How-to Guides                                                   

By observing two key characteristics, you can quickly identify whether a fan is a normal-blade or reverse-blade design. Choosing the right fan ensures optimal cooling performance and aesthetic appeal for your PC.

Fan blades tilt backward, meaning the leading edge is higher than the trailing edge.

Fan blades tilt forward, meaning the leading edge is lower than the trailing edge.

Air enters from the front of the fan and exits through the back.

Air enters from the back of the fan and exits through the front.

Normal-blade fans dominate the market due to their versatility and compatibility with most cooling setups. Reverse-blade fans cater to specific aesthetic or airflow needs, particularly when you want a consistent look across all fans while maintaining effective cooling.

By understanding the differences in blade tilt and airflow direction, and strategically installing fans in suitable positions, you can significantly improve your system’s cooling efficiency and maintain stable performance.





By observing two key characteristics, you can quickly identify whether a fan is a normal-blade or reverse-blade design. Choosing the right fan ensures optimal cooling performance and aesthetic appeal for your PC.



Key Differences

1. Blade Tilt Direction

Normal-Blade Fans:

Fan blades tilt backward, meaning the leading edge is higher than the trailing edge.



Reverse-Blade Fans:

Fan blades tilt forward, meaning the leading edge is lower than the trailing edge.





2. Airflow Direction

Normal-Blade Fans:

Air enters from the front of the fan and exits through the back.



Reverse-Blade Fans:

Air enters from the back of the fan and exits through the front.







Recommended Installation Positions

Normal-Blade Fans:





Designed for the interior-facing installation where the fan's front faces the inside of the case.



Recommended placement: Top panel of the case / Rear panel of the case

Reverse-Blade Fans:





Suited for maintaining uniform aesthetics and airflow when fans are installed with the back facing the interior.



Recommended placement: Side panel of the case / Above the power supply shroud



Considerations for Installation

Airflow Requirements:





Decide based on your cooling strategy: intake or exhaust airflow.



Normal-blade fans are the default and most versatile choice.

Placement and Clearance:





Ensure the fan fits without obstruction and doesn’t interfere with other components.

Cooling Efficiency:





Test the thermal performance in your setup to confirm the fan type and placement meet your needs.







Summary

Normal-blade fans dominate the market due to their versatility and compatibility with most cooling setups. Reverse-blade fans cater to specific aesthetic or airflow needs, particularly when you want a consistent look across all fans while maintaining effective cooling.



By understanding the differences in blade tilt and airflow direction, and strategically installing fans in suitable positions, you can significantly improve your system’s cooling efficiency and maintain stable performance.

Learn how blade orientation affects airflow, efficiency, and the proper use of fan systems in different environments.

What's the Difference Between Normal-Blade and Reverse-Blade Fans?

Nasıl Yapılır Kılavuzları

Kanat yönünün hava akışını, verimliliği ve farklı ortamlarda fan sistemlerinin doğru kullanımını nasıl etkilediğini öğrenin.

Normal kanatlı ve ters kanatlı vantilatörler arasındaki fark nedir?

Build Guides                                                    

When shopping for PC fans, you’ll often come across connectors that are either 

. If you don’t fully understand the difference, you might end up with a fan that your motherboard can’t properly control, or find yourself confused about where to plug it in during installation.

This guide will quickly walk you through the differences between 3-pin and 4-pin connectors, explain their functions, and help you decide which type of fan is the better choice for your build.

How to Tell the Difference Between 3-Pin and 4-Pin Fans

It’s actually very simple to distinguish between them. Here are two easy methods:

Look at the fan’s packaging or user manual:

The Difference Between 3-Pin and 4-Pin Fans

These are entry-level fans. The motherboard adjusts the fan speed by changing the voltage, but the level of control is quite limited.

These include an extra control wire that delivers precise PWM signals. This allows the fan to automatically adjust its speed based on system temperature. PWM fans generally provide faster response, smoother control, and quieter operation.

Can I Plug a 3-Pin Fan Into a 4-Pin Header?

Yes, you can. A 3-pin fan will work in a 4-pin motherboard header, but it will run only at full speed and won’t support PWM speed control.

if you’re a performance-focused gamer or power user who values cooling efficiency, quiet operation, and fast thermal response. With PWM functionality, these fans automatically adjust speed for the perfect balance of performance and noise.

if you’re more budget-conscious and your system doesn’t generate heavy heat loads. For basic case airflow, 3-pin fans are a cost-effective and perfectly adequate choice.

