Zalman ZM-F3
Expert rating5 / 10
- Fan Size:
- 120 mm
- Max Speed:
- 1200 RPM
- Noise Level:
- 23 dBA
- Bearing Type:
- Fluid Dynamic
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Disclaimer: The price and specification of the given product may differ from the actual product. Please confirm on the retailer's website before buying.
Manufacturer: Zalman Last updated: 2026-09-12
Where to buy
- ZalmanGo to store
Zalman ZM-F3 (120mm/46.0 CFM/1.1 mmH2O Static Pressure/1200 RPM Max/19.0 dBA/Sleeve Bearing/No RGB/PWM) Review
The Zalman ZM-F3 comes up for people who remember Zalman's long-running ZM-F fan line and want a cheap, plain replacement fan without any frills.
It's about as basic as a modern PWM fan gets, buy it purely on price for a build where lighting and static pressure don't matter.
Comparison to Alternatives
Against the SilverStone FN121 above, the ZM-F3 is essentially a like-for-like budget fan, both prioritizing quiet operation over airflow or static pressure. Compared with the Noctua NF-P14s redux-1200 in our catalog, the ZM-F3 is smaller at 120mm and cheaper but gives up Noctua's bearing longevity reputation.
Specifications
Identity and packaging
| Brand | Zalman |
|---|---|
| Model | ZM-F3 |
| Fan Thickness | 25 mm |
Design
| Fan Size | 120 mm |
|---|---|
| Bearing Type | Fluid Dynamic |
| Lighting | No RGB |
Performance
| Max Speed | 1200 RPM |
|---|---|
| Noise Level | 23 dBA |
Motor and bearing
| Rated Life | 150000 hours |
|---|
Physical and finish
| Weight | 100 g |
|---|
Market
| Positioning | Budget |
|---|
| Colors | Black |
|---|---|
| Source URL | https://www.zalman.com/EN/Product/ProductDetail.do?pageIndex=10&pageSize=10&productSeq=335 |
Expert Review
Reviewed by Burooj Alam. Rated by us, not by users.
Expert rating5 / 10
A budget fan that does the basics quietly, nothing more, nothing less.
Best for
- Bargain-bin case fan replacements
- Quiet, low-cost builds
- Simple general airflow
Not for
- Radiator or heatsink duty
- RGB builds
- High-performance builds
FAQs
What are the key specifications of the Zalman ZM-F3 (120mm/46.0 CFM/1.1 mmH2O Static Pressure/1200 RPM Max/19.0 dBA/Sleeve Bearing/No RGB/PWM)?
The Zalman ZM-F3 (120mm/46.0 CFM/1.1 mmH2O Static Pressure/1200 RPM Max/19.0 dBA/Sleeve Bearing/No RGB/PWM) is a case fan from Zalman. Key specs: Fan Size 120, Bearing Type Sleeve, Lighting No RGB, Airflow 46.0, Static Pressure 1.1.
Will the Zalman ZM-F3 (120mm/46.0 CFM/1.1 mmH2O Static Pressure/1200 RPM Max/19.0 dBA/Sleeve Bearing/No RGB/PWM) work with my current setup?
The Zalman ZM-F3 (120mm/46.0 CFM/1.1 mmH2O Static Pressure/1200 RPM Max/19.0 dBA/Sleeve Bearing/No RGB/PWM) lists Fan Size is 120. Check that against the hardware you already own before buying, since this is the field that most often decides whether a part fits.
Who is the Zalman ZM-F3 (120mm/46.0 CFM/1.1 mmH2O Static Pressure/1200 RPM Max/19.0 dBA/Sleeve Bearing/No RGB/PWM) best suited to?
It suits bargain-bin case fan replacements, quiet, low-cost builds, simple general airflow.
What are the drawbacks of the Zalman ZM-F3 (120mm/46.0 CFM/1.1 mmH2O Static Pressure/1200 RPM Max/19.0 dBA/Sleeve Bearing/No RGB/PWM)?
It is a poor fit for radiator or heatsink duty, rgb builds, high-performance builds.
Compare and read more
- Xigmatek Galaxy III BX120 Arctic ARGB (120mm/50.4 CFM/1.4 mmH2O Static Pressure/1200 RPM Max/23.7 dBA/Hydraulic Bearing/ARGB/PWM) vs Zalman ZM-F3 (120mm/46.0 CFM/1.1 mmH2O Static Pressure/1200 RPM Max/19.0 dBA/Sleeve Bearing/No RGB/PWM)
- be quiet! Pure Wings 3 140mm PWM (140mm/62.8 CFM/1.3 mmH2O Static Pressure/1400 RPM Max/23.4 dBA/Rifle Bearing/No RGB/PWM) vs Zalman ZM-F3 (120mm/46.0 CFM/1.1 mmH2O Static Pressure/1200 RPM Max/19.0 dBA/Sleeve Bearing/No RGB/PWM)
- Arctic F14 PWM (140mm/72.8 CFM/0.7 mmH2O Static Pressure/1350 RPM Max/23 dBA/Fluid Dynamic Bearing/No RGB/PWM) vs Zalman ZM-F3 (120mm/46.0 CFM/1.1 mmH2O Static Pressure/1200 RPM Max/19.0 dBA/Sleeve Bearing/No RGB/PWM)
- Cooler Master MasterFan MF120 Prism (120mm/54.0 CFM/1.9 mmH2O Static Pressure/1800 RPM Max/27.0 dBA/Rifle Bearing/RGB/PWM) vs Zalman ZM-F3 (120mm/46.0 CFM/1.1 mmH2O Static Pressure/1200 RPM Max/19.0 dBA/Sleeve Bearing/No RGB/PWM)
- Cooler Master SickleFlow 120 (120mm/62.0 CFM/1.98 mmH2O Static Pressure/1800 RPM Max/27.0 dBA/Rifle Bearing/No RGB/PWM) vs Zalman ZM-F3 (120mm/46.0 CFM/1.1 mmH2O Static Pressure/1200 RPM Max/19.0 dBA/Sleeve Bearing/No RGB/PWM)