How to Choose the Best Laptop Computer Cooling Fan: Key Features to Consider

Published: 20 Apr 2025

When you use a computer, it gets warmer with time. It can slow down or even break down if it gets too hot. That is why every computer needs fans. Fans keep your laptop cool and enable them to work well. In this guide, you will learn about the types of computer fans, their jobs, and why they are essential. You’ll also learn about the types of computer cooling systems, computer cases, and other kinds of fans you can find inside.

Table of Content

HOW DOES THE COMPUTER FAN WORK
DIFFERENT OF COMPUTER FAN TYPES
HOW TO CHOOSE A SUITABLE COMPUTER FAN
MAINTAINING THE COMPUTER FAN
THE BOTTOM LINE

HOW DOES THE COMPUTER FAN WORK

The fan in a computer helps regulate the temperature inside a computer by moving air from outside through every component. This airflow keeps crucial bodies of a PC, like the CPU and GPU, from overheating; otherwise, these parts of the computer will raise the temperature quickly and shut down or suffer long-term damage.

Most types of computers, like high-tech PCs or basic office PCs, are equipped with cooling systems in computer cases, which are fundamental parts of this technology device.

Zotac GPU card featuring powerful cooling technology — Maximized performance with Zotac’s cooling fans

DIFFERENT OF COMPUTER FAN TYPES

There are many different types of PC fan types, but we can divide them into three main groups: air PC fan, water PC fan, and custom PC fan. Each model has its own operating method, but all types of fans perform very well when cooling off, which is very effecti

1. Air PC fan

Firstly, an Air PC fan is an appliance that uses fans and metal heatsinks (e.g., aluminium or copper ) to dissipate heat from components. It is the most popular fan type in the market because it is affordable and easy to maintain, so technology companies have invented many different kinds of fans in this category. However, this fan is noisy because of the fan’s speed and size.

2. Water PC Fan

The second fan type is a Water PC fan. Its performance is better than that of an air PC fan. It uses liquid to transfer heat from the main part to a radiator and is quieter than the first type of fan. However, due to its outweigh features, this fan is more expensive than air coolers.

3. Custom PC Fan

Finally, there is the Custom PC fan. As the name suggests, users can customise different fan types on their own way toward this group. This includes blocks, radiators, reservoirs, pumps, tubing, and liquid to decrease the temperature of the PC. It meets both the demand for cooling function and the appearance of customers, especially younger ones. Therefore, the cost of a custom fan system is more expensive than the two remaining computer fan types.

HOW TO CHOOSE A SUITABLE COMPUTER FAN

Choosing a computer fan that fits depends on many factors, such as the Kind of Fan, Fan Size, Fan Speed, Noise Level, Connector Type, and Brand in the market.

1. Kinds of Fans

Airflow fans and Static Pressure fans are two primary kinds of fans, and they have different cooling measures. The Airflow fan allows air to move through an open-space environment, optimizing a large amount of air to come across a broader area to make the PC freeze in some spots without obstructions.

In contrast, a Static Pressure fan focuses on cramped space. It pushes the air through obstacles and cools the particular spots that are overheated, such as the CPU, GPU,…

2. Fan Size

Besides, make sure the computer case supports the fan size. There are three main sizes: 80mm, 120mm, and 140mm. A bigger fan will need a bigger fan case, and its performance will be better.

3. Fan Speed

Another factor: “The Speed of the Fan” is measured by RPM ( Revolutions per minute); the speed fluctuates from 1000 to over 2000 RPM and can be adjusted based on the current temperature of the main CPU. The low RPM will be less noisy and have weak airflow, compared to the high rating, which is more cool and louder. Each cooling system will have a maximum fan speed rating for a balanced computer operation. In addition,

4. Noise Level

Decibel ( Db ) is the index that shows the noise level of a computer fan; it depends on many aspects of the cooler system, such as the speed of the fan, the quality of the fan, and so on. High-performance fans tend to be louder, but the manufacturer can design it by adding accessories to reduce the noise. Besides, after a long use, the fan will be covered with some dust or be oxidized, so it will cause the loud sound during the process. Therefore, we need to look for fans that balance cooling and noise and check carefully before buying.

An equally important factor is Connector Type. There are two types of connectors: 3-pin and 4-pin ( PWM). According to each type of motherboard, choosing the correct type of connector helps the cooler system operate properly.

Computer technician fixing hardware components with screwdriver — Fixing PC components with precision and care.

5. Brand

Finally, the computer fan market is diverse, so each brand will emphasize its strengths in this part of the PC. Several technology companies like Noctua, Cosair, and Arctic. While Noctua is the best in performance and silence, Cosair and Arctic are great choices in balance and affordable price, respectively.

MAINTAINING THE COMPUTER FAN

Not only the external parts of the computer but also the internal components need to be maintained frequently, especially the cooling fan. Hence, it should be cleaned every 6-12 months. We can take it to the computer store to ask for the help of an expert or clean it by ourselves if we have an understanding of technology.

Here are some suggestions for a basic cleaning process at home: Firstly, remove the CPU cooler carefully and make sure that the computer is shut down before. Then, disconnect the fan wire from the motherboard. Next, remove the dust with compressed air, a brush, or several specialized liquids. Then, replace the old thermal paste in the CPU and heatsink with the new one. The final step is to reattach the computer fan to the PC.

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THE BOTTOM LINE

In conclusion, choosing a proper cooling system is one of the most essential steps to building a good PC. We have mentioned many different types of PC fans above, which have their own strengths. We will discuss how to choose a proper fan system based on many different points and how to maintain this device. Hence, we need to choose a suitable kind of fan to ensure the main part of the computer runs at its best performance and have a periodic maintenance schedule for this cooler accessory.