fan. The 120mm fan’s frame measures 4.72 inches (120mm), wide by 2.16 inches high. The blades measure 0.9 inches.
Last words
You need to understand the differences between 120mm and 140mm fans in order to choose the right fan for your computer cooling system. We’ve highlighted the main differences between these two fans in this article to help you understand them better.
The 140mm fan is superior in many ways to the 120mm fan. It can produce more cooling because it has a larger blade than the 120mm fan. However, it does not rotate as fast as the 120mm.
These devices also have higher CFM ratings than their counterparts, which is another advantage. They also make less noise than their counterparts, but that doesn’t mean they are quieter.
Sometimes, the 120mm fan with a better design may be quieter than the 140mm. The main problem with the 140mm fans is their high price. You will need to choose based on your budget.
