Best Slim 120mm Fan for SFF Cases, Radiators & Heatsinks in 2024

I have already covered the best 120mm case fans in this blog but here I am going to cover the best slim 120mm fans that are thinner than the standard 120mm fans. A regular or standard 120mm fan is 25mm thick but a slim 120mm fan is only 15mm thick which is considerably thinner. A Slim 120mm fan is also known as a thin 120mm fan, a low profile 120mm fan, or a 15mm thick 120mm fan. However, some slim 120mm fans are super thin having a thickness of only 12mm.

These slim fans can be used in low-profile CPU coolers/heatsinks, low-profile cases, and small form factor (SFF) cases, where there is no or very little room for fitting a regular-sized 120mm fan. Slim 120mm fans can also be used on radiators (120mm / 240mm / 360mm radiators) and normal PC cases to free up some space for other components in a congested environment. You may also use them on passively cooled GPU heatsinks if you want better cooling on passively cooled graphics cards. In PC Cases they can be used as front fans, rear fans, or top-mounted fans. These slim 120mm fans might offer a bit less airflow compared to the standard 120mm fans because of their thinner fan blades and compact motor. However, the difference can be marginal for some and they can offer almost the same performance as a standard 120mm fan, and that too with consuming less space. So, let’s get started with the list of the best 120mm slim fans that you can use in SFF PC Cases, Slim CPU coolers, and Radiators.

Top Slim 120mm Fans [Low Profile Fans]

Here are the best low-profile 120mm fans that you can use with small PC cases, standard computer cases, low-profile heatsinks/coolers, and radiators. Most of these below-mentioned slim 120mm fans have a thickness of 15mm only, while some of them are 12mm or 20mm thick.

Noctua NF-A12x15 PWM Slim 120mm Fan

[High Airlfow & Static Pressure, Great Build & Performance, Quiet]

Noctua NF-A12x15 PWM is a quiet and slim 120mm fan for use in low-profile CPU coolers, SFF HTPC PC cases, and 120mm / 240mm / 360mm radiators for liquid CPU coolers. This 15mm thin 120mm fan is also present in the Noctua NH-L12S Low Profile CPU Cooler. The fan comes with Noctua’s SSO2 bearing for quiet operation and a longer lifespan. This is a PWM fan and is very silent in operation and comes with a low noise adapter (L.N.A.).

It has a speed in the range of 450 – 1850 RPM and generates airflow of 55.4 CFM and static pressure of 1.53mm H2O which are very good figures for a slim fan. To reduce vibrations, the fan has got rubber padding on all the corners. This slim 120mm fan has great build quality along with commendable performance. It is also very stable and is backed 6-year warranty from Noctua. It is one of the best slim fans for use in low-profile CPU coolers and radiators, and you can also use it as an extra fan in standard CPU coolers in a push and pull configuration. This fan is also available in black color as Noctua NF-A12x15 PWM chromax.Black.swap and check out this model too from the links given below.

Note: A 3-pin variant of this fan is also available as Noctua NF-A12x15 FLX having a constant speed of 1850 RPM while other specs remain the same.

Noctua NF-A12x15 PWM Low Profile Fan Specifications
Fan Size	120mm
Bearing Type	SSO2
Fan Speed	450 – 1850 RPM (1400 RPM with L.N.A.)
Connector Type	4-pin PWM
Maximum Airflow	55.4 CFM
Noise Level	23.9 dBA

Buy Noctua NF-A12x15 PWM Slim 120mm Fan

Buy Noctua NF-A12x15 FLX Slim 120mm Fan (3-pin)

Buy Noctua NF-A12x15 PWM chromax.Black.swap

Noctua NF-A12x15 FLX Slim 120mm Fan

This is the 3-pin connector variant of the above-mentioned Noctua NF-A12x15 PWM fan. Noctua NF-A12x15 FLX has got the same specifications, quality, and design as of Noctua NF-A12x15 PWM fan but the only exception is that its speed cannot be varied because of the 3-pin connector. However, it comes bundled with Low noise adapter (L.N.A.) and Ultra noise adapter (U.L.N.A.) cables that can allow you to adjust speeds at 1400 RPM and 950 RPM respectively.

