Guide to Computer Fans

A computer fan circulates heat inside a computer case to keep its components from overheating from extended use. It directs warm air outwards and draws cool air inwards through a set of vents on the case walls. It is commonly used with a heat sink to provide effective cooling and heat dissipation. 

Central processing unit (CPU) fan

A CPU fan cools the entire CPU case of a computer. It can be attached to one side of the casing or mounted directly inside the CPU.

Power supply unit (PSU) fan

A PSU fan cools the PSU of a computer by removing warm air inside the case. It is usually located at the back of the case, over the power unit.

Graphics card fan

A graphics card fan cools the graphics power unit (GPU) and memory of the computer’s graphics card. It is used for advanced graphics card models that generate a large amount of heat.

Chipset fan

A chipset fan cools the north bridge of the chipset on a motherboard. It is also used in system bus overclocking.

Peripheral component interconnect (PCI) slot fan

A PCI slot fan cools the card and card slots on the PCI expansion rack. It is usually mounted on one of the PCI slots.

Hard disk fan

A hard disk fan cools the computer’s hard disk. It is ideal for fast-spinning hard disks, which produce more heat than slower models. It is usually mounted next to the hard disk drive.

Noise reduction: Choose a computer fan with a muffler or filter to reduce noise during operation. Look for one with a sturdy case to keep the fan from wobbling, which may cause friction and noise against the case walls.

Power: Choose a computer fan that runs on low power to preserve the computer’s power supply. Use smaller, low-power fans if you have low-end components because they do not generate much heat.