Which would be better - 1 large fan or 2 smaller?

gazl_neon · 28 Jul 2011 at 11:58

My case allows for a 200mm fan the be placed at the top, but the fittings also allow for two 120mm fans in its place. I was just wondering if any of you guys knew which method would be better noise-wise and effectiveness-wise.

Worth pointing out also is the fact that I can't seem to find 200mm fans in stock on a site that I trust or even in local PC stores :/ I can find 120mm fans no problem, so if the difference isn't huge then I might as well go for the two smaller fans...

Reaper 392 · 28 Jul 2011 at 12:08

the bigger fan will be far better than two smaller ones. with the two small ones you will only have 288cm² of fan whereas with one big one you will have 400cm² of fan. also, the small ones will have more deadzones (areas of no air movement, like the center of the fan) than the single big one.

Greboth · 28 Jul 2011 at 12:29

Agree with above, as a general rule the bigger the fan more airflow but lower rpm and less noise. As for stock though, a special welsh place seems to have a lot of 200mm fans in stock.

gazl_neon · 28 Jul 2011 at 12:41

Thanks a lot for the advice, guys c: Definitely helped me out.

EDIT: Found your "special Welsh place" XD

panyan · 28 Jul 2011 at 13:02

Greboth said:
Agree with above, as a general rule the bigger the fan more airflow but lower rpm and less noise

+1 larger fan is much better

j.col · 28 Jul 2011 at 13:56

panyan said:
+1 larger fan is much better

also agree and also quieter