It has got a maximum speed of 1850 RPM and comes with a 3 to 4-pin power supply adapter for connecting directly to the 4-pin Molex connector of the PSU. It may not be suitable for low-profile CPU coolers because of the 3-pin connector but is great for use in PC cases and Radiators.

Noctua NF-A12x15 FLX Low Profile Fan Specifications
Fan Size	120mm
Bearing Type	SSO2
Fan Speed	450 – 1850 RPM (1400 RPM with L.N.A. / 950 RPM with U.L.N.A.)
Connector Type	3-pin
Maximum Airflow	55.4 CFM
Noise Level	23.9 dBA

Buy Noctua NF-A12x15 FLX Slim 120mm Fan

Corsair AF120 SLIM 120mm PWM Fan

[High-Performance, Good Build Quality, High Airflow & Static Pressure]

A high-performance slim 120mm fan from Corsair. It is basically a slim version of the Corsair AF120 ELITE, a high-performance standard-thickness fan from Corsair. Corsair AF120 SLIM fan has a thickness of 15mm and can easily fit in tight spaces where a regular 25mm fan cannot. It is a PWN fan having a speed in the range of 600 – 200 RPM and it comes with fluid dynamic bearing for noise reduction and higher durability

The fan generates high static pressure and high flow which means it can be used for heatsinks and radiators and also as a PC Case fan. The fan has a maximum airflow of 56.3 CFM and generates static pressure of 1.9mm-H2O. The fan is also pretty silent and has a maximum noise rating of 27.5 dBA. The fan also comes with rubber paddings on all four corners to reduce noise and vibrations. Corsair AF120 SLIM 120mm PWM Fan is available in two color options, black and white.

Note: This fan is also available in RGB version with Addressable RGB LEDs and support for Corsair iCUE software. You can also check the RGB version which is Corsair iCUE AF120 RGB SLIM 120mm from the links below.

Corsair AF120 SLIM 120mm PWM Fan Specifications
Fan Size	120mm
Bearing Type	Fluid Dynamic Bearing
Fan Speed	600 – 2000 RPM
Connector Type	4-pin PWM
Maximum Airflow	56.3 CFM
Noise Level	27.5 dBA

Buy Corsair AF120 SLIM 120mm PWM Fan (Black)

Buy Corsair AF120 SLIM 120mm PWM Fan (White)

Corsair iCUE AF120 RGB SLIM 120mm PWM Fan

Prolimatech Ultra Sleek Vortex 12 Fan

[Great for CPU Cooler Heatsink & Radiators]

A very silent and high-quality sleek 120mm fan from Prolimatech that is only 15mm thick. This is a PWM fan and comes with 17 blades that are designed for providing high airflow and static pressure. The fan comes with double ball bearing and rotates at speed in the range of 400 to 1300 RPM. It generates a high airflow of 56 CFM and static pressure of 0.9mmH2O and is the quietest slim 120mm fan with a maximum noise level rating of 17 dBA only.

The build quality of the fan is superb and it is very lightweight. You can use this fan on low-profile CPU coolers or as an extra fan on standard CPU air coolers in a push-pull configuration, and can also use this as a case fan or on radiators. A 4-pin PWM to Molex connector cable comes bundled with this slim fan. So, if you are looking for a premium high-performance slim 120mm fan for your various cooling needs then you will not be disappointed at all.

