The amount of airflow a case fan can produce is one of its most important characteristics. This is measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM), a unit of measure used to measure how much air is moved through an opening. A higher CFM rating means more airflow is generated, reducing temperatures and improving performance.
These fans produce the best airflow, but are quiet. You will need to consider your budget, type of airflow and noise levels in order to determine which model is best for you.
For example, if you are looking for a fan that produces the most airflow for your money, the Noctua NF-A14 PWM 140mm case fan is a great option. It uses a PWM connector and comes with a three-year warranty. You can also swap out the corner panels to make it customizable.
The ARCTIC F12PWM rev.2 is another high performance case fan worth looking into. The ARCTIC fan produces 53 FCM air flow which is a substantial amount of airflow. Despite the high airflow, the ARCTIC fan F12 is quite noisy. The fan can run at a low speed thanks to the PWM function.
Despite the ARCTIC F12's high performance, it also has a lower noise level than most of its competitors. The noise level is less than 36 dBA. This allows it to be operated at a slower speed, which reduces its effect on the performance of your system. And, because it is designed with a PWM function, your motherboard will be able to control the speed at which the fan operates.
Silent Wings 3 is another fan, which can be purchased at a very reasonable price and produce a significant amount of airflow. The Silent Wings 3 has a 6-pole motor that can deliver over 100 square inches of airflow. This is more than you would get from a smaller fan. However, the case fan makes less noise than an ARCTIC one.
Silent Wings 3's impressive airflow capabilities are not the only thing that is noteworthy. It also features a focused flow frame that helps reduce noise and concentrate airflow. It has 11 stator guide vanes as well as a sixpole motor and power lead.
The Rosewill 120mm Long Life Sleeve is the final option. This fan produces the most airflow out of all the top case fans. Not only does it circulate more air than the rest, it also cools your PC faster than the rest. The Rosewill 120mm Long Life Sleeve's maximum RPM is 2000, despite its size. But the RGB lighting is what fans love most. This is not a feature you should have, but it's an awesome feature.
You will need to have a few screws and a cord, regardless of which model you choose. While most models have these included, some models will need you to either connect jumpers or use an additional fan controller.