In the end, it comes down to your needs—different systems call for different solutions. Picking the right type ensures you’ll get the most efficient cooling setup for your PC.





When shopping for PC fans, you’ll often come across connectors that are either 3-pin or 4-pin. If you don’t fully understand the difference, you might end up with a fan that your motherboard can’t properly control, or find yourself confused about where to plug it in during installation.



This guide will quickly walk you through the differences between 3-pin and 4-pin connectors, explain their functions, and help you decide which type of fan is the better choice for your build.



How to Tell the Difference Between 3-Pin and 4-Pin Fans

It’s actually very simple to distinguish between them. Here are two easy methods:



Method 1 | Metal Pins





3-pin fans: three metal pins for ground, power, and RPM feedback.



4-pin fans: include an extra pin for PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) control.







Method 2 | Check the Product Specs

Look at the fan’s packaging or user manual:





If you see PWM mentioned → it’s a 4-pin fan.



If it only says DC Fan or doesn’t mention PWM → it’s a 3-pin fan.



↑ INF34 Cooling Fan clearly states it uses a 4-pin PWM cable





↑ C7A Cooling Fan comes with a 3-pin cable



The Difference Between 3-Pin and 4-Pin Fans

3-Pin Fans

These are entry-level fans. The motherboard adjusts the fan speed by changing the voltage, but the level of control is quite limited.



4-Pin Fans (PWM Fans)

These include an extra control wire that delivers precise PWM signals. This allows the fan to automatically adjust its speed based on system temperature. PWM fans generally provide faster response, smoother control, and quieter operation.







Can I Plug a 3-Pin Fan Into a 4-Pin Header?

Yes, you can. A 3-pin fan will work in a 4-pin motherboard header, but it will run only at full speed and won’t support PWM speed control.







Should I Choose a 3-Pin or 4-Pin Fan?

Choose 4-Pin Fans 

if you’re a performance-focused gamer or power user who values cooling efficiency, quiet operation, and fast thermal response. With PWM functionality, these fans automatically adjust speed for the perfect balance of performance and noise.



Choose 3-Pin Fans 

if you’re more budget-conscious and your system doesn’t generate heavy heat loads. For basic case airflow, 3-pin fans are a cost-effective and perfectly adequate choice.







In the end, it comes down to your needs—different systems call for different solutions. Picking the right type ensures you’ll get the most efficient cooling setup for your PC.

Choosing between 3-pin and 4-pin fans comes down to simplicity versus precise control.

How to Choose a PC Fan? 3-Pin vs. 4-Pin Explained

Yapım Kılavuzları

3 pinli ve 4 pinli fanlar arasında seçim yapmak, basitlik mi yoksa hassas kontrol mü tercih edeceğinize bağlıdır.

Bilgisayar Fanı Nasıl Seçilir? 3 Pinli ve 4 Pinli Arasındaki Farklar Açıklanıyor

Currently, the most common case fans on the market are 120 mm and 140 mm. However, fans pre-installed in cases are still predominantly 120 mm. What are the differences between these two sizes, and should you consider upgrading to a 140 mm fan?

| Differences Between 120 mm and 140 mm Fans |

The primary differences between 120 mm and 140 mm fans are airflow, cooling performance, noise levels, and case compatibility.

When operating at the same speed, a 140 mm fan will generate higher airflow, resulting in better cooling performance compared to a 120 mm fan.

At the same noise level, a 140 mm fan operates at a lower speed while providing stronger airflow. However, at the same fan speed, a 120 mm fan will produce less noise.

Since 140 mm fans require larger spaces and screw holes that specifically fit the 140 mm size, not all cases support 140 mm fans. It’s important to check compatibility before purchasing.

| Who Should Upgrade to 140 mm Case Fans? |

140 mm fans offer higher airflow at full speed, lowering internal temperatures more effectively than 120 mm fans.

140 mm fans tend to be noisier than 120 mm fans. They are ideal for users who typically wear headphones while gaming or using their PC for extended periods.

| Why Aren’t 140 mm Case Fans the Mainstream Choice? |

While some cases come pre-installed with 140 mm fans, 120 mm fans are still the most common choice. This is due to several reasons:

140 mm fans tend to be slightly more expensive than their 120 mm counterparts. For example, the Owl NF-P12 and NF-P14 fans are priced at $20 and $23, respectively. The price difference of $3 per fan can add up to $9 for 3 to 4 fans. However, real-world testing shows that a 140 mm fan only reduces temperatures by about 1 degree compared to a 120 mm fan, which may not justify the higher cost.