Prolimatech Ultra Sleek Vortex 12 Specifications
Fan Size	120mm
Bearing Type	Double Ball Bearing
Fan Speed	400 – 1300 RPM
Connector Type	4-pin PWM
Maximum Airflow	56 CFM
Noise Level	17 dBA

Buy Prolimatech Ultra Sleek Vortex 12 Fan

ARCTIC P12 Slim PWM PST Fan

[Pressure Optimized Design, Quiet, PWM connector]

ARCTIC P12 Slim PWM PST is a quiet and pressure-optimized 120mm slim fan from Arctic. The fan is only 15mm thick and can fit in tight spaces whereas a standard 120mm fan of 25mm thickness cannot. The fan comes with Fluid Dynamic Bearing (FDB) and spins at a speed of 300 – 2100 RPM. The fan generates static pressure of 1.45 mmH2O and airflow of 42 CFM which are pretty good figures for a 120mm slim fan. The noise level rating of the fan stands at 22.5 dBA which is on the lower side.

It is a pressure-optimized fan and comes with curved fan blades for focused airflow to increase air pressure. The fan uses a 4-pin PWM connector and is mainly designed for use with CPU heatsinks, water cooling, or AIO radiators. However, because of its good airflow figure, you can also use it as a case fan in slimmer PC cases. Overall, a good slim 120mm fan from a well-reputed brand.

ARCTIC P12 Slim PWM PST Fan Specifications
Fan Size	120mm
Bearing Type	Fluid Dynamic Bearing
Fan Speed	300 – 2100 RPM
Connector Type	4-pin PWM
Maximum Airflow	42.12 CFM
Noise Level	22.5 dBA

Buy ARCTIC P12 Slim PWM PST Fan

Thermaltake Luna 12 Slim LED Fan

Here we have a Slim 120mm Fan from Thermaltake with LED light. Thermaltake Luna 12 Slim LED Fan is 15mm thin and comes with hydraulic bearing for long life and silent operation. The fan has got a 3-pin connector and has a constant speed of 1400 RPM. The fan is silent in operation but has relatively less performance as it does not move that much amount of air compared to the competition. The airflow is only 27.5 CFM which is definitely on the lower side of the spectrum for a 120mm fan.

The build quality of the fan is very good and it comes with anti-vibration pads on all four corners for reducing noise and vibrations. It has got nine transparent fan blades that look great in the presence of LED lighting. The fan is available in three colors (red/white/blue) depending on your choice. So, if you are looking for a Slim LED fan then go for this but if you are purely looking for performance then get other fans, especially the Noctua one.

Thermaltake Luna 12 Slim LED Fan Specifications
Fan Size	120mm
Bearing Type	Hydraulic Bearing
Fan Speed	1400 RPM
Connector Type	3-pin
Maximum Airflow	27.533 CFM
Noise Level	24 dBA

Buy Thermaltake Luna 12 Slim LED Fan

Scythe Slip Stream 120mm Slim Case Fan

[12mm thick only, Slimmest]

If you are looking for a cheap 120mm slim fan then this is the fan that you can get for your needs. This also happens to be the slimmest 120mm fan with a thickness of only 12mm. The fan comes with sleeve bearing and has a constant fan speed of 1600 RPM. For connectivity, it uses a 3-pin connector, and a 3-pin to 4-pin Molex adapter comes with it. The fan is on the noisier side and generates airflow of 38.05 CFM which is quite decent. This fan must only be used as a case fan and should be avoided on CPU coolers and Radiators because of its cheaper build and mediocre performance. It is also available in 800 RPM, 1200 RPM, and 2000 RPM speed variants. Great budget slim 120mm fan for users on a tight budget.

Scythe Slip Stream 120mm Slim Case Fan Specifications
Fan Size	120mm
Bearing Type	Sleeve Bearing
Fan Speed	1600 RPM
Connector Type	3-pin
Maximum Airflow	38.05 CFM
Noise Level	28.89 dBA

Buy Scythe Slip Stream 120mm Slim Case Fan (1600 RPM)

Buy Scythe Slip Stream 120mm Slim Case Fan (2000 RPM)

Scythe Kaze Flex 120 Slim Fan

[Good quality Slim 120mm PWM Fan]

Here we have another slim 120mm fan from Scythe but this one is a PWM fan and is better made. Scythe Kaze Flex 120 is a slim 120mm fan with a thickness of 17mm and it uses a 4-pin PWM connector. The fan uses FDB (Fluid Dynamic Bearing) and spins at 300 – 1200 RPM. It is on the quieter side and has a maximum noise level rating of 23.9 dBA. The performance of this fan is also very good and it generates a maximum airflow of 33.86 CFM and static pressure of 0.9 mmH2O.

