How many Fans should a Gaming PC Have?

In today’s world, gaming PCs are becoming increasingly popular to play video games.

Not only do they offer a more immersive experience than consoles, but they are also customizable to suit the needs of each individual gamer.

One of the most important components to consider when building a gaming PC is the fans–how many gaming fans should you have?

How many Fans should a Gaming PC Have?

Your gaming PC case and your computer’s power supply determine how many fans a gaming PC should have.

Gaming PC Case– Computer cases come in different shapes and sizes. Each gaming case can hold a certain amount of fans.
Power Supply– A low wattage power supply can only hold a few fans, while a high wattage power supply can hold many fans. These two components determine how many fans your gaming PC should have.

A gaming PC needs a minimum of two fans (barebones) for standard cooling. One fan pushes cool air into the computer, while the other fan extracts hot air.

However, I recommend using three or more PC fans because they help with air circulation, keeping the computer cool. If you would like to use three fans, I suggest having a push and pull configuration.

Simply put, the fan that pushes cool air into the computer is placed at the front while the second fan pulls hot air out of it.

Don’t worry too much about what direction to push cool air and pull the hot air from your PC. For example, one of my gaming PCs pushed cool air from the side of the PC using a huge fan.

Then, it had two medium size fans on top, pulling out hot air. As long as the air is circulating inside your PC, your fine.

Buy a Gaming PC with Built-In Fans

Most gaming PCs today have built-in fans. This means that they have a fan already installed on the case, which helps to keep your computer cool.

For example, when I bought my gaming PC, it had three big PC fans built-in. I bought an additional gaming PC fan and placed it on the bottom of my computer near the power supply.

My main air-cooling strategy was to have at least one gaming computer fan on each side of the PC. Now, I have two computer fans on top, one huge fan on the side and a regular size PC fan on the bottom.

That’s four big gaming fans cooling my gaming PC. Note, I could have added two more if needed.

Check your Gaming PC Power Supply

With most gaming PCs, they have a hefty power supply box with PC fan wires. The computer power supply has multiple cables that connect to cooling fans.

A small PC power supply with low wattage power may run only one or two fans. However, we are talking about a gaming PC with higher wattage capabilities that can run multiple gaming fans.

Check your computer’s (PSU Wattage) power supply to determine the wattage. Look for a label that states the amperage of your computer’s power supply. The higher the amperage, the more wattage it can provide for fans, etc.

Factors to Consider When Buying PC Fans

Fan size matters because the bigger the fan, the more air it can move at a time. If you have a tiny case, then you might have to use smaller fans.

If you have an enormous case, then you can get away with using big gaming computer fans. Also, if you have a huge gaming PC tower, you can install multiple gaming PC fans for the ultimate cooling machine.

For this to work, create an air-flow plan about where to install each cooling fan.

What PC Fan Size is Best?

Your current gaming PC case determines what computer fan size to buy. Each PC case is unique in terms of size. Know the dimensions of your PC case, and decide what fan size will perfectly fit inside it.

If you don’t know the exact dimensions of your gaming computer case, then you can use a tape measure and see how big it is. Open your computer case and measure each case fan. Note down all sizes.

I recommend you buy the same size PC fans that are inside your computer. This way you know the PC fan you ordered will fit in your PC.

Should I Buy Additional Computer Fans?

Yes, if you want to keep your computer at maximum cooling temperature, invest in brand name PC fans.

When I say name brand, I mean good quality computer fans that are going to last a few years. For example, I bought an extra gaming PC fan for my gaming rig to minimize chances of overheating.

This helped me stay confident while gaming and kept my PC in top shape. Buying additional PC fans is also a smart upgrade to your current computer.

If you feel your PC is getting hot and slowing down, invest in a couple of extra fans. This will help you keep your computer cool and running smoothly.

I don’t recommend buying PC fans with additional features like flashy lights because they are not as durable. Invest in PC fans that are made of metal and have rubber blades.

These will last you a long time, even if you use them every day.

Disadvantages of too many PC Fans

Cost– Too many fans can add to your PC budget. Running a high-performance PC with multiple fans is not a simple job. This will require you to buy additional parts and install them on your PC. Too many fans can add to your PC budget.
Energy consumption– If you have over one fan on your PC, it will use more electricity. This is not a big deal if you are already running energy efficient models and you are using the computer only occasionally. However, if you run the computer 24/7, this can be an issue.
More maintenance– If you have over one fan, it means that you will need to service the computer more often. Again, if you are an occasional gamer, this is not a big deal. Maintenance includes cleaning PC fans and the computer case. If you are a gamer and use your PC 24 7, this can be an issue.
Less cooling efficiency– If you have over one fan, it means that there will be less airflow in your case because all fans are fighting for space and air. Now your computer has less room for air to circulate, making it less efficient.
Noisy– Fans make a lot of noise. Some fans are more noisy than others. The more fans you have, the more noise they will make. Consider buying low-noise PC fans if you have multiple gaming fans.

Summary

The number of fans needed for a gaming PC will depend on your budget, the type of gaming you want to do, and the components you are using.

Ultimately, it is important to get the right balance between cooling efficiency and noise level in order to optimize your gaming experience.

Consider speaking with a professional if you’re unsure how many fans you need, or take some time to research online communities to get more advice on proper fan setup.

How many Fans should a Gaming PC Have?

How many Fans should a Gaming PC Have?

Buy a Gaming PC with Built-In Fans

Check your Gaming PC Power Supply

Factors to Consider When Buying PC Fans

What PC Fan Size is Best?

Should I Buy Additional Computer Fans?

Disadvantages of too many PC Fans

Summary

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