Question What should I get to replace the radiator fan of a Castle 240EX?

[CGhost]

I own a Castle 240EX liquid cooler, which came installed on a pre-built PC. After two plus years one of the radiator fans has begun rattling and has been getting progressively worse. It's clean with no visible signs of damage and I've been told the bearing is likely failing (the noise is worse at higher rpm's). I don't currently have budget to replace the entire cooler but with so many options for fans, I'm kind of lost and could use some recommendations.

Castle 240EX liquid cooler attached to an Aorus x570s motherboard

 

[Aeacus]

Any 120mm, high static pressure, 4-pin PWM fan will do.

E.g: Noctua NF-F12 PWM chromax.black.swap (2.61 mmH2O),
specs: https://noctua.at/en/products/fan/nf-f12-pwm-chromax-black-swap
amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Noctua-NF-F12-chromax-Black-swap-Premium-Grade-Quiet/dp/B07654PNFQ

There are cheaper options too. Like Arctic P12. But keep in mind that for a rad fan, it's static pressure should be 2.00 mmH2O or higher. Else-ways, fan struggles to push air through the rad, thus reducing the cooling performance.

 

[CGhost]

I discovered after posting there's a Micro Center close to where I live and they said the same almost word for word. I hadn't realized static pressure should take priority over airflow or rpms for a rad fan. I'm likely going to go for the Arctic and replace both rad fans to be on the safe side. Thank you, this was a big help.

 

[Aeacus]

Airflow (measured in CFM) is good when you have unobstructed airflow path. E.g case fans.
Static pressure (measured in mmH2O) shows the actual strength of the fan to push air through obstacles. E.g rad fans or when fans are behind foam filters (including the ratsnest of cables behind fans).

Overall, high static pressure is better than high airflow, since when it comes to the PC cases, even the grille is considered as obstruction and impacts on the airflow of the fan. Not as much as rad does, but still, it is something.

Ideally, high airflow and high static pressure fan is the best.
E.g like Corsair ML120 Pro LED fans that i have in use;
specs: https://www.corsair.com/us/en/p/cas...premium-magnetic-levitation-fan-co-9050042-ww
up to 75 CFM, up to 4.2 mmH2O. That is a lot for 120mm fan.

Though, mostly i have 140mm fans in use: Corsair ML140 Pro LED,
specs: https://www.corsair.com/us/en/p/cas...premium-magnetic-levitation-fan-co-9050047-ww
up to 97 CFM, up to 3.0 mmH2O. Since 140mm fan moves more air and does it quietly than same spec 120mm fan.

Only downside of these Corsair ML120/140 Pro LED fans is their high price, which is mostly due to the mag-lev bearing they have (magnetic levitation bearing lifespan is essentially unlimited). Also, they don't offer unicorn puke either. Either single LED color (in one of my builds, i have red LED fans, in another, blue LED fans. There's white LED option as well) or no LED what-so-ever.