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SSD Vs HDD – What You Really Need For Gaming!

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Regardless of whether you are assembling a new gaming PC or you want to upgrade your old one, you will probably always be faced with one question: SSD vs. HDD – which storage medium is the best? For gamers in particular, the speed, but also the shape and capacity of the hard drive are decisive. We’ll tell you which solution might fit and why the HDD might not yet be written off!

SSD Vs HDD - What You Really Need For Gaming!

The HDD hard drive: a relic from bygone times?

For a long time the HDD ( hard disk drive ) was almost unrivaled in the computer storage media market. Magnetic hard drives have been in use since 1956 to save and retrieve data. The first hard drive only had a capacity of 5 MB and weighed almost a ton. The reason for this? The construction. Because the 50 magnetic disks used, each measuring 61 cm in diameter, also brought a lot of weight with them.

In the meantime, however, the technology has developed further and so modern HDDs can offer far more than 1 TB (one million megabytes) of storage volume. The functionality remains roughly the same: The data to be saved is written on magnetic disks that are rotating. This requires a write head that transfers the data without contact. This process is also characterized by a slight rattle when the panes move.

In the meantime, however, the noises have been reduced to a minimum and are barely noticeable. No wonder, then, that these hard drives are used most frequently and in all industries . From the home gaming PC to the office computer to the ultra-modern data center, they work reliably and make their data available to users at any time.

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Why the HDD shouldn’t be underestimated

In a comparison of SSD vs. HDD, the SSD almost always comes off as the clear winner . And even if this is by no means unjustified, let’s take a closer look at the classic hard drive. Because it also has some advantages to offer.

Easy on the wallet

A clear advantage and purchase criterion for many hobby players: the price. Because compared to the SSD, the HDD offers a significantly better price-storage space ratio . And even if the costs are becoming more and more similar, the traditional hard drive is often still the cheaper option for those who want to back up a large amount of data.

Basically, it is said that the HDD is more worthwhile from a required storage volume of 4 TB. For a long time, that was the maximum storage size of the SSD – and even if it can be exceeded in the meantime, such drives are an unnecessary luxury for everyday use. When it comes to hosting a server, most people still use the cheaper HDD.

Write, read, erase and start all over again – service life and Co.

After all the hype, do you like to lose interest in one game and prefer to start the next? Or are you more of a fan of story games in general? Then you will probably write and clean up your storage disk very regularly. What actually has almost no effect on the HDD, significantly reduces the lifespan of the SSD. This is a major disadvantage of the modern alternative, especially in data centers .

In addition, the HDD has another advantage that we often take for granted: the existing data can be permanently deleted here relatively easily. All you have to do is format the hard drive. With an SSD, on the other hand, this is often not enough, because leftovers are often hidden in the memory cells . To clear this up, you have to use so-called TRIM commands – as a layman, this is not necessarily the easiest task.

By the way: Even if deleted data is generally easier to restore on SSDs, the opposite is the case in the event of a sudden loss. If the tension field has been disturbed, for example by magnetic fields or electromagnetic voltages, and the hard disk suffers complete damage , the data is actually always lost. With the HDD, on the other hand, there is more hope.

Easy and uncomplicated

Precisely because the HDD is still the standard in most PCs, it is particularly easy to connect . There are slots for the 3.5 “hard drives in almost every housing. And the power supplies are also designed for this. Usually the HDDs are connected to normal S-ATA interfaces.

So if you want to install or replace such a hard drive, that shouldn’t be a problem in most cases. However, pay attention to their speed – this is usually given in revolutions. The following applies: the more, the faster. Models with 10,000 revolutions are the non-plus-ultra and also a good alternative to the SSD for passionate gamers.

The SSD: faster, better, more efficient?

After reading all the advantages of the classic hard drive, you are wondering how the solid-state drive should perform even better in the comparison SSD vs. HDD? This is actually possible, because this modern storage medium is not only more compact, but also more powerful in many ways. We reveal more!

That’s it: the modern gaming hard drive

In search of an even more efficient storage medium for high-performance computers, the first SSDs came onto the market in 1995. At that time they were an expensive luxury and only found in the most modern facilities where their performance was really needed. In the meantime, however, the focus of the manufacturers has changed: the everyday person and the passionate gamer have at least as high a value.

