The best radiator fans ensure you get the best liquid cooling in your AIO CPU cooler, so your CPU will not get too hot. Now, with so many PC fans in the market, it’s a difficult task to find the best one.
Not to worry, we’ve got you covered because we know the best fans for your radiator and we’ll tell you. By the end of this article, you’ll select the best fan for your radiator, so, keep on reading.
Contents
Comparison TableÂ
| Product | Details |
| Noctua NF-A14 FLX, Premium Quiet Fan, 3-Pin (140mm, Brown)
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| Corsair ML140, 140mm Premium Magnetic Levitation Fan
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| Be quiet! Silent Wings 3 120mm, BL064, Cooling Fan
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| Cooler Master SickleFlow 120
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The 4 Best Radiator Fans Reviews
From the comparison table, you can guess these fans will pack more features than what we’ve shown. We can tell you that’s true, so in this section, we’ll discuss each fan, and you’ll know why we chose them. Our discussion is about their specifications and how they can be useful.
1. Noctua Nf-A14 Flx Premium Quiet Fan
Pros:
- Consumes less power
- Six years warranty
- Sophisticated aerodynamic measures
- Three-speed settings for full flexibility
- Integrated anti-vibration pads
Cons:
- Brown color will not fit in custom-builds
NF-A14 FLX is a square-shaped 140mm fan designed for high static pressure. This makes it the ideal fan for your radiator because you’ll get good coverage of airflow. This ensures the best cooling for the cooling liquid in the radiator before it returns to the pump. From this, your CPU will not get too hot, but the speed of the fan also plays a role in the fan’s performance.
FLX in NF-A14 means “flexibility”, this allows three different speed levels in the fan. This speed ranges from 900 RPM to 1,200 RPM, and in-between is 1,050 RPM. The fan can do this using Low-Noise (LN) and Ultra Low-Noise (ULN) Adaptors. Still, this speed range is not alone in making the fan a premium fan for your radiator.
We’ll have to revisit some of the fan’s features that contribute to its performance. These features are Flow Acceleration Channels (FAC) and Stepped Inlet Design (SID). The FAC speeds up the airflow at the outer fan blade region with reduced suction side flow. This leads to lower vortex noise and increased airflow.
The SID increases suction capacity, allowing the fan to draw in more air for better cooling while Inner Surface Microstructures provide improved airflow. The anti-vibration pads reduce vibration, and the self-stabilizing oil-pressure bearing ensures fan stability. NF-A14 is a good fan and thanks to the good reputation of Noctua, it received 9 out of 10 for build quality, airflow performance and power consumption. Finally, it has lower noise levels compared to other fans on this list; so it gets 3 out of 10 (lower number is better).
Overview: NF-A14 FLX is a premium Noctua fan designed for high efficiency. It’s the ideal fan for overclockers thanks to its water cooling features that make it stand out. These features include Flow Acceleration Channels, Stepped Inlet Design, and anti-vibration pads.
2. Corsair ML140, 140MM Premium Magnetic Levitation Fan
Pros:
- Top-notch quiet operation
- Custom rotor design for flawless operation
- Pulse Width Modulation for precise speed control
- Magnetic Levitation Technology for a longer lifespan
Cons:
- Expensive
Corsair ML140 is a fan that’ll fit in a custom AIO cooler because it has many features that show quality. Like NF-A14, ML140 has high static pressure, so it can blow air through obstacles in your PC. Plus, the seven blades powered by Magnetic Levitation Technology have a longer lifespan. Not only that, it makes the ML140 a high-performance fan that’ll stand the test of your environment.
The performance of ML140 starts with the speed of the fan, rated up to 2,000 RPM. With such speed, your radiator will get the airflow needed for the best performance. And it gets better, the Pulse Width Modulation allows precise speed control. This will let you find a balance between quiet operation and cooling performance.
What’s more, ML140 has a custom rotor designed for static pressure and airflow. This ensures unrivaled performance that ensures good cooling of your CPU. So, your AIO cooler can cool the hot coolant that comes through the radiator before it returns to the pump. The aesthetics of ML140 will make it fit in your custom-builds thanks to its “techie” design and fan color.
