An affordable fan with lighting that still performs quite well. That sums up the Prime MR120 with ARGB LED. If you prefer lighting elements that highlight the fan’s frame rather than the impeller, this could also be an option—provided the aerodynamic properties of the Asus fan suit you. It must be reiterated that we are in a lower price tier, and the results correspond to that.
So, let’s break it down step by step: The Prime MR120 ARGB is an illuminated fan that relies on a light guide ring and light guides framing the fan’s casing. The impeller in the tested model is black, but white models also exist. However, it always holds true that the impeller (unlike, for example, the TR120) is made of an opaque material. The lighting connection is traditionally via a 3-pin connector for 5V. Color regulation and effect control are consequently possible through various third-party applications.
The blades feature curved leading edges. Overall, based on previous experience, we can classify this geometry as effective. The fan, by the way, has an above-standard thickness profile of 28 mm.
The gaps between the blades are moderately sized, and consequently, the static pressure—at airflow comparable with other fans—will also be average, especially when considering comparable noise levels. However, this will all be revealed in tests with obstacles. The format is 120 mm, and the mounting holes are standard (105 × 105 mm).
The fan’s trailing edge is simple, smooth, without any special optimizations.
The maximum speed is set relatively low, starting with the number one—specifically, 1600 RPM. It’s not a slow (and quiet) fan, but we cannot call it a high-speed fan either. Simply put, Asus has set it up so the fan is never excessively loud while still achieving more than just weak airflow.
The fan bearings are “only” sleeve bearings, which is quite a rarity these days (to label it so directly, non-marketing) and a correspondingly lower MTBF value is expected, although Asus does not specify this.
Cabling: The length is generous; even the 4-pin connector for powering the motor is half a meter from the fan, but it is alone on its cable. However, there are two lighting connectors, and these support daisy-chaining across multiple fans without the need for additional accessories or adapters.
Please note: The article continues in the following chapters.
