be quiet!
be quiet! Silent Wings 4 Cooling Fan | 140mm PWM high-Speed | White | BL117
Bottom line: The be quiet! Silent Wings 4 Cooling Fan: Funnel-shaped frame outlets and small tip clearance deliver high static pressure on radiators; main trade-off: white colorway limits it to matching white or neutral builds.
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Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ Funnel-shaped frame outlets and small tip clearance deliver high static pressure on radiators
- ✓ 6-pole motor plus fluid-dynamic bearing keeps vibration low even at max PWM speed
- ✓ Rated for up to 300,000 hours of service life
- ✓ Backed by a 5-year be quiet! manufacturer warranty
Cons
- ✗ White colorway limits it to matching white or neutral builds
- ✗ High-speed variant trades some quiet for pressure versus standard Silent Wings 4
- ✗ 140mm frame will not fit cases or radiators drilled only for 120mm
- ✗ Push-pin mounting is less rigid than screws on heavy radiators
Manufacturer description
The be quiet! Silent Wings 4 140mm PWM high-speed fan in white (BL117) is built for builders who want radiator-grade static pressure without the noise penalty. Its optimized blade profile, small tip clearance, and funnel-shaped air outlets in the frame push air through dense radiator fins and heat sink stacks instead of stalling against them, which is where cheaper case fans fall apart. A 6-pole motor paired with a fluid-dynamic bearing cuts vibration at the source, so the Silent Wings 4 stays smooth and quiet even when PWM ramps it to maximum speed under a sustained load. You get…
SpecPicks Verdict
SpecPicks scored be quiet! Silent Wings 4 Cooling Fan using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the retro cpu coolers & fans category. be quiet!'s retro cpu coolers & fans lineup sits within the broader category mid-tier; price and specs are the deciding factors over brand loyalty here. Judge it on the specification table and the price rather than on sentiment: check the figures that decide your use case, then put it side-by-side with two or three close alternatives in the Compare tool before clicking through.
Common buyer scenarios for retro cpu coolers & fans of this kind: matching it to an existing build, replacing a failing part, or upgrading from a previous-generation equivalent. Check the spec table below against your current setup — particularly socket / form-factor / power-rating fields — and confirm compatibility on the retailer's listing before purchase. Prices and stock are set by the retailer and may have moved since this page was last updated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Silent Wings 4 140mm high-speed actually quiet at full speed?
be quiet! specifies very silent operation even at maximum speed, using a 6-pole motor and a fluid-dynamic bearing to cut vibration.
Will this fan work on an AIO radiator or just as a case fan?
It is designed for both. The optimized blades, small tip clearance, and funnel-shaped air outlets target high air pressure specifically for radiators and heat sinks, not just open-case airflow.
What warranty does be quiet! offer on the BL117?
It carries a 5-year manufacturer warranty, and be quiet! rates the fluid-dynamic bearing for a lifespan of up to 300,000 hours.
How do you mount it, with screws or push pins?
Both. It ships with anti-vibration push pins for a tool-free install and also supports a screwed installation, which is the better choice on a radiator or a heavy tower cooler.
Is the high-speed version worth it over the standard Silent Wings 4?
Choose the high-speed model if you are cooling a radiator or a dense heat sink where static pressure matters more than the lowest possible RPM floor. For unrestricted case airflow, the standard model is sufficient.
Key Features
- Optimized fan blades for the highest performance on radiators and heat sinks. Small tip clearance and a fan frame with funnel-shaped air outlets for extremely high air pressure
- 6-pole fan motor and fluid-dynamic bearing for less vibration and very smooth operations. Very silent operation even at maximum speed.
- Anti-vibration mounting with push pins and screwed installation option
- Super-long lifespan of up to 300,000h
- 5-year manufacturer warranty
Full Specifications
| Brand | be quiet! |
|---|---|
| Model | BL117 |
| Voltage | 12 volts |
| Wattage | 4.8 watts |
| Material | Copper |
| Set Name | PWM High-Speed |
| Unit Count | 1 Count |
| Noise Level | 29.3 db |
| Part Number | BL117 |
| Material Type | Copper |
| Cooling Method | Air |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Number of Packs | 1 |
| Vibration/Rumble | Yes |
| Air Flow Capacity | 78.4 cfm |
| Compatible Devices | Desktop |
| Included Components | Fan. |
| Power Connector Type | 4-Pin |
| Warranty Description | 2 year manufacturer |
| Maximum Rotational Speed | 1900 rpm |
Ready to buy?
be quiet! Silent Wings 4 Cooling Fan | 140mm PWM high-Speed | White | BL117 is listed on Amazon. Price, availability, shipping and returns are set by Amazon and its sellers — check the listing for current terms. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.
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