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In a world where PCs or laptops work for extended hours, they deserve some extra maintenance.
All the overworking and efficient functioning can cause them to heat up more than usual, and if you want to ensure a long-lasting setup, you need to get the best 80 mm case fan.
How do you know which is good and which is low quality? We're glad you asked. Keep reading to learn more about these fans.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for 80Mm Case Fan
- OUR TOP PICK: Noctua NF-A8 PWM
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: Arctic F8 PWM
- QUIETEST 80MM CASE FAN: APEVIA AF58S-BK
Comparison of the Best 80mm Case Fans
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What is a Case Fan?
A case fan is also called a system fan. It is located inside a computer and is usually attached to the front, or in some cases, back of the case. The fan’s job is to bring cool air inside the case while also blowing hot air outside. This process ultimately helps in balancing the temperature of your PC or laptop. Furthermore, if this process is not executed correctly, then the adverse effects like overheating can reduce the life of your device. Hence, an effective cooling system and air circulation are essential for the durability of your PC.
APEVIA AF58S-BK
How Do I Choose an 80mm Case Fan?
There are some qualities or features that you must consider before buying an 80mm case fan in order to get the best out of your product.
Noise Levels
Before buying a case fan, you should check its noise level because people who are frequent users like professionals or gamers have often complained about high noise levels. Hence, you should make sure the case fan you are buying has low noise levels.
Speed
A fan’s speed is measured in terms of Revolutions Per Minute (RPM). The higher the speed you want, the more the RPMs you should look for. A higher RPM is also better because it means that the fan pulls in more air per minute as compared to a lower RPM fan.
Intake or Exhaust Fan
Some fans are intake, while others are exhaust. You should be mindful of this before buying the fan. Ideally, the ratio should be 1:1, but it can vary depending on an individual PC's requirements.
Airflow Fans or Static Pressure Fans
Another essential thing is the kind of fan you use. If there are no obstructions around the fan, then an airflow fan will be good enough, but in the case of obstruction, it is better to get a static pressure fan. The difference between this is the shape of the blades.
Review of the Best 80mm Case Fans
There are several fans available in the market, and it can get challenging to choose from them. However, don't worry, since we have shortlisted some top fans.
Best Overall:
Noctua NF-A8 PWM
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
The product is backed by several buyers who were truly satisfied with the product. They believe that it lives up to its hype. It pumps the air efficiently and is even silent. It moves more than enough air to keep their rigs cool during long transmissions at full power. They simply love it and believe it is worth every penny.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This product particularly stands out to us for the bulk of air it can pump in and out in just a minute. It keeps your system cool for long periods of time without making any sound at all. Furthermore, it also has special designs for reducing noise and increasing aerodynamic function.
Who Will Use This Most
We think that this fan will be suitable for someone with HTPC, ITX, and small form factor cases since its compatibility is limited. Furthermore, it will be ideal for someone who uses PCs to perform heavy tasks over long durations of time and who is very sensitive to noise.
Bottom Line
If you own an HTPC, ITX, and small form factor and want to prolong its life and increase its efficiency, then you should buy Noctua NF-A8 PWN Case Fan. It has excellent cooling abilities and reduces the noise largely. Furthermore, it has a four-pin PW that can be controlled on-the-fly using a third-party software.
Best for the Money:
Arctic F8 PWM
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
The majority of recent buyers believed it to be an excellent value for money. It has excellent airflow and low noise levels, yet has a relatively low price. They also really like its long and protected cable, which can easily cater to different length requirements. And ultimately, they love how it's so easy to use.
Why it Stands Out to Us
One reason why this unit stands out to us is the value it offers for its price, even though it's highly comparable to the relatively expensive products. It has excellent airflow, an extended cable, and low noise levels. Furthermore, it is compatible with most devices with its four-pin connector. Lastly, it has a controllable PMW.
Who Will Use This Most
We strongly recommend this product to people who are on a budget and want high quality at the lowest possible price. It can also be great for someone who wants a case fan that's compatible with most devices and is low maintenance and easy to use.
Bottom Line
For people looking for a fan that has great quality, yet is highly affordable, then Arctic F8 PWM can be a good pick for you. It has a Fluid Dynamic Bearing Lubrication System that makes the fan easy to maintain and use while offering you efficient and effective functioning.
Quietest 80mm Case Fan:
APEVIA AF58S-BK
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
The recent buyers love how the APVIA fan efficiently circulates a lot of air in and while still maintaining low levels of noise. They particularly find its LED lights very pretty, which function when the fan is working. Furthermore, they love how it is compatible with most devices and is easy to install.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The most important feature that stands out to us is its especially low noise levels that help enhance its functionality without affecting the amount of air it can pump. Furthermore, it is highly compatible with most devices and is easy to use and maintain.
Who Will Use This Most
It will be an ideal pick for someone who is sensitive to noise and loves to work with his full focus without any disturbance. It can also be great for someone who wants a case fan that's compatible with most devices and is low maintenance and easy to use.