The SSD derives its advantages significantly from its construction . Instead of the data being written to the moving magnetic disks, the SSD stores it on electronic semiconductor components, the so-called flash chips. This makes the drives more stable on a mechanical level, overall quieter and lure with shorter access times in comparison with SSD vs. HDD.

However, due to the relatively new invention, the storage space is not yet as developed as with the HDD. If you want more memory , you usually have to build in several models, spend a lot of money or use a combination solution.

That is why the SSD inspires gamers all over the world

We hinted at it just now, but the SSD actually has some key advantages. These are particularly evident when the user often works with very large, high-performance applications . In addition to games, this particularly includes programs for video and photo editing. More specifically this means:

Ultra-fast & super-quiet

The superhero Flash is known to be as fast as lightning – or even faster? So it’s no wonder that the built-in flash chips are also extremely fast. Regardless of whether it is reading or writing: Compared to the HDD, the SSD performs many times better. For you, this means that your programs and data load faster and are ready to start.

The reason for this? With the SSD, the assignment to a specific file or archive is clear. On the other hand, the read head must first be found on the HDD. And if you want to save something on your solid-state drive, it works completely silently thanks to modern technology.

For minimalists & bargain hunters

Yes, the SSD is usually a bit more expensive to buy than the HDD. And even if the prices are slowly converging, they currently still differ significantly. Nevertheless, the modern variant can pay off over a longer period of time. This is largely due to the fact that the SSD consumes significantly less power than the traditional hard drive – and it even stays permanently cool. After all, all processes work electrically and there is no mechanical movement in the drive.

Another advantage of this design is the lack of wear . Has it ever happened to you that you dropped a hard drive or broke it by jerking it? This cannot happen with an SSD, because the compact design guarantees a certain shock and vibration resistance that is not found in HDDs.

Speaking of compact: SSDs are also impressive due to their size. By default, they only measure 2.5 inches and are almost half the size of conventional hard drives, but there are also smaller models on the market. They are also much thinner. Especially those who have little space and rely on a mini case or a laptop are sure to make the right choice.

SSD vs. HDD – the only decision?

Still not quite sure which variant is ideal for you? Then we have some ideas on how you can find the perfect solution for your own needs . Because it is not uncommon for someone to want to combine the advantages of both drives.

Two become one: SSHD

If you want to combine the best of both worlds – i.e. the large storage space of the HDD and the speed of the SSD – then you should consider an SSHD (Solid-State-Hyper-Drive). This combines these two factors and is also very conveniently priced between SSD and HDD.

What may sound like the ideal solution, but also has disadvantages. And they come from both directions. Specifically, this means that the SSHD is slower to load than a conventional SSD. In addition, it is heavier and less robust , it is not as quiet when writing and it needs more power. Thus, although it is better than any HDD, it cannot hold a candle to the SSD (apart from the storage space).

Stronger together: combination solutions

Another variant is of course to install both types of hard drives . So you can create an optimal solution for your needs with a parallel use of HDD and SSD. The latter is mostly used as a drive for the system and demanding and frequently used programs.

The traditional hard drive, on the other hand, is the mass storage medium. Here you can save large data archives – especially those who want to save a lot of pictures, videos, etc. are well served. As a rule, these only have to be uploaded once, which is why the limited speed of the HDD is less important here.

Also interesting: Use an external hard drive for your data archives. These are available both as SSD and HDD. With these small, portable data storage devices, you always have everything you need with you.

Conclusion: SSD vs. HDD – which one is ideal for gamers?

As you have probably already recognized, the decision between SSD vs. HDD is always an individual one . But especially if you spend long periods of time in front of your PC and want your games to load quickly, then the solid-state drive is definitely the better choice. If, on the other hand, you are more of a casual gamer and use your computer mainly to back up data, then the HDD can be a reasonable alternative – especially when you look at the price-performance ratio.

From Work To Gaming | Which Laptop Is Right For Me?

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Not all laptops are the same, we all know that. One convinces with razor-sharp images, the other with incomparable power and the next is simply uniquely light. With the thousands of variants and options , it is easy to lose track of things. We will therefore help you to clarify the question: which laptop is right for me?

Laptop: what is important to know?

First, let’s start with the basics. Most laptops differ considerably in their basic properties , the built-in hardware and the installed software. So that you can make an initial assessment, we have put together a few factors that you should weigh before you answer the question “which laptop is right for me”. If you have answered these, you can order your gaming laptop in the GamingGuru shop !

