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be quiet! Pure Wings 3 140mm PWM vs SilverStone AP121: Comparison
be quiet! Pure Wings 3 140mm PWM vs SilverStone AP121 airflow compared
The gap that matters here is airflow: be quiet! Pure Wings 3 140mm PWM 57.4 CFM against SilverStone AP121 35.36 CFM, which puts be quiet! Pure Wings 3 140mm PWM 38% ahead. Add static pressure to that, 0.96 mmH2O on the be quiet! Pure Wings 3 140mm PWM versus 1.71 mmH2O on the SilverStone AP121, and the pattern holds. Max speed runs the same way, 1200 RPM on the be quiet! Pure Wings 3 140mm PWM versus 1500 RPM on the SilverStone AP121, another win for SilverStone AP121. They differ on positioning too, Budget on the be quiet! Pure Wings 3 140mm PWM versus Balanced mainstream on the SilverStone AP121.
Which should you buy, be quiet! Pure Wings 3 140mm PWM or SilverStone AP121?
Buy the be quiet! Pure Wings 3 140mm PWM for budget builds needing basic 140mm airflow and front or rear case fan replacement, though it is not the pick for radiator or high-restriction duty and long-term 24/7 workstation use. The SilverStone AP121 is the one to take for SilverStone case builds wanting brand-matched fans and balanced airflow and static pressure needs, though it is the wrong buy for builds chasing best-in-class performance and RGB or showcase builds. Our rating of the be quiet! Pure Wings 3 140mm PWM (6/10): A perfectly adequate budget 140mm fan, but the rifle bearing means it's not the one to buy for a decade of runtime. Our rating of the SilverStone AP121 (6/10): A competent, unremarkable fan best chosen for brand consistency in a SilverStone build rather than outright performance.
Frequently asked questions
Do the be quiet! Pure Wings 3 140mm PWM and SilverStone AP121 differ on noise level?
Yes. Noise Level reads 21.9 dBA on the be quiet! Pure Wings 3 140mm PWM versus 22.4 dBA on the SilverStone AP121.
Is the Lighting the same on the be quiet! Pure Wings 3 140mm PWM and SilverStone AP121?
It is. Both are listed at No RGB, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
Fan Size
- be quiet! Pure Wings 3 140mm PWM
- 140 mm
- SilverStone AP121
- 120 mm
Brand
- be quiet! Pure Wings 3 140mm PWM
- be quiet!
- SilverStone AP121
- SilverStone
Model
- be quiet! Pure Wings 3 140mm PWM
- Pure Wings 3 140mm PWM
- SilverStone AP121
- AP121
Bearing Type
- be quiet! Pure Wings 3 140mm PWM
- Rifle
- SilverStone AP121
- Fluid Dynamic
Lighting
- be quiet! Pure Wings 3 140mm PWM
- No RGB
- SilverStone AP121
- No RGB
Fan Thickness
- be quiet! Pure Wings 3 140mm PWM
- 25 mm
- SilverStone AP121
- 25 mm
Static Pressure
- be quiet! Pure Wings 3 140mm PWM
- 0.96 mmH2O-44%
- SilverStone AP121
- 1.71 mmH2OBest
Max Speed
- be quiet! Pure Wings 3 140mm PWM
- 1200 RPM-20%
- SilverStone AP121
- 1500 RPMBest
Airflow
- be quiet! Pure Wings 3 140mm PWM
- 57.4 CFMBest
- SilverStone AP121
- 35.36 CFM-38%
Noise Level
- be quiet! Pure Wings 3 140mm PWM
- 21.9 dBABest
- SilverStone AP121
- 22.4 dBA
PWM Control
- be quiet! Pure Wings 3 140mm PWM
- Yes
- SilverStone AP121
- No
Connector Type
- be quiet! Pure Wings 3 140mm PWM
- 4-Pin PWM
- SilverStone AP121
- 3-Pin DC
Positioning
- be quiet! Pure Wings 3 140mm PWM
- Budget
- SilverStone AP121
- Balanced mainstream
Colors
- be quiet! Pure Wings 3 140mm PWM
- Black
- SilverStone AP121
- Black frame, transparent blue blades
Which one should you pick?
Choose be quiet! Pure Wings 3 140mm PWM if you want the higher airflow (57.4 CFM vs 35.36 CFM) and the lower noise level (21.9 dBA vs 22.4 dBA).
Choose SilverStone AP121 if you want the higher static pressure (1.71 mmH2O vs 0.96 mmH2O) and the higher max speed (1500 RPM vs 1200 RPM).
Price comparison
| Retailer | be quiet! Pure Wings 3 140mm PWM | SilverStone AP121 |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | View on Amazon |
Disclaimer: The price and specification of the given product may differ from the actual product. Please confirm on the retailer's website before buying.
Verdict
be quiet! Pure Wings 3 140mm PWM
6 / 10 Expert Rating
A perfectly adequate budget 140mm fan, but the rifle bearing means it's not the one to buy for a decade of runtime.
SilverStone AP121
6 / 10 Expert Rating
A competent, unremarkable fan best chosen for brand consistency in a SilverStone build rather than outright performance.