When it comes to PC gaming, thermals play a big role and you’d want your rig to run as cool as possible. For that, you need to invest in cooling fans. And, contrary to popular belief, some cooling fans can even spruce up the aesthetics of your build too. We are, of course, talking about RGB fans for PC, that not only keep your system well-ventilated but also add some flair to it.
However, finding the best budget RGB fans for your PC can be a daunting task. In this article, we will explore some of the best budget RGB fans available in the market. Do keep in mind that these are all 120mm fans. Moreover, some brands offer a pack of fans for a discounted price too, which we will be highlighting on our list.
So, without further ado, let’s check out the best RGB fans for PC. But first, you might want to take a look at the following:
- These are the best budget RGB Gaming Mousepads for your setup
- Add RGB to your setup with these LED lights for Monitors and TVs
1. PCCOOLER PC-FX120
- No. of fans included: 3
- Customizable RGB: No | CFM: 31.68
- Max RPM: 1200 RPM | Noise Level: 18 dB
Each of the PC-FX120 fans features six high-brightness LED lamp beads. The RGB lighting here is quite bright and should suffice for most users. However, do keep in mind that there’s only a single lighting mode, and you cannot change the colors to your liking either.
One of the highlights of the PC-FX120 fans for PC is that they are whisper-quiet. In fact, with a measured noise rate that sits under 18 dB, not only do you get great airflow, but you do not have to deal with loud noises either.
2. NZXT F120
- No. of fans included: 1
- Customizable RGB: Yes | CFM: 50.18
- Max RPM: 1800 RPM | Noise Level: 27.5 dB
The NZXT F120 RGB Fans are available in two different hues namely, black or white. The white variant comes in super handy if your PC build is also along the same color tone. As for the RGB lighting, you get a total of 18 LEDs on board in a single loop around the fan. While you can technically control the RGB lights here via the NZXT CAM software, you will have to fork extra for an RGB controller.
As far as performance is concerned, the fan boasts a 50.18 CFM airflow, which should keep your PC running cool. If anything, the biggest drawback of the NZXT F120 RGB fan is that the unit doesn’t support daisy chaining. Furthermore, the controller hub only has room for three additional fans. So, if you plan on installing more than three fans on your system, you would be better off looking at other options.
3. Corsair LL120
- No. of fans included: 1
- Customizable RGB: Yes | CFM: 43.25
- Max RPM: 1200 RPM | Noise Level: 24.8 dB
For one, the LL120 is one of the sturdiest RGB fans out there. It also comes with a hydraulic bearing and anti-vibration rubber dampers to minimize noise. Speaking of which, you also get support for PWM fan control, which gives you granular control over the unit’s RPM. As such, you can variate the fan speed between 600 to 1500 RPM.
As far as RGB lighting is concerned, the Corsair LL120 is one of the brightest RGB fans out there. You get a total of 48 individually addressable RGB LEDs in a dual-loop design. And yes, the RGB lighting can be easily customized via Corsair’s iCUE app.
4. DeepCool CF140
- No. of fans included: 2
- Customizable RGB: Yes | CFM: 64.13
- Max RPM: 1200 RPM | Noise Level: 24 dB
Despite having a max speed of 1200 RPM, the DeepCool CF140 delivers a mouthwatering airflow capacity of 64.13 CFM. Understandably, the unit’s airflow capacity is the best in its price segment, and the CF140 manages to do all that while keeping things relatively quiet at just 24 dB.
Each fan comes with a total of 12 RGB LEDs which can get quite bright. For RGB customization, the 2-in-1 pack of these fans comes with a controller that also provides you with an ARGB connector to plug into your motherboard. You can then use the software for your motherboard to tweak the RGB lighting effects. Alternatively, the controller itself can be used to switch between various light effects.
5. Antec Prizm X RGB
- No. of fans included: 3
- Customizable RGB: Yes | CFM: 45.21
- Max RPM: 2000 RPM | Noise Level: 32 dB
With a max speed of 2000 RPM coupled with an airflow of 45.21 CFM, these Antec fans are no slouch in terms of performance. The Antec Prizm also comes bundled with a fan controller that allows you to connect all your fans to a single controller, thereby making cable management a whole lot easier.
Speaking of which, the fans come with support for an ARGB connector too, which plugs into your motherboard. Once done, you can easily customize the RGB lighting of these fans via your motherboard’s software. However, in case your motherboard doesn’t feature an ARGB header, you can use the aforementioned fan controller to switch between lighting presets too.
Of course with all that performance comes the fact that these fans can get loud (like, seriously loud). As such, we’d recommended gaming with headphones on, or else the fan noise might annoy you.
6. Cooler Master MasterFan MF120
- No. of fans included: 3
- Customizable RGB: Yes | CFM: 47.2
- Max RPM: 1800 RPM | Noise Level: 30 dB
Similar to the Corsair LL120, these make use of a dual-loop lighting design as well. However, the twist here is that you get RGB lighting on both sides. As a result, whether you use these fans for intake or for exhaust, you get a nice-looking RGB light show on either side of the fans.
The 3-in-1 pack also features Cooler Master’s controller, that not only helps with cable management but also offers its own ARGB header. So, on the off chance your motherboard doesn’t support customizable lighting, you can adjust the lights on the fans from the controller with a simple touch of a button.
The fans use rifle bearings, which at least on paper, should contribute to reducing bearing noise. That being said, the fan noise in itself is still considerably noticeable at 30 dB. Even so, there’s no denying the fact that the Cooler Master MasterFan MF120 is one of the best performers in its segment.
FAQs About RGB Fans for PC
Considering the fact that heat always rises up, it’s recommended to use the top fans on your PC for exhaust purposes. It also helps prevent dust accumulation, as opposed to if you were to use top fans as intake.
CFM, or cubic feet per minute, is a measure of the volume of air that a fan can move in a minute. As such, the higher the CFM is, the more air the fans will be able to move. When it comes to PC fans, a good CFM for PC fans ranges from 30 to 70 CFM. However, if you have high-end components that generate a lot of heat, you may need fans with higher CFM ratings.
The fans themselves are responsible for cooling your PC. The added RGB lights don’t impact the cooling factor, they are there only to enhance the looks and aesthetic appeal of your setup.
Keep It Cool with These RGB Fans for PC
RGB fans are a great way to add a visual element to your PC while keeping it cool. The options listed above are some of the best budget RGB fans for PC available in the market. When choosing an RGB fan, you should definitely consider factors such as performance, noise level, and compatibility with your motherboard. And, with the right RGB fan, you can elevate the look of your gaming PC without having to break the bank.
Last updated on 02 March, 2023
The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.