We compared two 120mm PC case fans: the be quiet! Pure Wings 3 120mm PWM Fan and the ARCTIC P12 120mm Fan (5 Pack).
What we looked at
Single or multipack, PWM or 3-pin, static pressure, bearing, and price per fan.
The verdict
If you want a single 4-pin PWM fan with a closed loop motor and an 80,000 hour bearing life, the be quiet! is the pick at £9.99. If you would rather pay £7.20 more for five 1800rpm 3-pin fans, the ARCTIC P12 5 pack is the alternative, at £17.19, about £3.44 a fan.
A £9.99 120mm 4-pin PWM fan with up to 2.41 mmH₂O air pressure.
A £17.19 pack of five 120mm 1800rpm fans.
be quiet! Pure Wings 3 120mm PWM High-Speed PC Case Fan — Single PWM Fan
Intended for: Marketed as a single 120mm 4-pin PWM high-speed case fan with a closed loop motor, a redesigned frame outlet to cut air leaks, air pressure of up to 2.41mm H₂O and a rifle bearing with an average lifespan of 80,000 hours. Carries 4.7 stars from 575 ratings on this listing.
What we liked
- Cheaper than the ARCTIC pack in total, at £9.99 for one
- 4-pin PWM speed control
- Stated 80,000 hour bearing lifespan
- Slightly higher star rating than the ARCTIC (4.7 vs 4.6)
Worth knowing
- A single fan, so more expensive per fan than the ARCTIC pack
- Smaller review history (575 vs 3.3K ratings)
Best for
- Buyers who want PWM control
- Anyone who needs just one fan
- Those who want a stated bearing lifespan
Not ideal for
- Buyers who want several fans cheaply
- Anyone who wants the lowest price per fan
ARCTIC P12 120mm PC Case Fan, 5 Pack, 1800rpm — 5 Pack Value
Intended for: Marketed as a 5 pack of 120mm pressure-optimised case fans running at up to 1800rpm with airflow of 56.3 cfm, static pressure of 2.2 mmH₂O, a noise level of 0.3 sone and a 3-pin connector, using a fluid dynamic bearing. Carries 4.6 stars from 3.3K ratings on this listing.
What we liked
- Five fans, about £3.44 each
- Stated 56.3 cfm airflow and 2.2 mmH₂O pressure
- Fluid dynamic bearing
- Larger review history (3.3K ratings)
Worth knowing
- Costs £7.20 more than a single be quiet! fan in total
- 3-pin connector, not PWM per the listing
Best for
- Buyers who want to fit several fans
- Anyone who wants the lowest price per fan
- Those who want stated airflow figures
Not ideal for
- Buyers who want PWM speed control
- Anyone who only needs one fan
