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No matter what kind of PC you are using, if you notice that it starts running a bit hotter than is ideal for your system, it’s time to look for an efficient case fan.
Equipping your PC with reliable cooling can amazingly make a difference and help in avoiding future problems. The major benefit of picking a 200mm fan is that the lower RPM operation brings lower noise.
Make your way through this guide to find out about 200mm case fans in detail.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for 200mm Case Fans
- OUR TOP PICK: Cooler Master MasterFan MF200R RGB
- RUNNER-UP: BitFenix BFF-SPRO-20025KK-RP
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: Thermaltake CL-F015-PL20BL-A
Comparison of the Best 200mm Case Fans
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What is a Case Fan?
A case fan, also known as a system fan, is meant to bring cool air into the system. At the same time, it dissipates hot air and blows it out of the case. This electronic equipment is generally located inside the case or is may be attached to the outside of the case in order to provide an active cooling effect. A case fan can be placed as an intake fan, as well as an exhaust fan to perform either function.
There are multiple types of fans, including axial and centrifugal fans used in modern computers. You will find multiple sizes on the market, which are powered by three-pin or even four-pin fan connectors.
What are the Components of a Case Fan?
Case fans are ideally designed to move air through the computer case and keep the system within a range of temperatures. This is extremely important for extending the lifespan of a system. All the components in the case fan contribute effectively to dissipating the hot air. These fans are widely used for cooling on PCs.
Here, we have listed the main components of a case fan that work together to give you a phenomenal cooling experience.
Frame
The frame of the fan usually determines the size of the model. There are multiple sizes available in the market, including 80mm, 120mm, and 200mm. The final choice depends on the user and their requirements.
LEDs
Many decorative case fans are equipped with RGB technology or LED lights to enhance the appearance of the system. This technology lets you customize the system according to your desire.
Air Filters
Most case fans are incorporated with air filters to prevent dust from entering the system. This keeps the internal components from clogging up and ultimately extends the lifespan of the system.
Blades
Different models have specially designed blades in order to provide impressive airflow. These blades spin at a certain RPM and tend to push maximum air into the case for a cooling effect. Alternatively, the blades may be placed to blow heat out of the case.
Cooler Master MasterFan MF200R RGB
What Makes a Great Case Fan?
The tons of options in the market might confuse customers in picking the right one. A fair amount of research is essential to bring value to your bucks. Well, we are here to help you. This section will discuss some of the prominent characteristics that make for a great case fan. Let's discuss them one by one!
Sturdy Construction
The most important feature of any reliable product is its quality construction. A case fan manufactured from top-notch materials tends to last for a long time compared to one composed of cheaper materials. Make sure you pick a model that has a reliable build and is capable of enduring tough conditions.
Maximum Airflow
The importance of airflow can’t be denied when it comes to case fans. Fans are ideally designed to draw fresh air into the case while blowing out warm air. A larger fan is capable of moving a great amount of fresh air effortlessly. Similarly, smaller fans running at a very high RPM have incredible airflow.
Noise Reduction Technology
The case fan must be equipped with noise reduction technology in order to achieve quiet operation. Fans running at a low RPM tend to produce far less noise compared to ones operating at a higher RPM.
3 and 4-Pin Connectors
Although a two-pin connector is very simple to use, three and four-pin connectors give you control over the fan's operation. This feature ultimately leads to more efficient active cooling.
Review of the Best 200mm Case Fans
Now that we are done with the major features of a great case fan, let's begin with the detailed review of some of our favorite models currently trending in the market. Read on to find the right one for you!
Best Overall:
Cooler Master MasterFan MF200R RGB
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
This product is very popular among its users for its quality performance. First of all, the design is very attractive and gives the system a unique look. Moreover, users report that the construction is quite reliable, and it is really effective in dissipating the extra heat produced by the system.
Why it Stands Out to Us
One of the finest case fans you will find on the market, this model from Cooler Master is well-known for its exquisite design and top-notch construction. There is an incorporation of noise reduction technology with sound-reducing pads to minimize the noise to a great extent. Similarly, the hybrid design with helicopter blades has proved really effective in cooling down the system.
Who Will Use This Most
This model is a great choice for anyone who wants to give their gaming PC a unique and attractive look, thanks to the RGB color technology. It works great with ASUS Aura, ASRock RGB, and Gigabyte Fusion. Moreover, the noise reduction technology is amazing, making it highly suitable for office use and even in homes.
