The simplest and perhaps cheapest way to breathe new life into your favorite case is to install (best) RGB fans. The PC case will get a fantastic look, but this action will contribute to the overall cooling quality of the components. So you can effectively combine the beautiful with the useful.
You can buy a PC case with built-in RGB fans, but such housing can be much more expensive. Fortunately, there’s a massive selection of affordable RGB fans on the market today, so you can make your case unique according to your wishes and ideas.
Before purchasing RGB fans, you must consider their essential characteristics: size, design, noise, color, speed, airflow, and price. You can make the right choice for your enclosure and beautify your gaming or working ambiance.
I emphasized packages that contain 3 or 5 RGB fans and with which you will be able to solve the cooling of the complete case. The advantage is that you in the package also get a controller for controlling the RGB lighting and additional fan operation parameters.
Of course, the manufacturers also offer only one piece of a fan for those who don’t need these packages. Still, in general, everything I wrote about the characteristics of the fans in the box also applies to individual fans.
Last but not least, these packages are usually a cheaper purchase than an individual one, so keep that detail in mind. I made a list of six great RGB fans packages that you can find today and have a wow effect on your gaming case.
Table of Contents
Overview Of The Best RGB Fans for Cases
Picture | Name | Pros | Price |
 Best Buy | upHere RGB Series Case Fan |
| |
 Best Cooling | Cooler Master SickleFlow 120 V2 ARGB |
| |
 Best Quality | Corsair QL120 RGB Fans |
| |
 | GIM KB-23 RGB Case Fans |
| |
 | Antec Prism 120 RGB Fans |
| |
 Best For Radiator | Thermaltake Pure 12 ARGB |
|
1. upHere RGB Series Case Fan
Construction and performance
In the first position is one of the most popular brands among players. upHere RGB fans for enclosures will not disappoint you in:
- cooling,
- build quality and
- a very affordable price.
There are three fans in the package but don’t worry; it doesn’t affect the quality or characteristics.
The noise they produce is around 17db, which is appreciated by anyone who cares about silence while gaming or working. The speed is limited to 1100 rpm, which isn’t much, although I don’t mind the noise of faster fans because I like the sound of the roar of the whole machine.
The construction involves a hydraulic bearing and rubber pads that reduce vibration and noise. You must connect fans to the supplied controller in the package for correct installation.
The controller connects with the SATA cable to the PSU, and thus the installation is complete. This fan package has a remote control to select RGB colors and lighting modes. You have a lot of lighting combinations at your disposal, so you will certainly not be bored.
If you don’t have any fans in the case, I recommend putting two pieces to suck in cold air and one to blow warm out of the case. Since these fans have a double-sided installation, installing them as described will not be a problem. If your budget allows and you have space for mounting on the case, take six pieces, and thus you will solve RGB lighting and computer cooling in the long run at an affordable price.
Disadvantages
The downside is that you can’t sync upHere RGB fans with your motherboard (Asus Aura Sync, Gigabyte RGB Fusion, etc.) via your computer. That means you only change the lighting via the included remote control. Also, if you install all three fans, you may be bothered by their noise. Users who like a quiet gaming environment can be sensitive to the noise generated by these fans.
Summary
Despite some shortcomings, mostly negligible or subjective, we can’t shake the impression that we get enough for the money invested. Remember that some brand names from this segment cost several times more. If you have assembled your first computer upHere RGB Fans will be a good start to making a beautiful case to your liking.
A simple installation system, excellent lighting and color options, a remote control, good cooling, and a reasonable price may be enough to decide on this package offered by upHere.
2. Cooler Master SickleFlow 120 V2 ARGB 3in1
Construction and performance
Cooler Master has a long tradition of manufacturing cooling components. Accordingly, their package of three SickleFlow 120 V2 ARGB RGB fans should be no unpleasant surprise.
What makes these fans stand out from the rest are:
- The improved square-shaped frame reduces turbulent airflow noise and increases cooling efficiency.
- A sealed fan-bearing structure prevents lubricating oil leakage and dust ingress. This design increases the fan’s service life and the operation’s stability.
- The new fan blades designed to improve airflow are also semi-transparent for improved lighting.
- Improved contacts via a secure clip to no longer be loose connections between the wires. The secure clip is an addition that I welcome and haven’t seen in the competition.
SickleFlow 120 V2 ARGB RGB changes speed dynamically from 650 rpm to 1800 rpm, reaching around 27 dB.
