{"id":256478,"date":"2025-08-21T06:00:42","date_gmt":"2025-08-21T04:00:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hwcooling.net\/?p=256478\/"},"modified":"2025-09-27T22:24:11","modified_gmt":"2025-09-27T20:24:11","slug":"cps-pccooler-f9-r120-rising-to-the-top-with-30-mm-of-thickness-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hwcooling.net\/en\/cps-pccooler-f9-r120-rising-to-the-top-with-30-mm-of-thickness-review\/","title":{"rendered":"CPS PCCooler F9 R120: Rising to the top with 30 mm (of thickness)"},"content":{"rendered":"

We can state that, regardless of noise levels (indeed very high at maximum), the CPS PCCooler F9 R120 is the highest airflow fan in the 30 mm-and-below profile category. Yes, even the Phanteks T30<\/a> comes out \u201cworse\u201d here. However, if your priority is the highest possible airflow at low noise, the picture changes\u2014and it\u2019s not such a happy one, especially with obstacles. That will become clearer in the detailed analysis.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s go straight to the blade design features that matter. The leading edges are aggressively curved, with the manufacturer aiming for an even pressure distribution\u2014in other words, not just maximum pressure at the blade tips, but also near the impeller hub. To achieve this, the blades have a somewhat \u201chumped\u201d shape, with curvature that\u2019s noticeably abrupt compared to what you might be used to.<\/p>\n

You might have seen something similar in the aerodynamic design of Noctua\u2019s second-generation LCP fans (NF-A14x25 G2 PWM<\/a> or later the NF-A12x25 G2 PWM<\/a>). Compared to these Noctua models, the PCCooler has a wider hub, which leaves less surface area for the blades. This means that at similar speeds, you can expect lower airflow\u2014even though both designs have seven blades.<\/p>\n

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A larger hub is, of course, important for ensuring stability in a relatively heavy impeller. That\u2019s the case here with the F9 R120. The impeller\u2019s weight is further increased by its use of liquid-crystal polymer (LCP), which is heavy in its own right. Altogether, the fan weighs around a quarter of a kilogram\u2014a lot for a 120 mm model. For comparison, Arctic P12 Pro<\/a> fans are about half that weight.<\/p>\n

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The spacing between the F9 R120\u2019s blades is average, and from blade tip to frame there\u2019s only about a 1 mm gap. This narrow clearance contributes to the fan\u2019s static pressure\u2014a key factor for heatsinks and radiators. Higher static pressure means less airflow drop when faced with resistance, which in turn helps cooling performance, assuming similar speeds. Noise, however, is another variable: airflow through (and around) obstacles can be louder or quieter depending heavily on the aerodynamic design. It\u2019s very much a case-by-case matter that requires detailed analysis.<\/p>\n

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You may also notice small notches at the blade roots, near the hub\u2014these too influence the fan\u2019s acoustic profile<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Static pressure is also helped by the fan\u2019s thickness, which here is 30 mm\u2014a full 5 mm more than what\u2019s \u201cstandard.\u201d Naturally, increased thickness can mean worse compatibility, as a thicker fan is more likely to collide with other components. Even if this fan is mainly intended for liquid-cooler radiators, a thicker unit mounted on the same radiator could interfere with a motherboard if installed above it (in the top position of a PC case). It\u2019s a trade-off. In front- or side-mounted positions, where there\u2019s usually more space, this is less of an issue.<\/p>\n

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It\u2019s also important to note that this is fundamentally a high-speed fan, reaching up to around 3000 RPM<\/a> at maximum. The motor also has a built-in switch (or \u201climiter,\u201d if you prefer) for Medium (M) and Low (L) settings, which cap the top speeds. In Medium mode, we recorded about 2250 RPM; in Low, around 1560 RPM. Once you change the switch position, these limits are never exceeded\u2014even under PWM control. That\u2019s the point: to cap the maximum so the fan never hits noisy speeds. The minimum speed (which is also the start-up speed)<\/a> is about 500 RPM. There\u2019s no passive mode at low PWM duty cycle\u2014the fan always spins.<\/p>\n

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For completeness, the F9 R120 uses a dual ball bearing design. According to the product page<\/a>, these are Japanese \u201cNSK\u201d models. CPS PCCooler refers to this fan as being designed for industrial use. An interesting detail is that it features three-phase torque (and the fan is equipped with six magnets and an equal number of stator poles)<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Please note:<\/strong> The article continues in the following chapters.<\/p>\n