Mind you, it’s not compatible with Corsair iCUE software, and it has no RGB lighting. Still, you’ll get a reliable operation that will not let you down when you need it the most; this is why Corsair ML140 received 9 out of 10 for build quality and airflow performance. At the same time, due to its power draw (2.7972 Watts); we rated it at 5 out of 10 for power consumption. Finally, it scored 8 out of 10 for its noise level for standard computer operation.
Overview: Corsair ML140 is a premium fan powered by Magnetic Levitation Technology. It’s the best fan for PC builders looking for a balance between “good looks” and performance. It comes with a five years warranty of reliable operation in your working environment.
3. Be Quiet! Silent Wings 3 120MM, BL064, Cooling Fan
Pros:
- Anti-vibration mountings prevent vibrations
- Pulse Width Modulation for speed variations
- Low power consumption
- Advanced Fluid Dynamic Bearing for long lifespan
Cons:
- Expensive
- No RGB lighting
Be quiet! Silent Wings fan is an advanced state-of-the-art fan, and that’s not hype. With it, there is one guarantee; you’ll get good cooling and quiet operation. These are two functions that you should find on a fan designed for a radiator, and you’ll find them in this fan. What’s more, it has lots of optimizations that’ll give you impressive performance.
Starting with the fan speed rated over 1,450 RPM, you’ll get more airflow for good cooling. Not only that, the fan frame has a funnel-shaped inlet that produces high air pressure. This pressure is what the fan needs to push air through obstacles in your PC. What’s more, the fan has a six-pole motor, so it gives out less vibration and consumes less power.
The Fluid Dynamic Bearing (FDB) gives the fan a long life of up to 300,000 hours. While in operation, the anti-vibration mountings prevent vibrations to your PC case. This prevents shaking in your gaming PC, which can affect your graphics card. Also, the fan can adjust its speed based on condition, if it’s hot, the speed will go up, or else it stays quiet.
This makes the fan a good one in environments where CPU temperature can go from hot to cold in a short time. Behind the scenes, the IC motor controller reduces electrical noise from the fan. All these features ensure the fan produces inaudible, high-end operation for your computer leading to a better fan experience. Also, this is why Silent Wings 3 received 2 out of 10 for noise (lower number for noise is better); 9 out of of 10 for build quality and airflow performance; 5 out of 10 for power consumption (lower number for power is better).
Overview: Silent Wings three is a fan with Advanced Fluid Dynamic Bearing for longer life. If you are a high-end gamer, it’s the fan that you should have for your radiator. The speed variations ensure the fan will increase in speed when it’s required, else it stays quiet.
4. Cooler Master Sickleflow 120
Pros:
- Sealed and secure fan bearing
- Improved dust-proof properties
- Enhanced fan frame that reduces turbulent flow
- Optimized blade design for improved airflow and air pressure
Cons:
- No RGB lighting
- Two years warranty
SickleFlow 120 has a low-profile design, but it does what’s designed to do; good air cooling. It has a black coating and seven fan blades whose colors vary between black and white. The noise level is 27 decibels, so there is no noise while in operation. Where this fan starts to shine is the blade design that’s unlike anything you’ll see on other fans.
The blades have optimizations that improve air pressure while spinning up to 1,800 RPM. Such fan speed ensures the fan can suck in more air that’ll cool the liquid flowing through the radiator. At the same time, the air pressure allows the fan to blow air through resistance if need be. And it gets better, the frame on the fan reduces turbulent flow noise levels for good efficiency.
A special feature of SickleFlow 120 is the sealed bearing that plays two important roles. First, it prevents the lubrication oil from leaking; this ensures the fan stability. The second usage is dust prevention, so dust will not clog the fan while increasing stability. Such stability is the 160,000 hours of usage and low power consumption.
The fan blades (black or white) ensure the fan will fit in custom builds where fan color is of importance. It has no RGB lighting but all its features will compensate for this if you want RGB. Also, it has two years warranty, which is quite small compared to Noctua NF-A14 or Corsair ML140. Combined with all its features, we gave SickleFlow 120 an 8 out of 10 for build quality and airflow performance; 7 out of 10 for noise and power consumption.
Overview: SickleFlow 120 has a compact design and secure fan bearing that plays two roles. It’s the ideal fan for everyday computer users who don’t want dust and leakage of the lubrication oil. The fan blades have optimizations for improved airflow and air pressure.
Buying Guide
At this stage, you know all the best fans that can fit on your radiator and ensure the best cooling. Still, a fan will stand out from the rest, and that’s what this section is all about, so, read on.