First of all, you should ask yourself what you are actually using the laptop for . So you probably have completely different performance requirements when you need it for university than when you want to use it for gaming. In addition, the question arises of whether you want to transport it regularly or whether it should be a replacement PC at home, because that will also limit your weight. Last but not least, it remains to weigh up whether the laptop should be your primary device, because then it is of course better if all options are open to you with it. If, on the other hand, you also have a desktop PC, you can make some compromises in terms of performance.

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It depends on the size

Yes, you heard that right, when choosing a laptop, the size is definitely the decisive factor and, for some, the first exclusion criterion . The size of the housing is also decisive for other factors – particularly obvious: the screen size. Here we differentiate between five main sizes:

  • Very small: 10 “(about 25 cm)
  • Small: 11 “to 12” (about 28 to 30 cm)
  • Normal: 13 “to 14” (about 33 to 36 cm)
  • Large: 15 “to 16” (about 38 to 41 cm)
  • Very large: 17 “(about 43 cm)

A larger screen means that you have more space and that you can see more details – at least if the resolution and the corresponding hardware play along. This is also the reason why most gaming laptops have a large to very large screen, because this is essential for gaming.

Of course, the size also influences the weight of your laptop, because of course, the larger the case, the heavier the device. So, especially if you want to use your laptop a lot on the go, you should consider making compromises here. Laptops for schoolchildren and students in particular are usually narrow and small so that your arms don’t fall off when you carry them.

Out and about in the world: battery life

If you travel a lot with your laptop, you will probably place a particularly high value on the battery performance. In order to keep this as high as possible, some manufacturers refrain from excessively powerful models – because: Power needs electricity and both together are only possible in moderation.

Conversely, this also means that gaming notebooks rarely have a high battery power, after all they have to have enormous power to start various games. The same applies to laptops for photographers, because their displays have to show an incredibly wide range of colors, which is simply not possible without the appropriate power.

For presentations & Co .: interfaces

One point that many people forget when asked “which laptop is right for me” is the number and selection of interfaces. This is especially important if you want to connect your laptop to other devices on a regular basis. Do you often give presentations or regularly introduce new products at work? Then an HDMI connection (and ideally also a DVI connection) is indispensable.

However, if you want to gamble online, we can only recommend that you buy a laptop with a LAN connection . Because the fact is that a connection via cable is much more stable than one via WLAN – and what is more frustrating than when the message “Connection Lost” suddenly appears? If you want to gamble on your laptop, you should definitely have some USB 3.0 ports available. These allow you to optionally connect a particularly fast external hard drive or external graphics card.

Intuitive, practical & customizable: the operating system

When the question “which laptop is right for me” comes up, another decisive factor is the operating system . We want to anticipate that there is definitely the possibility of changing and adapting this after the purchase. However, in our experience, many laptop users want a finished end product.

Three operating systems that are particularly popular are currently established on the market : MacOS, Windows and Linux. Of course there are countless others in addition to these, but they are less well known and therefore usually not preinstalled on the laptops. The decision regarding the operating system should be based on your personal preferences.

Windows: Most used and widely loved

Windows has been the winner when it comes to the most widely used operating system for several decades. The majority opts for the Microsoft system, especially on the desktop PC . It is easy to use and can also be easily adapted to individual needs. Another big plus for gamers is that virtually every game runs on the latest Windows versions – the other systems cannot claim that.

MacOS: Simple and intuitive

The Apple MacOS, on the other hand, is still the test winner when it comes to intuitive operation . Since we are talking about laptops, it should also be noted at this point that Apple is definitely catching up here – but is still a long way from reaching the number of users that Windows is presenting. Nevertheless, if you use several Apple devices such as the iPad or iPhone, you will be pleased with the unbeatably easy communication between the devices. In addition, most games are now also optimized for use on the Mac – the question here is more whether the Apple hardware can keep up.

Linux: individual and tricky

Have you discovered your passion for programming and design ? Then you are well served with Linux. Because the open source operating system offers you countless possibilities for customizing and trying out and is even free of charge. However, it has its “quirks” and is rather unsuitable for those who are looking for a simple, intuitive way. Getting started is definitely easier with the user-friendly Ubuntu offshoot. But watch out for gamers! Not every game runs flawlessly on these two systems!

The ultimate gaming laptop

If you answered the question “which laptop is right for me” with a gaming laptop, then we would like to give you a few tips on the way. First and foremost, performance is particularly important for gaming: This means that the laptop should run stably even under high load .

