Corsair AF Elite Series AF120 Elite, schwarz, 120mm

Dass Corsair gute Lüfter jetzt auch mal wieder ohne RGB anbietet, das musste ich erst mal sacken lassen. Kein iCUE, keine Controller-Verdongelung, dafür einfach nur ein schlichtes (aber hochreines) Weiß oder ein schönes, aufregendes Schwarz. Bling-Bling gibt es nicht mal gegen Aufpreis und die aktuellen knapp 24 Euro Straßenpreis lassen einen doch gern im Dunkeln stehen. Fiat Lux? Braucht keiner, wenn sich der Lüfter auf seine eigentliche Aufgabe konzentrieren darf. Und genau das tut er ja auch. Danke dafür!

Corsairs AF-Elite-Lüfter sind unbeleuchtete Modelle, die gleichermaßen für einen performanten und einen leisen Betrieb geeignet sein sollen. Im Doppeltest von AF120 Elite und AF140 Elite wird sich zeigen, ob dieses Versprechen eingehalten werden kann.

The AF120 ELITE uses CORSAIR's AirGuide technology with a relatively unique stator vane setup we saw on the accompanying SP120 RGB ELITE fans too, and this helps make for a concentrated airflow field leaving the fan that doesn't immediately spread out and lose momentum. Given the performance on my radiator which itself is about average in airflow restriction among other radiators as well as a few quick tests done in a less-than-scientific manner, I am inclined to say this is going to be an excellent case fan for airflow inside the PC chassis itself. It handles lower airflow restriction regimes far better than higher ones such as radiators, so it can do wonders with a well-designed case that doesn't have a filter or front panel to choke inlet airflow. Also, given some of you can't resist yourselves, the AF120 ELITE is not a Gentle Typhoon clone with the title meant to be more tongue in cheek given this actually outperforms the GT as a radiator fan from a performance/noise basis. Fans have been continually improving over the last decade since the GT was originally discontinued before being brought back in various forms, so it should not be a surprise to see many modern fans do better.

I had to let it sink in that Corsair now offers good fans without RGB again. No iCUE, no controller clutter, instead just a plain (but highly pure) white or a nice, exciting black. Bling-bling is not even available for a surcharge and the current street price of just under 24 Euros leaves you in the dark. Fiat Lux? No one needs it if the fan is allowed to concentrate on its actual task. And that’s exactly what it does. Thanks for this!