Confusion between 120mm and 200mm fans and CPUs for cooling systems
Confusion between 120mm and 200mm fans and CPUs for cooling systems
Hello everyone,
I’ve been reading quite a bit about 120mm versus 200mm fan discussions on forums. It’s tough to decide since each thread seems to favor one size over the other. Some argue 120mm is superior, while others claim 200mm performs better. Now I’m trying to share my own setup and ask for your insights so I can determine what suits me best. I’m also looking for guidance on CPU coolers.
My current situation involves a lot of stress on my system—things like video editing, 3D rendering, and gaming. Right now, I only have two 120mm chassis fans, but I plan to upgrade them because at idle temperatures stay between 30°C and 40°C across the board, while ambient temps are below 30°C. I have several sensors on my motherboard to track CPU, Vcore, back Vcore, DRAM, PCH, PCIe1, and PCIe2 temperatures. When I increase load, my CPU temperature climbs to 70°C–90°C, and other temps rise between 40°C and 50°C. This is clearly not ideal, which is why I’m considering adding more fans and a better CPU cooler.
Back to the question: which fans would be best for me?
Fan options I have:
- CM Sickleflow X (120mm): 160,000 hours life, 69.69 cfm, 4.2W
- CM Megaflow (200mm): 30,000 hours life, 110 cfm, 3.36W
CPU cooler options:
- Noctua NH-U14S: available at one place for over $160
- CM Hyper 612 v2: available for $50+
- CM Hyper 212x: available for $50+
- CM Hyper D92: available for $44+
My questions:
1. With four hard drives, which configuration is best for the front (one 200mm or two 120mm)?
2. Which exhaust fan—one 200mm or two 120mm—would be more effective?
3. I’ll keep my current fans in place until I buy a new one; you can ignore the side and back ones.
4. If I choose the Noctua NH-U14S, is it worth the extra time they’re asking for?
Based on what I know, I’m leaning toward the Sickflow X and the 212x. Here are my system specs:
- Asus Z87 Gryphon Mobo
- Intel i7 4770K (3.50–3.75 GHz)
- Corsair Vengeance RAM 16GB DDR3 1600 MHz
- Asus Strix GTX 960 4GB, 1600 MHz
- Samsung DVD/RW 24x
- SSD 120 Kingston V300 Primary
- HDD 500 Seagate Primary + Secondary
- HDD 2TB WD Black Secondary
- HDD 4TB Seagate Barracuda Secondary
- PSU: 450W CM Thunder
Case/Chassis: CM HAF 912
200mm fan at the front, 120mm rear exhaust, 120mm rear top exhaust. Lower the two exhausts to lower RPM or just set them to 7v.
Side fan – not worth it; would be a waste of time, noisy, and could disrupt 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 outrageous!!
There are many more affordable alternatives that will perform well.
The Intel stock cooler performs adequately for regular use, though it tends to be noisy and less efficient when under heavy load. Any high-quality air cooler should suffice. My recommendation would be the Noctua NH-U12s. The NH-U14s offers superior performance but comes at a higher cost and may be overkill. Hyper612 seems to be a strong contender, capable of handling the task well. Focus on maintaining good front intake airflow. Two 120mm intakes should suffice; a single 200mm intake will also work. For quieter operation, a 200mm fan with lower RPM will reduce noise. Ensure the front intakes are filtered to keep the case clean. Consider moving the rear 120mm fan to the front if possible, as this can improve airflow direction. If needed, use a slower 120mm intake for exhaust to control air movement. Excessive exhaust force might pull in unfiltered air from nearby openings. If airflow remains inadequate, upgrade to higher RPM intakes or a robust 200mm fan. At idle, expect temperatures to stay within 10-15°C above ambient. Under load, you shouldn’t worry if CPU temps reach around 70°C and GPU around 80°C. I note my setup uses a single 180mm intake fan, currently set to low speed.
I would choose a 200mm front intake. Previously I used a 1x120mm in my old setup, but switching to a 1x200mm makes things much easier. The entire case runs quieter because a 200mm fan typically spins between 300-700rpm, whereas the 120mm fans start at 800rpm and often reach 1500 or 2000rpm, causing a lot of noise and vibration.
I’d place one 200mm intake in front, another 120mm at the back, and possibly one more on the side. That should be sufficient, though you can also use a single 120mm as the top exhaust.
For identical airflow, bigger fans usually spin more slowly and tend to be quieter, though this varies by maker and model. Among coolers, Noctua stands out; the CM 612 performs significantly better than the 212 and d92, mainly due to its compact size, unless you need it for specific reasons. The expected lifespan is somewhat subjective, as manufacturers often set their own standards.
Geofelt shared his thoughts on cooling options for Intel stock. He found the stock cooler acceptable for regular use but noted it performs poorly and makes a lot of noise when under heavy load. Any decent air cooler would suffice. He recommends the Noctua NH-U12s, though the NH-U14s are top-notch but more expensive. Hyper612 seems like a solid alternative that meets expectations. Focus should be on ensuring good front airflow—two 120mm intakes work well, or a single 200mm intake is sufficient. A quieter option would use a slower 120mm fan as exhaust to reduce noise. If intake air quality isn’t addressed, consider filtering it or swapping to higher RPM fans or a 200mm unit. At idle, expect temperatures to stay between 10-15°C above ambient. Under load, temps should rise to around 70°C for the CPU and 80°C for the graphics card. He mentioned his setup uses a single 180mm intake fan set to low speed, which he finds acceptable despite noise concerns. He also noted that in his location, noise levels are already high, so it’s not the main issue for him.
Isokolon :
I prefer a 200mm front intake. In my previous setup I had a 1x120mm, now switching to a 1x200mm makes things much easier. The entire case runs quieter because a 200mm fan typically spins between 300-700rpm, whereas the 120mm ones start at 800rpm and can reach 1500 or 2000rpm, which causes 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, though you could also use a single 120mm as the top exhaust.
I’m referring to two 120mm units, not one 120mm versus one 200mm, which can be confusing if you’re unsure. I would have chosen the 200mm clearly then.
Usman Aly shares his experience:
He prefers a 200mm front intake. Previously, he used a 120mm one, but switching to a 200mm now makes the system much quieter. The 200mm fan runs smoothly at 300-700 rpm, unlike the 120mm fans which start at 800 rpm and often reach 1500 or 2000 rpm, causing noise and vibration.
He suggests placing one 200mm front intake, one 120mm at the back, and possibly another 120mm on the side. Using just one 120mm as a top exhaust is also an option.
He clarifies that it's about two 120mm units, not one, which can be confusing if comparing 1x120mm vs 1x200mm. In his case, he would definitely choose the 200mm.
CountMike shared his thoughts on fan selection, noting that larger fans generally run slower and quieter, though this varies by manufacturer and model. He praised Noctua for its quality, specifically mentioning the CM 612 as superior to the 212 and D92 due to its compact size, unless case depth is a concern. He also mentioned that life expectancy is subjective and depends on the manufacturer's claims. Overall, he felt he could choose based on personal preference.
You'd require that Noctua only when dealing with big to extreme OC. I used CM 612 Evo with an FX 8350 and it was nearly sufficient at 5GHz, though not for extended periods. The CM 212 Evo worked fine at 4.3 - 4.4 GHz under the same conditions. The D92 is something I haven't tried or heard of anyone using, but it has a 92mm fan so...