In addition, it should have the best possible graphics quality , because this is the only way you can really immerse yourself in the gaming experience. But that is no longer a problem nowadays, because even the renowned graphics card manufacturers NVIDIA and AMD offer their flagships as powerful mini versions for the laptop. Do you want to know more about it? Then be sure to check out our article on gaming laptops .

Alternatives to the laptop

If you are still unsure and the question of which laptop is right for me has not yet been clarified, we would like to introduce you to some alternatives to the laptop that might better suit your needs :

  • Convertible models where you can switch between tablet and laptop mode.
  • Touch notebooks that you can use not only with the keyboard, but also with touch.
  • Tablets, which are usually easier and more intuitive to use (by the way, are also available with Bluetooth keyboards).
  • All-in-one PC for at home, with all the necessary hardware built into the screen.
  • Compact PC tower, a tiny housing that can be placed anywhere.

All in all, we can only say that there is a suitable computer for everyone. It doesn’t always have to be a pure laptop; convertibles have proven to be particularly useful in everyday university life. On the other hand, pure tablets are a great way for hobby photographers to edit pictures while on the move, watch videos, and just surf the net a little.

PC Water Cooling | When Is It Really Worth It?

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If you want to get more performance out of your own gaming computer , then you’ve probably stumbled across so-called water cooling. Again and again you hear that this is the ultimate option to protect the graphics card and CPU from overheating. But what is really true about these statements? We compare the advantages and disadvantages of a PC water cooling and explain whether it is suitable for you!

The basics: This is how water cooling works

Basically, the PC water cooling should ensure a more efficient heat exchange between the CPU, GPU, and environment. Particularly in high-performance computers, as is often the case with gaming PCs today, the individual components heat up strongly under load. Part of the electrical energy is released as thermal energy. If this is not removed quickly enough, the hardware can be damaged.

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The problems of conventional air cooling

Air cooling has been built into most PCs for a long time. And it is still very popular today. But it brings with it some problems that quickly explain the need for alternatives . Basically, this variant works with fins, which transfer the heat to a conventional fan. This then distributes the hot air to the environment.

The biggest problem with this is that the modern PC almost always sits in a confined housing . This also means that the heat emitted remains in the computer and continues to help heat the various components. Additional fans are therefore required, which then convey the heat out of the housing. However, these are also severely limited in their size and can therefore never provide 100% cooling capacity.

This is how PC water cooling differs

The big difference between water cooling and air cooling lies in the spatial separation between the heat absorption and its release in the case of the former. Because here it is so that a heat sink is attached to the component connected to a water circuit. The liquid absorbs the heat and transports it away.

A pump is used to bring the water to the radiator (also known as the heat exchanger ). This is usually located in the air space of the housing, for example in the front, in the lid or even completely outside. There are fins in the radiator that cool the water down again. In contrast to air cooling, these cooling plates are much larger because they do not have to take any other components into account due to their placement in the free space. In this way, the liquid can be cooled down more efficiently and fed back into the cycle.

Nevertheless, the name of PC water cooling is actually misleading, because basically it is not the water that directly cools. This is, so to speak, only the means of transport for the heat. On the other hand, classic fans are also attached to the radiator itself , which release excess heat. However, the whole thing is usually much more effective here, as the hot air is usually released directly to the outside and not back into the limited space.

When does water cooling make sense?

Before you decide on water cooling, you should absolutely be sure that it makes sense. Because it is quite the case that you can easily spend more than 100 euros on such a system . A typical, powerful fan, on the other hand, is only around half of this price range. In the meantime, there are also models that can keep up with inexpensive water cooling.

The main advantage of water cooling is that it offers greater efficiency . The difference is particularly clear with external systems. In addition, the PC water cooling is usually noticeably quieter than the pure fan version. You will hardly notice the difference in the office computer. However, if your PC often runs in the high-performance range, you can provide additional protection against overheating.

Especially when you notice that your computer is often slowing down due to thermal throttling ( i.e., the CPU or GPU performance is reduced to prevent overheating), water cooling can be very useful. This then ensures that your graphics card and / or your processor stays cool longer. So you can enjoy a smoother gaming experience.

Water cooling: when to change the water?

Have you decided on PC water cooling? Then there are still a few things to consider after the purchase, because just as dust must be removed from the fan, the water cooling should also be cleaned from time to time. As a rule, however, it is not actually necessary to replace the water. However, you should check carefully whether dust has deposited in it or whether algae have formed after a longer standstill.

