Results: Vibration, X-axis
You know, the less you expect from something, the bigger the surprise can be in the end. Not that we approach Corsair’s elite fan with any preconceived notions, but for an absolutely top-notch fan, its design seems a bit simple. And that’s the magic of the AF120 Elite fan. Someone who knows what they’re doing was behind its design, because they did a hell of a job.
Results: Vibration, X-axis
Why is there a missing value sometimes? There may be more reasons. Usually it is because the fan could not be adjusted to the target noise level. Some have a higher minimum speed (or the speed is low, but the motor is too noisy) or it is a slower fan that will not reach the higher decibels. But the results in the graphs are also missing if the rotor is brushing against the nylon filter mesh. In that case, we evaluate this combination as incompatible. And zero in the graphs is naturally also in situations where we measure 0.00. This is a common occurrence at extremely low speeds with obstructions or within vibration measurements.
Continue: Results: Vibration, Y-axis
- Contents
- Corsair AF120 Elite in detail
- The basis of the methodology, the wind tunnel
- Mounting and vibration measurement
- Initial warm-up and speed recording
- Base 7 equal noise levels…
- .. and sound color (frequency characteristic)
- Static pressure measurement…
- … and airflow
- Everything changes with obstacles
- How we measure power draw and motor power
- Measuring the intensity (and power draw) of lighting
- Results: Speed
- Results: Airlow w/o obstacles
- Results: Airflow through a nylon filter
- Results: Airflow through a plastic filter
- Results: Airflow through a hexagonal grille
- Results: Airflow through a thinner radiator
- Results: Airflow through a thicker radiator
- Results: Static pressure w/o obstacles
- Results: Static pressure through a nylon filter
- Results: Static pressure through a plastic filter
- Results: Static pressure through a hexagonal grille
- Results: Static pressure through a thinner radiator
- Results: Static pressure through a thicker radiator
- Results: Static pressure, efficiency by orientation
- Reality vs. specifications
- Results: Frequency response of sound w/o obstacles
- Results: Frequency response of sound with a dust filter
- Results: Frequency response of sound with a hexagonal grille
- Results: Frequency response of sound with a radiator
- Results: Vibration, in total (3D vector length)
- Results: Vibration, X-axis
- Results: Vibration, Y-axis
- Results: Vibration, Z-axis
- Results: Power draw (and motor power)
- Results: Cooling performance per watt, airflow
- Results: Cooling performance per watt, static pressure
- Airflow per euro
- Static pressure per euro
- Results: Lighting – LED luminance and power draw
- Results: LED to motor power draw ratio
- Evaluation
Hi, After your test I decide to buy it to replace the fan on an ArcticCooling Liquid Freezer 280 mm (so I take the AF140 Elite). The aio will be on the right side of a Lian O11 Dynamic mini and in this order from the right to the left : box panel, radiator, fan in aspiration. And I’ll will mesure if a push pull is possible to it too.
TPu make the review thr same fan, but their conclusion is not good as yours on radiator. What did you think about teir test ? https://www.techpowerup.com/review/corsair-af120-elite-fan/
Thanks for your help
Thank you for your comment, very good decision. As far as cooling performance is concerned you will not get significantly better results, but you will definitely avoid resonant frequencies and secondary noise from higher vibration of Arctic fans. The torque undulation is considerably smaller in the Corsair AF1x0 rotors due to the choice of a stronger material.
Please don’t take offense, but I won’t comment on the TPU tests (just, let’s say we have some reservations about their procedures…). You know our conclusions.
Hi,
Thank you for your reply. I’m conforted in my choice. No soucy for TPU.
As always, felicitation for your amazing work.
Have a great day 😉