This slim 120mm fan can be used on low-profile CPU coolers or as an additional fan on a regular mainstream cooler in a push-pull configuration. Moreover, it can also be used as a case fan in SFF and HTPC builds having smaller and slim cases. The fan comes with rubber pads on all four corners to absorb the vibrations, which also helps in keeping the noise to minimum levels. So, if you are looking for a good quality slim 120mm PWM fan that offers good performance then this is one of the best.

Note: This slim 120mm fan is also available with a higher speed of 300 – 1800 RPM, having greater airflow of 50.79 CFM and static pressure of 1.35mm H2O.

Scythe Kaze Flex 120 Slim Fan
Fan Size	120mm
Bearing Type	FDB (Fluid Dynamic Bearing)
Fan Speed	300 – 1200 RPM (PWM)
Connector Type	4-Pin PWM
Maximum Airflow	33.86 CFM
Noise Level	23.9 dBA

Buy Scythe Kaze Flex 120 Slim Fan (300 – 1200 RPM)

Buy Scythe Kaze Flex 120 Slim Fan (300 – 1800 RPM)

Rosewill RASF-141213 – 120mm Ultra Slim Fan

A budget 120mm Slim Fan from Rosewill that comes with a PWM connector. This 15mm thin fan resembles the design of the Cooler Master XtraFlo 120 Slim Fan with similar wave-shaped fan blades and overall design. The speed of the fan ranges from 600 to 1600 RPM and it comes with Sleeve bearing. The fan moves a decent amount of air @54.55 CFM but is a bit noisy and has a maximum noise level rating of 30.32 dBA.

The build quality of the fan is pretty good and it is great for use as a case in ultra-slim computer cases. It can be used as a case, both intake and exhaust, and can also be used with CPU Coolers and Water Cooling Radiators. Overall, it is a good low-profile 120mm fan that is cheap and delivers good performance for the price.

Rosewill RASF-141213 – 120mm Ultra Slim Fan Specifications
Fan Size	120mm
Bearing Type	Long Life Sleeve
Fan Speed	600 – 1600 RPM
Connector Type	4-Pin
Maximum Airflow	54.55 CFM
Noise Level	30.32 dBA

Buy Rosewill 120mm Ultra Slim Fan

Phobya G-Silent 12 Slim Edition Fan

An attractive-looking slim 120mm fan that has got a black frame, and red fan blades, and is only 15mm thick. The fan is from a German company called Aquatuning, which specializes in PC cooling and modding hardware. It is a very good budget slim fan that offers great performance at a lower price. The fan comes with Hydrodynamic bearing and spins at speed of 1800 RPM.

The fan generates a high airflow of 58 CFM and is pretty quiet in operation. The maximum noise level rating for this fan is 28.5 dBA which is quite okay and it can pass as a silent fan. The fan uses a 3-pin connector and has got a sleeved cable for extra protection. Due to high airflow and a 3-pin connector, the fan is best suited for use as a case fan, both as exhaust and intake. The fan is well built and sturdy, and also has provision to integrate 3mm LEDs if you want a bit of fancy stuff going on.

Phobya G-Silent 12 Slim Edition Fan Specifications
Fan Size	120mm
Bearing Type	Hydrodynamic bearing
Fan Speed	1800 RPM
Connector Type	3-pin
Maximum Airflow	58 CFM
Noise Level	28.5 dBA

Buy Phobya G-Silent 12 Slim Edition Fan

SilverStone FN123 Slim 120mm Fan

SilverStone FN123 is a budget slim 120mm fan that combines the qualities of both airflow and static pressure fan. This 15mm thick fan has long curved blades and they have a very small distance between them. This makes it a good high static pressure fan for use in Radiators, CPU coolers, and as a front intake fan. It has a static pressure rating of 1.52mmH2O which is quite good. The fan blades are very stable because they are joined to each other along the middle part.