Cooler Master fans are quiet, and the RGB lighting is charming and bright. At the corners come rubber pads that reduce vibration.
Disadvantages
There’s nothing special to complain about this set of three RGB fans. As far as I can see, Cooler Master has paid more attention, traditionally, to cooling than to some wow lighting effects.
As expected, such a design produces more noise, which isn’t annoying at higher revs but can bother you.
Summary
Cooler Master SickleFlow 120 V2 ARGB is a very affordable set of RGB fans that balance noise and performance. There’s a greater emphasis on cooling than on RGB lighting but don’t get me wrong that RGB is bad; on the contrary. In any case, there’s room for improvement that the Cooler Master should consider in version V3.
3. Corsair QL120 RGB LED Fans
Construction and performance
Suppose you look for a tremendous RGB fan for the case that attracts attention with appearance and quality. In that case, you should not look any further because Corsair offers a lot. Corsair RGB fans have long been highly valued in gaming circles. An exciting package comes in the QL RGB series if you’re looking for their three-fan offering.
You can choose the fans in black or white color and choose one piece to buy separately or three in the package. If you opt for 140mm, you can take one or two in a box. Choose according to the budget you set aside for purchasing RGB fans.
If we look at the design and capabilities of the QL 120, we can see that Corsair has paid close attention to all the details. First, this model has four lighting zones with 34 individual RGB LEDs on each fan. That’s a lot more than any other RGB fan I’ve seen. It has so many LEDs, but it also has delicate color transitions, so you have endless lighting combinations that you can create to your liking.
The QL120 has nine translucent fan blades that don’t interfere with RGB light during operation or at maximum speed. The fans run quietly at higher revs, but if you have three or more of them inside the case, you will feel an increase in noise.
Disadvantages
Price. The Corsair package of three fans with the Lighting Node controller costs more than the other competitors on the list. Corsair charges for name, experience, build quality, support, etc.
Do I recommend Corsair?
Of course, this will not be a significant expense if you have already invested in a high-end PC. If your budget is a bit thin, look at this list of RGB Fans because the competition also has quality products.
However, Corsair QL120 isn’t without flaws except for the price. A few users have complained about the quality of the controller if they connect 5 or 6 fans. After a while, some fans can fail and stop working. If you install more fans, noise is possible, so consider all these shortcomings.
Summary
Based on the above, Corsair QL 120 RGB fans aren’t without flaws. Still, given the quality and experience of the manufacturer, it’s difficult not to recommend them. Extremely easy to install and adjust, a massive selection of colors and lighting modes, excellent cooling, and iCUE software. If you already have some Corsair products, you probably won’t hesitate to take these fans.
4. GIM KB-23 RGB Case Fans, 3 Pack
Construction and performance
Also, one of the more affordable fan sets comes from the marketing name GIM KB-23 RGB. Behind this cryptic name lies an entirely correct product that isn’t ashamed of more expensive and sounding brands. GiM has several things to stand out from the competition. Similar to the upHere RGB fans, it comes with remote control through which you can control the RGB lighting to your taste.
Interestingly, you can adjust the RGB effects to the beat of the music you listen to or while playing intense games. You can also change the fan speed via the remote control, reduce or increase the light intensity, and select 100 RGB lighting modes.
In this price range, GiM also offers synchronizing light with Asus, Gigabyte, and MSI motherboards (Aura Sync, Gigabyte RGB FUSION, MSI Mystic Light Sync). The revised design of the curved blades on the fan improves airflow and air pressure, thanks to which they don’t create much noise even at a maximum speed of 1300 rpm. GiM declares the noise level at only 15 dB. Still, I noticed that it’s not exactly like that and is much noisier than the specification during the work.
Disadvantages
You can change the lighting colors only via the remote control; there’s no additional program to control them. Although the GIM KB-23 RGB can sync lights to inputs from your system motherboard, you cannot access controls from a software-based control panel. There’s also a possible problem with the installation due to the poor quality of the supplied screws.
Summary
Except for some shortcomings, which, to be completely honest, some much more expensive competing models have, it seems that purchasing GIM KB-23 RGB fans is a good investment. In the package, you get three RGB fans with a controller at a reasonable price, so it seems to me that we have nothing to complain about but a warm recommendation.
