CORSAIR AF120 ELITE Fan

[VSG]

CORSAIR has updated its airflow-optimized fan series to include the new AF120 ELITE. It comes in two color options and uses a brand new rotor paired with a low-noise Fluid Dynamic Bearing and a motor that turns off at idle operation, making for a compelling product for your PC DIY cooling needs.

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[DemonicRyzen666]

If it's not meant for raditor what's the point of the high static presure ? you don't need high static presure for case fans.

 

[VSG]

If it's not meant for raditor what's the point of the high static presure ? you don't need high static presure for case fans.

It's a hybrid fan design and there are certainly a few cases which have restrictive filters or airflow intake routes which would make use of this fan design. It just wasn't performing as well relatively on my radiator.

 

[watzupken]

After trying a few Corsair ML fans, I would steer clear of their air raid siren fans. At max speed, be it 120mm or 140mm, they have a terrible sound profile that's loud and really sounded like an air raid alarm that went off. They are not cheap, and I think Corsair is really not a brand that I will recommend when it comes to fans as it is really not their forte. Depending on the price, I would just recommend a reasonably priced Arctic P12/ P14 over this.

 

[konga]

If it's not meant for raditor what's the point of the high static presure ? you don't need high static presure for case fans.

Most fans with poor static pressure do badly as case fans. You need a decent amount pressure to move air through mesh and across various cables/components. This fan will probably do fairly good as a case fan since the pressure isn't terrible, but other fans with bad pressure but high airflow tend to do badly in an actual PC. Their good CFM ratings are achieved in the open air with zero obstructions, which isn't realistic.

 

[VSG]

After trying a few Corsair ML fans, I would steer clear of their air raid siren fans. At max speed, be it 120mm or 140mm, they have a terrible sound profile that's loud and really sounded like an air raid alarm that went off. They are not cheap, and I think Corsair is really not a brand that I will recommend when it comes to fans as it is really not their forte. Depending on the price, I would just recommend a reasonably priced Arctic P12/ P14 over this.

Were they being used in PWM or voltage control mode?

 

[Jomale]

For me ARCTIC BioniX F120 is the real reverence fan, with good price/performance [PWM 200-1800 rpm].

 

[RainingTacco]

Still no reviews of very popular[at least in europe] Arctic Cooling F and P series of pc case fans...

 

[Miiksuli]

Still no reviews of very popular[at least in europe] Arctic Cooling F and P series of pc case fans...

They are good and very cheap. I only recommend those P-models if someone ask a good fan.

 

[Lubo]

Still no reviews of very popular[at least in europe] Arctic Cooling F and P series of pc case fans...

Arctic BioniX F120: The efficient fan that loses to obstacles - HWCooling.net

Arctic Bionix F120 in detailWe watched the Arctic BioniX F120’s behaviour during tests with our jaws dropped. First of all, because in some situations it really has top efficiency, and at a low price of around ten euros. But that’s how it excels in theoretical applications where nothing stands...

www.hwcooling.net

Arctic BioniX P120 A-RGB: The lit specialist for filters and grilles - HWCooling.net

Arctic BioniX P120 A-RGB in detailNow that’s what we call a turnaround. Remember how the BioniX F120 failed on obstacles? The newer BioniX P120 (A-RGB) no longer has such a fundamental limitation. On the contrary, it is significantly less stifled by obstacles than many competing fans. Just tame...

www.hwcooling.net

 

[P4-630]

Conclusion, my Be Quiet! Silent wings 4 Pro's seem to outperform these new Corsair's in noise and CFM....

 

[HairyLobsters]

I've also been described as a tender hurricane.

 

[Udyr]

Another great review from the Very Special Guy.

This is a clear case of Corsair tax: pay for the name and the logo... get an average product in return.

 

[VSG]

Another great review from the Very Special Guy.

This is a clear case of Corsair tax: pay for the name and the logo... get an average product in return.

I wouldn't go that far, it's more a case of right fan, wrong testing platform tbh. I recommend seeing other reviews, especially if they've tested these as case fans compared to others.

 

[Udyr]

I wouldn't go that far, it's more a case of right fan, wrong testing platform tbh. I recommend seeing other reviews, especially if they've tested these as case fans compared to others.

I understand your reasoning. It could well be a decent fan, but the other reviews I saw for this product yield an "average" result compared to other units. Nothing that makes it outstanding, just a good performing unit.

Is this fan worth 80-100% more than the other good performing competitors? In my opinion, I don't think so. That's why I conclude this could be a case of a brand tax rather than "here's what this product does a lot better than others", or anything that could justify the steep price difference.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Yep I'll stick with the ml120-140 2 packs then

https://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Premium-Magnetic-Levitation-2-Pack/dp/B01G5I6MRK?th=1

 

[Mussels]

High static pressure would help if used on an air cooler too, no?

 

[VSG]

High static pressure would help if used on an air cooler too, no?

It should, yes.

 

[Athlonite]

Want the perf of this fan but don't want to pay the Corsair name tax then just get Silverstone SST-AP120i-PRO
0~2000rpm 0~74CFM $16USD

https://www.amazon.com/SilverStone-Technology-AP120i-PRO-Penetrator-SST-AP120I-PRO/dp/B084TDJS8Y

or the rainbow puke version SST-AP120SKB-ARGB

https://www.amazon.com/Silverstone-Penetrator-Performance-Channeling-SST-AP120SKB-ARGB/dp/B0BFJZKS9Q

0~2000rpm 0~51.32cfm $28.70USD

 

[TechLurker]

Those stator vanes are definitely nothing special as a design feature; it's been a common inclusion on server-grade fans as a way to smooth the airflow without resorting to thick, 76mm counter-rotating fans, and as posted by the user above, is still a major selling point for SilverStone's Air Penetrators. That said, it's also a pretty rare feature on consumer-grade fans, so credit where it's due in that regard.

I'm definitely no expert, but IIRC, in old hardcore watercooling forums of the past, old tests with server style fans with stator vanes showed they were better suited either being used with a shroud/spacer before the radiator or heatsink finstack, giving time for the airflow to smooth out and pass through the finstack "cleanly" (much like in server housings, pushing all that air through the tunnels made by the case and spacers and through the finstacks of the CPU and GPU), or in a pull config, behind filters, the radiator, or the heatsink, where the high static pressure would allow the fan to forcibly draw air through the obstruction and still "throw" it behind (again, similar to server cases, pulling all the air between the drives mounted in the front of the case, and throwing it through the "tunnels" and out the back of the server).

I'm curious if that would be the same quirks with these, given the design focus clearly inspired by server fans. The SilverStone APs also had a similar drawback in old reviews; being more useful for filtered or non-filtered intake and throwing all that air further into the case, rather than being used as a radiator or heatsink fan. In fact, SS originally marketed them strictly as case intake fans, or exhaust fans if venting up (to throw the exhaust further away from the case).

 

[claes]

Could you share those sources if you’re able? Would love to read!

 

[AsRock]

Meh only 25mm.

 

[VSG]

Meh only 25mm.

Of all the things to be "Meh" about, blaming a PC fan for being 25 mm thick isn't one.

 

[AsRock]

Well it is to me, got plenty of 25mm fans and a big gain over any of them would be a 38mm ones.

 

[claes]

Congratulations