Most consumers do not run their PCs at full speed for extended periods. The airflow and cooling performance of 120 mm fans are sufficient for everyday use, so upgrading to 140 mm fans is often unnecessary.





Currently, the most common case fans on the market are 120 mm and 140 mm. However, fans pre-installed in cases are still predominantly 120 mm. What are the differences between these two sizes, and should you consider upgrading to a 140 mm fan?



| Differences Between 120 mm and 140 mm Fans |

The primary differences between 120 mm and 140 mm fans are airflow, cooling performance, noise levels, and case compatibility.



Airflow and Cooling Performance

When operating at the same speed, a 140 mm fan will generate higher airflow, resulting in better cooling performance compared to a 120 mm fan.







Speed and Noise Levels

At the same noise level, a 140 mm fan operates at a lower speed while providing stronger airflow. However, at the same fan speed, a 120 mm fan will produce less noise.



Case Compatibility

Since 140 mm fans require larger spaces and screw holes that specifically fit the 140 mm size, not all cases support 140 mm fans. It’s important to check compatibility before purchasing.



| Who Should Upgrade to 140 mm Case Fans? |

Users with Higher Cooling Needs: 

140 mm fans offer higher airflow at full speed, lowering internal temperatures more effectively than 120 mm fans.



Users Less Concerned About Noise: 

140 mm fans tend to be noisier than 120 mm fans. They are ideal for users who typically wear headphones while gaming or using their PC for extended periods.







| Why Aren’t 140 mm Case Fans the Mainstream Choice? |

While some cases come pre-installed with 140 mm fans, 120 mm fans are still the most common choice. This is due to several reasons:



Lower Cost-Effectiveness

140 mm fans tend to be slightly more expensive than their 120 mm counterparts. For example, the Owl NF-P12 and NF-P14 fans are priced at $20 and $23, respectively. The price difference of $3 per fan can add up to $9 for 3 to 4 fans. However, real-world testing shows that a 140 mm fan only reduces temperatures by about 1 degree compared to a 120 mm fan, which may not justify the higher cost.



Not Aligned with Market Demand

Most consumers do not run their PCs at full speed for extended periods. The airflow and cooling performance of 120 mm fans are sufficient for everyday use, so upgrading to 140 mm fans is often unnecessary.





140 mm case fans offer better cooling performance, but due to cost-effectiveness and market demand, 120 mm fans remain the mainstream choice.

What Are the Differences Between 140 mm and 120 mm Case Fans?

140 mm kasa fanları daha iyi soğutma performansı sunar, ancak maliyet etkinliği ve pazar talebi nedeniyle 120 mm fanlar ana tercih olmaya devam etmektedir.

140 mm ve 120 mm kasa fanları arasındaki farklar nelerdir?

Hardware Tips                                                   

PWM stands for "Pulse Width Modulation," and it controls the fan speed by adjusting the frequency of current pulses. This allows for more accurate fan speed control, which helps optimize both performance and noise reduction.

How to Identify a PWM Fan vs Non-PWM Fan?

A PWM fan typically uses a small 4-pin connector. When this 4-pin connector is plugged into the motherboard, it receives PWM signals from the motherboard, adjusting the current switching frequency through pulses, which in turn controls the fan speed. Therefore, any fan with a 4-pin connector is likely a PWM fan, while fans with fewer pins are generally not PWM-controlled.

PWM fans adjust their speed based on system temperature, allowing for precise regulation of fan speed. Some software even enables manual adjustment of fan speed.

Because the system adjusts the fan speed based on the computer’s load, the fan is not constantly running at high speeds. This reduces wear and tear on the fan and helps extend its lifespan.

At lower loads, the fan can run at slower speeds, reducing noise. At higher loads, the fan speed increases to ensure effective cooling and gaming performance.

The DM12 Pro is a 4-pin PWM fan that doesn’t require a control box to daisy-chain multiple fans. The fan frame features a sleek design with LED lights that create a more even glow across the fan. The DM12 Pro also offers both positive and negative blade options, making it an essential fan for a "sea-view" style case.

