Chicago
Track Your Order
0
How Many Cooling Fans Does a Gaming PC Really Need?
Heat is the biggest problem associated with gaming PCs!
A gaming system is built using powerful components in order to run heavy games smoothly. Because of this reason, it is functional at a higher temperature and generates a significant amount of heat.
To avoid system overheating problems, the PC needs good airflow. Lack of airflow can cause serious damage to your precious computer.
You can manage the flow of air using two options, i.e., case fans and liquid cooling. Both the cooling methods are effective, but the majority of the gamers choose cooling fans as it is an affordable option.
Case fans help to eliminate heat and keep the system cool by flushing hot air from inside the PC and circulating cool air.
It is one of the most crucial components of a gaming PC. If you don’t want your system to overheat and stop working, it is wise to invest in case fans.
However, before you stack your PC with fans, it is important to know the minimum number of fans a gaming PC will need. Today, we are going to discuss the actual amount of cooling fans needed in a gaming PC to maintain airflow.
How Does the Airflow Work on a Gaming PC?
Before we move on to cooling fans, you need to know how the airflow works to keep the system cool. It will help you to understand the working of case fans.
There are different types of fans in a gaming PC. To keep the PC cool, you need all these fans to work in sync. The first type of fan is a component fan.
These fans work as exhaust and pull heat away from the heating components in a PC. However, simply pulling hot air from the components is not enough.
In order to avoid a rise in temperature, you need to eliminate hot air from the PC. This is where the exhaust fan comes into the picture. This fan will completely remove heat from the system.
However, exhaust fans need a flow of air to work. To manage airflow, intake fans are required. These fans will pull fresh and cool air into the PC.
Simply put, airflow works when both these fans function together. The intake fans bring in cool air, and the exhaust fan eliminates hot air.
A proper airflow system not only keeps the PC cool but also improves the overall gaming performance. It will also increase the lifespan of the gaming PC.
Also read: Best 140mm Case Fans
How Many Fans Does a Gaming PC Need?
A gaming PC will need at least three case fans to properly regulate heat and keep the components cool. At the minimum, two case fans are needed for optimal cooling, and ideally three.
An exhaust fan should be placed on the back panel, while an intake fan should be placed on the front panel. It is important to have two to three fans for the best performance, as a single exhaust fan can be damaging to the CPU.
The fans at the front will intake cool air, and the fan at the back will work as an exhaust to throw away hot air. The fans will function in clockwork to maintain proper temperature.
It should not include component fans, i.e., CPU, power supply, or GPU fans. The number of fans also depends on the size of the case. You need slots in the case to install fans.
There are different ways by which you can set up the airflow in a gaming PC. In a traditional fan setup, there are two or three intake fans at the front and one exhaust fan at the back or roof of the case.
Are Two Fans Enough for a Gaming PC?
Two fans are enough for low-end gaming PCs. There is one intake fan and one exhaust fan in the case. However, the number of fans depends on the case and hardware.
If you are using the PC for general purposes and playing lightweight games, two fans are enough. In most of the low-end PCs, the case fans are in a 1:1 ratio.
However, if you are using high-power hardware, it is advisable to go with a 2:1 or 3:1 fan configuration. You can install two or three intake fans at the front and one exhaust fan at the back.
Are More Fans Better In a Gaming PC?
Just because case fans help to keep your gaming PC cool, you don’t need to stack your system with fans. The biggest mistake rookie gamers make is installing too many case fans.
When you use multiple case fans in your system, it has a negative effect. Stacking doesn’t improve the airflow but hinders it. If there are many fans on the PC, the first fan will interfere with the other, and less air will be circulated inside the system.
Too many intake fans create negative airflow. The fan will pull too much air in the PC, and the exhaust will not be able to remove it. Because of this, hot air will remain in the PC for a long time, and more dust will build up.
Similarly, if there are many exhaust fans, it will end up removing air too quickly from the system. In order to manage proper airflow, you don’t need more fans. Instead, you need to create a proper balance between intake and exhaust fan.
Where Should You Place the Fans in Gaming PC?
When it comes to setting up cooling fans in a gaming PC, you need to place the fans correctly as it affects the airflow. The best position for intake fan is at the front base of the case.
As for the exhaust fan, it should be at the top back of the case to eliminate hot air. Make sure the fans are not battling together, i.e., pulling and blowing air in the same direction.
In many cases, incorrect fan positions render the fans useless and lead to overheating problems. The best airflow configuration is the right number of fans + correct fan positioning.
What RPM Should PC Fans Be?
Case fans should run between 900 to 1000 RPM. It is the best speed for fans in order to achieve proper airflow. You will be able to keep the PC cool as well as tamper down the noise.
Make sure the speed of the fans is the same, or else it will lead to negative airflow. If you don’t have any problem with the noise, you can run the case fans at full speed. It will help you to cool the PC in a short span of time.
Should You Set Fans at Max Speed in Gaming PC?
Well, setting fans at max speed can help you manage airflow pretty quickly, but it has two major problems. Firstly, the fan will make too much noise when you run it at full speed.
Secondly, it will shorten the lifespan of the fan. It is best to adjust the fan settings on the basis of heat generated by the system.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to setting up a gaming PC, it is easy to ignore minor details like the number of cooling fans. However, this minor mishap can cause significant damage to your system in the long run. So, to enhance your overall gaming experience and increase the lifespan of your PC, it is vital to install at least 3 case fans, i.e., 2 intake fans and 1 exhaust fan in it.
