If you are building your own gaming PC, you will need to know about the must-have components. Likewise, you will also want to learn about components that aren’t must-have if you are looking for ways to cut costs. If you are wondering whether or not a case fan is necessary for your gaming PC, this article is for you. Below, we will be going over whether or not a case fan is necessary and what features you should be looking for in one.
Is It Necessary?
Absolutely. A case fan is a must for any gaming PC even if you aren’t going for an enthusiast build. The fact is, heat is the number one enemy for any PC in general. When your components are used and when you are doing graphically intensive work, the components individually generate heat. Because they are combined in such a compact space, the total amount of heat generated and accumulated can add up to a significant amount. Heat can lessen the lifespan of your components and even cause permanent damage. As a result, these components have safeguard measures put in place to avoid this damage from occurring. They do this by throttling the components that ‘down-clocks’ them so they don’t output maximum performance. Thus, you want to lower the ambient temperature in your case to keep your components not only safe from overheating, but also performing at maximum capacity.
What Features Should You Look For In A Case Fan?
There are plenty of things you should be looking for when you are shopping around for pc fans. Not only do you want to look at the fan speed, but you also want to try to find case fans that aren’t too loud. Having a lot of case fans that are loud can be distracting especially when they are performing at their highest fan speed. Therefore, you might want to prioritize quiet performance. Aesthetics might be a big factor for some, but the performance of the fans should be prioritized above all else. You want to try to find fans that will enhance your gaming PC’s performance. However, for those with tempered glass windows, you will likely want fans that match the overall aesthetic of your build.
1. Fan Speed
This is going to play the biggest role in determining whether or not the case fans are assets to your PC’s performance. The speed at which your case fan operates is the main consideration you should be making.
2. Fan Noise
As mentioned, you might want to prioritize performance without sacrificing having a quiet performer. If so, you will want to factor in the noise generated by the fans. This is especially true if you are going to have more than one fan operating inside of the case.
3. Aesthetics
The aesthetics are likely to be important to anyone with an enthusiast build who has a certain aesthetic they are going for with their build.
By following the tips above, you should be able to identify the right pc cooling fan(s) to purchase. You should be orientating your fans to optimize airflow throughout your case to ensure all of your components are properly cooled.