Computer fans are essential enough to consider.
Since heat is the enemy of electronics, most of those come with fans built in.
Computer Fans are more fundamental than other components as it holds CPU, GPU, and other heat-producing components.
Modern Computer-Cases and Fans are extremely pushing the limits of heat alleviating for power users like us.
Although fans have common intent cooling, CPU and Chassis Fans are distinct somehow.
The potent dissimilarities between CPU fans and Chassis Fans are briefly interpreted in this article to enlighten your enthusiasm.
What is a CPU Fan?
CPU fans are applied explicitly on top of the processor only to eliminate CPU heat.
ThePWMtype fans are mainly used for CPU fans, which are controllable as per need.
CPU coolers have numerous types, like the usualOn-top-CPU, Tower heatsink, AIO, etc.
These are important as you cannotstart a PC without a CPU cooler.
What is a Chassis Fan?
The case fans are crucial tooptimize the airflowthrough all the computer components.
Also, check out the list of thetop 9 best-selling air coolers.
What Are The Key Differences Between CPU & Chassis Fans?
The differences are quite subtle between CPU fans and Chassis fans.
The user cant even distinguish between fans by looking at them.
Moreover, Modern fans are built as a hybrid to serve both use cases.
Some detailed attributes make those different, like PWM compatibility, Fan design, diameter, and so on.
The extra pin on the CPU fan is used to control the Fan speed.
Among all those types,120mmis the most used diameter across the world.
CPU fans are kept small because CPU fans airflow needs to be faster than chassis fans.
A bigger fan comes with a slower RPM, which isnt ideal for CPU cooling.
However larger the fan diameter is, the quieter those are.
Its a fact that bigger diameter fans, like 200 & 220mm fans, die faster than smaller fans.
CFM & RPM
The capability and quality of a fan are measured by theCFMandRPM.
These two attributes are correlated and vary over build quality and manufacture.
CFMrefers toCubic Feet Per Minute, showing how much air a fan can inhale or exhaust in a minute.
An average chassis fan has70 CFM,and a CPU fan is better than 90-100 CFM.
RPMmeansRotations Per Minute, indicating how many times a Fan completes one cycle.
The RPM of a fan should be600 RPMto3000 RPM.
Chassis fans may have lower RPM, but CPU fans should be faster than1000 RPM.
There are two types of fans in the market, SP Fans & AF Fans.
This fan adopts a flat fan blade design, which has little gaps between fins.
AF Fanadvertises to Airflow Fans that is good for resistance fee circumstances.
Its also a bit cheaper and suitable to use as Chassis FANS rather than CPU Fans.
Gaps between fan blades are bigger than SP fans on Airflow-pop in fans.
Therefore, you would need SP-key in Fans in this situation.
Bearing jot down
The matter of longevity and neatness concerns bearing types of Fans.
Fluid Bearingsare the cheapest ones with smaller longevity, which is suitable for horizontal mounting positions.
Ball bearingFans are necessarily expensive with good longevity, which has no issue with the mounting position.
But excessive dust can damage bearings by jamming them.
Sleeve Bearingis more costly than bearing motor-based fans but offers great longevity with ball & liquid technology.
Despite the fact, dust can damage the motors.
Rifle Bearingovercomes the drawbacks of sleeve bearings as its the same technology with a sealed motor immune to dust.
Also, check out the key differences betweenCPU fans and OPT fans.
How to Optimize Fan Directions?
Just buying powerful and particular fans wont give you desired performance if you cant install those optimally.
You have to understand the airflow mechanism to make the most out of your rig.
Chassis design and ambiance play an important role while installing and optimizing the proper airflow in PC chassis.
Suppose your chassis has enough holes & empty spaces for air drifting; useAF fansequally for intake and exhaust.
The next thing to notice is that you have installed fans in the right direction.
Find the concave side of the fan, which is the exhaust side, and use it accordingly.
Some fans have an arrow detected to ease such confusion.
If you fail to install fans in the right direction, your system will run slow and unstable.
Thats why check out our complete guide on properCPU cooler fan direction.
FAQs
Can I use my CPU fan as a Chassis fan?
Should case fans be faster than CPU fans?
Yes, you need a fast enough fan with at least 1000 RPM of 120mm diameter.
In contrast, the Chassis fan can be 600 RPM.
Is it OK to run a CPU fan at full speed?
Does the CPU fan increase FPS?
What is a good DB for case fans?
But 19dBA to 25dBA is a safe choice.
Processor cooling requirement has increased over time with the boost of CPU performance.
If there is anything more youd like to know about, try the comment section below.