If this is the case, you can rinse the individual components (especially the hoses) once with distilled water and clean them in this way. To prevent this, it also makes sense to use special liquids for water cooling. For example, distilled water with a little cooling liquid has proven to be very resistant. If you follow these tips, you will most likely never get embarrassed about having to change the water.

How To Find The Best Gaming Mouse | The Most Important Tips

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Whether CS: GO, PUBG, Fortnite or LoL : You inevitably need a mouse for all of these games. It should not only be comfortable to hold , it should also react quickly and, ideally, have a few additional buttons. But which is actually the best gaming mouse? We’ll tell you here what it should be able to do and what you have to pay attention to!

How To Find The Best Gaming Mouse

The best gaming mouse: that’s what sets it apart

Before we go into more detail, we would like to briefly summarize what actually characterizes a good gaming mouse . In some points it differs significantly from the conventional office mouse.

However, in terms of their basic functions, they are initially the same: As a rule, they have two horizontally arranged buttons with which you can operate various PC applications. There is usually a mouse wheel between these. They come either wired or wireless. But that’s about the similarities. We have briefly listed the differences:

  • Ergonomics . The gaming mouse is usually much more ergonomic and is therefore still comfortable to hold even after long use.
  • Operation . The best gaming mouse for many games has a few additional buttons that can be assigned macros.
  • Reaction . When gaming, it is important that the mouse reacts precisely and, if possible, without delay – this requires good sensors and a high polling rate.
  • Software . In the best cases, the mouse is easy and individually programmable, which means that it can be adapted to different games and also types of gamers.
  • Lighting . Gaming mice are often heavily lit – after all, we spend a lot of time with them. However, this is of course not necessary.

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Gaming mouse: what to look for?

We have just listed the rough factors that you should consider when buying a gaming mouse – these are exactly those that distinguish it from a conventional office version . But before we dive deeper into the subject, one thing first: There is no such thing as one, the best gaming mouse for everyone.

The choice always depends on your individual needs and preferences . The genres you play will also play a role in the decision. A shooter player often has different requirements than someone who likes to play MMO RPGs. There are even differences between the individual games. We can only give you a little guide to help you make a decision.

Comfortable for several hours: ergonomics

The most important point is of course your health . Anyone looking for a gaming mouse will likely have a good time of the day in front of the PC. In addition, you usually have the mouse in your hand for significantly longer periods of time when gaming than in normal office use – here a large part of the input is also made via the keyboard.

So it is all the more important that the gaming mouse is gentle on your wrist . Unfortunately, a conventional variant very often ensures that the area is severely kinked. This posture can cause a pain syndrome, which can run through the hand up to the shoulder. It is accordingly important to prevent this.

While there are now some office mice that pay particular attention to ergonomic factors (especially those that arrange the keys vertically), these are usually completely unsuitable for gaming. The best thing to do here is to use a mouse that feels good in your hand. There are special models for small and large hands as well as for left and right-handers that are precisely tailored to their needs.

A matter of milliseconds

Response time is often crucial, especially when gaming . If you see your opponent and can press the trigger a few milliseconds earlier, it must of course react accordingly quickly so that you ultimately emerge as the winner. There are several factors that determine this mouse-to-game transfer speed.

Gaming mouse with or without a cable?

It can make a huge difference to professional gamers whether a mouse is wireless or wired. Because it is unfortunately still the case that the wireless models are a few milliseconds slower than their wired siblings. For the casual gamer, however, that seldom makes the decisive difference.

A wireless gaming mouse, on the other hand, brings a high level of comfort for most gamers . On the one hand, you don’t have to constantly retighten the cable, on the other hand, you can really use it anywhere. For example, do you want to watch a movie on your PC from the sofa? Just take the mouse with you!

However, it also has one major disadvantage: it has to be charged . If the battery runs out in the middle of a game and the mouse stops responding, it’s just incredibly annoying. There may also be more problems between the drivers – a wireless mouse must always be installed, while most other models are plug-and-play. The fact is that many gamers prefer a wired mouse, but this is by no means necessary!

Between laser and infrared: sensors

The sensor is the heart of every mouse . He feels exactly where it is on the ground and how you move it. In the meantime, two types of sensors have established themselves which are equally suitable for gaming: laser and infrared sensors (also called optical sensors).