Bottom Line
In case you want a very silent yet effective fan, you should give APEVIA AF58S-BK a try. It has great CFM and RPM to enhance its cooling performance. Furthermore, it is low maintenance and compatible with most devices.
Editor's Pick:
be quiet! Pure Wings 2
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
A lot of the recent buyers were highly satisfied with this product, especially since it is so quiet. They were amazed by its performance. It is a little on the pricier side of the spectrum, but it works so well and is highly durable with a warranty of three years, which makes it highly worthy of its price.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We find the highly silent operation and great durability of this product truly impressive. It contains Rifle Bearing Technology that ensures its long life span of up to 80,000 hours. Furthermore, it is specially designed to work great with air cooling setups with its low but effective RPM.
Who Will Use This Most
Considering the silent operation, this will be a great product for use in offices and home PCs, gaming, and even multimedia systems, especially for noise-sensitive people. It is also great for people who are not price-sensitive but care a great deal about the durability and quality of the product.
Bottom Line
Overall, this is a well-designed, durable product meant to last for years to come and ,be as silent as a mouse. It is made with Rifle Bearing Technology to make it last, while also carefully engineered to be used with air cooling systems.
5. Cooler Master
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers are calling it a "Silent Master." It has dramatically increased the airflow through their processors, while also operating silently. They believe it to be of exceptional quality that will last for years to come. Many buyers have also made repeated purchases for their different devices.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It stands out to us for its silent and efficient operations that are guaranteed to increase the life of your PC. It has excellent RPM and CFM along with its three-pin connector that is compatible with most PCs. Furthermore, it is environment-friendly and RoHS-compliant.
Who Will Use This Most
We think it will be most suitable for someone with a smaller PC unit that is three-pin connector compatible. Furthermore, since it is known to be very quiet, it can be ideal for someone who is sensitive to noises or concerned about the environment, since it is environment-friendly.
Bottom Line
If you are looking for a quiet, efficient, and effective fan, give this exceptional product a chance. It has durable build and excellent CFM and RPMs. Furthermore, it is three-pin connector compatible and environmentally friendly with RoHS verification.
CPU Fan vs. Case Fan - What's the Difference?
A CPU fan is a fan that stands over your CPU. It will have a base that sits over your CPU, which is usually made of copper, aluminum, or a mix of both. The base will have heat pipes with blades, where the fan sits. The heat is moved from these pipes to the blades of the cooler. The fan pulls the heat away from these blades and into the air to be pulled out by the case fans. In this scenario the case fan is an outtake fan. However, depending upon the area where case fans are attached, they are intake or outtake fans.
Case Fan 3-Pin vs. 4-Pin - Which is Ideal and Why?
Some case fans have 3 pins while others have 4 pins. This basically affects the ability to be controlled by remote or by a third-party software. A regular three-pin case fan will have wires for ground, power, and tach – it relies on data from your software or motherboard. On the other hand, the four-pin fans will have an additional wire for Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) Control. This additional fourth wire enables your fan control software or motherboard to control or adjust the speed of your case fan. Hence, it is better to have the fourth pin in your case fan.
How to Install a Case Fan
It may look easy to install a case fan, but it can be quite complicated, and if not installed properly, it can cause problems for both the case fan and your PC. Hence, you should carefully follow the instructions.
1. Open the easy service flop of your CPU.
2. Figure out where you want to place the case fan and for what purpose – intake or outtake.
3. Figure out where you want to put or roll the cable in your system.
4. Place the fan in its place.
5. Make sure the airflow direction is in accordance with your needs.
6. Screw it into its place properly and tighten it so you can minimize vibrations that pass through the system.
7. Install any other fans you want by following the same instructions.
8. Once you are sure that the fans are installed properly, just attach the system to a power source.
9. Make sure your unit is properly sealed after the installation to avoid any electrical issues.
Be sure to refer to the video below for a full overview of what was just described.
Conclusion
If you want to prolong the life of your devices and make sure they work efficiently over long periods of time, then a good-quality case fan is essential. They are not just effective, but also silent and can be controlled by remotes to increase convenience. Hence, you should seriously consider them.
People Also Ask
It can be a little tricky to understand the concept of case fans if you are new to it, and even if you understand the specifications of the fans, it can be a challenge to understand how to make them compatible with your device. Hence, we have answered some top questions for you.
How Many Case Fans Do You Need?
It depends on your own personal requirements and hence, if you are not sure, you should ask an expert. However, normally you need cases with space for at least three fans. The number of fans can be inquired about from the seller you are buying the case from.
Which Way Do You Install Case Fans?
The fans can be either intake or outtake. However, the way you chose to install the case fan depends on two factors; your personal preferences and your system's design. We recommend looking for professional advice or help regarding your specific computer system.
How to Measure a Case Fan
Measure the horizontal or vertical distance between the screw holes. A quicker way to do this can also be to measure the diagonal length of the case, which is the ideal way used by most people.
How to Control the Case Fan's Speed
If you have a three-pin fan, you cannot control fan speed. However, four-pin fans with PWM, allow you to use fan controllers or external software to control speed. This is also why we recommend four-pin fans over three-pin fans.
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