The build quality of this 120mm slim fan is average but is not bad either. The fan uses a 3-pin connector and has a maximum speed of 2000 RPM. It can be a bit loud because of its higher RPM. The fan is very much affordable and is a great budget slim fan for slim PC cases.

Update: Another good slim fan from Silvertone is Silverstone FN124 120mm Slim Fan that is 15mm thick, has a fan speed of 1500 RPM, generates airflow and static pressure of 25 CFM, and 0.86mmH2O, and has a noise level rating of 18dBA which is on the quieter side. You can check out this fan too from the links given below.

SilverStone FN123 Slim 120mm Fan Specifications
Fan Size	120mm
Bearing Type	Long-life sleeve
Fan Speed	2000 RPM
Connector Type	3-Pin
Maximum Airflow	32.6 CFM
Noise Level	23.5 dBA

Buy SilverStone FN123 Slim 120mm Fan

Buy Silverstone FN124 120mm Slim Fan

Deepcool GS120 Slim Fan

[20mm Thick & High Airflow]

Deepcool GS120 Gamer Storm is a 120mm slim case fan with a thickness of 20mm, which is a bit more than a regular 15mm slim fan but lesser than a standard 25mm fan. The fan allows you to clear out 5mm of space for other components, and that too without compromising any cooling performance. This is a PWM fan with a speed in the range of 900 – 1800 RPM, and it comes with Hydro-Dynamic bearing for a longer lifespan.

The fan generates a high airflow of 62 CFM but is rather noisy at full speed (32.4 dBA Noise rating). However, you can reduce the noise by using the 7 Volt Low-noise adapter that comes bundled with the fan. Also comes included with the fan are 4 rubber screws for installation and 2 rubber cable ties for cable management. It can be used as a case fan (both as exhaust and intake), and on standard or low-profile CPU coolers. Also, it can be used as a replacement fan in power supplies with a 120mm fan. The fan looks very elegant with white fan blades & a grey frame and has good build quality too. It is also quite cheap and gets a thumbs up from me.

Deepcool GS120 Slim Fan Specifications
Fan Size	120mm [20mm Thick]
Bearing Type	Hydro Bearing
Fan Speed	900 – 1800 RPM
Connector Type	4-pin PWM
Maximum Airflow	61.93 CFM
Noise Level	32.4 dBA

Buy Deepcool GS120 Slim Fan

Silverstone FW124-ARGB Slim Fan

[Slim 120mm RGB Fan, Requires 5V 3-pin ARGB Header]

If you are looking for a fancy slim 120mm RGB fan then Silverstone FW124-ARGB is for you. This is a 15mm thick 120mm RGB fan that comes with 6 RGB LEDs that look amazing when lit up. Just like the above-mentioned SilverStone FN123 Slim 120mm Fan, the fan blades of this fan are also joined with each other along the middle and are translucent for better light dispersion. This is a PWM fan that comes with Fluid dynamic bearing and spins at speed of 800 – 2000 RPM. The fan generates a healthy amount of airflow, which is 32.6 CFM, and is moderately quiet having a noise level rating of 24.6 dBA.

Technically, this is an ARGB fan, which means it has Addressable RGB LEDs that can change color independently. The fan requires a 5V 3-pin ARGB header for RGB connection and is not compatible with a 12V 4-pin RGB connection. You can connect this fan to a 5V 3-pin ARGB header on the motherboard (if the mobo has it) or to an RGB controller that supports ARGB devices with a 5V 3-pin connector. It is compatible with major motherboard RGB software that includes Asus Aura Sync, Gigabyte RGB Fusion, ASRock Polychrome Sync, MSI Mystic Light Sync, and BIOSTAR Racing. This slim RGB fan can be used as a case fan in smaller cases, and can also be used on water cooling radiators.

