With the number of existing fan models and the market price range, it is not easy to find the best fans in our team, but we can address specific issues and technical features that are important for good selection.
Get to know our computer well so you can choose the best PC follower
The first thing we need is more information on our PC regarding cooling. This means knowing that fans are available, models, features and configurations (push, pull, positive or negative pressure).
Second, the type of cooling we have: electric cooling, Aio or custom cooling. And finally, the number of 3 or PWM connectors we have, either through adapters, splitters or directly to the motherboard.
These details will give us a mental sketch of our energy and needs, because buying 3 or more fans when we do not have the connectors available for their control and incredible power, provides a basic example.
Know the environment around us and our needs
Living in Seville is not the same as living in Bilbao, the temperatures are totally different, the humidity levels are not even close, and then the seasons are different.
This stage is important because if we have good cooling and live in a very hot climate, less air needs a logical change. In addition, should it be clear that we are looking for precision: better temperature, less noise or a combination of all indirect effects?
The best purchase is one that is completely satisfied, so getting to know each other well is always equally effective in any purchase.
Budget
The obvious ones are largely ignored, and even so far everything has been simple and sensible recommendations, by everyone's budget is complicated. In computer science the title of the three «B» (good, good and cheap) is not fulfilled in almost any condition, except that it has the lowest tastes and needs.
For this reason, adjusting the budget knowing that the quality was paid is important so we won't be surprised.
Working
The high performance follower is equal to the mass of the automation, that is, you will have enough dBA at the top entry point. Cheap fan but with more functionality as a general rule has to do with future problems, no magic here, good motors are worth the money invested by the company and are worth a higher price than most basic options.
So, if we want to work we will have to look at our packaging, whether it is limited or limited (+ -1850 RPM). Here we have to remember that if we are looking for fans of heatsinks or AIOs or RLs, less than 600 RPM is useless by all means, since the fan cannot overcome the mechanical resistance of the specified cooling systems.
Therefore, the maximum operating range ranges from this figure to 2500 RPM, where a high number of switches usually cause noise.
Modesty
As a performance category, it depends on our tolerance to be heard, that we use headphones when playing and we don't care if the PC is ringing, whether the silence is pointless, etc.
It is important to be clear that the details of the manufacturers in this category are usually quite inaccurate, as each of the companies weighs in different circumstances. The dBAs they provide aren't very expensive, so it's good to look at the comparison to find the true values.
In addition, manufacturers' measurements are made in air ducts with 0 dBA, something that is not feasible at home and therefore, if installed inside the chassis, its value will increase.
In hindsight, values below 30 dBA are considered good or excellent for the industry at approximately 1850 RPM – 2000 RPM. The scale from there will deteriorate and although in our ears it can't be found like this, sound pressure can be detected using different sounds in the box, which in combination with vibration is difficult and quality fans are needed to avoid suffering these problems.
Conclusion
If you want a quick answer to choose the best fan to start with, you won't find it, just as you can't find the best car without first seeing the parameters you decide to buy.
A fan is a personal thing, like composing a PC case, and as a result will require some time to read through all of the above. Common rules found by everyone or at least everyone: Corsair SP120HP, Corsair ML120 Pro, Nidec GT-AP15, Nidec GT-AP60, Noctua NF-P12, Noctua A12x25, Noiseblocker NB-eLoop B12 PS, EK Vardar EVO and other low-end product models such as Yate Loon, which meet enough for the price they have.
None of the fans are as cheaply named as they are, but they have many common features that are often sought after, and that is that we all want the best, but not all of us can afford it.
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