Ensure Optimum System Performance With 4-Pin 120 mm 12V Computer Fans
The importance of having powerful and dependable case fans for your computer build cannot be understated. Since the first consumer computers hit the market, fans have always been there to regulate temperatures and make your machine and its CPU last for as long as possible. That said, there are many types of case fans, 120 mm 12-volt variants being one of them. These can provide high CFM ratings necessary to create good airflow while maintaining a tolerable noise level ideal for any type of use.
What Is a 12-Volt Case Fan?
- 12-Volt: These case fans use the 12-volt rail on your computer power supply. This gives them enough power access in to raise the fan speeds through PWM (pulse width modulation) functionality. CPU fans are also 12 volts to optimally cool the CPU depending on the workloads.
- Airflow: The 4-pin connector on the PWM fan should slot into a fan header on your motherboard to enable PWM, a method for "flicking" the on and off switch rapidly to lower or raise fan speeds in accordance with the amount of work the computer has to do. This way the fans run at optimal speeds and reduced overall noise levels.
- Active Cooling: A cooling fan is necessary for active cooling, which is the method for removing heat directly from the component using a combination of aluminum heatsinks and the cooling fan. The heatsink is attached to the component with thermally conductive compound and brings the heat to the cooling fins. The fan then blows the hot air out from between the fins so that other fans can exhaust the hot air away.
What Are the Advantages of Using 120 mm Fans?
- Noise Reduction: Since the diameter of the fan is rather large, it doesn't need to rotate so fast to move plenty of air. This design allows the fans to run at quiet levels but still achieve a sufficient amount of airflow to cool the system without too much noise.
- CFM Specifications: Larger fans also have higher cubic feet per minute specs. This describes the amount of air that a fan can move per minute. If you want a large volume of cold air to enter your system, opt for a dual or triple 120 mm fan combo. The typical CFM rating of 120 mm fans would be at 115 CFM though it should vary depending on the blade angle and overall design.
- Aesthetics: Many fans with this pin connector configuration come with the added bonus of lighting. Some have customizable RGB LED lights, while others only shine a particular color. Other lights also come with PWM to sync with audio, while others come in awesome colors like neon and clear finishes.