What Are the Benefits of Noctua Nf-A14 Flx?
Flexibility is the main benefit of Noctua NF-A14, and you’ll find it in the fan speed. NF-A14 FLX has three fan speed settings that are unlike any fan for a radiator. This gives you the flexibility for fine-tuned performance and low noise. Yet, other features make NF-A14 a top fan for your radiator, and they include the following:
- Flow Acceleration Channels
- Stepped Inlet Design
- Inner Surface Microstructures
- Integrated anti-vibration pads
- Second-generation Smooth Commutation Drive
All these features show why NF-A14 FLX is the best PC fan among the rest, although the color might put you off. Still, it’s the performance that’ll matter when you get this fan on your radiator. The fan speed and design ensure the fan will cool the liquid that comes through the radiator. Afterward, the liquid can return to the pump before the cooling cycle starts all over again.
Indeed, this might not be enough, but it can offer more than liquid cooling. You’ll know better starting from the next section, where we do some technical deep dive. But for now, the life expectancy of this fan and the warranty are both welcome news. NF-A14 FLX can last over 150,000 hours with six years warranty.
Such longevity is a common feature of all Noctua fans, and that’s why they have a good reputation. What’s more, it consumes less power, which means a reduction in your electricity bill. This gives it an edge over fans that requires more power for good performance. With that said, this fan is a must-have on your radiator, and it will rival some of the best RGB fans for radiators.
Key Features
The features that make NF-A14 FLX stand out from the remaining radiator fans is worthy of mention. All these features combined ensure you get the best performance that will leave you speechless. They are a bit technical, but we’ll slow things down, and carry you along with simple terms that you won’t need a dictionary to understand.
– Flow Acceleration Channels
The job of case fans is to bring in airflow for the liquid running through the radiator, and it has to do it very fast. Also, it should not make any noise; these are the functions of Flow Acceleration Channels in NF-A14 FLX. It works by increasing the speed of the airflow at the outer regions of the fan blades. This will reduce the suction side flow separation, which can affect performance. With this, NF-A14 FLX will perform better, and you can enjoy an incredible fan experience.
– Stepped Inlet Design
The stepped inlet design plays two important functions in the operation of NF-A14 FLX. First, it’s an aerodynamic design measure that allows the fan to suck in more air. So, it’ll increase the fan efficiency, and second, it refines the acoustic qualities. This allows the fans to blend into the background noise, and you will feel comfortable while it works. This feature is what you’ll need if you are working in space-restricted environments.
– Inner Surface Microstructures
This is yet another feature of NF-A14 FLX aimed at improving the airflow, but with an extra capability. While the fan blades are in operation, they will pass through the inner edges of the fan, and this can cause a problem. This problem is “suction side flow separation” and it causes axial noise and losses in airflow. Inner Surface Microstructures serve as a defense against this behavior in NF-A14 FLX. As a result, NF-A14 FLX emits less noise, and it will perform better than other fans.
– Integrated Anti-vibration Pads
Vibrations are not good in fans, and that’s why NF-A14 FLX has a measure that will reduce them. This measure is the special Integrated Anti-vibration Pads that reduces the “minute vibrations”. These pads are special because Noctua made them from extra-soft silicone. What’s more, you can use standard screws to secure them to the radiator. These pads are one of the features that make NF-A14 FLX a premium fan that you should have.
– Second-generation Smooth Commutation Drive
The beauty of any fan is the ability to work without making any noise, even if at a close distance. NF-A14 FLX has a feature that serves this purpose, and it’s the latest Smooth Commutation Drive or SCD. As the name implies, SCD provides “smooth operation” by getting rid of two things. These are torque variations and switching noises, both can lead to fan noises that you won’t like. With SCD, you cannot separate quietness from Noctua NF-A14 FLX, and that’s quality at its best.
Conclusion
In this article, we discussed the best fans that you can use in your radiator for the best cooling. It’s a must that you have the best fan in your radiator to prevent overheating which can lead to damage. If you want a quality fan with features designed for a good fan experience, choose Noctua NF-A14 FLX. But, if you want to build a PC or have a custom-built PC already, Corsair ML140 should be your choice. You’ll select Silent Wings Three if you already have Dark Rock Pro, else, choose SickleFlow 120.