Evaluation
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.
Evaluation
The Corsair AF120 Elite (black) is the perfect fan for less restrictive radiators. This applies not only to liquid coolers, but also to heatsinks of tower coolers. Only more expensive fans have performed more favourably in these conditions so far. And keep in mind that the AF120 Elite is already one of the more expensive fans.
Performance-wise on radiators, at the same dBA noise level, the Corsair is hot on the heels of the SilentiumPC Fluctus 120 PWM, albeit with one difference. The sound frequencies of the AF120 Elite are much more balanced, with no pronounced peaks. And as you already know from older tests, the Fluctus 120 PWM is “rumblier” with more pronounced frequencies between 180–210 Hz. Except for more unpleasant fluctuations on the plastic filter at higher speeds, the acoustic expression of the Corsair AF120 Elite will not make your head hurt. This is true even on a hexagonal grille, on which the fan also excels performance-wise.
The AF120 Elite performs relatively worse than competing models on dust filters, where it often falls outside the top 5. When adjusted to a very low noise level (31 dBA mode), the results on a nylon filter are only average, but it’s still better than the fans that collide with this type of filter. In this case, everything is fine, with a margin. Cheaper fans outperform the AF120 Elite on the plastic filter as well.
Anyway, for cases where the fan works only on a grille, without a filter (typically in the exhaust position), it’s a very good choice. And that’s even considering the higher price, which this fan can easily justify. By the fact, for example, that it transmits virtually no vibration to the frame and thus no secondary noise is generated from the rattling of the case’s metal plates. We were unable to measure anything even at maximum rpm. It’s almost hard to believe, but it’s true. It’s achieved because of the low-elasticity blades combined with soft anti-vibration pads and, of course, overall precision manufacturing (including centering, rotor balance, etc).
Friction inside the motor is also low, which corresponds to low operating power draw or low starting speed. Corsair AF120 Elite stably starts from some 178 rpm. In addition, at low PWM intensity, the fan shuts down to passive mode. Always silent is also the motor of this fan, whose operation is not accompanied by disturbing noises.
However, we have one rather unusual complaint, and that is towards the light packaging. Because of the more fragile material that the AF120 Elite’s structure is made of, harsher transport can destroy the fan. How such an unfortunate journey can turn out is illustrated by this photo.
Apart from the slightly insufficient cardboard packaging, this is a really honest product. The AF120 Elite nicely demonstrates how important material choice is in a fan and that even without the various indentations and protrusions you can reach almost the very ceiling of efficiency. Sure, there are more efficient fans out there, but there won’t be many that are also cheaper. The AF120 Elite is a bit too expensive for “Smart buy!”, and for “Top-notch”, it has too many small flaws. So admittedly this is going to be a bit unfair, but we give it the award “Approved”, with the biggest checkmark yet.
English translation and edit by Jozef Dudáš
| Corsair AF120 Elite (black) |
| + Suitable for every use |
| + Cooling efficiency (airflow/pressure per unit of noise) at a very high level |
| + High airflow and static pressure even through an obstacle |
| + Wide speed range plus passive operation |
| + Very low speeds possible (stable from approx. 178 rpm) |
| + Virtually noiseless operation of bearings and motor (no non-aerodynamic sounds) |
| + Excellent blade compressive strength |
| + Balanced sound frequencies in the vast majority of applications |
| + Decent build quality |
| + No vibration on the frame, even at maximum performance |
| + Very low power draw (below 1.2 W) considering the high performance |
| + Really powerful motor |
| - More fragile structure in tension, cracks easily... |
| - ... especially in the insufficient packaging in which the fan is shipped |
| - Weaker price/performance ratio with dust filters |
| - Incompatibility with a plastic filter, which at higher speeds amplifies the frequencies around 200 Hz more noticeably in the sound |
| Approximate retail price: 24 EUR |
- 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 😉