This article examines NZXT’s new F-Series X performance fans, including the F120X, F240X, and F360X models. NZXT presents these as its most advanced fans to date, featuring LCP construction, precise tolerances, and a magnetic-levitation hybrid bearing. These design elements aim to deliver substantial airflow while maintaining low noise levels. The review will cover their design, performance metrics, and assess if these premium fans justify their cost for PC builds.
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
00:52 The latest NZXT fans & pricing
02:10 Tech details on the coolers
02:38 A closer look at the fans
06:50 Do they look good?
07:07 Accessories
08:04 Test System
09:02 Smoke Visualisation Airflow Test
10:15 Thermal and Noise Performance
16:06 James thoughts – Are NZXT onto a winner?
Features:
- LCP construction and optimised blade design for strong airflow & pressure — All three fans are equipped with liquid-crystal polymer (LCP) for blades and frame, for improved rigidity at high speed which helps resist flexing and vibration. Minimal blade-to-frame gap (“ultra-tight tip-to-frame clearance”), reduces turbulence and air leakage, resulting in optimal airflow and static pressure.
- Custom Hybrid bearing for quiet and durable operation — “Custom Hybrid Bearing” includes magnetic levitation to keep the rotor stable at higher RPM, combined with fluid-dynamic lubrication to help reduce friction and wear. The aim is to provide smooth, long-lasting, quiet rotation.
- Advanced 3-phase, 6-pole motor for precise, efficient cooling — The motor design enables more precise speed control for steady and efficient cooling across different speeds for lower noise and consistent performance.
- Polished design with subtle RGB and easy install — Featuring brushed-aluminium accents, subtle RGB lighting and a clean aesthetic. Fan speeds and lighting can be controlled via motherboard software or, with NZXT Control Hub and NZXT CAM software. The single-frame models (F240X and F360X) have an all-in-one frame that reduces screws and cables for clean and simple installation.
Specifications (F360X):
- Dimensions: 360 x 120 x 30mm
- Weight: 750g
- Speed (PWM): 3,100 ± 310 RPM
- Airflow: 0 CFM per fan
- Static Pressure: 53 mmH2O per fan
- Noise: 0 dBA per fan
- Bearing type: NZXT Magnetic Levitation Stabiliser & Fluid Dynamic Bearing
- Motor type: 3-phase, 6-pole
- Rate Voltage: 12V (Fan) / 5V (RGB)
- Rated Current: 60A (Fan) / 0.52A (RGB)
- Input Power: 8W
- Connector: 4-pin PWM and 5V ARGB
- Material (Blade & Frame): Liquid-crystal polymer (LCP), rubber
- Vibration damping / Mount: Rubber corner mounts
- Warranty: 5 Years
Test System Specifications:
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Motherboard: ASRock X870E Taichi
- Graphics card: MSI RTX 5080 Gaming Trio White
- RAM: 64GB (2 x 32GB Modules) G.SKILL Trident Z5 RGB DDR5-6000
- Storage: 1TB Corsair MP600 Elite PCIE Gen4 M.2 SSD
- Power Supply: Seasonic Prime TX-1600 Noctua Edition
- CPU Cooler: Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360
- Chassis: Lian Li Lancool III
- Operating System: Windows 11 24H2
Testing Methodology
Testing focuses on the thermal performance of each fan under three conditions: 100% PWM, 1400 RPM, and 40 dBA noise-normalised operation. All tests were conducted with a manual CPU overclock, locking the all-core frequency and VCORE to ensure consistent load across runs.
Baseline Measurement:
- Ambient temperature is recorded.
- The system was left idle for 10 minutes.
- CPU and GPU temperatures were logged using HWINFO, while case temperatures were monitored with thermocouples placed at three positions:
T1: Behind the front intake fan
T2: In front of the rear exhaust
T3: Above the AIO exhaust
Load Testing:
A combined CPU/GPU stress test was run for 30 minutes using 3DMark Speed Way stress test and Cinebench simultaneously.
Temperature charts display the average CPU/GPU delta over the final 10 minutes of the test, along with the thermocouple readings at the end of the session.
Noise Testing:
Noise levels were measured with a decibel meter placed 30 cm from the front of the system.
Airflow Visualisation:
Smoke tests were filmed with all fans running at 1400 RPM to illustrate airflow patterns across the case and cooling components.
This methodology ensures a consistent, real-world comparison of each fan’s thermal efficiency, noise performance, and airflow characteristics.
Test Results:
System Noise: 100% PWM
1400RPM Normalised
Case Temperatures: 100% PWM
1400RPM Normalised
40dBA Noise Normalised
CPU & GPU Temperature: 100% PWM
1400RPM Normalised
40dBA Noise Normalised
The NZXT F120/240/360X fans are available at Scan. An F120X costs £39.98 while the F360X is priced at £99.98.
Pros:
- Solid airflow and cooling, close to competitor performance.
- Clean looks with all in one frame and minimal cables.
- Very wide PWM speed range with high max speed for extreme cooling.
Cons:
- Quite expensive.
- Loud at max speed.
- Performance drops off a little at lower RPM.
- No reverse blade versions.
If a build prioritizes aesthetics over absolute thermal performance, these fans could be a suitable option. They still deliver solid cooling, though not class-leading, but are notably expensive and loud at maximum speed.
