BEST SLIM 120MM FAN Grouptest 2023 for Mini-ITX builds.

Buy the fans:

IT'S BACK! Our slim 120mm fan mega grouptest returns with more models than ever and more tests than ever so you can pick the best slim 120mm fan for your mini-ITX system. We've got over a dozen to test including old favourites from ARCTIC and Noctua, but some brand new models too including Corsair's AS120 Slim.

Or use the links below

Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
0:52 What are slim fans and why should you use them?
3:17 Sponsor message - get cheap Windows keys with SCDKey
4:28 Test setup
8:38 TLDR - Overall score of all results
14:51 Sound quality
19:34 CPU temperature
22:34 Noise tests 1,000rpm, 1,500rpm, full speed
25:51 Airflow tests 1,000rpm, 1,500rpm, full speed
28:04 Airflow to noise ratio/efficiency
30:01 Noise-normalised 44dBA and 50dBA
33:07 Airflow to noise quality ratio
34:23 Price to airflow ratio, efficiency to price ratio
37:29 Sound recordings Akasa Slimfan / Rosewill Ultra Slim fan
38:08 Sound recordings Alphacool SL15 PWM
38:33 Sound recordings ARCTIC P12 Slim PWM
39:08 Sound recordings Corsair AF120 Slim
39:31 Sound recordings Gelid Slim 12 UV Blue
39:57 Sound recordings ID Cooling NO-12015-XT
40:27 Sound recordings Noctua NF-A12x15
41:16 Sound recordings Prolimatech Ulta Sleek Vortex 12
41:43 Sound recordings Scythe KazeFlex 120 Slim
42:13 Sound recordings SilverStone Air Slimmer SST-AS120B
42:47 Sound recordings Silverstone FN124
43:32 Sound recordings Thermalright TLC12015
43:59 Conclusions

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#windows10pro #scdkey #miniitx #pcgaming #tech

[CrazyTechLab]

Timestamps:


0:00 Intro
0:52 What are slim fans and why should you use them?
3:17 Sponsor message - get cheap Windows keys with SCDKey
4:28 Test setup
8:38 TLDR - Overall score of all results
14:51 Sound quality
19:34 CPU temperature
22:34 Noise tests 1, 000rpm, 1, 500rpm, full speed
25:51 Airflow tests 1, 000rpm, 1, 500rpm, full speed
28:04 Airflow to noise ratio/efficiency
30:01 Noise-normalised 44dBA and 50dBA
33:07 Airflow to noise quality ratio
34:23 Price to airflow ratio, efficiency to price ratio
37:29 Sound recordings Akasa Slimfan / Rosewill Ultra Slim fan
38:08 Sound recordings Alphacool SL15 PWM
38:33 Sound recordings ARCTIC P12 Slim PWM
39:08 Sound recordings Corsair AF120 Slim
39:31 Sound recordings Gelid Slim 12 UV Blue
39:57 Sound recordings ID Cooling NO-12015-XT
40:27 Sound recordings Noctua NF-A12x15
41:16 Sound recordings Prolimatech Ulta Sleek Vortex 12
41:43 Sound recordings Scythe KazeFlex 120 Slim
42:13 Sound recordings SilverStone Air Slimmer SST-AS120B
42:47 Sound recordings Silverstone FN124
43:32 Sound recordings Thermalright TLC12015
43:59 Conclusions

[sobangcha]

This video is a god-send. There are barely any videos out here that talk about the best slim fans. Itx/sfx content is harder to find, especially when you get more specific with some itx components (like slim fans or specific itx cases for that matter), and I'm glad I bumped into your video. I was about to purchase the Noctua NF-A12s, but the price is hefty. With this video, I was able to save up a ton by going with the Scythe Kase Flex's instead. They're way cheaper, $26 vs. $6 here in the Philippines. Thank you so much for your effort in making this vid :)

[wizzawiztech]

Incredible work as usual mate. This is a godsend for mini-ITX peeps. Appreciate the effort!

[Casian]

I was on the edge of buying a NF-A12x15 for my black ridge cooler but after this thorough review I changed my mind and purchased a Silverstone AS120B. Thanks for all your effort, i must say this is the best comparison of 120mm Slim Fans out there. KUDOS!

[mrbtree]

thank you for testing the 120mm air slimmer because it's been on sale in AU to make it cheaper then a p12 slim after shipping so your testing made it a really easy pick up for me.

[Tilteado]

Bought small case and been battling with clearance for my gpu, this video is godsent

[marcelohpf]

Amazing ! I was just looking for a review on the slim fans weeks ago, yours is the best so far

[joshduffety-wong]

Thanks for this great insight! It's easy to just listen to other videos on Youtube which are a few years old and pick Noctua without knowing what's new out there.

Based on the sound, I have a soft spot for that Akasa fan.. has a pleasant whirl at higher speed

[roberthelcher]

I appreciate your work on testing these slim fans. I am in the market now.

[JoshuaGmyr]

Thank you for the very informative video. Was looking for a slim fan setup for my aio and this provided a lot of good info. Thanks again!

[TheBronzeKnee]

Excellent video! Crazy to see that the Noctua fan has been dethroned from a few years ago. The SST-AS120B is 15.6mm though, not quite as slim as the Noctua which is 15mm.

[Notoriousd]

This is an excellent video, never seen coverage of the Air Slimmer until I watched this. Are you planning to do a slim 92mm fan comparison? I'm interested to see how the Air Slimmer 92 compares to the NF-A9 and Thermalright 9015

[thevoid]

Very thorough testing, nice work. I just discovered this channel and subscribed.

[ThePCExpertAmateur]

One of the most comprehensive test videos I've ever seen! Good job! Subbed & saved to my channel.

[javierm.]

Really really useful information in this video. Congrats! Thank you for making me buy the Air Slimmers over Noctuas (which were my first thought).

[zivzulander]

Nice work! Also saved this video for future reference.
This confirms what I suspected about that ID-Cooling fan. Just recently swapped it out for a Kaze Flex II and and have been getting better temps with the IS-55 ARGB, which is otherwise a decent cooler for its size. I wasn't aware of the performance of some of these other slim fans or I might have considered them, as well.

I ordered the Thermalright fan for a Fractal Design Terra build a day before seeing this video and I'm glad it's not too bad on the charts, especially given the price and RGB. Would have been better to go for the Silverstone Air Slimmer, though, going by your results.

[thebr]

Great video. I wish there were more 140mm slim fans

[Geezimac]

Great video… I currently have the Scythe Kaze Flex in my itx build…glad to have reference for other fans….the Silverstone and the Alphacool are very promising…also looking at that Corsair since I have a white build

[igavinwood]

I'm a first time pc builder. Finding your channel is helping me to get the best bang for buck. Thank god for enthusiast like you willing to share your experience and insight.
My big question is just how much cooling I really need, because knowing that means I can buy the quietest fan to do that job. Right now I have a pair of P12 Max fans on the top of my NR200 and they seem to be doing a great job at keeping my build quietly cool. I'm certain that once I have a game running for a few hours I'm going to start missing extra fans to help with mobo temps as well as the GPU. Looking at what you have tested I'm going to use the P12 slim as the base and consider if I need more air flow, as the SS Air Slimmer has a higher pitch sound to me.

[danieljackson]

These videos are phenomenal, thank you. EXTREMELY helpful in planning my SFF build, subscribed today!