Check out: Best RGB Fans for Building a Fancy Gaming PC

Silverstone FW124-ARGB Slim Fan Specifications
Fan Size	120mm
Bearing Type	Fluid dynamic bearing
Fan Speed	800 – 2000 RPM
Connector Type	4-pin PWM (for Fan), 3-pin 5V ARGB (for RGB)
Maximum Airflow	32.6 CFM
Noise Level	24.6 dBA

Buy Silverstone FW124-ARGB Slim Fan

Scythe Kaze Flex Slim 120 RGB PWM Fan

[High Airflow and Static Pressure, RGB LED Lighting]

A high-performance slim 120mm RGB fan from Sythe. The fan has a thickness of only 15mm (17mm with Anit-Vibration Rubber pads) and can be used in almost all tight conditions, especially in a mini-ITX / small form factor case or on a low profile CPU cooler. The fan consists of eight RGB LEDs located around the central motor hub in a ring fashion. It is a PWM fan that uses a 4-pin connector and spins at 300 to 1800 RPM. The fan uses Sealed Precision Fluid Bearing for better lifespan and low noise performance. The fan generates airflow of 79.76 CFM and static pressure of 2.4mmH2O, which are commendable figures for a slim profile fan.

The corners of the fan are fitted with rubber pads that reduce vibrations and help to contain noise. The fan uses 12V 4-pin standard RGB connectors and is compatible with ASUS Aurora Sync, ASRock RGB LED, MSI Mystic Light Sync, and Gigabyte RGB Fusion through the respective motherboard’s software. Due to its higher airflow and static pressure, the fan can be used as a case fan and on CPU coolers and Radiators. The fan’s build quality is also top-notch, and all the necessary cables and screws come bundled with the package.

Scythe Kaze Flex Slim 120 RGB PWM Fan Specifications
Fan Size	120mm
Bearing Type	FDB
Fan Speed	300 – 1800 RPM
Connector Type	4-pin PWM
Maximum Airflow	79.76 CFM
Noise Level	35.8 dBA

Buy Scythe Kaze Flex Slim 120 RGB PWM Fan

SilverStone Air Slimmer 120 Fan

[Great for Radiators & Heatsinks, ARGB model also available, High Airflow & Static Pressure]

A high static pressure slim 120mm fan from Silverstone. The fan is 15.6mm thick and is best for use in CPU heatsinks and radiators. The fan also has a healthy airflow and can be used in small form factor PC Cases as both intake and exhaust fan. The fan features 9 scimitar fan blades that are designed for increased air pressure and high airflow rate for quick heat dissipation through radiators or heatsinks. This slim 120mm fan uses Fluid Dynamic Bearing (FDB) for increased lifespan. The airflow and static pressure generated by the fan are 63.67 CFM and 2.4mm H2O which are very good figures for a slim 120mm fan. For connectivity, the fan uses a 4-pin PWM connector and has a maximum speed of 1800 RPM. The fan is on the quieter side at lower speeds but at maximum speed, it has a noise rating of 31.7 dBA which is on the higher side. For reducing noise and vibrations it does come with rubber pads at all four ends. Overall, a performance-oriented 120mm fan that has good build quality.

Note: An ARGB version of this fan is also available and you can check out both models from the links given below.

SilverStone Air Slimmer 120 Fan Specifications
Fan Size	120mm
Bearing Type	Fluid Dynamic Bearing (FDB)
Fan Speed	1800 RPM
Connector Type	4-pin PWM
Maximum Airflow	63.67 CFM
Noise Level	31.7 dBA

Buy SilverStone Air Slimmer 120 Fan

Buy SilverStone Air Slimmer 120 ARGB Fan

Other Slim 120mm Fans

See also

Final Words

These slim 120mm fans are really a lifesaver when it comes to tight spaces in your PC case or you have very low clearance for other components. Some of these thin 120mm fans can also be used as an extra fan for your CPU cooler, but most of the time they are used as case fans and with thick radiators. If you have any doubts or queries regarding them then please ask me by leaving a comment below.

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