A few years ago the use of both variants was highly controversial, but experts have since determined that there is no significant difference in transmission. However, a laser mouse can be used on all surfaces without any problems. The optical variant works best on a mouse pad. In addition, the laser is usually more energy efficient and often more precise, but such statements cannot be 100% generalized.

DPI and CPI: a matter of taste

Manufacturers often advertise with particularly high DPI (dots per inch) or CPI (counts per inch) values . These basically state how fast the mouse pointer can move across the screen. A mouse with a DPI of 1000 will move 2.54 cm over the image per second.

However, the best gaming mouse is not the one with the highest DPI value. On the contrary, a high DPI is in most games ineffective . You will never need more than 2000 dots per inch when playing. Much more important when gambling – especially if you want to play different games – is that you can change the value quickly and easily. This is usually possible using buttons behind the mouse wheel or on the side.

From hand into play: polling rate

The polling rate is often more decisive for gamers than the DPI. In broad terms, this value indicates how quickly the mouse transmits input to the driver and thus also to the game. A higher polling rate means that the driver asks more often where your mouse is and what you are doing with it. Conversely, this means that mice with higher values ​​in this range react faster .

The best gaming mouse for most gamers has a polling rate between 500 and 1000 Hz. A lower value can cause stuttering and limit the response time. However, if you decide on a high polling rate, make sure to check whether the drivers also support it – you can usually find good reviews online.

Interact, activate defense, crouch: additional keys

The best gaming mouse comes with a few additional buttons. You often need these for additional actions in the game . As a rule, these keys can be assigned so-called macros. You can either set this directly in the mouse software or program it in the game.

This is particularly useful if, for example, you want to quickly peak around the corner, want to throw a grenade or want to use a special skill in MMO RPG. However, too many buttons can quickly become confusing . For casual gamers, we recommend 2 to 4 additional ones.

By the way: In many cases, the mouse wheel can also be used as an additional button. In some cases, you can even assign three actions to it: By pressing on it and pressing left and right, various skills are triggered.

More (more or less) useful features

A gaming mouse can have a few other features. These are sometimes more, sometimes less useful when gaming. We have summarized them here for you. The decision as to whether you need this is entirely up to you and depends primarily on the games you want to play.

  • Mouse correction : If an almost straight line is drawn, it is automatically smoothed. What is useful in graphics work falsifies the mouse line when gaming and often acts as a hindrance.
  • Lighting : Some mice light up in one color or can be set individually. Can be helpful if you define different settings for different modes and combine them with a color.
  • Vibration . Can display warning messages using sensors. Useful if you play very focused and want to hide the life bar, for example.
  • 10+ programmable buttons . Smart for MMO RPGs with a large skill bar, but less so in other games.
  • Additional weights . Can be useful to adjust the weight individually and especially to different users.
  • Mouse acceleration . DPI is adjusted based on the speed at which the mouse is moved. It takes a lot of getting used to, but often useful for precise reactions, especially in shooters.

The Right Case Fan | Size And Other Data

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Have you ever opened your case shortly after working on it for a long period or playing a particularly powerful game? Then you have probably noticed that a large amount of heat has accumulated in the interior . Suitable case fans are required so that this does not damage your hardware or your computer even crashes because it overheats. You can find out from us what they really have to be able to do, how many you need and what else you should pay attention to!

The Right Case Fan

Case fan: the basics

Before we go into more detail about the actual specifications that your case fan should meet, we first want to build up a basic knowledge. Because while you probably realize that the little helper’s job is to keep your computer nice and cool, there is a lot more interesting to learn.

The structure of a PC fan is actually very simple: It consists of a small fan that is clamped into a frame. As a rule, you will find standardized sizes here, so that the perfect model is available for every case. Once used, they then suck in the warm air from the interior and release it to the outside world. The whole thing is controlled by an electric motor, which is usually supplied with power directly via the power supply unit.

This can lower the operating temperature of your hardware . This not only protects them from overheating or even a possible total failure. Effective case ventilation can also help increase the overall performance of your PC. Because no matter how high-end your graphics card and processor are: If the cooling is not right, you will never be able to exploit the full potential.

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PC fan types – or: what you really need

While case fans are always the same in structure, they differ in a few other ways. Above all, the size should be mentioned here. Because this is crucial to ensure that your dream model really fits into your computer later on. You should also pay attention to the parameters of the airflow and the connector. It is more like a gimmick, but it is hard to imagine a modern gaming PC without LEDs – you will now find out what you need to pay attention to with all these points!