Bottom Line
An extraordinary model with a range of features, this model is meant to last in the long run. Manufactured from flawless materials, it comes with a nice design. Moreover, the RGB color technology is well-complemented by sound reduction technology to ace the performance. In short, it is reliable and worth the investment.
Runner-up:
BitFenix BFF-SPRO-20025KK-RP
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Users are very impressed with this case fan. They report that the design is extremely attractive and gives the PC a whole new look. Moreover, the airflow technology is appreciable and has proved very effective in dissipating the extra heat generated by the system during high workloads. Lastly, you can use this model in home and offices without any inconvenience.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This case fan from BITFENIX mainly stands out to us for its aerodynamically designed fans capable of pushing more air into the system and keeping it from overheating. Talking about the design, it looks very good and aces the appearance of the system. Lastly, the noise level is very low, and the fluid dynamic bearings reduce the vibrations to a great extent.
Who Will Use This Most
The exquisite design of this model makes the case look really good. It can be used in a variety of systems to keep the temperature within a certain range. Moreover, the noise reduction technology with fluid dynamic bearings is helpful in keeping the noise level low, which makes it a perfect option for offices.
Bottom Line
Manufactured from top-notch materials, this model is equipped with a flawless design, as well. It is compatible with a range of casings, plus is really effective in lowering the temperature of the system. Moreover, there are multiple sound reduction features in order to avoid any inconvenience due to noise production.
Best for the Money:
Thermaltake CL-F015-PL20BL-A
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
This case fan has attracted many new customers due to its affordable price tag. Even current users have admired the performance of this model greatly. They report that the design is very impressive, plus the fusion of efficiency with noise reduction is totally amazing. Lastly, you don’t have to spend much time in its installation.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Another great product on the list, this case fan is well-known for its reasonable price plus appreciable airflow technology. The blades embody a nice design and spin at great speeds to push maximum air into the system and keep it at a low temperature. Also, there are sleeve bearings meant to mark reliability.
Who Will Use This Most
The affordable price of this case fan makes it a great option for those on a tight budget. Moreover, it can fit in any casing for remarkable dissipation of heat in no time. The airflow is amazing, and the incorporation of sound reduction features enhance the confidence of many customers in this product.
Bottom Line
If you are looking for a reliable case fan that easily fits your budget, you should definitely give this model a try. Not only is the design attractive, but the construction is sturdy, as well to endure tough conditions like a pro. Moreover, it is equipped with noise reduction and great airflow technologies to ensure a flawless experience.
Best Noctua 200mm Case Fan:
Noctua NF-A20 PWM
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Users are very happy with this case fan. They report that the model is equipped with a classic design that is very effective in pushing a good amount of air into the system and, therefore, keeping the temperature low. Moreover, there would be no hassle of any noise production, thanks to the superior sound reduction technology.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This case fan stands out from its competitors for its award-winning A-series design. It is manufactured from top-notch materials that extend the lifespan of this model. Moreover, the airflow is great, and the incorporation of anti-vibration mounts limits sound production. Lastly, the installation is very easy and does not require professional help.
Who Will Use This Most
It is just the right choice for anyone who wants to keep their system from overheating. This case fan works well with a range of systems and provides remarkable experience. With this model on-board, you don’t have to worry about noise production in your office or home due to the anti-vibration mounts.
Bottom Line
A powerhouse of features, this case fan is well-known for its amazing design, which is complemented by the flawless operation. Not only is it great at dissipating the heat produced by the system, but it also tends to minimize the noise level to a great extent. Overall, it is efficient and highly versatile.
Best Cooler Master 200mm Case Fan:
Cooler Master MegaFlow
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Just like our other above-mentioned models, this case fan has earned great ratings from customers. According to them, the design is classic, plus is capable of reducing the noise level. Moreover, they have appreciated the great airflow of this case fan, which dissipates the extra heat like a pro.
Why it Stands Out to Us
An all-rounder, this case makes its way to this list for exhibiting fine construction, as well as top-notch functionality. The design embodies a black matte finish, plus operates at a low RPM. This means minimum sound production, which is really impressive for some customers. Lastly, it pushes an insane amount of air in the system to keep it from overheating.
Who Will Use This Most
It can be used by anyone who intends to give their PC a classic look. This case fan is highly suitable for multiple casings, plus it proves to be great for dissipating the extra heat produced by the system. Moreover, the noise reduction technology makes it an ideal choice for office use, as well.
