80mm case fan vs 120mm case fan

[ddeder]

Is there a benefit to using one size or the other? Seems to me, the 120mm fans are quieter. If they keep the case as cool as an 80mm fan, why would anyone use an 80mm?

 

[Luckyboy1]

Mostly, like me due to ignorance! A 120 mm fan will move about 3 times as much air as a 80 mm fan in the real world... yeah, I've sen the specs and being a big spec hunter, I fell for that one. I did so even while my Mechanical Engineer Father told me otherwise.

It comes down to the moving air while still not having it sound like a leaf blower or weed eater running under your desk! You can't just look at maximum CFM. You have too look at what air it will move at reasonable noise levels and that's where the difference comes in. Maybe someone will learn from and not just disregard my mistakes.

 

[suszterpatt]

Larger fans can move the same amount of air at a lower RPM, resulting in less noise and vibration. Or produce the same amount of noise but move a lot more air.