The fan size: the bigger the better?

The size of case fans is usually specified in millimeters and ranges between 80 and 230 mm . So you can see: the range is huge, so it is not always easy to find the right one. Basically, your choice is initially limited by your case. Because if you don’t want to tinker with it yourself, you can use the devices provided here as a guide. By the way: Are you interested in case modding? Then take a look at our post on the topic , there you will find helpful information!

Most computer cases allow fans between 120 and 140 mm – so these are also the most popular models . For a mini PC, on the other hand, 80 mm is preferred and 230 mm for the large tower. If you are not sure which size is possible for you, it is best to look at the manual or simply put the ruler in the appropriate place yourself.

Do you have the choice between different sizes, or do you want to buy a new case anyway, then we recommend a variant with a larger diameter. Because the longer the fan blades , the more air they can transport away and the more efficient they are. However, you should be aware that the better performance often goes hand in hand with a higher noise level – but more on that below.

The air throughput: how much does the fan do now?

The performance of a PC fan can of course not only be determined by its size. Rather, this is just one of the indicators alongside the engine power and the condition of the blades. However, to give you a good impression of the efficiency, an indication of the airflow rate is given. This describes the amount of air that is carried into and out of the computer per second.

In Germany and most other European countries, this information is given in cubic meters per hour (m3 / h). For a powerful gaming PC, values between 150 and 200 m3 / h are ideal. However, if you want to order your case fan in the USA, you will likely encounter the unit cfm – this stands for cubic feet per minute. You can roughly convert that with the factor 0.589 (i.e. 1 m3 / h = 0.589 cfm). A comparable fan should move between 90 and 120 cfm.

The plug: how much control do you need?

Of course, your fan must not only your body but also to the motherboard compatible to be. Because this is how it is ultimately controlled. There are different connections that give you different degrees of control over your model. Especially in gaming PCs, you should make sure to use at least a 3-pin model.

While the first and second pins are essential for the fan to work at all, the third, optional pin allows you to adjust the rotation speed . So if the whole thing is too loud for you, you can simply turn it down. If you then need more power again, you turn it up again. You can do the whole thing either directly via the BIOS or via special software.

While this acceleration or deceleration is done with a 3-pin case fan via the voltage (i.e.: the less voltage, the slower the rotation), this is different with the 4-pin model. The fourth connector sends small impulses that ultimately ensure that a fan turns faster or slower. The voltage remains the same all the time. This has the advantage that the fans don’t ever go out due to a lack of voltage.

Installing the case fan: no rocket science

Basically, installing the case fan is quite easy . Because here you have – at least if you buy a finished case – prefabricated cutouts into which the component must be inserted. There should also be small bases on which the fan can then be screwed. Of course, the whole thing is even less complicated if there are flaps instead into which it is simply clamped.

Now it’s a matter of getting the airflow right. For optimal circulation , the fans on the opposite side should work in the same direction. This means, for example, that the one at the front draws in air and the one at the rear releases it back outside. The same applies to fans on the top and bottom.

So that you don’t have to try out in which direction the fans actually turn, there is a label on the frame of almost all models. A small arrow here shows the direction of the airflow . According to this you screw your fan in the right place and plug the pin on the mainboard. The connection should be written out with the designation FAN. If you are unsure, it is best to take a look at the manual.

A coherent overall system

Are you now wondering how many fans you really need? That depends entirely on your components and the use of your PC. Because an office computer can usually get by with two fans that form an airflow. A gaming computer, on the other hand, easily relies on up to ten. While this is a bit overkill for most, your best bet is to use a good median of five to six.

The system is supplemented by special cooling systems for the graphics card and the CPU – these are particularly predestined for overheating. Here you can also rely on water cooling instead of an air variant. We have explained to you what the advantages of this area in a separate blog post .

By the way: Is your PC fan too loud for you? Then, as already mentioned, the best way to solve this is via the speed setting (if you have chosen a 3 or 4-pin model). If the PC then gets too hot, it can be helpful to divide the power over several fans, i.e. to upgrade here and let all run at a slower speed. Alternatively, you can also install smaller versions, because these are also quieter overall. Whatever you choose, always make sure that all of your components are well cooled. You can also check the temperature in the Task Manager.