The Gauss G24 ARGB Fan is darkFlash's first fan to use magnetic connections, eliminating the need for messy cables between fans. This enhances the efficiency of building a DIY PC. Despite using magnetic connections, the fan doesn’t compromise on performance and boasts a maximum speed of 2000 RPM, making it ideal for use as a radiator fan in water cooling setups.

PWM Fans: The Best Choice for Efficient Cooling and Silence

PWM fans are an excellent choice for combining high cooling efficiency with low noise levels, especially for gaming PCs and systems under high-load conditions.





PWM stands for "Pulse Width Modulation," and it controls the fan speed by adjusting the frequency of current pulses. This allows for more accurate fan speed control, which helps optimize both performance and noise reduction.



How to Identify a PWM Fan vs Non-PWM Fan?

A PWM fan typically uses a small 4-pin connector. When this 4-pin connector is plugged into the motherboard, it receives PWM signals from the motherboard, adjusting the current switching frequency through pulses, which in turn controls the fan speed. Therefore, any fan with a 4-pin connector is likely a PWM fan, while fans with fewer pins are generally not PWM-controlled.







Reasons to Choose a PWM Fan

1. Precise Fan Speed Control

PWM fans adjust their speed based on system temperature, allowing for precise regulation of fan speed. Some software even enables manual adjustment of fan speed.







2. Extended Fan Lifespan

Because the system adjusts the fan speed based on the computer’s load, the fan is not constantly running at high speeds. This reduces wear and tear on the fan and helps extend its lifespan.







3. Better Noise Control

At lower loads, the fan can run at slower speeds, reducing noise. At higher loads, the fan speed increases to ensure effective cooling and gaming performance.







Recommended PWM Fans

DM12 Pro A-RGB Cooling Fan

The DM12 Pro is a 4-pin PWM fan that doesn’t require a control box to daisy-chain multiple fans. The fan frame features a sleek design with LED lights that create a more even glow across the fan. The DM12 Pro also offers both positive and negative blade options, making it an essential fan for a "sea-view" style case.







Gauss G24 ARGB Fan

The Gauss G24 ARGB Fan is darkFlash's first fan to use magnetic connections, eliminating the need for messy cables between fans. This enhances the efficiency of building a DIY PC. Despite using magnetic connections, the fan doesn’t compromise on performance and boasts a maximum speed of 2000 RPM, making it ideal for use as a radiator fan in water cooling setups.







PWM Fans: The Best Choice for Efficient Cooling and Silence

PWM fans are an excellent choice for combining high cooling efficiency with low noise levels, especially for gaming PCs and systems under high-load conditions.

A PWM fan utilizes current adjustments to control the fan's speed, enabling precise fan speed regulation. This helps achieve a balance between fan performance and noise levels.

What is a PWM Fan?

Donanım İpuçları

PWM fanlar, fan hızını kontrol etmek için akım ayarlamalarını kullanır ve bu da fan hızının hassas bir şekilde düzenlenmesini sağlar. Bu, fan performansı ve gürültü seviyeleri arasında bir denge kurulmasına yardımcı olur.

PWM fanı nedir?

Bu çağda oyun ve bilgisayar DIY meraklısı olarak, darkFlash olarak, PC kasaları, CPU soğutucuları, kasa fanları ve hatta oyun koltukları ve masaları gibi üst düzey ekipmanları bizzat monte edip kullanarak etkileyici ve olağanüstü ürünler geliştirmeyi düşünmekten gurur duyuyor ve minnettarız.

Amacımız, her kullanıcı üzerinde son derece etkili olabilecek ürünler yaratmaktır.

karanlık flaş

As an enthusiast of games and computer DIY in this age, we, darkFlash, feel proud and grateful for keep thinking how to develop impressive and extraordinary products with high-end facilities by assembling and using the PC cases, CPU coolers, case fans, and even gaming chairs and tables in person.

Our goal is to create products that could extremely exert its effect by every user.

Normal kanatlı ve ters kanatlı vantilatörler arasındaki fark nedir?

Temel Farklılıklar

1. Bıçak Eğim Yönü

2. Hava Akışı Yönü

Önerilen Kurulum Konumları

Normal Kanatlı Fanlar:

Ters Kanatlı Vantilatörler:

Kurulumla İlgili Hususlar

Hava Akışı Gereksinimleri:

Yerleştirme ve İzin:

Soğutma Verimliliği:

Özet