Bottom Line
This model from Cooler Master is equipped with a range of exceptional features, including great airflow technology as well as quiet operation. Apart from the nice design, the construction is quite sturdy and is meant to serve the user in the long run. Moreover, installation is just a breeze and does not require any professional help.
How to Control Case Fan Speed
You might wonder why the fan gets so loud. Well, the most common reasons include accumulation of dust and overheating of the system, as well as heavy lifting during video gaming and editing. Before heading to purchase a new fan, we recommend you attempt to fix the problem by controlling the speed.
You can begin by looking for built-in controls. You can dig into the system's BIOS by rebooting the system, and there you will definitely find some controls. If this seems hectic to you, you can opt for some CPU fan control software such as SpeedFan. This software offers more control compared to the system's BIOS. Moreover, there are multiple fan controllers on the market that are relatively inexpensive and let you control the speed of the fan.
How to Measure a Case Fan
Case fans come in a range of sizes. Generally, the most popular one for modern systems is 120mm, however, you can easily find other sizes including 80mm, 2mm, 140mm, as well as 200mm for your gaming PC. The size of the fan directly influences the airflow, as large fans will push more air as compared to the smaller one.
The size of the fan can be easily measured along any one of the fan’s four sides. Plus, if you know the distance between the fan mounting screw holes, you can make a judgment about a fan's size. Make sure to take the measurements horizontally or vertically between the holes. Don’t do it diagonally to avoid any confusion.
Sample fan measurement (Source)
Types of Case Fans
There are basically two different types of case fans, including static pressure fans and high airflow fans.
Static Pressure Fans
Static pressure is not about the amount or speed of the air that is being pushed into the system. In fact, it is the force with which the air is pushed into the system to keep it from overheating. A high static pressure fan is basically designed to work with different fin designs. This quality makes them effective in moving air through radiators, case meshes, and even dust filters. These types of fans are great at tackling the resistance.
High Airflow Fans
High airflow fans prove to be efficient in moving air through tight spaces. They are equipped with impressive airflow technology, which tends to pull air with maximum force and ultimately dissipate the heat produced by the system, extending its lifespan.
RGB Fans
RGB fans, also known as LED fans, are equipped with LEDs for lighting effects. RGB is one of the types of LED fans that allows you to customize colors in multiple ways. On the other hand, LED fans generally come in only one color. They have greater airflow as compared to the static pressure. Such fans are highly suitable for those who try to show off the inside of their PCs.
Conclusion
Cooling is an important aspect to extend the lifespan of your system. A reliable case fan is designed to deliver remarkable performance with the fusion of efficiency, sound reduction, and impressive airflow. Hopefully, you have enough information about the right model for you from the list above. You are recommended to take your time to check out all the models and then pick the best one to make a valued purchase.
People Also Ask
Computer case fans are the most common options to keep a system cool. However, there are still certain misconceptions about these models. In this section, we have tried to answer some of the frequently asked questions by people in order to ensure a wonderful experience.
Let’s get started!
What is a PWM Fan?
PWM is the abbreviation for Pulse Width Modulation. A PWM fan refers to a model that is controlled via this method. PWM lets you control the fans and coolers in your system by controlling their speed or even RPM. This feature limits the fan from running at full speed all the time, while avoiding an excessive amount of noise.
Can You Plug a 3-Pin Fan Into a 4-Pin Socket?
Honestly, a rhree-pin fan can be easily plugged into the four-pin socket. The fourth pin is generally used for the PWM control and, therefore, is not compulsory for the operation of the fan. Two pins are meant to provide power to the fan while the third one is essential for providing an RPM pulse to the motherboard. If the fourth pin is not connected, the fan will run at full speed, however, you can still control it by adjusting the settings in the system’s BIOS.
How Many Computer Fans Do I Need?
If you intend to build a gaming PC or a system for video editing, you are recommended to go for cases that can easily accommodate at least two fans. There must be a minimum of one fan in each spot i.e., one top, one rear, and one front. You just can’t compromise on cooling.
Which Way Do You Install Case Fans?
Installation of case fans requires some important things to keep in mind. You must know that the air flows across the open side and moves towards the protective grille. Therefore, the open side of the fans at the bottom or on the front must be placed outside the case. Similarly, fans on the rear or top should be turned toward the inside of the case for quality operation.
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