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Arctic P14 Max vs Corsair AF120 Slim: Comparison

Arctic P14 Max vs Corsair AF120 Slim: the static pressure difference

The gap that matters here is static pressure: Arctic P14 Max 4.18 mmH2O against Corsair AF120 Slim 1.9 mmH2O, which puts Arctic P14 Max 55% ahead. Airflow runs the same way, 95 CFM on the Arctic P14 Max versus 56.3 CFM on the Corsair AF120 Slim, another win for Arctic P14 Max. Arctic P14 Max also leads on max speed, 2800 RPM on the Arctic P14 Max versus 2000 RPM on the Corsair AF120 Slim. Lighting is not the same on both, No RGB on the Arctic P14 Max versus None on the Corsair AF120 Slim. They differ on fan thickness too, 27 mm on the Arctic P14 Max versus 15 mm on the Corsair AF120 Slim.

Who each one is for

The Arctic P14 Max is the one to take for server and NAS builds prioritizing airflow over noise and extreme overclocking and test-bench cooling, though it is not built for quiet daily-driver builds and bedroom or office PCs. The Corsair AF120 Slim suits tight-clearance builds where a standard 25mm-thick fan won't physically fit. It is the wrong buy for builds with no clearance constraints, a standard-thickness fan like the Noctua NF-A12x25 will generally outperform this one. Our rating of the Arctic P14 Max (7/10): genuinely excellent cooling capacity for the size, but too loud at full speed for most home builds. Our rating of the Corsair AF120 Slim (7/10): A clearance-solving slim 120mm fan that keeps most of the airflow a standard-depth fan would give you.

Frequently asked questions

Do the Arctic P14 Max and Corsair AF120 Slim differ on fan size?

Yes. Fan Size reads 140 mm on the Arctic P14 Max versus 120 mm on the Corsair AF120 Slim.

Is the Bearing Type the same on the Arctic P14 Max and Corsair AF120 Slim?

It is. Both are listed at Fluid Dynamic, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.

Specs and benchmarks

  • Fan Size

    Arctic P14 Max
    140 mm
    Corsair AF120 Slim
    120 mm
  • Brand

    Arctic P14 Max
    Arctic
    Corsair AF120 Slim
    Corsair
  • Model

    Arctic P14 Max
    P14 Max
    Corsair AF120 Slim
    AF120 Slim
  • Bearing Type

    Arctic P14 Max
    Fluid Dynamic
    Corsair AF120 Slim
    Fluid Dynamic
  • Lighting

    Arctic P14 Max
    No RGB
    Corsair AF120 Slim
    None
  • Fan Thickness

    Arctic P14 Max
    27 mm
    Corsair AF120 Slim
    15 mm
  • Static Pressure

    Arctic P14 Max
    4.18 mmH2OBest
    Corsair AF120 Slim
    1.9 mmH2O-55%
  • Max Speed

    Arctic P14 Max
    2800 RPMBest
    Corsair AF120 Slim
    2000 RPM-29%
  • Airflow

    Arctic P14 Max
    95 CFMBest
    Corsair AF120 Slim
    56.3 CFM-41%
  • PWM Control

    Arctic P14 Max
    Yes
    Corsair AF120 Slim
    Yes
  • Min Speed

    Arctic P14 Max
    400 RPM
    Corsair AF120 Slim
    600 RPMBest

    Which one should you pick?

    Choose Arctic P14 Max if you want the higher static pressure (4.18 mmH2O vs 1.9 mmH2O), the higher max speed (2800 RPM vs 2000 RPM) and the higher airflow (95 CFM vs 56.3 CFM).

    Choose Corsair AF120 Slim if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.

    Price comparison

    RetailerArctic P14 MaxCorsair AF120 Slim
    AmazonView on Amazon

    $24.99

    View on Amazon
    NeweggView on Newegg

    Disclaimer: The price and specification of the given product may differ from the actual product. Please confirm on the retailer's website before buying.

    Verdict

    Arctic P14 Max

    7 / 10 Expert Rating

    Genuinely excellent cooling capacity for the size, but too loud at full speed for most home builds.

    Corsair AF120 Slim

    7 / 10 Expert Rating

    A clearance-solving slim 120mm fan that keeps most of the airflow a standard-depth fan would give you.

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