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Xigmatek Galaxy III BX120 Arctic ARGB vs Zalman ZM-F3: Comparison
Xigmatek Galaxy III BX120 Arctic ARGB vs Zalman ZM-F3: the noise level difference
These two are close on paper, and noise level is the only measure that separates them at all: Xigmatek Galaxy III BX120 Arctic ARGB 23.7 dBA against Zalman ZM-F3 23 dBA. They differ on bearing type too, Hydraulic on the Xigmatek Galaxy III BX120 Arctic ARGB versus Fluid Dynamic on the Zalman ZM-F3. They differ on lighting too, ARGB on the Xigmatek Galaxy III BX120 Arctic ARGB versus No RGB on the Zalman ZM-F3. Rated life is not the same on both, 30000 hours on the Xigmatek Galaxy III BX120 Arctic ARGB versus 150000 hours on the Zalman ZM-F3. Colors is not the same on both, White on the Xigmatek Galaxy III BX120 Arctic ARGB versus Black on the Zalman ZM-F3.
Xigmatek Galaxy III BX120 Arctic ARGB vs Zalman ZM-F3: which one fits your build
The Xigmatek Galaxy III BX120 Arctic ARGB suits budget multi-fan ARGB builds and value-focused case upgrades, though it is not the pick for high static pressure radiator duty and premium quiet builds. It also earns its place with filling out fan mounts cheaply with a bundled ARGB hub and remote. The Zalman ZM-F3 is the one to take for bargain-bin case fan replacements and quiet, low-cost builds, though it is not built for radiator or heatsink duty and RGB builds. Our rating of the Xigmatek Galaxy III BX120 Arctic ARGB (5/10): A serviceable budget ARGB fan kit with a genuinely low noise profile, best bought for the bundled hub and remote rather than as a single premium upgrade. Our rating of the Zalman ZM-F3 (5/10): A budget fan that does the basics quietly, nothing more, nothing less.
What Xigmatek Galaxy III BX120 Arctic ARGB and Zalman ZM-F3 have in common
Everything else lines up. Fan size, fan thickness, max speed and positioning read the same on both, so those are not worth weighing.
Specs and benchmarks
Fan Size
- Xigmatek Galaxy III BX120 Arctic ARGB
- 120 mm
- Zalman ZM-F3
- 120 mm
Brand
- Xigmatek Galaxy III BX120 Arctic ARGB
- Xigmatek
- Zalman ZM-F3
- Zalman
Model
- Xigmatek Galaxy III BX120 Arctic ARGB
- BX120
- Zalman ZM-F3
- ZM-F3
Bearing Type
- Xigmatek Galaxy III BX120 Arctic ARGB
- Hydraulic
- Zalman ZM-F3
- Fluid Dynamic
Lighting
- Xigmatek Galaxy III BX120 Arctic ARGB
- ARGB
- Zalman ZM-F3
- No RGB
Fan Thickness
- Xigmatek Galaxy III BX120 Arctic ARGB
- 25 mm
- Zalman ZM-F3
- 25 mm
Max Speed
- Xigmatek Galaxy III BX120 Arctic ARGB
- 1200 RPM
- Zalman ZM-F3
- 1200 RPM
Noise Level
- Xigmatek Galaxy III BX120 Arctic ARGB
- 23.7 dBA
- Zalman ZM-F3
- 23 dBABest
Rated Life
- Xigmatek Galaxy III BX120 Arctic ARGB
- 30000 hours
- Zalman ZM-F3
- 150000 hours
Positioning
- Xigmatek Galaxy III BX120 Arctic ARGB
- Budget
- Zalman ZM-F3
- Budget
Colors
- Xigmatek Galaxy III BX120 Arctic ARGB
- White (Arctic)
- Zalman ZM-F3
- Black
Which one should you pick?
Choose Xigmatek Galaxy III BX120 Arctic ARGB if you want the higher max speed (1200 RPM vs 1200 RPM).
Choose Zalman ZM-F3 if you want the lower noise level (23 dBA vs 23.7 dBA).
Price comparison
| Retailer | Xigmatek Galaxy III BX120 Arctic ARGB | Zalman ZM-F3 |
|---|---|---|
| Xigmatek | View on Xigmatek | |
| StarTech.com.bd | View on StarTech.com.bd | |
| 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
Xigmatek Galaxy III BX120 Arctic ARGB
5 / 10 Expert Rating
A serviceable budget ARGB fan kit with a genuinely low noise profile, best bought for the bundled hub and remote rather than as a single premium upgrade.
Zalman ZM-F3
5 / 10 Expert Rating
A budget fan that does the basics quietly, nothing more, nothing less.