5. Antec Prizm 120 RGB Fans
Construction and performance
Antec Prizm 120 RGB fans come in a pack of 5 pieces, which means that most users can completely solve the cooling and decoration of the case with this amount. These are aesthetically attractive, well-made, and the thinnest RGB fans on this list.
The fans are easy to install, and thanks to the dark black color, they look very nice inside the case with bright LED rings. The Prism 120 has synchronized RGB illumination via the motherboard, compatible with Asus, Gigabyte, and MSI. The fan speed is controlled based on the processor temperature; the more it heats up, the faster it runs. Likewise, the fans slow down as the processor cools.
The projected fan speed range is 500 rpm to 2000 rpm. Still, I haven’t heard them make noise during operation or have never reached maximum speed. The construction is done with a hydraulic bearing and rubber pads, like with upHere RGB Fans. You need to connect the RGB fans to the included fan controller to control and synchronize them.
In the package, you get short and clear instructions on connecting everything properly, be sure to look before installing the fan in the case.
Disadvantages
You can only adjust the fan mode and speed via the control hub and can’t change the brightness, which can bother someone if they like discreet lighting. It would also be good to have an OFF button on the controller to turn off the lights when you aren’t in the mood for a light show.
A few users also complained about the “click” sound during the operation of the fans. Nevertheless, I hope Antec, as a severe company, will quickly notice and solve this problem.
I didn’t notice that sound during the work, but you should know that it happens in a small number of cases. Also, the RGB contacts on the control hub could be more reliable because they don’t leave the impression of a solid connection.
Summary
Antec Prizm 120 are quality RGB fans that will cool your case well. They aren’t noisy and don’t shake and vibrate during operation. The advantage is easy installation on the PC case and perfect synchronization with the motherboard to get an awe-inspiring light atmosphere. If we ignore some minor flaws, you get a great kit at an affordable price.
6. Thermaltake Pure 12 ARGB
Construction and performance
This set of three RGB fans comes from the renowned ThermalTake, which has many years of experience removing heat from your computer. For a reasonable price, they offered that you can hardly resist, especially if you already have positive experiences with some of the products from their kitchen.
So what does the Thermaltake Pure 12 ARGB package bring us?
The fans come with nine blades for balanced airflow and static pressure. Except for the case, it’s great for installation on water-cooled radiators. Thermaltake Pure 12 ARGB supports motherboards with a 5V addressable RGB header, allowing lighting control directly from the motherboard software without installing additional lighting software or a controller.
Pure 12 ARGB supports Asus Aura Sync, Gigabyte RGB FUSION, MSI Mystic Light Sync, and ASROCK polychrome. Suppose you don’t have an RGB motherboard with sync support. In that case, the Thermaltake in the package also delivers an analog ARGB controller for such users.
You can choose eight preset colors, seven modes, and four LED speeds through the controller, which is quite decent that you can find a combination of lighting that suits you. From the construction side, hydraulic bearing guarantees quiet operation. Also, against vibration and noise, Thermaltake has implemented rubber pads on the ends of RGB fans.
Disadvantages
Thermaltake Pure 12 ARGB fans don’t have any noticeable flaws in their work except for a few user complaints that they don’t synchronize on all MSI motherboards. As far as I noticed, Asus motherboards have no problems with Aura Sync. Still, MSI motherboard users must check compatibility with your model.
Also, a bizarre drawback is the too-long cables that Thermaltake left on the fans. If they bother you, you will need to find smaller cable ties to tame these cables.
Summary
Thermaltake Pure 12 ARGB is a decent set of fans from a reputable manufacturer. Although they don’t have advanced design and lighting options like the Corsair, they are affordable. If you don’t mind some minor flaws, consider this set, but check the compatibility of your motherboard if you want to synchronize with it.
Conclusion
In addition to the visual experience and raising the atmosphere during gaming, RGB fans must also cool your case well. On the list above, you can see what can be offered on the market at the moment to satisfy everyone’s tastes and needs. Some RGB kits focus on lighting and effects, others prefer more efficient cooling, and others balance the two options.
Mostly you can find something for yourself from this list of the best RGB fans for the case. These packages of three or more fans represent a complete solution for cooling your case. If you only need one fan, the manufacturers usually give you that purchase option.
It will not be a problem to insert the described RGB fans into smaller ATX or mini ATX cases. Before purchasing, thoroughly check the dimensions and compatibility of the fan with your case.
If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to comment.