Confusion between 120mm and 200mm fans and CPUs for cooling systems
Confusion between 120mm and 200mm fans and CPUs for cooling systems
Isokolon :
Usman Aly :
I’d choose a 200mm front intake. In my previous setup I had a 1x120mm, now switching to a 1x200mm makes things much smoother. The entire system runs quieter because a 200mm fan typically spins between 300-700rpm, whereas 120mm fans start at 800rpm and can reach 1500 or 2000rpm, causing a lot of noise and vibration.
I’d place one 200mm front, one 120mm at the back, and possibly another 120mm on the side. That’s usually sufficient; you could also use just one 120mm as the top exhaust.
I’m referring to two 120mm units, not one. This setup is what most people use, but it’s clear that going with a 200mm would be better in terms of noise and power efficiency.
What do you mean by a usual setting? Could you explain it in detail? If the airflow is comparable, then definitely 200mm wins in both price and performance.
better results fade when excess is used.
does a 3500rpm fan perform better than a 1000rpm one? yes
will a 1000rpm unit move enough air to maintain optimal temperatures in your setup? likely yes
a 3500rpm model could help keep things cooler, perhaps by a few degrees.
still, I remember my past mindset—prioritize speed over quiet.
this setup has made it hard for me to enjoy games like Counter-Strike because the noise masks subtle sounds.
also, the required airflow in your build, particularly with side fans, is often exaggerated. A 140mm unit works well as a front intake.
case fans rarely run at their full capacity; they tend to be noisy and unnecessary.
for instance, my 200mm model caps at 810rpm, but during idle it drops to about 460rpm, keeping temperatures in the low 30s.
when gaming hard, it climbs to 550-650rpm.
with 140mm fans, performance is similar—maxing around 1250rpm for me, though I haven’t reached over 1000rpm yet. Usually around 800rpm during intense use.
at that speed, the 200mm fan delivers much more air.
for a 120mm unit, its airflow potential is limited; a slower medium fan pushes more than two fast medium fans.
also, pairing two 120mm units increases noise disproportionately.
CountMike shared his experience using Noctua parts for overclocking. He noted that the CM 612 Evo worked well on a FX 8350 with 5GHz, though it struggled beyond that frequency. The CM 212 Evo was sufficient for 4.3 to 4.4 GHz under the same conditions. He mentioned the D92 model but said he hasn't tried it and it has a small 92mm fan. He confirmed his own clock speeds range from 3.50 to 3.75, indicating the CM 612 was more suitable for him.
Better than 212 is still possible, though its usage isn't guaranteed. I'm unsure about the exact TDP for that chip at those speeds.
Isokolon :
superior results disappear when things become excessive.
does a 3500rpm fan cool more effectively than a 1000rpm one? yes
will a 1000rpm fan provide enough airflow to maintain optimal temperature in your setup? likely yes
will a 3500rpm fan help keep the system cooler? possibly within a 2-5°C range.
but I remember my past experiences, performance should take priority over noise
in my previous setup, the cooler was too loud, making it hard to hear distant sounds.
also, the required airflow in your case, particularly with a side fan, is often exaggerated. A single 140mm fan would suffice for most front intake needs.
understood what you're saying. I'll take it into account.
Isokolon :
superior results disappear when things become excessive.
does a 3500rpm fan cool better than a 1000rpm one? yes
will a 1000rpm fan move enough air to keep your setup cool? likely yes
can a 3500rpm fan maintain lower temperatures? possibly for a short time
still, I remember thinking the same as you—prioritize speed over quiet.
this setup has made it hard for me to play games like Counter-Strike because my cooler would be too loud, making it impossible to hear subtle sounds.
also, the airflow needed in your case is often exaggerated. a single 140mm fan works well for most front intakes.
case fans usually don’t run at their maximum speed, as they become noisy and unnecessary.
for instance, my 200mm fan caps at 810rpm, but drops to around 460rpm when idle, keeping temperatures in the mid-30s.
during intense gaming, it often reaches 550-650rpm.
with 140mm fans, performance is similar—maxing out at about 1250rpm, though I haven’t surpassed 1000rpm yet. usually around 800rpm during heavy use.
in that range, the 200mm fan delivers much more air.
for a 120mm model, its airflow potential is limited; a slower medium fan pushes more than two fast medium fans.
also, two 120mm fans are much noisier due to exponential sound increase.
thank you for clarifying.
To sum up or to get out of my confusion. I'll say CM 612 v2 & megaflow is my best bet. What do you say guys? Plus I would like to thank you for taking your time out & answering me
I'll wait for more people to get in this conversation & try to mark it as unsolved until I decide.
200mm fan at the front, 120mm rear exhaust, 120mm rear top exhaust. Lower those two exhausts to lower RPM or just set them to 7v.
Side fan – not worth it, would be a waste of time, too noisy and could interfere with a tower cooler.
Case airflow isn't about rapid air movement, but maintaining a consistent stream from front to back at a steady pace.
What country are you in?
The prices on those Noctua's are ridiculous!!
There are many cheaper alternatives that will work well.