Consumercarts is reader-supported. Learn more
Cooler Master SickleFlow 120 vs Zalman ZM-F3: Comparison
Cooler Master SickleFlow 120 vs Zalman ZM-F3 noise level compared
There is no decisive spec gap here. Noise level splits them by a margin most buyers will never feel, Cooler Master SickleFlow 120 27 dBA against Zalman ZM-F3 23 dBA. Bearing type is not the same on both, Rifle on the Cooler Master SickleFlow 120 versus Fluid Dynamic on the Zalman ZM-F3. Cooler Master SickleFlow 120 also leads on max speed, 1800 RPM on the Cooler Master SickleFlow 120 versus 1200 RPM on the Zalman ZM-F3. They differ on rated life too, 160000 hours on the Cooler Master SickleFlow 120 versus 150000 hours on the Zalman ZM-F3. On weight there is little in it, 156 g on the Cooler Master SickleFlow 120 versus 100 g on the Zalman ZM-F3. There is a split on positioning as well, Budget mainstream on the Cooler Master SickleFlow 120 versus Budget on the Zalman ZM-F3. They differ on colors too, Black, White, or Red on the Cooler Master SickleFlow 120 versus Black on the Zalman ZM-F3.
Cooler Master SickleFlow 120 vs Zalman ZM-F3: which one fits your build
The Cooler Master SickleFlow 120 suits budget builds without a case window and filtered intake positions on a tight budget, though it is the wrong buy for showcase builds wanting lighting and premium quiet-first builds. The Zalman ZM-F3 is the one to take for bargain-bin case fan replacements and quiet, low-cost builds, though it is not the pick for radiator or heatsink duty and RGB builds. Our rating of the Cooler Master SickleFlow 120 (6/10): A dependable budget fan that performs identically to its pricier RGB sibling for less money. Our rating of the Zalman ZM-F3 (5/10): A budget fan that does the basics quietly, nothing more, nothing less.
What Cooler Master SickleFlow 120 and Zalman ZM-F3 have in common
The common ground is wider than the gap: fan size, lighting and fan thickness are identical here.
Specs and benchmarks
Fan Size
- Cooler Master SickleFlow 120
- 120 mm
- Zalman ZM-F3
- 120 mm
Brand
- Cooler Master SickleFlow 120
- Cooler Master
- Zalman ZM-F3
- Zalman
Model
- Cooler Master SickleFlow 120
- SickleFlow 120
- Zalman ZM-F3
- ZM-F3
Bearing Type
- Cooler Master SickleFlow 120
- Rifle
- Zalman ZM-F3
- Fluid Dynamic
Lighting
- Cooler Master SickleFlow 120
- No RGB
- Zalman ZM-F3
- No RGB
Fan Thickness
- Cooler Master SickleFlow 120
- 25 mm
- Zalman ZM-F3
- 25 mm
Max Speed
- Cooler Master SickleFlow 120
- 1800 RPMBest
- Zalman ZM-F3
- 1200 RPM-33%
Noise Level
- Cooler Master SickleFlow 120
- 27 dBA
- Zalman ZM-F3
- 23 dBABest
Rated Life
- Cooler Master SickleFlow 120
- 160000 hours
- Zalman ZM-F3
- 150000 hours
Weight
- Cooler Master SickleFlow 120
- 156 g
- Zalman ZM-F3
- 100 gBest
Positioning
- Cooler Master SickleFlow 120
- Budget mainstream
- Zalman ZM-F3
- Budget
Colors
- Cooler Master SickleFlow 120
- Black, White, or Red
- Zalman ZM-F3
- Black
Which one should you pick?
Choose Cooler Master SickleFlow 120 if you want the higher max speed (1800 RPM vs 1200 RPM).
Choose Zalman ZM-F3 if you want the lower noise level (23 dBA vs 27 dBA).
Price comparison
| Retailer | Cooler Master SickleFlow 120 | Zalman ZM-F3 |
|---|---|---|
| Zalman | View on Zalman |
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
Cooler Master SickleFlow 120
6 / 10 Expert Rating
A dependable budget fan that performs identically to its pricier RGB sibling for less money.
Zalman ZM-F3
5 / 10 Expert Rating
A budget fan that does the basics quietly, nothing more, nothing less.